Anson Mount's Strange New Worlds S4 still takes big swings
Anson Mount's Captain Pike returns as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 premieres July 23 on Paramount+, and early media reviews say the show still favors genre-bending big swings over traditional Trek. Critics praise the cast and visuals while debating whether gimmick episodes leave character arcs undercooked.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount screened the first six episodes of season 4 for media ahead of the July 23 premiere.
- Despite talk of more traditional Trek, early episodes lean into dinosaurs, horror, noir, puppets, and more.
- Anson Mount's Pike navigates a post-Batel world as character drama remains a strength amid uneven development.
- The premiere, "Valles Marineris," sends Una, La'an, and Ortegas on a primitive-world mission.
- Season 4 has 10 episodes, with weekly Paramount+ releases running through Sept. 24.
Does Strange New Worlds season 4 still take big swings?
Yes, according to early coverage from TrekMovie and Polygon. Showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers had suggested season 4 would feel more like classic Trek after season 3's mixed reception.
Of the six episodes previewed, only one or possibly two land as traditional Star Trek stories. The rest chase genre experiments: dinosaurs and pointy-shouldered aliens in "Valles Marineris," horror in "The Griffin Incident," a romp in "Human Best Friend," film noir in "A Case of Chiaroscuro," puppets in "Level-Five Transporter Accident," and a disaster-movie vibe in "Off-Hour."
How does Anson Mount's Pike fare in the early episodes?
Mount remains central as Captain Christopher Pike, with TrekMovie noting he carries added weight in a post-Batel world while still facing his known fate. The premiere still plays like classic Trek in places—moral quandaries, Federation ideals, and striking visuals—even when it does not fully dig into its central dilemma.
Polygon argues the series still sometimes puts gimmicks ahead of character growth, though strong moments land when arcs align with the weekly concept. Fans following Celebrity Breaking News will also see familiar faces, including Paul Wesley's James T. Kirk and Dan Jeannotte's Sam Kirk.
Is the season premiere worth tuning in for?
TrekCore confirms the season opens with "Valles Marineris," named for Mars' canyon system, as Una (Rebecca Romijn), La'an (Christina Chong), and Ortegas (Melissa Navia) venture to a primitive world. New premiere photos highlight the production's visual polish, including dinosaurs that TrekMovie says look great.
Critics agree the cast and production values remain excellent. Fans who like Strange New Worlds' unconventional style should have a blast; those hoping for a full pivot to traditional allegory may find the "why" behind some swings still elusive, with deeper course-correction teased for the back half of the season.