Dermott Downs Reveals Mind-Blowing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Musical and the Ultimate Adventure in Outer Space!

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 9 - "Subspace Rhapsody"

Summary

Dermott Downs, known for his work on The Flash and Supergirl musical crossover, made history by directing the inaugural musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

In this unique episode, the crew of the USS Enterprise find themselves compelled to sing and dance due to a subspace phenomenon. However, they quickly discover the destructive impact this phenomenon has.

Directing the first-ever Star Trek: Strange New Worlds musical episode, Dermott Downs fearlessly explores uncharted territory. Known for his remarkable work on "Duet," The Flash, and Supergirl musical crossover, Downs brings a wealth of experience to the helm of "Subspace Rhapsody," showcasing the cast's talent and delving deep into the characters' inner fears and emotions.

The USS Enterprise is struck by a subspace phenomenon in Strange New Worlds' musical episode. This causes the crew to burst into song and dance, but they soon realize that expressing their innermost feelings through music leads to disastrous consequences. The entire galaxy is now at risk, and it is up to the Enterprise crew to find a solution and put an end to the "Subspace Rhapsody." Screen Rant had an exclusive interview with Dermott Downs, the director of this groundbreaking Star Trek episode. This episode marked both the first musical episode and Downs' first time directing for Strange New Worlds. Please note that this article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it is important to recognize the contributions of the writers and actors from both unions who made this show possible.

Dermott Downs On Directing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Musical Episode

Dermott Downs expressed gratitude for the compliment, acknowledging that the musical episode was a significant milestone in his career. He shared that his passion for the performing arts began at a young age when he was inspired by the musical Oliver Twist and learned the entire songbook. As he grew up, he transitioned from being a child actor to becoming a cinematographer during MTV's heyday, particularly during the era of authentic music videos as opposed to reality shows. Fortunately, he later moved into narrative storytelling and television, and among his notable works are the musical episodes of The Flash and Supergirl, titled "Duet."

Thank you for that as well. It's actually my favorite hour in the Arrowverse.

Dermott Downs: I agree! I was exclusively part of those shows for five years. But that episode was a fun homage to Bugsy Malone, and with a cast that had a lot of Glee experience, they really stepped up. It's the same with Strange New Worlds. We have people like Celia and Chrissy, who come from musical theater backgrounds and Chrissy is even releasing her own music now. And there were others with deep roots in it, but everyone was so enthusiastic. Everyone came to rehearsals on weekends or stayed after work. It was a fantastic team effort.

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Season one was already completed and unaired, but season two had episodes remaining, including one described as a sitcom and another as a musical. I had no experience with sitcoms, but I paused and told them my story. Initially, I didn't realize that the first meeting was just an introduction, so I was uncertain if I had secured the opportunity. However, they emphasized the importance of prioritizing compelling characters and maintaining a grounded tone for the show. As I concluded the Zoom call, I couldn't help but wonder if introducing music into a sci-fi musical was pushing the limits too far.

To their credit, the team successfully utilized the unusual combination of music and storytelling to provide exposition and reveal the characters' deepest fears. This went beyond simply having the actors deliver dialogue about their problems, as the music became the vehicle for expressing their fears. Needless to say, the show featured a talented cast who flawlessly executed each unique song.

"Substance Rhapsody" encompasses all the essential elements of a typical episode, while additionally incorporating the mesmerizing elements of singing and dancing, culminating in a truly remarkable accomplishment. As this marked your directorial debut for Strange New Worlds, how did you tackle the intricacy of this episode? How did you assimilate the sheer magnitude of it all?

Dermott Downs: To prepare, I watched about half of season 1 to familiarize myself with the ship's setting, as the entire story takes place there. At times, it felt limiting not having those expansive exteriors, but the show cleverly incorporates grand space exteriors and the sets are incredibly vast. Thankfully, I had the privilege of two extra weeks of preparation. During this time, I collaborated with the talented choreographer Roberto Campanella, who is not only a wonderful person but also works on the choreography for Guillermo Del Toro. Over those two weeks, we listened to the songs and discussed where dancing or movement would enhance the scenes and where the song should take precedence. Together, we devised an approach that the actors fully embraced. Although each song is unique, they all feel cohesive within the overall show. Certain numbers vary, with solos, duets, and powerful ballads. I did feel the weight of the Star Trek legacy, knowing that we were venturing into unexplored territories. However, we had an incredible blueprint to follow and received tremendous support from the cast and crew throughout the process.

I loved that you started off with "Anything Goes" just like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, signaling that anything was possible in this episode. Did you have a favorite song or number that you directed in the show?

Dermott Downs: Knowing Celia's background, I knew she would give an amazing performance in Uhura's power ballad. We had plenty of space in the scene, so I didn't want the camera to be a distraction. However, I also knew that during those powerful moments when she hit those high notes, we could use crane moves to enhance the visuals. Shooting that scene was actually quite easy because Celia is an incredibly talented singer and she knew exactly what she wanted to achieve. We had already planned out all the camera movements because it was such an important and grand song.

Anson's song was the one I eagerly anticipated shooting every day. It's like a crazy duet that goes off the rails with how humiliating it is to profess his love in front of everyone while having a private conversation. Yet, Anson still manages to get down on his knees and declare his love for Batel. Jess and Nurse Chapel's big Grease number was also fantastic, but I can't pick a favorite because each song was so different. La'an's solo and Spock's solo were both incredible, thanks to the great ideas incorporated by La'an. The whimsical touch of Gilbert and Sullivan was brought to life by Rebecca and Paul, who did an amazing job. We all embraced the music and allowed it to move the story forward, leading up to the grand finale where we had a dance-off with the K-Pop Klingons.

Speaking of the finale, I have to mention how amazing it was to have Bruce Horak back as the dancing Klingon Captain. It was truly a sight to behold.

Dermott Downs: Yeah, Bruce! This being my debut episode, I was solely informed about Bruce and gladly embraced the casting suggestion. He truly shines within the storyline of this show. Moreover, diving into the K-Pop realm during the peak of its frenzy was absolutely thrilling.

I am a devoted fan of Strange New Worlds, and I have a strong emotional investment in these characters. What made this episode truly special for me, aside from the music, was that it allowed each character to express what they have been longing to say since the show began. It felt like a transformative moment that enabled everyone to evolve and progress. With numerous characters and crucial moments to capture, you managed to hit every single one flawlessly.

Dermott Downs: What really impressed me was how music wasn't just a gimmick in driving the episode. It served as a catalyst to push the story forward and delve deeply into the characters' emotions. This credit goes to Bill and Dana, the talented scriptwriters, as well as the songwriters who brought those notes to life in the form of lyrics. The actors deserve applause for their incredible performances in bringing it all together.

Would you consider returning to direct an episode of Strange New Worlds without any musical numbers?

Dermott Downs: Absolutely, I have a great idea in mind. Recently, I have been working on a firefighting show in Vancouver, similar to Friday Night Lights in terms of its documentary-style approach. However, I would be thrilled to take on a Western-themed episode for Strange New Worlds.

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New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 air Thursdays on Paramount+.