It’s no secret that I like Star Trek. Pretty much all of Star Trek, to some degree or another. Surefire classics like The Measure of a Man, personal favourites like Dead Stop, even the generally underwhelming second season of Picard has something to offer. Strange New Worlds, in its first season, proved to be immediately likable. The cast was phenomenal, the aesthetic delightful, and the return to episodic storytelling a resounding success. The second season is somehow even stronger.

Episodic stories can often be hit and miss, but here there is nothing but hits. ‘The Broken Circle’ kicks things off with an incredibly fun adventure into Klingon territory, complete with retro Klingon makeup. It’s not until the second episode ‘Ad Astra Per Aspera’ that we get a conclusion to the first season’s ending. This episode is a worthy addition to Trek’s long history of legal dramas.

The first big surprise comes in ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.’ On paper, I shouldn’t like this, as it sees our protagonists journey to the 21st century. In practice, however, the charisma of Christina Chong and Paul Wesley carries it along nicely. This is the first of several Wesley appearances this season, and the man with the unenviable task of bringing new life to James Kirk excels in the role.

‘Among the Lotus Eaters,’ ‘Charades’ and ‘Lost in Translation’ allserve up some classic Trek, deftly balance ethical dilemmas, action, horror, and a dash of comedy. In the best possible way, these feel like they could come from any series of classic Star Trek.

And then there is ‘Those Old Scientists’ – the much-anticipated Lower Decks crossover. Like that show, this one is a love letter to all things Trek, and the heartfelt comedy is nothing but joy. Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome do excellent work bringing their characters into live action.

At a darker end of the spectrum is ‘Under the Cloak of War’ which deals with the fallout of the Klingon conflict seen in Discovery. Perhaps the most ethically troubling of recent Trek, this is one that will leave you thinking for days.

Coming in at the end of the season is ‘Subdpace Rhapsody’ which is, in my humble opinion, one of Trek’s finest hours. I love it when Star Trek tries something new, and a musical episode is certainly that. With a soundtrack that remains in my head even now, and a cast that includes professionally trained singers, this is an hour of pure, unadulterated fun that will leave even the surliest viewer with a grin on their face.

The season finale ‘Hegemony’ brings back the Gorn in a terrifying manner and sets up a cliffhanger for the (presumably strike delayed) third season. With the benefits of modern CGI and a lack of cringeworthy rubber suits, the Gorn are shaping up to be a deadky foe for Pike and his crew. I for one cannot wait to see what comes next.