Of that equation, though, the deep emotion is missing from Season 3 of “Strange New Worlds,” as is the mirror — even despite a character literally saying in one episode that sci-fi can make us look more closely at our own world.

This is a spoiler-free preview of the first five episodes of season three.

In something of a surprise, “ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has been renewed for a fifth and final season, Paramount+ announced on Thursday, over a month before the third season premieres on the streamer on July 17. The concluding season will run for six episodes, whereas the other four seasons are comprised of 10 episodes each.