Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Shuttle to Kenfori

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 3, “Shuttle to Kenfori,” sees the past catch up with M’Benga and Ortegas as the Enterprise risks everything to save Batel. It’s a nice balance of action and character work, especially as Ortegas and M’Benga work through their respective traumas. It also blesses us with a Star Trek take on the zombie subgenre. 

Klingons and Zombies and Chimera Blossoms, Oh My!

“Shuttle to Kenfori” takes a page out of The Last of Us and The Walking Dead‘s respective books with some of its visuals, particularly on the titular Kenfori. The post-apocalyptic set design and even the zombie movement evoke major horror movie vibes. This isn’t the first time the franchise has dabbled in the horror genre, but it’s still a delight all the same. 

Christine Horn guest stars as Bytha, the daughter of Ambassador Dak’Rah, whom M’Benga kills in Season 2’s “Under the Cloak of War.” Now, M’Benga must answer for his crimes — mostly because Bytha wanted to do away with her father first to clear the family name. 

Echoes of War

I love that we’re still exploring the effects of The Klingon War, and how M’Benga’s PTSD is this albatross that he struggles to overcome. M’Benga’s story is all too relatable — he’s a former soldier haunted by the echoes of a past war. In “Shuttle to Kenfori,” M’Benga puts the Dak’Rah chapter behind him and takes baby steps toward healing. Pike’s support plays a role in that.

M’Benga refers to his PTSD as a “monster,” which is such a common experience for those grappling with their mental health. We feel ostracized and just plain different from mainstream society. Pike reassures M’Benga that he’s not a monster; he’s a man. A beautifully flawed, messy, complex human being.

Babs Olusanmokun is gravitas personified. He draws you to the screen. His take on M’Benga is nuanced and grounded in truth. Olusanmokun also boasts a fun chemistry with Anson Mount. It’s great getting to see different facets of these characters, and Olusanmokun and Mount really tap into what makes them tick. 

I Fly the Ship

Ortegas is at a different point in her healing journey from, say, M’Benga and La’an. Ortegas is on a thrill-seeking kick in “Shuttle to Kenfori.” She’s insubordinate, snappy, and deliberately doesn’t follow orders. Ultimately, Ortegas puts the Enterprise crew at risk by manipulating the situation just enough so that Number One would choose her plan. 

Melissa Navia channels Ortegas’ suppressed anger and trauma well here. Although it’s frustrating for us, as audience members, to see her struggle like this and refuse to acknowledge her pain. This episode is a reminder that everyone moves at their own pace, and that healing, like grief, is usually nonlinear. 

“Shuttle to Kenfori” isn’t Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ strongest outing, but there’s still a lot to love, especially the in-depth character work, the narrative possibilities regarding Batel becoming a human/Gorn hybrid, and the zombies. Always the zombies. It’s an entertaining (mind) melding of genres. 

Stray Observations:

• If I can’t find a partner who would violate multiple treaties and fly through restricted zones to save my life, I don’t want him.
• Now we need a Pike and M’Benga fly fishing scene this season as a palate cleanser to a stress-inducing scene. 
• Damn, if Number One looked at me like she does Ortegas after the latter spoke out of turn, I would simply cease to exist. If looks could kill.
• I try not to be materialistic, but Number One’s hair … is a choice. I understand it’s a precaution in case the crew encounters anti-gravity hijinks, but initially, I thought it was a helmet.
• My Pike hair prediction is that he’ll look like Johnny Bravo by the season’s end. It’s what the people want. 
• Bytha’s whip is pretty badass. She should’ve had more screen time whipping zombies. 
• Pike reciting Luke 4:23 — “Physician, heal thyself” — after rattling off The Lord’s Prayer at the end of episode one can’t be a coincidence. Maybe Season 3 will grapple with Pike’s religious upbringing versus his reliance on science. 

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

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