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Strange New Worlds literally bursts onto 4k, Blu-ray, and DVD in December upping the ante, expanding the playing field, and welcoming back Spock (Ethan Peck), Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), and Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) to media libraries everywhere in a sophomore season that swings for the fences.
After a barnstorming first go round, our intrepid Starfleet travellers take on new challenges guaranteed to test their limits, expand their horizons, and boldly take them where no one has gone before. Not only giving Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) an opportunity to shine, but to address some niggling concerns around La’an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong) that require clearing up.
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With a full blown song and dance episode providing an essential leftfield upset in this second season, it is clear that Strange New Worlds is out to break new ground. Add that into an old-fashioned courtroom drama that defines episode 2, and Trekkies are sure to embrace a show that intentional takes risks, seeks to push explore contentious issues, and is unafraid to get its hands dirty.
Anson Mount and Ethan Peck continue to make impressive strides in terms of chemistry, not only making these characters their own but going some way to banishing the ghosts of Bruce Greenwood, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy who are always in attendance.
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Elsewhere, Rebecca Romijn makes the most of Una Chin-Riley, especially in an episode almost entirely devoted to her, as contemporary questions of identity sit alongside debates around duty and honesty in a professional capacity. With the solid support of Yetide Bakadi as her defence counsel, not only is Ad Astra Per Aspera a high-water mark for the series so far, but also demonstrates a degree of brave, as Strange New Worlds is already trying to test dramatic boundaries in the run up to Season 3.
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With time travel elements also playing their part in this hugely satisfying second entry, there really is something for fair weather fans and devotees alike, making this another solid addition to Star Trek collections everywhere, especially in light of the recent release of Star Trek: Picard Season 3. In fact, Strange New Worlds embraces many of the qualities that saw Next Generation run for 7 seasons, turning Jean-Luc Picard into an icon in the process.
With a third run already confirmed for 2024, Strange New Worlds looks to have legs long enough to last the distance and may yet prove to be a landmark series in the making. Meaning that fans best invest now since there are no guarantees when it comes to streaming services making this available long term.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 available on DVD, Blu-ray™, and 4K UHD™ from December 4.
