Tag: Sci-fi

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Review

Starship bridge crew operating controls during warp speed travel

My regular readers will know how much I love Star Trek. And my favorite series is the Strange New Worlds one.

So, I was ecstatic to see that Season 4 is now available on Paramount+. Happy days. So far, the first three episodes have dropped.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is a vibrant, inventive, and deeply satisfying return that captures the spirit of classic Trek while delivering bold genre swings, strong character work, and pure adventure. Premiering on Paramount+ on July 23, 2026, the 10-episode season (releasing weekly through a September 24 finale) picks up with Captain Christopher Pike and the USS Enterprise crew continuing their exploratory missions in the years before The Original Series. Showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers double down on the series’ episodic strengths—each outing offering a distinct tone and style—while deepening the ensemble and leaning into hope, ethics, friendship, and wonder. Early critical reception has been strong (including an initial perfect Rotten Tomatoes score that settled into Certified Fresh territory), with many calling it reinvigorated and among the show’s best work.

The season opens with “Valles Marineris,” a thrilling time-travel adventure that flings the Enterprise 65 million years into the past amid a stellar storm. What follows mixes dinosaurs (with impressive effects and practical elements), first-contact diplomacy with a warrior culture, moral dilemmas about interfering with history, and Pike confronting his own path and predetermined future. Anson Mount anchors it with quiet intensity and moral clarity, while guest star Saffron Burrows delivers a memorable counterpart. It’s ambitious, bittersweet, philosophically rich in classic Trek fashion (echoing themes from episodes like “The City on the Edge of Forever”), and a fun, high-concept kickoff that balances action, wonder, and character.

“The Griffin Incident,” shifts hard into psychological horror and body horror as Spock, La’an, and a returning young James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) investigate a derelict Federation ship. It’s tense, visually striking, and unflinching, using the isolated setting and escalating hallucinations to probe the characters’ deepest fears and conflicts (including Spock’s dual nature and Kirk’s emerging sense of responsibility). Christina Chong, Ethan Peck, and Wesley shine in the high-stakes intensity, delivering one of the franchise’s more visceral standalone tales while advancing relationships. This is one of the best episodes of Star Trek every, right up there with Picard’s interactions with the Borg.

“Human Best Friend” provides welcome levity as a shore-leave comedy (with clear nods to TOS “Shore Leave” and hangover-style antics). The crew’s overworked bridge officers hit a pleasure planet whose atmosphere has intoxicating effects, leading to chaotic, character-revealing hijinks. It centers a delightful buddy dynamic between Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) and Montgomery Scott (Martin Quinn), turning prior friction into mutual respect and growth, while giving Spock and Kirk further bonding moments. Silly by design yet grounded in friendship, teamwork, and the crew’s need to blow off steam, it’s pure Strange New Worlds charm.

What elevates Season 4 is the consistent excellence of the cast and the freedom to experiment. Mount’s Pike remains a standout—reflective, principled, and human—while Rebecca Romijn’s Number One, Peck’s Spock, Jess Bush’s Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding’s Uhura, Babs Olusanmokun’s M’Benga, and the rest of the ensemble get meaningful moments and pairings. Wesley’s Kirk continues to integrate naturally, and returning guests like Carol Kane’s Pelia add texture. The showrunners emphasize pure episodic storytelling without a single overarching “big bad,” allowing for cowboys, black holes, dinosaurs, haunted ships, comedy, and more (including a planned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop puppet episode). Production values remain high, the writing mixes sincerity with playful genre pastiche, and the hopeful, exploratory ethos feels reenergized.

It ranks among the more lively and memorable runs, giving every performer room to shine across adventure, horror, drama, and comedy. Minor notes about tonal shifts or underdeveloped threads in a highly episodic structure don’t overshadow the overall joy and quality.

As the penultimate season (with a shortened final Season 5 already ordered to bridge toward TOS), Season 4 feels like a celebration of what makes Strange New Worlds special: a crew worth spending time with, strange new worlds and ideas, ethical questions, and the enduring optimism of Starfleet. It’s peak modern Trek—entertaining, thoughtful, and endlessly rewatchable.

Five stars out of five from me.

Distant Love (Part 89)

Glowing digital neuron structure emitting blue and orange energy in a server room

Maeve waves for Derek to follow her into the ship and then to the bridge. It is much cooler inside.

She holds his hand. “Are you sure about this?” She rubs his face. “You are risking so much for me, for the cause.”

Derek gazes into her eyes. “Anything for you, my love.” He takes her hand. “We can do this.”

