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Star Trek: 13 best Strange New Worlds episodes ranked from worst to best

Strange New Worlds has 20 incredible episodes, but which ones are truly considered the best ones? Let's take a look at 13 fantastic episodes and how they rank against each other.

By Camila Domingues

Pictured: Rebecca Romijn as Una, Anson Mount as Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock of the Paramount+ original series STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. Photo Cr: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ ©2022 ViacomCBS. All Rights Reserved.
Pictured: Rebecca Romijn as Una, Anson Mount as Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock of the Paramount+ original series STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. Photo Cr: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ ©2022 ViacomCBS. All Rights Reserved. /
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4. "Ghosts of Illyria" (season 1, episode 3)

"Ghosts of Illyria" ranks fourth among the best Strange New Worlds episodes and stands out for its masterful blend of suspense, character development, and the classic Star Trek ethos. This episode is a slightly creepy ride from start to finish as a contagious mystery disrupts the life of all those aboard the Enterprise. Well, almost all of them. The crew faces an outbreak causing peculiar symptoms, and it's up to Number One, Una Chin-Riley, to race against time to find a cure as she is the only one immune. What makes this episode particularly compelling is its exploration of her character: we go a little into her background, unraveling secrets that add layers to her already intriguing persona. This deep dive into a key character's past gives us fans a more profound connection to the crew of the Enterprise.

"Ghosts of Illyria" also excels in blending the excitement of a sci-fi thriller with the moral complexities Star Trek is known for. The episode skillfully navigates themes of trust, secrecy, and the consequences of one's past actions all while maintaining an intense and strong narrative. The suspenseful storyline, paired with the crew's struggle to understand and contain the contagion, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. This episode is not just a showcase of the series' ability to tell a compelling story, but also a display of its commitment to exploring the human (and in some cases, not-so-human) element at the heart of Star Trek's appeal.

"Ghosts of Illyria" is a shining example of what makes Strange New Worlds a worthy addition to the Star Trek saga – it's a thrilling adventure that also makes you think and feel personal.