Strange New Worlds, Strange New Me 🪐✨

I’ve fallen head over heels for a new show: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. It reignited my passion for the Star Trek universe and offered fresh insight into my own journey.

For as long as I can remember, Star Trek has been part of my life. It actually predates me—it premiered six years before I was born. By the time I was in high school, I’d seen plenty of the original series, but my love for Star Trek really clicked when I met Rob, a transfer student in 11th grade.

Rob and I bonded instantly over the show. He saw himself in Spock, with his relentless logic and cool demeanor, while I felt a deep connection to Uhura. I loved her grace under pressure, her focus, and her ability to keep everyone connected. I wanted to be just like her.

When The Next Generation came out, Rob and I were hooked. Suddenly, he wasn’t Spock anymore—he was Data, and I was Deanna Troi. Troi’s mix of empathic strength and unapologetic femininity really spoke to me. I mean, that jumpsuit and hair alone! We’d watch the episodes together every week, geeking out over the characters, the storylines, and, of course, Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard.

As time went on, life pulled us in different directions—college, jobs, and everything else—but Star Trek always kept us connected. Rob even sent me birthday cards with pictures of our favorite characters. I still have one with Spock and another with Troi.

One year, Rob gave me the ultimate gift: a trip to New York for a Star Trek convention celebrating the anniversary of the original series. It was unforgettable. I got to meet Marina Sirtis (Troi herself!), and she complimented my outfit. I was over the moon. Rob and I soaked up every minute of that weekend—panels, stories, and plenty of fan gossip.

But as much as Star Trek shaped me, over time, I drifted away from it. The newer shows didn’t grab me the way TNG had. Even when Patrick Stewart returned in Picard, it didn’t quite feel like Star Trek to me.

Then, my friend Cat told me to check out Strange New Worlds. I was hesitant at first—I wasn’t sure I could fall for another series. But one weekend, sick with a cold and out of excuses, I hit play on the first episode.

And wow. I was hooked.

I binged the entire series in less than three days, and now I can’t stop talking about it.

What’s so special about it? It’s a “strange new world,” but it’s also very familiar. It’s a prequel, set before the original series, so we get to revisit iconic characters like Spock, Uhura, and Captain Pike—played by a new, ridiculously talented (and ridiculously attractive) cast. Seeing these characters in their earlier days is fascinating. We know their futures, but watching how they get there is half the fun.

Then there are the new characters, who bring fresh energy to the mix. The writing is sharp, the stories are captivating, and the show swings between genres—from sci-fi action to romance to comedy—in a way that keeps me on my toes. And can we talk about the musical episode in Season 2? It’s brilliant.

But it’s not just the show itself that’s pulled me in—it’s the timing.

I started HRT 11 months ago, and my life feels like a “strange new world” too. I’m changing in ways I never imagined. My body, my mindset, even how I see myself—it’s all evolving. But at the same time, I’m still me. I’m still holding onto the core of who I’ve always been.

And that’s exactly what Strange New Worlds captures. It’s about growth, exploration, and transformation while staying true to the heart of what Star Trek has always been. It’s about holding onto the past while stepping boldly into the future.

Star Trek has always been a place for people who feel “othered.” It’s used the safety of sci-fi to explore big questions about identity, belonging, and what it means to be human. Watching it now, as I embrace my identity as a trans woman, those themes hit me in a way they never have before.

The Illyrian storyline in Strange New Worlds is a perfect example. Without spoiling anything, it’s about grappling with prejudice and acceptance, and it feels deeply personal to me.

This show has given me a space to imagine, to play, to dream about what’s possible. And honestly, isn’t that why we’re here? To imagine and play?

I know not everyone has a life parallel to Star Trek, but if you give Strange New Worlds a chance, I think you’ll see how much heart and beauty it holds.

When you get to Episode 9 of Season 2, please reach out—I want to know if it changed your life too. I listen to that episode’s soundtrack at least five times a week.

Live Long & Prosper!

Magickally Yours,

~STORM⚡