She nods. “Do we need to go over the plan again?”

“No, everything is okay. The computer virus has already begun its infection. We will attack from the air while they plant the explosives.”

She flicks her hair. “I wish I could share your optimism.”

“Trust me, I got you out of jail, didn’t I?”

“You did.” They kissed. For

“Actually, I’m looking forward to trying out some of these new weapons on the ship,” Derek says with a smile.”They should do a lot of damage.”

They hear a loud clanging.

A few moments Aaron enters, sweat dripping from his brow. “That’s everything sorted now. Try to rest. Save your energy for later.” A wide grin appears on his face.

Maeve slams his back. “None of your business what we get up to, isn’t it, Derek?

“Definitely, Maeve.” A burst of laughter breaks out.

Distant Love (Part 88)

Technicians working on a large futuristic spaceship named Aurora-9 inside an industrial hangar

The next day all the plans had been put in place. Derek shakes at the thought of what he is about to be involved in. He had thought that his role in the plot would be at an end after he had hacked into the system, but now they wanted more.

A trickle of sweat rolled down the side of his face as the suns rays belted down on him. The other men are busy adding weaponry to his ship. Two, large powerful laser guns are being put on the front, and smaller ones on both sides. Derek and Maeve would be providing the air support in just under three hours from now.

Maeve wraps her arms around him from. “You okay, love?”

Derek leans his head back. “As alright as I’m going to be. A bit worried.”

“We’ll get through this.” She kisses his cheek.

“Get a room,” Mick shouts to laughter from James and Aaron.

“You’re just jealous,” Derek retorts.

“Of course,” Mick replies. “That’s even more reason to get one.”

Maeve smiles. “I’d be nice Mick especially if you want to live and see another day. It would be a shame if we decided to fly away. Now, that would be funny.

Wheelchair Wars: Addition to Chapter 7 Part 6

Silhouetted couple embracing under a crescent moon with stars above and ocean below

Audrey leaned over and gazed into his eyes. “You are my everything.”

Her deep, blue eyes dazzled him. They kissed.

“Keep it somewhere safe on your battle, and if you ever need to sell it, do. I’ll buy you more. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Will I do that thing you like?”

Timothy nodded.

Audrey began to kiss his chest, then moved lower as his heart raced.

Wheelchair Wars: Addition to Chapter 7 Part 5

Woman in pajamas holding a glowing blue cube between fingers.

They entered the residence where they were staying. It was quiet. Timothy shuddered at the thought of his fallen comrades.

His dad waited for him in his room, sitting on a sofa, reading a magazine. “Have a good time?”

Timothy nodded. “A fantastic time.”

“I’m glad to hear it. The two of you deserve it after everything you have been through.” He tapped Timothy’s shoulder. “Proud of you. Let’s get you into bed. You must be tired.”

Audrey had a bath while Timothy’s dad helped him with his nighttime routine.

Lying down, Timothy heard but couldn’t see her enter. “Check out the upper drawer. There’s something I got for you earlier. The thing I wanted to show you from earlier.

He hears the sound of the wheelchair motors as she moves.to the drawer. Then the sound of paper being removed.

“Oh my Emperor! She climbs into the bed beside him. “What is this?”

She held the blue diamond up for him to see.

“It’s from a Tamorian mine. A symbol of our love.”

Audrey frowned. “Was it expensive?”

Timothy smiled. “There is no reason for us to worry about money. You are my everything, and this is what you deserve.”

Wheelchair Wars Addition to Chapter 7 Part 4

Seared fish fillet on vegetable risotto with edible flowers and herbs

“That sounds lovely,” Audrey commented as she looked down at the menu once more. “I’ll go for it.”

“Yes, me too,” Timothy added.

“Great.” The waitress smiled and took back the menus before heading to the kitchen.

The delivery of the food was fast. Audrey helped Timothy to eat. It tasted unlike anything he had before. Different flavors swirled in in his mouth.

Almost a shame to swallow it.

“Enjoying it?” Timothy asked.

“Yes, it’s lovely. But would be nothing if you were not here with me.” Audrey rubbed his arm.

“I feel the same,” Timothy replied. “There is something I want to show you after we come back from the theatre.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll see.”

A few hours later they are returning from the theatre going down one bright corridor after another.

Timothy frowned. “What did you make of it?”

She was quiet for a moment. “I was surprised that the Emperor had to kill so many. I never heard about all the worlds that were slaughtered. They never taught us anything about that.”

