For many fans, thinking about the "3rd Star Trek" brings up a lot of feelings and, perhaps, a few questions. Is that the one with the big space battle, or maybe the one that went to a strange new world? It's a bit like trying to remember which of your favorite stories comes third in a long, beloved series. What's more, there's sometimes a funny little grammar question that pops up when we talk about numbers like "third." So, we're going to talk about that, too.

You know, in the vast universe of Star Trek, there have been so many amazing voyages. From the very first steps of Captain Kirk and his crew to the deep space explorations of Picard, and then beyond, the franchise just keeps going. Each new entry tries to bring something fresh, something different, yet still hold onto the spirit we all cherish. The idea of a "third" anything in this long history, whether it's a film or a series, often holds a special spot, doesn't it?

It's interesting, too, how we write about these positions. Have you ever wondered if you should write "3rd" or maybe "3th" when talking about something like the third Star Trek? It seems like a small detail, but it actually has a proper way of being done, especially in English. We'll get into that, and it's quite simple, really. So, let's get ready to jump into the heart of the "third" Star Trek, and clear up any little number-writing puzzles along the way.

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Table of Contents

• The Meaning of "Third" in Long-Running Stories
• Star Trek Beyond: The Kelvin Timeline's Third Adventure
  • Bringing It All Together: Behind the Scenes
  • The Story and Its Heart
  • What People Thought of It
• Why It's Always '3rd,' Not '3th': A Quick Guide
  • What Are Ordinal Numbers, Anyway?
  • The Rule for '3rd' and Others
  • No Superscript in English Typography
• Other "Thirds" in the Star Trek Galaxy

The Meaning of "Third" in Long-Running Stories

When we think about a "third" entry in any big story, like a movie series or a television show, it often feels pretty important, doesn't it? It's almost like a turning point, you know? The first one usually sets everything up, introducing us to characters and a whole new world. The second one often builds on that, maybe making things bigger or a bit darker, really pushing the story forward. But the third one, that's where things can get really interesting. It's typically where a series might find its true stride, or it might try something completely different.

For Star Trek, the idea of a "third" entry carries a lot of weight. We've seen so many different crews and ships over the years, and each "third" moment, whether it's a film or a TV show, has had its own unique flavor. It's a chance to see how far the creators are willing to go with the ideas they've started. This third step can often define what comes next, or it can be a loving nod to what came before. It’s pretty cool how that works, isn't it?

It's not just about what happens in the story, but also about how the audience connects with it. By the time you get to a third part, people are usually very invested. They know the characters, they know the rules of the world, and they have expectations. Meeting those expectations, or even pleasantly surprising them, is a big part of what makes a "third" entry memorable. It's a crucial point, really, in any long-running narrative.

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Star Trek Beyond: The Kelvin Timeline's Third Adventure

So, when most people talk about the "3rd Star Trek" movie today, they are very likely thinking about *Star Trek Beyond*. This film came out in 2016, and it was the third one in the rebooted series, often called the Kelvin timeline. It followed J.J. Abrams' *Star Trek* from 2009 and *Star Trek Into Darkness* from 2013. This movie had a lot to live up to, you know, after the first two had such a big impact. It was also a special year, as it marked 50 years since the original Star Trek television show first aired. That's a huge milestone, isn't it?

Bringing It All Together: Behind the Scenes

Making *Star Trek Beyond* was, in some respects, quite a journey itself. J.J. Abrams, who had directed the first two films, was busy with another big space franchise, so Justin Lin, known for his work on the Fast & Furious movies, stepped in to direct. Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the films, also helped write the script, which was a nice touch for fans. They really wanted to capture that feeling of exploration and teamwork that the original series had. It was a bit of a challenge, as you might guess, to keep things fresh while also honoring such a long history.

The crew behind the camera faced some interesting choices, too. They decided to move away from some of the darker tones of the previous film and try to bring back a sense of fun and adventure. This was a pretty important decision, as many fans had expressed a desire for the series to return to its roots of discovery and optimism. They wanted to make a film that felt like a true Star Trek episode, just on a much bigger scale. This was, you know, a pretty big task.

