Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 3
"Shuttle to Kenfori"
Writer: Onitra Johnson, Bill Wolkoff
Director: Dan Liu
Cast: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Martin Quinn, Rebecca Romijn
Strange New Worlds dives headfirst into horror this week with "Shuttle to Kenfori," a moody and thrilling episode that puts Captain Pike and Dr. M'Benga in the fight of their lives. Directed with sharp intensity by Dan Liu, this one strips things down to a survival story where everything that can go wrong does—fast. It's creepy, tense, and packed with character drama, all while pushing the season's larger arcs forward in meaningful ways.
When Captain Batel's Gorn infection suddenly resurfaces, it quickly becomes life-threatening. Her only hope lies on Kenfori, a planet in disputed Klingon space, where a rare blossom might offer the chance of a cure. Pike and M'Benga head there alone on an unsanctioned shuttle mission, hoping to avoid detection and save her in time. But what they find is far more disturbing than either could have imagined. The colony has been overrun by an aggressive, parasitic moss that doesn't just consume its victims—it reanimates them.
The infected are fast, grotesque, and coordinated. What was meant to be a simple botanical retrieval soon becomes a fight for survival, as the mossy mutants hunt them in and around a derelict research facility. The horror elements hit hard here, and the practical effects and makeup work are excellent. The creatures are earthy, invasive, and terrifying. Bodies twitch and shudder under the control of their parasitic host, and there's no question: this thing is very much alive. Star Trek rarely leans into horror this directly, at least as far as I can remember, but the gamble pays off. The result is a nerve-racking, claustrophobic trek through a hostile world that feels one heartbeat away from total collapse.
If that wasn't enough, the unexpected arrival of a Klingon hunting party led by Bytha—daughter of Klingon war criminal Dak'Rah—adds an emotional layer to this tale. Bytha wants revenge for her father's death, furious that M'Benga took that justice into his own hands and robbed her of the glory she felt due. Their scenes together are heavy with unspoken pain, and Bytha's anger is rooted in far more than just honor—it's grief. M'Benga, meanwhile, stands firm but visibly shaken. He's a man carrying ghosts, and this confrontation forces him to face one of the biggest. Bytha could have been a simple antagonist, but the writing gives her purpose, and her final decision—choosing sacrifice over vengeance—lands with muscle.
Meanwhile, the Enterprise races against the clock to extract the duo without starting a war. A Klingon battle cruiser is patrolling the atmosphere, and any aggressive move risks reigniting hostilities. Una Chin-Riley leads the bridge with her usual calm precision, but things take a sharp turn when Ortegas—still haunted by her recent run-in with the Gorn—disobeys orders in the interest of completing the rescue as quickly as possible. It's a risky move that nearly blows the entire operation, and Una is forced to reprimand her. The exchange is quick but pointed, showcasing just how raw those wounds still run.
The two storylines play off each other beautifully here—one exploring emotional trauma under pressure, while the other tackles physical survival in an alien hellscape. Pike once again remains a steady presence throughout, even as his concern for Batel pushes him into uncharted territory. His chemistry with M'Benga continues to be a highlight, and both men come out of this life threatening ordeal changed – despite some rather shocking revelations. Pike's choice to shield M'Benga from official scrutiny in the final moments speaks volumes—it's not just loyalty, it's love. It's the burden of leadership, too: knowing that sometimes the right thing to do doesn't always fit cleanly into a report.
The episode's pacing is airtight. There's never a wasted moment. From the shuttle landing to the final beam-out, the tension keeps rising, and Dan Liu's direction keeps the visuals sharp and immersive. The moss-infested corpses look amazing—practical effects layered with just the right touch of digital enhancement. Every close-quarters encounter feels dangerous, and the sound design adds to the unease. This isn't a flashy episode, but it's a confident one, blending genre with character work in a way that expertly elevates both.
"Shuttle to Kenfori" is another win for Strange New Worlds, proving once again that this show isn't afraid to stretch the boundaries of what a Star Trek story can be. It's dark, but also full of heart. It's about survival, forgiveness, and holding on to the people who matter, even when everything else is falling apart. Scary, smart, and surprisingly human, it's one of the series' best.
Next: "A Space Adventure Hour"
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