You might have missed this amusing Star Trek: TOS throwback featured in Strange New Worlds Season 3 

If you've watched Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 closely, you might have noticed a seriously strange nod which made old school Trekkies wink twice over! It's quick, multicolored, and strangely appetizing—yes, we're talking about the iconic, multi-colored food cubes of Star Trek: The Original Series (Star Trek: TOS).

This tiny visual Easter egg was overlooked, fading into the background, but to the fans of the original adventures of the franchise, it was a wonderful nod that spanned decades of Star Trek history.

While Strange New Worlds is not unfamiliar with retro nods and fan-appreciative references, the inclusion of these rainbow-hued food blocks wasn't an arbitrary prop choice. It was a considerate reference that reminded one of the time when futuristic meals were always like colorful gelatin squares. Not everyone caught the reference, of course, since it wasn't called out or emphasized. But to the keen-eyed viewer, it was a sweet moment that cried out, "Remember this?"

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The Cube's return in Star Trek: What's the history behind that grub?

During the early Star Trek: TOS shows, Starfleet grub often looked suspiciously like Jell-O. Those highly colored food cubes were a vision of 23rd-century efficiency—nutritiously sound, no-nonsense, and, uh, geometrically perfect!

They were unwittingly iconic, representing a stylized take on what the designers in the 1960s thought food in the future would look like. Despite being made fun of in hindsight many times, their return in Strange New Worlds is a throwback to that original vision.

So when these cubes appeared on Season 3 of Strange New Worlds, it was not by mistake. The reference occurs in a cafeteria scene, unveiled nearly silently among more contemporary-appearing fare. No zoom in, no narration—merely a friendly nod to the franchise's origins. It is well-suited to the tone of the series, which frequently alludes to the overall franchise without falling into parody or pastiche.

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Why bother including TOS food cubes at all?

Including the cubes is not cosmetic—the inclusion is all part of Strange New Worlds' ongoing attempt to honor continuity without taking the look upward. Rather than starting over, the series blends classic Star Trek tropes with an aspect of restraint to keep things immersive. By doing this, it's deeply committed to the TOS tradition, planting new tales in the established universe while continually pushing boundaries.

Additionally, the inclusion of these very exacting props illustrates the attention to detail of the production company. They're not just bringing back Star Trek by name; they're painstakingly putting in the pieces that will make sense to old-timers and novices alike. The color cubes of food, once the bizarre artifact of 1960s science fiction, are now a dignified reference.

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The legacy of Star Trek's future food

It's fascinating to note how something as ordinary as cafeteria cubes has become so symbolic over the years. During the 1960s, when TOS first ran, they were a component of a broader effort to show a weird and unrecognizable future. Nowadays, they are almost more like relics—points of reference towards where the franchise started, and how its vision of the future changed throughout the years.

These food items also showcase an interesting observation about the series – even its smallest visual details are remembered and sometimes resurrected. Whether it's the sound of the communicator or the color-coded uniform, the visual lexicon of Star Trek is emotionally resonant with fans. Food cubes, as ridiculous as they sound, are one aspect of that dynamic.

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In a season filled with interstellar mysteries, philosophical questions, and dangerous missions, a cafeteria flashback scene can be inconsiderate. But it's this sort of thing that indicates how Strange New Worlds is paying respect to its heritage. By adding a familiar piece from the series in a muted manner, the show keeps building its place in the larger franchise timeline, without breaking the fourth wall or pausing the narrative.

So the next time you're streaming Strange New Worlds Season 3, be on the lookout for the dinner scenes! You might catch another TOS nod—one that reminds us that, no matter how far into the future we've made it to in the 23rd century, there's still always a place for boldly colorful nostalgia on our plates.

Also read: "As strong as we've ever been": When Star Trek: Picard's cast let their feelings be known about the sci-fi show's third and final season