The filming took place in different locations, trying to create vast, alien landscapes that felt new and exciting. The visual effects team had a huge job, too, bringing to life strange creatures, futuristic cities, and, of course, the destruction of the Enterprise. It's amazing how much work goes into making these worlds feel real, isn't it? Every little detail, from the starships to the alien designs, had to be just right to pull you into the story.

The Story and Its Heart

*Star Trek Beyond* finds the USS Enterprise crew deep into their five-year mission, which is a nod to the original show. They are, you know, feeling a bit restless and looking for something new. Their journey takes a sudden turn when they are ambushed by a powerful alien named Krall, who has a grudge against the Federation. The Enterprise gets wrecked, and the crew ends up stranded on a strange, hostile planet, separated from each other. This is a pretty tough situation for them, isn't it?

The main part of the story is about the crew trying to find each other, survive on this unknown world, and stop Krall from carrying out his plan. It really highlights the strengths of each character and how they work together, even when things are falling apart. Spock and Bones, for example, have some great moments together, showing their unique friendship. There's also a new character, Jaylah, an alien scavenger who helps them out, and she's a very cool addition to the team. The film really tries to focus on the core values of Star Trek: teamwork, discovery, and standing up for what's right.

The themes in the movie touch on the idea of unity, even when facing overwhelming odds. Krall's motivations come from a place of disillusionment with the Federation's ideals, and the crew has to prove that their way of life is worth fighting for. It's a message that feels very true to what Star Trek has always been about, you know, striving for a better future. The action is exciting, but the heart of the story is really about the connections between the characters and their shared purpose.

What People Thought of It

When *Star Trek Beyond* came out, many fans and critics seemed to really enjoy it. A lot of people felt it captured the spirit of the original series more closely than the previous Kelvin timeline films. They liked the focus on exploration, the crew dynamics, and the sense of adventure. It felt, in a way, like a classic Star Trek episode blown up for the big screen. It was also seen as a fitting tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original series and passed away before the film's release, and Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov and tragically passed away shortly before the film came out. That made it a very emotional experience for many, you know?

The film did pretty well at the box office, too, though perhaps not as big as some of the earlier movies. Still, it showed that there was still a lot of love for this crew and their adventures. It’s definitely a film that many Star Trek fans will revisit, especially when they want to see the Enterprise crew truly working as a family, facing down a big challenge together. It's a strong entry in the long line of Star Trek stories, and it really holds its own as the third film in that particular series. It's a movie that, arguably, gets better with each viewing for some people.

Why It's Always '3rd,' Not '3th': A Quick Guide

Now, let's talk about that little grammar point we mentioned earlier, because it's pretty important when you're writing about something like the "3rd Star Trek." You see, in English, we have a very specific way of writing numbers that show order or position, and it's always "3rd," never "3th." This is something that can sometimes trip people up, but once you know the rule, it's very easy to remember. It's just how we do things in English, you know?

What Are Ordinal Numbers, Anyway?

So, what exactly are we talking about here? Well, numbers come in a couple of main types. There are cardinal numbers, which just tell you "how many" of something there are. Think of words like one, two, three, four, five. If you have three starships, "three" is a cardinal number. It's pretty straightforward, isn't it?

Then, there are ordinal numbers. These are the ones that tell you the position or rank of something in a list or a sequence. They show order. So, instead of just "three," you get "third." Other examples are "first," "second," "fourth," "ninth," or "twenty-third." If you're talking about the third Star Trek film, "third" is the ordinal number. It tells you its place in the sequence of movies. This is, you know, a pretty key distinction.

The Rule for '3rd' and Others

The reason we write "3rd" is because of how ordinal numbers are formed in English. Most ordinal numbers end with "th," like "fourth" (4th), "fifth" (5th), "ninth" (9th), or "twentieth" (20th). However, there are some special ones, and "third" is one of them. The "rd" comes from the last two letters of the word "third." The same goes for "first" (1st) and "second" (2nd). These are the main exceptions to the "th" rule.

