Treknicity - Season 09 - Episode 05 - "SNW Review: S03E01 & E02"
Dive into our full breakdown of the SeasonâŻ3 debut of Strange New Worlds, where we review the highâstakes âHegemony, PartâŻIIâ and its tonal flipâside âWedding Bell Bluesâ â and introduce the brilliant new voice joining our crew, Kat Drake!đš âHegemony, PartâŻIIâThe season opens with a pulseâpounding resolution to the tense Gorn cliffhanger from SeasonâŻ2. Captain Pike and the bridge crew race against time to rescue captured colonists and return the Gorn to hibernation using a gravityâwell gambit â balancing visceral horror, nerveâwracking action, and emotional stakes as Chapel and Spock work desperately to save Batel from a Gornâspawn infection. The episode showcases tight ensemble work and character growth, especially for Laâan and Ortegas under extreme duress, setting a gritty tone for the season ahead. đš âWedding Bell BluesâIn stark contrast, EpisodeâŻ2 jumps ahead three months to StarbaseâŻOne, where the Enterprise crew celebrates the Federationâs centennial â but Spockâs joy freezes when Chapel returns engaged to Dr. Korby. What follows is a whimsical, realityâwarping escapade orchestrated by a mischievous guest (RhysâŻDarby), with a cameo by JohnâŻdeâŻLancie confirming him as a scion of Q â canonâvalidating decadesâold fan theories. Itâs a româcomâmeetsâcosmicâchaos episode offering heartfelt character beats, comic relief, and deep dives into Spock and Chapelâs relationship dynamics. đď¸ Episode Format & Highlights:đ Tone Shift: We explore how Strange New Worlds swings from horrorâdrama to româcom fantasy in just one night, and whether the tonal whiplash works or disrupts the narrative flow. Gizmodođ Character Focus: Discussing how the premiere balances epic stakes with intimate character journeys â from Pike and Laâanâs courage to Spockâs romantic heartbreak.đ Legacy & Lore: Delving into the official TrelaneâQ connection revealed in âWedding Bell Blues,â and what it means for Trek canon continuity.âď¸ Pacing & Structure: Our take on pacing, emotional beats, and whether the threeâmonth timeâskip serves or undermines the story arcs.đ Introducing Kat Drake:Weâre thrilled to welcome Kat Drake as our new coâhost! A lifelongâŻTrek scholar and expert in characterâdriven storytelling, Kat brings fresh insights, lively banter, and a sharp analytical eye. From dissecting Spockâs emotional journey to spotlighting Chapelâs development â having Kat onboard takes our reviews to the next level. Welcome, Kat!Tune in for a spirited conversation about how Strange New Worlds balances its adventurous roots, deep character work, and bigâpicture lore â and be ready for great chemistry with our allânew duo: you, me, and Kat Drake.