I was thinking the same.

“Yeah, but apart from that? I thought the acting was brilliant.” Timothy said.

“Oh, yes. They were brilliant and I’m so happy we went.”

Wheelchair Wars Addition to Chapter 7 Part 3

Concert stage with performers in front of a packed modern theater audience under neon blue and purple lights

Timothy had never seen anything like it before. It was full of cuisines with long, indecipherable names, from a slew of languages.

Audrey looked at him perplexed.

Timothy smiled. “I guess we’ll be taking a recommendation.”

They were positioned close to kitchen doorway of the kitchen giving them a good whiff of the aroma of the food.

It sure does smell good.

“So, what will we do afterwards?” Audrey asked over the chatter in the restaurant.

“Well, there is a thing they call theatre on this layer. It’s like a film except the actors are on what they call a stage right in front of your seat.” He paused looking for her reaction.

Her brow furrowed. “What about all the special effects?”

“Well, you have to use your imagination. This is an ancient art form that precedes technology. There is a play as they are called in three hours about the rise of The Emperor. What do you think?”

“Yea, I’d like that. Something different while we’re on this layer.”

The waitress returned and at Timothy’s request gave her recommendation of Cascadian shark with mushrooms.

“Have you ever been to that planet?” she asked. Timothy and Audrey shook their heads.

She continued. “It’s a large planet almost completely covered in pristine water.  The high gravity leads to denser flesh. It is covered in the most exquisite of sauces.”

Wheelchair Wars Addition to Chapter 7 Part 2

Woman in pink dress holding a black clutch exiting a restaurant door

A few hours later they entered the Uisneach Beag Restaurant. Timothy wore a suit for the first time ever. His dad had insisted on him looking good for Audrey.

Audrey wore an immaculate pick dress and top. She looked suave and smelled of the best flowers of the planet Assisi. Timothy’s eyes had lit up on seeing her.

The restaurant itself was small, only able to accommodate forty patrons. One of the reasons why it was so expensive, there was no chance of Timothy affording this if not for his latest victory. Ornate pictures of spaceships in the Emperor’s fleet hung on the walls. Tables and chairs had to be moved so they could reach their table. The sound of aquatic life played in the background.

The other patrons chatted and pointed at them, to whispers of their great victory.

I am admired even here.

A female waitress approached. She was stocky with brown spots over her body and face – a Vulvian far from her home planet. She handed both of them a menu. “Have a look at these, I will be back to you in a moment. Let me know if you would like recommendations, or if there is anything else I can do.”

Wheelchair Wars Addition to Chapter 7 Part 1

Two knights in full armor clashing swords with sparks in a medieval stone hall

Dear readers, I need to build the relationship between Timothy and Audrey. All feedback welcome.

Their swords clashed once more. “You really need to mix things up,” Audrey scoffed.

“I know, but I like keep you on edge, can’t be showing you all my moves. What happens if we meet in one of the arenas?”

Audrey smiled. “You die, that’s what.” She drives her chair forward, catching Timothy off guard, who powers backwards.”

I love it when she gets feisty.

Audrey laughs. “We need better weapons. It’s too short to really you open you up.”

“I’m really feeling the love.”

She lowers her sword. “Ah, you know I don’t mean it. Not going to go easy on you thought, that will only make you weak. And I can’t have that.”

“I know my love.” With that, they drive their chairs close and they embrace.

The hall they were training in was very different to the ones on a lower level. The walls were all bright whites blues and greens. Everywhere was clean, ordered. The weapons were smaller and blunt.

“How do you feel about going to a restaurant? A proper one? My Dad said there is one close to here. It’s supposed to be the best in the star system.”

“Are you sure? You could have any woman go with you?”

Timothy looked into her eyes. “I only want you.”

She smiled and nodded.

Wheelchair Wars: Luke’s Story Section E Part 7

Muddy battlefield with abandoned World War I weapons, helmets, and a tattered flag.

Their dead bodies had almost reached the ceiling. Still, they continued onwards, slithering through the gaps. Luke tried to put the thought of the guns jamming again out of his mind.

A few minutes later, Lisa shouted out, “Stop firing!”

Luke took in a deep breath. Then rhey listened. There was no sound.

The attack is over.

“They sat.”

“What now?” Lisa asked.

“I spoke to Timothy before the battle. Due to the use of nuclear weapons, he will be leaving the planet whatever the result of the battle. There is a tracker on his, and myself and John are to meet him at a rendezvous point, when he leaves the command center. I’d love for you to join us.”