Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Dude, Where’s My Shuttle?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Season 4, Episode 3, “Human Best Friend,” is a lively, comedic romp featuring Ortegas and Scotty. It’s a bit of a tonal whiplash after last week’s “The Griffin Incident,” but it’s a much-needed palate cleanser after that episode’s narrative heaviness.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, “Human Best Friend”
This outing is a delightful mix of a Star Trek: Lower Decks episode, The Hangover, and Dude, Where’s My Car? That might seem like the most absurd blend of three different things, but “Human Best Friend” incorporates these pop culture inspirations well.
I imagine the episode won’t resonate with everyone—it’s a bit out there—but I will always appreciate this show’s penchant for taking creative swings for the fences. I’d much rather it take those audacious swings than plateau creatively, even if something doesn’t always work. Thankfully, “Human Best Friend” is a jokes-a-minute affair, bolstered by strong comedic performances and plenty of heart.
Everyone Is a Plant
Ethan Peck, in particular, shines as Spock. He never goes over the top here, maintaining our favorite half-Vulcan’s trademark personality while insisting he’s inebriated. Peck’s delivery is all the funnier because he keeps Spock grounded. Really, everyone brings their A-game, and every core cast member gets an opportunity to stretch their comedic wings.
The focus on Martin Quinn’s Scotty is much-welcomed here. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been building on Scotty and Ortegas’ rivalry for only two episodes, which might not seem like much time for said rivalry to feel organic, but it works.
Quinn and Melissa Navia play off each other well. Navia is a great straight man to Quinn’s goofball. “Human Best Friend” provides context for their feud while also shedding light on these characters’ inner workings. We learn more about the source of Ortegas’ anger.
Bomb’s Away
“Human Best Friend” also further cultivates Spock and Kirk’s budding friendship, laying the groundwork for their bond in Star Trek: The Original Series. Paul Wesley continues to win me over as Kirk, and he and Peck boast an easygoing on-screen chemistry.
In addition, the outing plants seeds for a big La’An revelation in the episodes to come. While everyone else is relaxed to the max due to the inebriated atmosphere in Cesnar Grand, La’An experiences the opposite. La’An’s relationship with her identity has been her throughline since the beginning of the show, but it feels like we’re on the precipice of discovering something significant about these new biological changes she’s enduring.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds shoots for the Moon with “Human Best Friend” in a hilarious, larger-than-life comedy that might not feel very Trek-esque (to some), but it shows just how much fun this crew is having when making this series. There’s a lot of love baked into its DNA.
Stray Observations:
- I love the homage to Star Trek: The Animated Series in Dendru’s promotional video for Cesnar Grand.
- Did anyone spot the tribble in the scene when Ortegas wakes up with a hangover?
- Any time I see a mugato, I think of that Lower Decks episode. Perfection.
- Una singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” feels like the perfect Bonnie Tyler tribute. RIP to an ’80s queen.
- “Klingon power ballads” feels like an oxymoron (okay, I know this is three words, but still), but I desperately need an album comprised solely of Klingon power ballads. For science.
- Spirk is alive and well, my human best friends. It’s alive and well.
- Spock mind melding with a plant was so funny to me.
- Pelia would’ve been a blast to have in this episode.
- Fun fact: James Doohan lost his middle finger in real life, so the episode nods to that by blowing off Scotty’s finger.
What did you think of this episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
Critic Rating:
Audience Rating:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.
Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.