Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 3, “Shuttle To Kenfori”
In its third episode,Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 delivers an excellent horror-tinged adventure, complete with Klingons and zombies. After wrapping up the cliffhanger from season 2 and following that up with a fun wedding misadventure,Strange New Worldsseason 3gets more serious for its third outing.
The story begins withCaptain Pike (Anson Mount) and Captain Batel (Melanie Scrofano)enjoying their last few days together before Batel takes command of her new ship. When Pike finds Batel unconscious, however, they learn thatthe Gorn tissue from her previous injury has returneddespite treatment.
This leads Dr. M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) to propose an unconventional solution involving a rare flower known as the Chimera blossom. Unfortunately, this flower can only be found in the restricted zone left in the wake of the Klingon war,leading Pike and M’Benga to embark on an off-the-books missionthat quickly turns dangerous.
Captain Pike & Dr. M’Benga Make For A Dynamic Duo
Strange New Worlds Should Pair The Two Up More Often
“Shuttle To Kenfori” wastes no time diving into its main story, quickly setting up Pike and M’Benga’s away mission. Ever the romantic,Pike is immediately willing to violate Starfleet regulations if it means saving Batel,but he insists on being the one to accompany M’Benga on the mission to find the life-saving Chimera blossom.
With a strong script by Onitra Johnson and Bill Wolkoff, “Shuttle to Kenfori” is expertly directed by Dan Liu, who delivers some truly spooky shots and even a few jump scares.
As Pike and M’Benga fly a shuttle down to Kenfori, they reminisce about past missions, reminding viewers of their lengthy friendship.Strange New Worldsis often at its bestwhen it gives its characters time to be themselves with one another, andit’s great to see Pike and M’Benga share a laugh.
As Pike and M’Benga explore Kenfori, they encounter strange remains that look as though they have been devoured by an animal despite the lack of lifesigns on the planet. When Klingons arrive and zombies emerge,the episode turns into a full-blown horror movie.Pike and M’Benga make a great duo, fighting alongside one another like only trusted friends can.
Later, when Pike puts the pieces together about Batel’s treatment, he confronts M’Benga in a tragic scene that sees the normally unflappable Pike pleading for another solution that doesn’t exist.Anson Mount and Babs Olusanmokun both deliver standout performances,and “Shuttle To Kenfori” explores multiple aspects of the characters' friendship.
Klingons & Zombies & Gorn Hybrids, Oh My!?
Star Trek Channels The Last Of Us, But Keeps Its Focus On Its Characters
While Pike and M’Benga battle Klingons and zombies on Kenfori,Batel struggles to fight through the pain caused by the Gorn DNAravaging her body. When Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) tries to help Batel using a mindmeld, they both catchglimpses of the Gorn, raising the question of just how the Gorn DNA is affecting Batel’s body.
Meanwhile, Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) pushes back againstNumber One (Rebecca Romijn)on the bridge, worried about what the Klingons may do to Pike and M’Benga.It’s nice to see Ortegas get more screen time(even when she’s insubordinate), and it’s always great to see Una in charge of the Enterprise.
Down on the planet, Pike and M’Benga fight off zombies untilthe Klingon leader, Bytha (Christine Horn), captures themand reveals that she has been tracking M’Benga. “Shuttle To Kenfori” then reveals its surprising connection toStrange New Worldsseason 2’s “Under the Cloak of War,“finally forcing M’Benga to reckon with his decision to kill Ambassador Dak’Rah (Robert Wisdom).
The resolution to M’Benga’s murder of Dak’Rah feels a bit too easy, with everything nicely wrapped up in the end. Still, Bytha is a fun character, making the most of her relatively few scenes, andM’Benga continues to be one ofStrange New Worlds’best series regulars.
“Shuttle To Kenfori” Continues Adding Depth To The Characters & Diving Into Their Relationships
Strange New Worlds Season 3 Just Keeps Getting Better
Babs Olusanmokun is the true star of the episode, as he makes M’Benga likable and trustworthy, but also someone you would not want as your enemy.M’Benga gets so many great moments throughout “Shuttle To Kenfori,“but it’s a good episode forPike and Batelas well.
Pike gets to be more than a captain, as both his friendship with M’Benga and his romance with Batel get tested in various ways.I love thatStrange New Worldsallows Pike to be human,showing his more vulnerable moments as he struggles to accept Marie’s fate and lashes out at her and M’Benga.
“Shuttle To Kenfori” also proves thatStar Trekcan do horror well when it wants to,delivering some surprisingly bloody zombie carnage. I like that the episode provides a scientific explanation for its zombies without making that the focus, instead keeping the story centered on its characters.
The episode alsomade me laugh more than once. I especially love the moment when Pike, M’Benga, and Bytha are taking on the zombies, and an injured Pike finally kills one. M’Benga glances at him, slightly impressed, and says,“You got one.“To which Pike replies,“You’re keeping score?”
With genuine horror, emotional character moments, and perfectly placed sprinkles of humor, “Shuttle to Kenfori” has everything that makesStar Trekgreat. The episode’s three main stories all blend together well, andStar Trek: Strange New Worldscontinues to prove itself as one of the most entertaining sci-fi television shows on television right now.
