Fans are done with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds going off-script with specialty episodes

Fans are done with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds going off-script with specialty episodes

As a longtime Star Trek fan who’s been beaming through the cosmos since the original series first graced our screens, I must say that Strange New Worlds has been a delightful addition to my collection of space-faring adventures. The cast is top-notch, the characters are well-developed, and it’s a joy to hop on board without feeling lost in a sea of continuity.


Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is largely excellent television. It boasts a talented cast, intriguing characters, and the convenience of tuning in without fear of being lost due to missing previous episodes. The journey has been thrilling as the show has evolved and gained new followers. However, it’s important to note that nothing is flawless.

It appears that one particular aspect might be hindering the success of the show; the “quirkier” episodes that air during specific seasons. In the first season, this manifested in the eighth episode which bore a resemblance to a children’s fantasy book with characters dressed in costumes reminiscent of a fantasy novel. The second instance occurred in the musical episode of season two.

The online fanbase responded positively to two specific episodes: “The Elysian Kingdom” from season one and “Subspace Rhapsody” from season two, largely due to their unconventional qualities and their apparent rebellion against the traditional Star Trek format. However, it seems that the fandom at large did not share this enthusiasm for these episodes. Instead, they often view them as blemishes on an otherwise flawless series.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that I’ve noticed some less-than-favorable reactions towards two specific episodes: “Subspace Rhapsody” and “The Elysian Kingdom.” According to Den of Geek, “Subspace Rhapsody” ranks as the 15th worst episode in the franchise’s history. Similarly, viewers on IMDB have given these episodes rather low scores – “The Elysian Kingdom” at 6.2 and “Subspace Rhapsody” at 6.8. The consensus among fans seems to be that both episodes leaned too heavily on gimmicks, a factor that has apparently not resonated well with the fandom.

They prefer fewer offbeat episodes and more of what truly embodies Star Trek’s greatness. An episode set in a fantasy world might have been appropriate for Star Trek back in the 1990s due to the larger number of episodes per season, making some deviation from the norm acceptable. However, in today’s context, a bit more consistency in storytelling could be beneficial.

The current state isn’t what people prefer. It appears that the limited ten episodes per season for Strange New Worlds is causing dissatisfaction among fans, who feel they want more. They seem to regard these fewer episodes as unnecessary and believe they detract from the engaging stories consistently produced by the writers.

Musicals may not be suitable for Star Trek productions. Many seem eager to incorporate them, only to discover later that musicals are more fitting for specialized genres. It appears that whenever a Star Trek series attempts this style, it tends to result in less favorable outcomes. While there is a proper setting for such concepts, the Star Trek franchise does not seem to be one of them at present.

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2024-10-17 00:23

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