So, you'll see "1st" for "first," "2nd" for "second," and "3rd" for "third." After that, it's mostly "th" for numbers like "4th," "5th," "6th," and so on, until you get to numbers that end in 1, 2, or 3, like "21st" (twenty-first), "22nd" (twenty-second), or "23rd" (twenty-third). It's a bit like a pattern, you know, with those few special cases. "3th" is simply an incorrect spelling; it doesn't represent a valid ordinal form in English. It's just not how we say or write it.

No Superscript in English Typography

Another interesting point, especially if you're writing for an English-speaking audience, is how these ordinal indicators are presented. In English typography, those little "st," "nd," "rd," and "th" endings are not usually written in superscript. That means you don't raise them up above the number, like you might see in some other languages, say, French or Spanish. So, you write "3rd," not "3^rd." It's a small detail, but it helps with readability and is the standard way to do it. It's just a convention, you know, that we follow.

So, when you're talking about the Star Trek film that came after the first two, or any other third item in a list, "3rd" is the correct and proper way to write it. It’s clear, it’s accurate, and it follows the rules of English grammar. This understanding helps us communicate better, doesn't it? It's pretty cool how language has these little specific ways of doing things.

Other "Thirds" in the Star Trek Galaxy

Beyond *Star Trek Beyond*, the idea of "third" pops up in other interesting ways throughout the franchise's long history. For instance, if you're thinking about the live-action television shows, *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* was the third one to air, following *The Original Series* and *The Next Generation*. DS9, which started in 1993, took the franchise in a very different direction. It was set on a space station, not a starship, and explored longer story arcs and moral dilemmas in a way that was pretty new for Star Trek. It was, you know, a bold choice.

This "third" series showed that Star Trek could thrive even when it wasn't just about exploring new planets every week. It dug deeper into character relationships, political intrigue, and the consequences of war. It also introduced a more diverse cast of characters and explored themes that were, arguably, more complex than what had come before. This was, in a way, a very important "third" step for the television side of Star Trek, proving its adaptability and depth.

You could also think about the franchise in terms of major eras. There's the original era, then the Next Generation era which included several shows and movies, and then perhaps a third era that started with the Kelvin timeline films and continued with new shows like *Discovery* and *Picard*. Each of these "thirds" has brought its own style, its own challenges, and its own loyal fans. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of Star Trek that it can keep reinventing itself and still feel like home. The universe is, you know, always expanding.

So, whether we are talking about the third film in a specific series, the third television show to grace our screens, or even the third major phase of the entire Star Trek story, the number "3rd" represents a significant point. It's a moment where things evolve, new ideas are tried, and the legacy continues to grow. Each "third" helps to shape what Star Trek becomes next, always pushing the boundaries of imagination and what it means to be human in the vastness of space. It's a pretty amazing journey, isn't it?

Frequently Asked Questions About the 3rd Star Trek

What is the third Star Trek movie?

The third Star Trek movie in the Kelvin timeline, which is the rebooted film series, is *Star Trek Beyond*. It came out in 2016 and followed *Star Trek* (2009) and *Star Trek Into Darkness* (2013). This film saw the USS Enterprise crew stranded on an alien planet after an attack, and they had to find a way to reunite and stop a new threat. It's a pretty action-packed adventure, you know?

Is Star Trek Beyond good?

Many fans and critics generally consider *Star Trek Beyond* to be a good film, and some even say it's the best of the Kelvin timeline movies. It was praised for bringing back a sense of exploration and adventure, focusing on the strong relationships among the crew, and having a more optimistic tone, much like the original series. It's, arguably, a very enjoyable watch for both long-time fans and newcomers.

What comes after Star Trek Beyond?

After *Star Trek Beyond*, there hasn't been another film in the Kelvin timeline with the same cast, though there have been discussions and plans for a fourth movie over the years. However, the Star Trek franchise has continued to expand significantly on television. New series like *Star Trek: Discovery*, *Star Trek: Picard*, *Star Trek: Lower Decks*, *Star Trek: Prodigy*, and *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* have been released on streaming platforms, taking the universe in exciting new directions. So, there's a lot more Star Trek to explore, you know, even if the film series paused for a bit.

To learn more about the history of Star Trek films, you might find some interesting details on the official Star Trek movies page. Also, learn more about Star Trek's lasting legacy on our site, and you can link to this page for a deep dive into the Star Trek timeline.