Warning! The following contains SPOILERS. Dinosaurs, time travel, and a confident Enterprise crew make “Valles Marineris” a boldly classic Star Trek season opener.
Strange New Worlds opens its new season by reminding viewers why it remains one of the franchise’s strongest modern entries.
“Valles Marineris” throws the USS Enterprise crew into survival drama, first contact, and time-bending chaos, yet never loses sight of the people at the center of it all. The result is a premiere that feels distinctly Star Trek: ambitious, dramatic, funny, and just strange enough to work.
1. Acting: chemistry on the bridge
The cast remains one of Strange New Worlds' greatest strengths, and season 4's first episode gives several performers room to shine. Anson Mount makes Captain Christopher Pike’s mix of charm and reluctant command feel effortless.
Mount's scenes, particularly when he attempts to negotiate with the Martian Commander Cassel (Saffron Burrows), carry a warm confidence that steadies even the wildest developments.
Christina Chong brings real intensity to La’an Noonien Singh, balancing deadpan professionalism with a sharper emotional edge that makes her especially compelling in the action-heavy scenes on Earth of 65 million years ago.
The episode also provides Rebecca Romijn's character Number One, aka Una Chin-Riley, the kind of pragmatic authority that makes every problem seem more manageable, and she remains as solid and charismatic as ever. Una's plan to stun the Tyrannosaurus won't soon be forgotten; the supporting cast members also make an impact.
In particular, Carol Kane keeps stealing moments with Commander Pelia's dry wit and strange wisdom, especially when she drops the Doctor Who phone box Easter egg.
Celia Rose Gooding's Uhura lends a contemplative, compassionate perspective to the mission, and she did everything possible to make the ship's new Vulcan, Starfleet cadet A'Sha (Bianca Nugara), feel welcome on the Enterprise.
The relationship between the SNW characters makes everything realistic and grounded, even when the plot in episode 1 becomes deliciously strange.
Add us as a preferred source on Google