However, fan reaction to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "A Space Adventure Hour" wasn't as rapturous as it was for "Those Old Scientists," which "surprised" Jonathan Frakes. In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant's John Orquiola about directing Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9, Frakes addresses the divisive response to his holodeck murder mystery. Read Jonathan's quotes below:
ScreenRant: Last summer, we weren't able to talk about your Strange New Worlds episode, “A Space Adventure Hour,” which I loved. I thought the cast was fantastic, playing their holodeck characters. I mean, Paul Wesley doing William Shatner. I thought that was great. Anson playing the Roddenberry was great.
Jonathan Frakes: Yeah, and Rebecca [Romijn] as Lucille Ball.
ScreenRant: I think a lot of that stuff kind of went over the heads of some of the audience. Were you surprised it wasn't as warmly received as the crossover? Because I read you were especially proud of that murder mystery episode.
Jonathan Frakes: I was, I was very proud of it. Yeah, I was surprised. But, you know, sh*t happens
In August 2025, Jonathan Frakes was on stage at STLV: Trek to Vegas when he first publicly reacted to the response to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 4. A showbiz legend with a career of highs and the occasional misfire, Frakes took it all in stride. Months later, his response, "You know, sh*t happens," is good-natured and sanguine.
Like Paramount+ and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' cast and producers, Jonathan Frakes had high hopes for "A Space Adventure Hour." In a March 2024 Variety cover story about Star Trek, Frakes touted his Star Trek: Strange New Worlds holodeck murder mystery as “the best episode of television I’ve ever done.” However, fan response to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 was not as enthusiastic overall as it was for season 2.
"A Space Adventure Hour" turned out to be the last episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds directed by Jonathan Frakes, whose schedule didn't allow him to direct episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds seasons 4 or 5. Similarly, Jonathan was unable to helm a second episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, making episode 9 Frakes' swansong as a Star Trek director, at least for the time being.
In time, fans may come around and reassess the virtues of "A Space Adventure Hour." Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' cast was in top form, embodying their holodeck characters who were playfully based on real-life Star Trek icons. Jonathan Frakes' Hollywood murder mystery was also steeped in social commentary and a sense of optimism typical of the very best of Star Trek.
Release Date
July 17, 2025
Network
Paramount+
Episodes
10
English (US) ·