Star Trek: Strange New Worlds isn't afraid of exploring different genres. Its genre-anthology approach to storytelling has led to some of the long-running franchise's most unpredictable and unexpected adventures -- like last season's controversial musical (which I personally loved).
During Comic-Con's Hall H panel, Paramount+ gave fans a sneak peek at Season 4 of the hit original series, confirming this experimental storytelling will continue. And one of the first episodes teased is one in which the U.S.S. Enterprise crew members are portrayed as puppets, created by none othe than the iconic Jim Henson's Creature Shop!
The puppet-themed episode is directed by Jordan Canning, who directed the Season 2 episode "Charades," as well as the Season 3 episodes "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans." She has also previously directed episodes in Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, the musical fantasy comedy puppet series that served as a reboot of Jim Henson's original 1983 show.
A very brief sneak peek of the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 puppet episode was shown during the panel, and also uploaded online. It shows a puppet version of Captain Pike on the bridge of the Enterprise as he says his iconic warp speed catchphrase "hit it."
Although Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is widely considered one of the best modern Star Trek series, its genre experimentation has sometimes proven to be controversial. Season 2's "Subspace Rhapsody” musical episode was especially polarizing. While critics largely praised its ambitious musical storytelling and production values, some fans felt the musical format didn't fit the tone of Star Trek. I could see a similar debate happening with this Season 4 puppet episode.
Of course, we've got a while before that happens. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds only just kicked off its third season this month. The Hall H presentation also provided fans with an advance screening of the series' upcoming new episode "A Space Adventure Hour," ahead of its debut this Thursday, July 31 on Paramount+.
Directed by Jonathan Frakes, the episode incorporates a murder mystery theme. When La'An (Chong) tests a prototype holodeck with a fictional case only she can solve, the consequences of failure get greater and greater, with the Enterprise hanging in the balance.
In a surprising move, Paramount+ is making the episode available to stream for free from Thursday, July 31st through Wednesday, August 6th on Pluto TV, Paramount+, Apple, Roku, and the Paramount+ YouTube channel.
Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds debuted with a double-header on Thursday, July 17th. New episodes are released weekly every Thursday with the finale scheduled for Thursday, September 11th.
In Season 3, when we reconnect with the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, still under the command of Captain Pike, they face the conclusion of Season 2's harrowing encounter with the Gorn. But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters' grit and resolve. An exciting twist on classic Star Trek, Season 3 takes characters both new and beloved to new heights, and dives into thrilling adventures of faith, duty, romance, comedy and mystery, with varying genres never before seen on any other Star Trek.
Season 4 has already wrapped production and Paramount+ recently announced that the series has been renewed for a fifth and final season.
A spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds explores the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike during his command of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Set in the years before Captain Kirk takes the helm, the series follows Pike, Science Officer Spock, Number One, and the rest of the crew as they journey through the galaxy, discovering new worlds and encountering unknown civilizations.