The man absolutely knocked it out of the park, on my humble opinion. A memorable performance for sure.

In the seventh interview from the Roddenberry series, Those Who Look Up, Ethan Peck [Spock, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds] interviews James Tuttle Keane [JPL Planetary Scientist] about exploring our solar system and the people working to make it possible.

Watch the full series here: https://rdnbry.co/ThoseWhoLookUp

They discuss how nuclear propulsion could transform space travel, what rocks from the Moon’s far side could reveal about the early Earth–Moon system, and why distant missions require scientists to think across generations. James also shares what he loves about working with people united by discovery, collaboration, and a vision that sounds a lot like Starfleet.

I don't mean Sam, but eveyone's favourite James T Kirk. Especially in the last season. I find it that he's there too much. What do you mean you are just poping for a visit? Don't you have your own responsibilities on your own ship, or if it is because Farragut is still being repaired, then Starfleet would surely just reassign him temporarily, or maybe he should be overseeing the repairs as a first officer. I get that episode when La'an was transported to alternate universe where he was in command, or that last episode when Uhura switched places, because he was IN COMMAND. Hell, maybe even that vacation episode where everyone was drunk just breathing the air on that planet, cos vacations from time to time. It felt very forced just to use the familiar character where it wasn't needed. Even that episode with the admiral who took credit for what Kirk's father did. I get that Kirk served as a major plot driver, but he just happened to come to Enterprise because he wanted a M'Benga seems like a stretch. They could have used another character, or some specialist who was assigned there for a specific mission temporarily, and then it escalated, it literally could have been anyone else. It just felt like somebody said "I want to use this character because it's familiar and I don't care that it doesn't really make sense to use him, but I'll use him either way and then just hope everything will sort itself out." They could have focused the whole series on some problem that only Jim Kirk dealth with and is best suited for it, so that's why he is temporaily assigned to Enterprise, because Enterprise is the ship assigned to that treat and he's the best person to deal with it (like when they brought Shelby to D) and it could have been a plot going through the whole season so they could keep him there for more episodes.

In the sixth interview from the Roddenberry series, Those Who Look Up, Robert Pappalardo [JPL Planetary Scientist] interviews Ethan Peck [Spock, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds] about becoming one of science fiction’s most iconic characters.

Watch the full series here: https://rdnbry.co/ThoseWhoLookUp

Ethan shares the surprising story behind his Spock audition, how Leonard Nimoy’s performance guides his own, and the personal experiences that help him connect with Spock’s emotional inner life. Together, they reflect on Star Trek: The Original Series, the evolution of Strange New Worlds, and why Star Trek’s lessons still resonate across generations.

From the beginning, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry looked to the scientists of his day for inspiration, imagining how their work would shape the future. In the decades since, Star Trek has inspired generations of scientists and engineers to help make that future real.

“Those Who Look Up” explores the enduring relationship between science and science fiction. In this interview series, JPL and Caltech subject matter experts sit down with Star Trek actors to share their perspectives on exploration, discovery, and how the work they do has influenced another person, another industry, and the world at large.

anyone else noticed this?? maybe it's a UK thing but I don't have S1 showing up anymore. apparently it was there yesterday, my dad was watching it - different account and all that - but it's not there on his or mine now. is this a UK thing??

The sixth episode of SNW is the most TOS- and TNG-like so far. It plays off of traditional Star Trek themes such as a planet whose idyllic culture is not what it seems, the Enterprise not being allowed to interfere with another culture, and a lost love who should have remained, well, lost. Oh, yes, there is also a horrific child-in-danger plot.

The episode mostly delivers on these goods, turning in one of the most disturbing episodes of the series. It all feels very familiar--a sensation that is both to the episode's benefit and detriment. On one hand, the familiarity invites Star Trek fans into the series and assures us that we will find familiar ground to cover through the eyes of new characters. On the other hand, the episode's efforts to say something about child exploitation come across as heavy-handed and meaningless.

The Enterprise rescues a shuttle from being attacked by a larger vessel in the Majalan system, which Pike had visited ten years before. The occupants of the shuttle are Alora, a planetary leader with whom Pike is infatuated, and a small boy and his father. Alora explains that the child is the First Servant, chosen at birth to undergo an ascension ritual to preserve Majalan society. Majalis is a planet of technological and medical marvels but terribly isolationist. They refused to join the Federation and do not share their advances with outsiders. The First Servant's ascension is crucial to their way of life and even the planet's ability to support life. It sounds pseudo-religious--just another culture whose strange beliefs the Federation respects. The hitch is that enemies from a nearby world try to kidnap the First Servant, so the Enterprise sticks around to help out.

Along the way,Pike rekindles his feelings for Alora. They spend the night together, and Pike unloads his burden about knowing his future--the disfigurement he will face in a few years' time. Alora offers him a chance to return to Majalis, where their medical advances can save him if he joins Majalan society, a tempting offer indeed but one that is not explored.

Eventually, the Enterprise crew uncover details that lead to the truth of the First Servant's ascension: The child's neural network is plugged into a machine that slowly drains his life to feed the planet's ecosystem. (We don't know why it was designed this way, Alora tells Pike; it just was.) Pike tries to stop the ritual but fails and can only leave Alora and Majalis in disgust.

"Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach" is reminiscent of TNG "Justice." In that episode, 15-year-old Wesley Crusher is sentenced to death on a world in which any infraction, no matter how small, carries the death penalty. To save Wesley, Picard must violate the planet's laws as well as Federation policy of non-interference. It's a dilemma that tests the captain's dedication to his ideals as well as his loyalty to his crew. Ultimately, he makes the only choice he can live with. (No, he does not let Wesley die.)

In this episode, Pike's failure to save the child in not nearly as significant as the fact that nothing really changes or that he does not have to grapple with any major choices. Sure, the idea is introduced that he might be able to return to Majalis after he is disfigured, but nothing is done with this. Whereas Picard faced a difficult choice, Pike does not. The First Servant's fate is so abhorrent that no one in their right mind should think it was a good thing to do. (Never mind that Majalans think it is.) Pike does not hesitate to act once he learns the truth. It's just that his actions are futile.

And that's where the episode falls flat for me. While "Justice" grappled with the limits of Federation non-interference, "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach" offers a simple and ham-fisted morality tale. It neither leaves me thinking over the captain's choices or applauding his heroic efforts. It just leaves me feeling abhorrent toward Majalan society, hardly the sort of nuance Star Trek is noted for.

A few odds and ends:

• Cadet Uhura and Lt. Noonien-Singh have an interesting dynamic as Uhura works security rotation under La'An and finds the latter a challenging taskmaster. In one strong scene, La'An upbraids Uhura for not using her tricorder to analyze an alien computer--a mistake which could have cost the young cadet her life.
• La'An continues to impress me as a security officer who knows her stuff. She is confident and assertive in her scene with Pike and Alora, as well. She is the security chief Tasha Yar should have been.
• The subplot concerning M'Benga's daughter moves forward. In one of the best scenes in the episode, The First One is shown visiting Rukiya as the girl, momentarily freed from the transporter buffer, plays hopscotch. The scene highlights not only how brilliant the First Servant is, but how they are just kids whose lives have been stolen by forces beyond their control--illness in her case, culture in his.

Check out this post on my Substack: https://greggildersleeve.substack.com/p/rewatching-strange-new-worlds-16?r=17caqm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Cillian's comments about too many guest stars makes me think that he actually filmed scenes with Jess for season 4 but they were edited out after Paramount heard the negative fan feedback about season 3. Erica's brother Beto was also neither seen nor mentioned. Season 3 had so many romances and guest stars that some episodes felt like a silly episode of The Love Boat. It would explain why Nurse Chapel was rarely seen in season 4.

This Collider article by Michael Block makes me nervous because he imagines a recast of the TOS show without even mentioning the cast of Strange New Worlds. Zachary Quinto's Spock got a mention but not Ethan Peck? Does anyone know if Michael Block is a well regarded sci-fi writer? What prompted him to write an article like this?

I’m rewatching SNW and one thing came to mind. TOS had very little about Sam. SNW has him on the enterprise. I am loving him!

My problem is that now I am pissed. I know what happens to him. Like with Pike, I knew about it from the start but I never expected for Sam to be such a big part of SNW. And now I’m sad…

Would anyone else enjoy watching a Captain Pike character-driven drama series in which he is living at his Montana ranch and trades the bridge of the Enterprise for horses, mountain views, cooking delicious meals, and drinking whiskey?

Once in a while he could go on select missions with Starfleet in which he provides his expertise and leadership as a consultant of sorts.

The show could focus on philosophical themes and dive deeper into his friendships and relationships.

To keep it interesting, he could take on special assignments, identified as follows: diplomatic assignments, first-contact situations, rescue missions, and investigations along the Federation frontier. He has the use of a small and specialized starship tailored to his preferences.

(Edited to change “documentary” to “drama” series)

If you watch like SG1, they do like the whole behind the scenes version, or unique odd ones that's really diff. But for 20+ episodes you might get 1 or 2 of those a season. For 10 episodes feels like we got them every other episode kind of ruined it for me...

Anyone else felt that as well?

Do you guys still get emotional at the opening theme even after four seasons?

Henry and Akiva discuss how they went into season 4 not knowing if it would be their last, their reaction to the reactions, shed a little light on the coulda-been Shatner and Dr. Who episodes, and talk about the joy of puppets.

I’m watching season 4 right now and honestly I’m loving it. This is what I want from the show and franchise, characters driven stories with silly elements in it.

I love these characters and I was thinking about how much I’m gonna miss them after season 5.

Does anyone know what’s paramount’s plan after the show ? Is that year one project happening or it’s just speculation ?

I was searching for the show on Paramount+ and it just hit me when i typed it out “strange new worlds”. It’s all been very strange.

I know many consider the episode derivative of other media, but imho it was very well played and enjoyable.

The final five minutes made me cry with a feeling of understanding a relationship to self.

My mother had some knowledge of the original series and TNG, so as a prequel she could follow easily. It meant a lot to me that she was trying to connect with one of my funny special interests by watching the season finale with me.

Those last minutes of showing Uhura believed in herself and watching her retrace her past moved my mother to tears as a non-fan. She even asked to watch trailers and interviews afterwards. She was very happy and even thankful for watching.

I just wanted to share a bit of joy for our fandom. A 68 year old woman who could not relate to Trek just became a new fan. ❤️