Why Star Trek Thrived in 2024 Despite Perception Challenges

The year 2024 proved to be a significant milestone for the Star Trek franchise, though it may not have appeared that way at first glance. The series showcased its versatility across two major streaming platforms, Paramount+ and Netflix, with a total of three series and 40 episodes. Star Trek: Discovery’s fifth season, consisting of 10 hour-long episodes, was the franchise’s sole live-action series. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Prodigy made waves with the launch of its second season, releasing 20 half-hour episodes on Netflix—marking the largest single-day release of Star Trek episodes in history. The year wrapped up with Star Trek: Lower Decks finishing its fifth season with another 10 episodes on Paramount+.

Although 2024 may not have been as prolific as the previous two years, which featured an episode nearly every week, it still delivered unforgettable moments for Trekkies. The highlights of 2022 and 2023 included the thrilling return of the original Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in Star Trek: Picard season 3, as well as groundbreaking episodes in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which featured a musical and a crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks. Despite a dip in volume this year, 2024 presented several remarkable achievements in the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek Ramped Up with 3 Outstanding Shows in 2024

Exceptional Seasons from Star Trek: Discovery, Prodigy, and Lower Decks

Despite some uncertainty regarding the futures of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, and the lack of news surrounding Star Trek: Prodigy‘s renewal, all three series delivered top-notch storytelling. Many episodes were undoubtedly among the finest ever produced in the Star Trek canon. Season 5 of Star Trek: Discovery offered an exhilarating exploration of the 32nd-century galaxy, interweaving themes from Star Trek: The Next Generation and the popular Mirror Universe, culminating in an emotionally charged farewell for Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery.

Star Trek: Prodigy‘s season 2 finale set the stage for new adventures for the young crew aboard the USS Prodigy. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Lower Decks, acutely aware that its fifth season was its last on Paramount+, opted for bold storytelling that saw the USS Cerritos traversing through various timelines in the Star Trek multiverse.

The Case for Continuing Star Trek’s Animated Series

Embracing the Multiverse in Animated Star Trek

The conclusion of 2024 has raised concerns regarding the apparent halt in Star Trek’s animated renaissance. Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Lower Decks have redefined animated storytelling within the franchise, showcasing an impressive range of characters and scenarios that traditional formats may not accommodate. Guest appearances from iconic figures like Wil Wheaton’s Wesley Crusher, Robert Picardo’s Doctor, and Brent Spiner’s Data further demonstrate the expansive potential of animated series. These shows have effectively expanded Star Trek’s narrative landscape and delighted viewers with once-unimaginable scenarios.

Both series courageously ventured into the multiverse in 2024, achieving outstanding results. Freed from the constraints of live-action filming, the adventures of the USS Protostar and USS Cerritos explored realms never before available to their characters. This left audiences eager for what might come next, asking whether Netflix would renew Star Trek: Prodigy for a third season and where Star Trek: Lower Decks would go next.

Finally, Kirk & Spock Receive the Closure We All Wanted

765874 – Unification: A Fitting Conclusion for Kirk and Spock

The short film 765874 – Unification, produced by The Roddenberry Archive and OTOY in partnership with Paramount, granted Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) the closure their legacies required. With meticulous attention to detail in collaboration with OTOY, William Shatner ensured his character’s portrayal remained true to the original vision, assisted by actor Sam Witwer as Kirk, utilizing both practical and digital effects to replicate Shatner’s movements.

Featuring appearances by notable characters such as Saavik (Robin Curtis) and Spock’s son Sorak (Mark Cinnery), 765874 – Unification serves as an emotional tribute to the enduring bond between Kirk and Spock, inviting nostalgia while delivering heartfelt closure for fans.

A Launchpad for Star Trek’s Bright Future

Planning Ahead for Star Trek’s 60th Anniversary

Paul Giamatti and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's cast — Image by Simone Ashmoore

Looking ahead, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has already secured an early renewal for its fourth season, with filming set for early 2025. This season will likely coincide with Star Trek’s 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2026, allowing Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the Starship Enterprise to play a prominent role. Moreover, Paramount Studios has announced plans for a Star Trek Origin prequel movie, slated for a potential 2026 release, marking the franchise’s return to theaters after nearly a decade since Star Trek Beyond (2016).

Anticipating Star Trek in 2025

Can Less be More?

In 2025, there will be only two major projects under the Star Trek brand on Paramount+, yet both are crucial for the franchise’s future. The year kicks off on January 24th with the premiere of Star Trek: Section 31, the first movie made for streaming. Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, this film marks the return of Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, reprising her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery. Section 31 promises to introduce new secret operatives within the United Federation of Planets, potentially paving the way for additional sequels and spin-offs.

Additionally, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 will finally debut in 2025 after delays due to industry strikes. As the new flagship series on Paramount+, it faces high expectations to deliver beyond the acclaim received in its second season. Anticipated elements include innovative storytelling approaches, such as a Vulcan comedy episode and a Hollywood murder mystery directed by Jonathan Frakes. Although 2024 offered a wealth of Star Trek content, the upcoming year holds intriguing possibilities for the franchise’s evolution.

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