Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Review: Hegemony, Part II and Wedding Bell Blues (Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episodes 1 and 2, “Hegemony, Part II” and “Wedding Bell Blues,” serve as an artful blend of high-octane suspense and character-focused comedy. There’s a lovely balance here: the first episode is action-heavy while tying up loose narrative threads from the Season 2 finale. However, the second episode is more lighthearted, a nice dose of levity to offset the white-knuckled tension produced in “Hegemony, Part II.”

Hegemony, Part II

“Hegemony, Part II” is a thrilling episode of television. It’s quite cinematic in how it’s shot, from the expansive in scope visuals and jaw-dropping special effects to the sweeping score. It feels like a 47-minute movie. 

The cast also gives it their all with compelling performances across the board. However, Anson Mount, Christina Chong, Jess Bush, and Ethan Peck are the real heavy-hitters on the acting front. Melanie Scrofano also makes the most of her short time onscreen. Bush, in particular, is the beating heart. She infuses Chapel with so much tenderness and vulnerability. 

It’s fun watching her and Peck as Spock work together to find a solution to save Batel’s life. They channel their characters’ relationship history, two seasons’ worth of that bond-building, into their scenes together. Your heart breaks for Spock and Chapel as they attempt to mend fences and race against time to save a life. 

Trauma and Tension

Chong captures La’an’s trauma so beautifully, too. La’an is thrust back into Gorn captivity, which triggers flashbacks to her childhood. Chong realistically portrays La’an’s freeze response as she endeavors to lead her fellow crew and the colonists out of harm’s way. M’Benga gently reminding La’an that she’s not in the past anymore is such a touching, deeply resonant moment. All trauma survivors need to hear this. 

“Hegemony, Part II” consistently keeps its finger on the pulse of the narrative, deftly building momentum regarding suspense and keeping us on the edge of our seats. While the Enterprise crew rises victorious in the end, it’s a bittersweet victory. Batel’s life still hangs in the balance, and Ortegas is in critical condition. 

Wedding Bell Blues

Trelane, a character from Star Trek: The Original Series, returns, or, rather, makes his first appearance to the Enterprise crew in “Wedding Bell Blues.” Rhys Darby guest stars as the childlike, mischievous alien (who’s only around 8,000 years old), and boy, does he knock it out of the park. Darby lets loose and isn’t afraid to get silly. It’s a fun contrast to Peck’s self-serious Spock. 

The episode focuses heavily on character dynamics and helping Spock move on from Chapel, who’s dating Dr. Roger Korby (another Original Series character). Spock’s heartbreak takes the form of an alternate reality in which he marries Chapel. Peck and Cillian O’Sullivan, who plays Korby, must figure out how to reverse the damage wreaked by Trelane. The actors play off each other well as rivals for Chapel’s affections. 

Ultimately, though, Spock lets Chapel go. Peck is so adept at balancing Spock’s Vulcan nature and directly opposing humanity, even showcasing how he incessantly fights to regulate his emotions. He pulls you in every time he’s onscreen.

Moretegas 

Conversely, Ortegas struggles to move through her pain in the same way Spock does. She becomes stunted by hers. To be fair, becoming impaled by a giant space iguana is pretty damn traumatizing.

“Wedding Bell Blues” introduces an intriguing seasonal arc for Ortegas, especially with that ending. The vision of the Gorn standing behind her in the mirror packs an emotional punch. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds proves why it’s the best of live-action NuTrek with an incredibly strong Season 3 premiere. It’s unadulterated, immersive escapism, filled to the brim with heart and humor. Here’s to seeing what comes next. 

Stray Observations: 

• Melanie Scrofano has been critically injured in two genre shows in the same week — Revival and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. So, as the quote goes, I’d have two nickels … which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it happened twice. 
• I’ll never get over how exciting it is to watch the bridge crew brainstorm when they’re in a bind. There are few binds greater than the Gorn blasting at you after kidnapping part of your gang. 
• Did you recognize the voice of Trelane’s father? That’s none other than John de Lancie, aka Q. How Q-tee-ful.
• Spock roasting Sam before very seriously selecting chardonnay for the wedding made me laugh out loud. Comedy Central needs to call him.
• If he doesn’t get me a Talarian star gem bracelet, I don’t want him. 
• Pike eagerly whisking Batel to the dancefloor for Wham! feels very on-brand for him. He also gives off dad rock vibes. 
• Does anyone else get the feeling we might get a new bridge crew romance soon? As much as I yearn for Spock/Chapel, La’an and Spock have chemistry, y’all. 

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.

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