Should Star Trek: Strange New Worlds dabble in more comedy?
By Chad Porto
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds got a bit silly with their latest episode, “Spock Amok”.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is trying to bring things back to center. Many Trek fans who felt abandoned by the new content have been enjoying Strange New Worlds, mostly due to the fact that the show seemingly has gone back to its roots. That said, the newest episode of the show’s debut season, “Spock Amok”, took a bit more humorous take on the world of Star Trek.
While comedy isn’t new to Trek, not even in the form of Lower Decks, this will surely cause some fans to pause and wonder how much comedy should Trek really focus on with Strange New Worlds. One writer from Screenrant loved that the show got a bit more light-hearted and hoped that they’d do more episodes like this.
I’m not sure I agree, but I’m nto sure I disagree. The world of Star Trek can sometimes be silly, but how much silly is the right amount?
Star Trek isn’t knew to being a bit silly but Strange New World’s shouldn’t over do.
I’m reminded of the Origianl Series’ Trouble with Tribbles and Deep Space Nine’s Take Me Out To The Holosuite as episodes that really enduldged with the silliness. The look on James Kirk’s face when he’s besiged by a group of Tribbles just screams hammy fun. Then you have Odo, in full umpire gear screaming at Ben Sisko, all while Worf screams “DEATH TO THE OPPOSITION” while playing first base; it’s beyond lunacy.
And I loved it.
I’m fine with Strange New Worlds doing some comedy. Some. With the show only having 10 episodes per season, however, wasting too many on being silly instead of being thought provoking really is going to take its toll.
It’s like eating a piece of cake after dinner. When you have all the appropriate food to satisfy what your body needs, a piece of cake once in a while isn’t a problem but a diet consistenting of mostly sugar is.
Humor in Star Trek is sugar. A little goes a long way, and the showrunner and crew should be careful to not induldge in it. There is in fact too much of a good thing. So keep the comedy episodes to one per season, and let the show prove that it can stand on its own feet when compared to the legendary shows that came before it.