Anthony and Laurie start the podcast with a deep dive into the latest goings-on with the Paramount/Skydance merger, unraveling the latest events and discussing what its impact on the Star Trek franchise (including movies as well as TV) could be. They talk about the news that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will end after season and how that will affect the arc of the show, then spend some time digging into the season 3 trailer as well as the panel discussion from the recent screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Both podcasters also share their (mostly spoiler-free) early thoughts on the first five episodes of the third season. Laurie gives a quick wrap-up of the Trek Long Island convention, Tony talks about the announcement for Spaceballs 2—and a hint from Tim Russ that he may return for it—and Laurie recommends a fun video of the Lower Decks show open done TOS-style.
Special thanks to Julian Brown of Strange New Pod for the panel audio and Marina Kravchuk for the photos used in the header image.
Bold New Frontiers: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Previews & What Skydance Means for Star Trek’s Future
In the latest episode of the All Access Star Trek podcast, hosts Anthony Pascale and Laurie Ulster offered fans an exciting deep dive into the upcoming third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds—and gave insightful commentary on the broader future of the franchise amid Skydance’s looming merger with Paramount.
🚀 A Season of Surprises: Strange New Worlds Season 3
According to the hosts, who previewed the first five episodes, Season 3 kicks off with high-stakes intensity and bold storytelling choices.
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Action-Packed Opening: The season begins with a resolution to the Gorn cliffhanger from Season 2’s finale, “Hegemony.” While the resolution may feel slightly rushed, it sets the tone for a high-octane journey through space and morality.
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Genre-Bending Episodes: This season experiments wildly—featuring everything from horror and musicals to noir-style mystery and sci-fi comedy. Each episode dives into a distinct theme while still staying grounded in Trek philosophy.
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Character-Driven Arcs: The podcast highlights the evolution of fan-favorite characters. La’An wrestles with personal trauma, Spock and Chapel navigate romantic tension, and M’Benga faces his haunted past. Each storyline adds rich emotional depth to the episodic adventures.
🔮 Skydance and the Star Trek Universe
The episode also explores the bigger picture: what Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount could mean for Star Trek as a whole.
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A Crossroads for the Franchise: The merger could unlock major financial backing but may also come with creative restructuring. The fate of current and future Trek projects now hinges on new leadership’s vision.
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Preserving SNW’s Momentum: With Strange New Worlds currently viewed as the crown jewel of modern Trek, the podcast suggests it may be prioritized for future renewal—even beyond its planned fifth season.
👀 Early Reactions: Hope with a Hint of Caution
Critics and media insiders who’ve seen early screeners are generally positive, praising the balance of nostalgia and innovation. However, some note that the emotional core of certain episodes could be sharper, and pacing issues may arise.
Still, Strange New Worlds Season 3 is shaping up to be the most confident and experimental installment yet.
📅 Release Schedule
Paramount+ will drop the first two episodes of Season 3 on July 17, 2025, followed by one new episode weekly. Season 4 is already greenlit, with Season 5 rumored to be in early development.
🖖 Final Thoughts
If Season 2 was about redefining Star Trek for a new era, Season 3 is about embracing everything that made it iconic. With high-concept ideas, deep character arcs, and a bold creative direction, Strange New Worlds continues to prove why it's at the heart of the franchise's revival.
Meanwhile, Skydance's entrance into the picture opens both exciting opportunities and uncertain questions—but if this season is any indication, Star Trek is more than ready to boldly go wherever the future takes it.
