Summary
There’s no denying thatStar Trek: Strange New Worldshas been a particularly massive hit for the eminent sci-fi franchise. But while fans have been enjoying their time with it, one long-time series veteran has noted that many positive reactions to the show have come with unexpected barbs on the tail end.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas specifically evoked classic showsfrom the franchise since its inception, and fans were quick to pick up on it. Set in the decade before the originalStar Trekseries took place, it offers a contemporary take on the episodic formula offered by its predecessor. This earned it almost immediate popularity among theStar Trekfandom, and it’s not difficult to see why. However, some fans have expressed their love forStrange New Worldsin a way that left a sour taste in the mouth of one particular member ofTrekroyalty.
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Jonathan Frakes, best known for playing William Riker inStar Trek: The Next Generationand many other appearances since then, has had a hand as director in severalStar Trekseries over the years. So when he heard some of the praise forStrange New Worlds, calling it an improvement over previous shows he’d worked on, it stung a bit, even though he also worked on the current series. “What a treat, that show,” he said initially when speaking withStar Trek Explorermagazine (viaStarTrek.com). “I was there when they premiered, and all of a sudden, everybody loved it, the fans and the critics. I was able to experience the joy of that cast seeing their work appreciated and loved.”
But the reactions turned out to be a bit backhanded, despiteStar Trekfans' good intentions. “Unfortunately, part of what happened during that time was that the fans and the critics took the same opportunity to say, ‘This is theStar Trekwe’ve been waiting for.’ Either written or unwritten was, ‘NotDiscoveryand notPicard,’ if you recall,” Frakes continued. “There was a congratulations and a slap in the same swing, but I was fortunate, as I often am in my timing, to be onStrange New Worldswhen all the good stuff happened.”
Frakes has directed episodes of nearly everyStar Trekseries sinceThe Next Generationin 1990, so it makes sense that he would feel a bit let down by fans knocking the other shows he’s worked on to praise another. He most recently directed theStrange New Worldsepisode “Those Old Scientists,” which saw an unprecedented crossover withtheStar Trekanimated seriesLower Decks. Luckily, that experience was enjoyable for him as much as it was for the fans.
“Let me just tell you this: it was a flat-out, unapologetic, full-on comedy episode,” Frakes said of the crossover. “That was a thrill for me, as you can imagine.” It’s certainly nice to hear he enjoyed his time with what ended up being a fantastic episode. But here’s hoping fans learn that some compliments may have unforeseen consequences.
Star Trek: Strange New WorldsandLower Decksare available to stream on Paramount Plus.
