The latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is, in a word, fun. But such is the case for pretty much every episode of this Paramount+ series, which, since it premiered in 2022, has been one of the most entertaining shows on television.
🚀 “Strange New Worlds” Goes Full Meta: Inside the Boldest Episode Yet — And That Spock Kiss
When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds promised to push creative boundaries, no one expected this level of meta genius.
Season 3’s holodeck-themed episode, “A Space Adventure Hour,” is not just a playful detour — it’s a love letter to Star Trek’s origins, a satire of itself, and a clever character study all rolled into one. The crew stumbles into a prototype holodeck experience where La’an (Christina Chong) becomes a detective in a noir-inspired mystery show-within-a-show called The Last Frontier, complete with cheesy sets, over-the-top acting, and delightful nods to Star Trek’s 1960s roots.
“It was like stepping into an alternate timeline where Star Trek was a sitcom,” actor Paul Wesley (Kirk) joked in a behind-the-scenes featurette.
Anson Mount, channeling an exaggerated version of Captain Kirk under the alias Maxwell Saint, embraced the ridiculousness, calling it “an actor’s dream — parodying your own franchise while still honoring it.” The episode feels like an intentional homage to Lucille Ball, who helped get the original Star Trek off the ground — something that didn’t go unnoticed by longtime fans.
But the emotional core? That came in the final moments, when La’an and Spock (Ethan Peck) shared an unexpected, tender kiss. For La’an — often the show’s emotional fortress — it marked a rare moment of vulnerability. For Spock, it showed just how far he’s come emotionally since the show’s beginning.
“We originally planned to explore that kiss in a previous episode,” co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers explained. “But saving it for this one gave it more weight. In a sea of absurdity, that quiet moment felt profound.”
Still, the fandom is divided. Some are thrilled by the romantic spark, while others worry Spock is becoming a bit too romantically involved, especially considering his canon history.
Despite differing views, this episode was a bold swing — and one that landed. It’s comedic, emotional, nostalgic, and wildly self-aware. In short, it’s everything Star Trek does best, all at once.
And if this is the bar Strange New Worlds is setting mid-season… the rest of Season 3 might just warp us into uncharted brilliance.
Want a follow-up deep dive into how Strange New Worlds uses genre-hopping to evolve Trek storytelling? Or a fan reaction article to that kiss? Let me know!
