The Mind-Blowing Cliffhanger in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Will Leave Fans Speechless

Highlights

The season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ended with a shocking cliffhanger that left fans eagerly awaiting the next season.

The episode intended to pay homage to the revered two-part episode "The Best of Both Worlds" from Star Trek: The Next Generation, with the goal of astonishing and entertaining the audience.

Despite its innovative approach to various aspects, the show also includes nostalgic references to classic Star Trek, such as a confrontation between Spock and a Gorn attacker, reminiscent of the original series.

The conclusion of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, titled "Hegemony," left viewers in shock with its gripping cliffhanger. This storytelling technique had actually been planned for a while and was also inspired by a memorable moment from a beloved Star Trek series.

In the season finale, the Enterprise finds itself in the midst of a failed rescue mission, spearheaded by Captain Pike (Anson Mount), to save a planet inhabited by human colonists from the formidable Gorn, a long-standing Star Trek antagonist. The fate of the colonists and several Starfleet crew members from another ship hangs in the balance as Pike grapples with his next course of action. Unfortunately, fans will now have to endure a long wait due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, intensifying the impact of the cliffhanger. However, this was exactly what series co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers and the rest of the team envisioned.

In an interview with Vulture, Myers discussed how the intense cliffhanger was intended as a nod to the iconic two-part episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, titled "The Best of Both Worlds." He explained that their goal was to recreate the same level of shock and anticipation that he had felt when watching it as a young fan. Myers emphasized their desire to surprise and delight the audience, aiming to hold themselves to the standard set by "The Best of Both Worlds." This memorable episode of The Next Generation involved the Enterprise crew engaging in a battle with the Borg, who had assimilated Captain Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) as their representative. It concluded with a similar season-crossing cliffhanger.

Despite not drawing inspiration from iconic Star Trek elements, the decision to depict the Gorn differently has proven successful in engaging the audience. The goal was to create a fresh and original portrayal, treating the Gorn with a modern approach that involved significant effort, time, and expenses. The meticulous design process for the Gorn lasted for an extended period, causing the Gorn episode to be placed towards the end of the season. The credit for this accomplishment goes to Legacy Effects, the visual-design team who dedicated extensive work and time to create the Gorn. However, while striving for originality, the show still incorporated elements from classic Star Trek. In a notable fight scene between Ethan Peck's Spock and the Gorn on a Starfleet ship, practicality played a role as there was an actor wearing the Gorn suit. Although some digital enhancements were used to add fierceness to the Gorn's face, the design team and the actor's performance were essential in bringing the character to life. Similar to the Gorn's iconic debut in the original Star Trek series, the essence of the character ultimately relied on someone wearing a costume.

Strange New Worlds distinguishes itself by showcasing aspects like James Kirk's brother Sam and even incorporating a fully-fledged musical episode. However, the show remains deeply connected to the long-standing history of the Star Trek franchise. This connection is one of the reasons why fans have developed a strong affinity towards the show and are currently experiencing deep disappointment as they eagerly anticipate the next season. Let's hope for a swift resolution to the concerns of the striking workers.

You can stream Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount Plus.

Source: Vulture