New on streaming: Untamed debuts on Netflix, Star Trek returns

As always, every new week brings a fresh batch of new shows on our favorite streaming platforms. This one’s no exception, and both the romantics and the nerds will be happy.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 (Paramount Plus)

We’re not willing to spoil the fun for those who haven’t yet seen the first two seasons of the series, of course, but let’s just say that season 3 picks up right where the previous one ended.

It’s been a long wait: almost two full years. But critics who were given a chance to watch some of the episodes pre-release say the fun is still very much alive on Enterprise.

On the other hand, some observers claim that the new batch lacks depth and chooses to keep it all surface-level. If that’s the case, this is unfortunate because Strange New Worlds has become known as a sharp social commentator about us and our real world.

Untamed (Netflix)

Yellowstone ran for five seasons and gave birth to two prequels. It was and remains great. Untamed, a new show on Netflix, will be limited to six episodes, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve our attention.

Untamed is a character-driven mystery thriller that follows Kyle Turner, a special agent in an elite branch of the National Parks Service. At first glance, the show appears to be a blend of, yes, Yellowstone (the views) and Ozark (the dark vibes).

It’s gritty, it’s a Western thriller, it’s (presumably) not very soapy, and it stars Eric Bana, who we think is criminally underrated as an actor.

Apocalypse in the Tropics (Netflix)

Netflix is by now full of better or worse documentaries, of course. But Apocalypse in the Tropics definitely caught our collective eyes.

It’s the topic. The film explains how Brazilian politics succumbed to right-wing religious fundamentalists who – just like in the US, by the way – have become kingmakers to all politicians.

It’s a grim story indeed. Is Brazil now ruled by what amounts to a minority-rule theocracy? Maybe not – Jair Bolsonaro hasn’t been reelected in 2022 and must soon stand trial for attempting a coup d’état.

Petra Costa, the author of the documentary, leaves it up to viewers to decide if there’s a happy ending to all this. After all, US President Donald Trump loves Bolsonaro and could send all kinds of storms onto poor Brazil.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 (Prime Video)

It’s almost time to return to Cousins Beach, you guys. However, key moments in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 might not always happen in the way that you're expecting, according to Jenny Han, author of the book “We’ll Always Have Summer,” adapted for the series.

Drama episodes, love triangles, and emotional confrontations – it’s not everyone, but the show certainly has its fans, and they’re in for a roller-coaster ride, it seems.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO Max)

We love Billy Joel and, quite obviously, his hit Piano Man which we belt out regularly in our favorite pubs. Now, a new two-part HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, dives deep into the original piano man’s life, from chart-topping hits to personal heartbreaks.

The film features rare footage and interviews with fellow stars like Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney, reveals Joel’s battles with depression, and quotes him saying that music saved his life.

In short, this powerful tribute to one of music’s greatest storytellers is probably a must-watch.