Burnham's Profound Influence on Spock Unveiled in Strange New Worlds, According to Star Trek Actor

In a recent interview on The 7th Rule podcast, Ethan Peck, who portrays the younger Spock in Star Trek: Discovery, discusses how Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, continues to impact Spock's journey towards understanding his own humanity. Peck's incarnation of Spock first appeared in the second season of Discovery, where he and Burnham worked together to unravel the enigma surrounding the Red Angel. Additionally, Discovery unveiled the reasons behind the years-long estrangement between Michael and Spock, leading to their eventual reconciliation before Burnham and the USS Discovery embarked on a one-way voyage to the 32nd century. Look out for more of this evolution in Spock's character as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds enters its second season. Below is a snippet of Peck's statement from the interview, conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, in which he discusses Burnham's ongoing influence on Spock.

At this stage of his life, Spock is truly immersing himself in the process of embracing his humanity. The profound journey he embarked upon was undoubtedly catalyzed by the influence of Michael Burnham in the Discovery. She imparted upon him the realization that this aspect of his being is not only significant but also fundamental to his problem-solving abilities. Spock, without a doubt, is a masterful solver of problems.

Strange New Worlds Season 2 Is Exploring Spock's Human Side

Ethan Peck hasn't forgotten his character's origin story as Lt. Spock in Star Trek: Discovery, and the significant impact Michael Burnham had on Spock's journey leading up to Strange New Worlds. In episode 5 of Strange New Worlds season 2, titled "Charades," an accidental event transforms Spock into a fully human being, forcing him to deal with the resulting emotional turmoil. Not only does Spock face the challenge of disguising his humanity from T'Pring's Vulcan parents during their engagement dinner, he also finally acts upon his intense romantic feelings for Nurse Christine Chapel.

Spock in Strange New Worlds is portrayed as younger and more emotionally vulnerable compared to Leonard Nimoy's version. The prequel aims to depict his transformation into the controlled and mature Spock seen in Star Trek: The Original Series. Spock goes through 'growing pains' where he experiences being human, gaining insight into his human mother Amanda Grayson's challenges as a human living on Vulcan. Ethan Peck acknowledges that Spock's desire to understand his human side in Strange New Worlds is influenced by his lost adopted sister, Michael Burnham, from Star Trek: Discovery. Season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can be streamed on Paramount+ every Thursday.

Source: The 7th Rule