We’ve had another week of sickness here in my home. This meant that I missed Arisia, much to my dismay. My apologies if you had hoped to see me there. I hope you enjoyed it without me.

Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the newest Star Trek show (Starfleet Academy) and the last one I watched (Strange New Worlds season 3).

Strange New Worlds season 3 was…

…fine. That’s quite the comedown from the first two seasons. In my opinion the third season’s first two episodes were a lot of fun, despite being a total tonal mismatch. But the rest of the season didn’t captivate me in the same way that the first two seasons had.

Looking back on it, I think the central plot arc they chose for the season simply didn’t land for me. Captain Batel’s storyline felt off. I’m not sure what would have resolved my issues with that. Fortunately there were fun side episodes, a benefit of the meandering that I love to see in episodic shows and something that’s lost in the intent focus on a single storyline that dominates most series these days.

Unfortunately there were also episodes that left me feeling like the actors deserved better. For example, I saw plenty of potential in episode 9, “Terrarium”, yet came out disappointed. Melissa Navia put everything into selling Lt Ortegas’s experience. But it felt like she was fighting against an episode structure that was designed to handicap her as much as possible.

Demanding your actor sell not only an extended black box soliloquy but also deliver a character defining transformation and a bunch of technobabble while interacting with a(n impressive) puppet is… well, it’s a lot. It’s not setting your actor up for success, that’s for sure. I appreciated Navia’s acting even as I took offense at what the writers had put her through.

On a happier note, Starfleet Academy’s first two episodes have been plenty of fun. Holly Hunter’s Captain Nahla Ake is a treat. I love seeing the return of The Doctor. I’ve cringed a bit at the CGI bots, and I’ve braced myself for messy hot-teen drama (since this seems to be Star Trek’s entry to that genre space). But in a big change from my usual experience of the messy hot-teen drama genre, I find myself honestly enjoying the “teenage” characters who’ve been introduced so far.

Obviously, I liked the first two episodes of SNW season 3 and ultimately felt a bit let down by that season, so I’m withholding judgment on Starfleet Academy so far. I’ll just say I’m having lots of fun, feeling cautiously optimistic for the series, and that I’m looking forward to the next episode.

Oh, and, yes Star Trek has always been woke. Perhaps more importantly it’s tried to keep up with the times, unlike those dinosaurs who complain about its wokeness while yearning for “the good old days.” No you don’t need to look up any news stories about this, just know that it’s come up yet again.