It’s been more than a year and a half since the last episode ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 came out, wrapping up the season with a nail-biting cliffhanger. The combined WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes meant that filming forStrange New Worldsseason 3was delayed and didn’t wrap up until May of 2024. As of right now, Paramount+ has not set a release date for season 3, but they have released some photos and teasers ofStrange New Worldsseason 3’s huge cast.
What makesStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 so exciting is just how amazing season 2 was.Strange New Worldsseason 2 episodes like “Under the Cloak of War"and “Those Old Scientists” set the bar high for next season, both in terms of comedy and drama. But the most iconic episode ofStrange New Worldshas to be season 2, episode 9, “Subspace Rhapsody” -Star Trek’s first musical episode. While “Subspace Rhapsody,” was totally new forStar Trek, it didn’t come totally out of left field.Strange New Worldshas been laying the groundwork for “Subspace Rhapsody” since the beginning.
Strange New Worlds Episode 2 Set Up Its Star Trek Musical Episode
There’s Been A Musical Motif In SNW Since The Beginning
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’second-ever episode set up its eventual musical.Strange New Worldsseason 1, episode 2, “Children of the Comet,” sawthen-Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) solve a communication problem with an alien species through song.Ultimately, Lieutenants Spock (Ethan Peck), Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), and La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) have to harmonize with Cadet Uhura to escape from the comet. This early instance of singing established that some of the mainStrange New Worldscast can sing, thus laying the groundwork for “Subspace Rhapsody.”
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Musical Worked Because Of 2 Genius Tricks
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical may be the show’s defining hour, thanks to two ingenious ideas beneath “Subspace Rhapsody’s” songs.
But more important than just establishing theStrange New Worldscast’s musical chops,“Children of the Comet,” set up “Subspace Rhapsody” at a more thematic level.At the start of the episode, Cadet Uhura felt uncertain about her commitment to Starfleet, but through music she was able to not only demonstrate her unique problem-solving abilities, but also to process her feelings when words failed her. This is an almost perfect thematic setup for theStar Trekmusical.
“Children of the Comet” was an overture for what was to come in “Subspace Rhapsody.”
In “Subspace Rhapsody,” Characters likeLieutenant La’an Noonien-Singh have to get in touch with emotionsthey struggled to express all season, just like Cadet Uhura inStrange New Worldsseason 1. Furthermore, now-Ensign Uhura gets the opportunity to use a combination of music and linguistics to once again save the USS Enterprise. In many ways, “Children of the Comet” was an overture for what was to come in “Subspace Rhapsody.”
Don’t Expect A Musical Episode In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3
But That Doesn’t Mean Season 3 Won’t Be Epic
But no matter how fun and how popular “Subspace Rhapsody” was, it is highly unlikely that there will be another musical episode inStar Trek:Strange New Worldsseason 3. For one thing,it would simply feel gimmicky forStar Trekto repeat the same trickso close together. Out of more than 900 episodes across the entireStar Trekfranchise, “Subspace Rhapsody” is the only musical. There is no way Paramount+ would do the same bit twice in the same show.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsreceived an early renewal for season 4 with filming already underway.
Nevertheless, there’s a lot to look forward to next season.Strange New World’s Doctor Joseph M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) has a lot to unpack with his history in the Klingon War.Strange New Worldsseason 2’s finaleintroduced Martin Quinn as Lieutenant Montgomery Scott, AKA Scotty. Even for “Subspace Rhapsody,” the story isn’t over. There’s been talk of doing stage performances, although that likely wouldn’t be until the series wraps up. It will be fascinating ifStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 will have any continuation of the series' musical motifs.
