Revolutionary Rhythms: Unveiling the Spectacular Star Trek Musical of Strange New Worlds

Summary

Embarking on this melodic adventure, the musical episode will present ten unique songs, highlighting the remarkable musical abilities of Christina Chong and Celia Rose Gooding.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, episode 9, titled "Subspace Rhapsody," will be a groundbreaking musical episode. Unlike previous TV shows, Star Trek is venturing into this genre for the first time, marking a unique milestone for the franchise. The episodic format of Strange New Worlds allows for innovative experimentation with various genres, further enhancing its storytelling capabilities. In this upcoming episode, viewers can expect 10 original songs, composed by Kay Hanley and Tom Polce, performed by a talented cast including Christina Chong and Celia Rose Gooding. The inclusion of this musical episode highlights the diverse range of storytelling methods employed by Strange New Worlds. Please note, this discussion contains spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2.

A musical episode of Star Trek has been a long-standing desire for writer and producer Ronald D. Moore, who proposed the idea for both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. However, he faced opposition from the production teams of both shows. In contrast, executive producers Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, and Henry Alonso Myers of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds have no reservations about creating a musical episode, which aligns perfectly with the series' commitment to exploring a diverse range of genres. In addition to fairytale episodes, SNW recently showcased a crossover episode that seamlessly combined live-action and animation.

Why Strange New Worlds’ Musical Episode Is Happening

The cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 hinted at exciting deviations from the usual genre. The recent revelation of a musical episode highlights what Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn were alluding to. According to Christina Chong, the ninth episode of Strange New Worlds season 2 was born from an idea she had during season 1. When she learned that the show's writers were also contemplating a musical episode, she enthusiastically expanded upon it, eventually leading to Akiva Goldsman's confirmation that it would be done in season 2.

What Past Gimmick Episodes Has Star Trek Done (& Which Worked)

In addition to her first EP, Twin Flames, scheduled to be released in August, Christina Chong showcases her remarkable singing talents. Likewise, Celia Rose Gooding not only won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for the Alanis Morrissette musical Jagged Little Pill but also received a Tony award nomination. Given the incredible vocal prowess of these two performers, it only makes sense for Strange New Worlds to finally bring us the highly anticipated Star Trek musical episode.

In the early stages of Star Trek's emergence, the USS Enterprise frequently embarked on missions to planets that reflected the ideals of Hitler's Nazi party or the Chicago gangsters of the 1920s. This offered Star Trek: The Original Series the opportunity to delve into various genres with a science-fiction twist, while also being cost-effective by utilizing existing period costumes from other productions on the Paramount lot. Nonetheless, the episodes centered around gangsters or the Old West were perceived as overt gimmicks that did not consistently yield desirable results. Several decades later, the holodeck's introduction in Star Trek provided the 90s Trek shows with a convenient platform to venture into alternative genres.

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the episode "Take Me Out To The Holosuite" allowed for a Star Trek sports movie to be created, making it one of the greatest holodeck episodes of all time. Since Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set before the time of the holodeck, it has to find more inventive ways to explore different genres. One notable example of this was seen in "The Elysian Kingdom," where Dr. Joseph M'Benga read a fairytale to his daughter who was terminally ill, and the story magically came to life, giving him the opportunity to say his goodbyes.

While "The Elysian Kingdom" gave the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast a chance to showcase their talent and have some fun, it also played a significant role in M'Benga's storyline for season 1. The episode was skillfully written by Akela Cooper and Onitra Johnson, successfully balancing comedy and heartfelt moments. Based on the trailer for the upcoming musical episode, "Subspace Rhapsody," it appears that this episode will play a similar role in exploring the ongoing love story between Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh and James T. Kirk.

Other TV Shows Have Done Musical Episodes

The main challenge for the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is that it lacks originality. Ronald D. Moore pitched the idea of a musical episode for Star Trek: The Next Generation before Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced its groundbreaking musical episode in season 6 titled "Once More With Feeling". Since then, several shows like The Flash, Fringe, Lucifer, and even Grey's Anatomy have followed Buffy's lead.

Moreover, there have been entire musical TV shows such as Glee and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Interestingly, Tom Polce, a former member of the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend team, is co-writing the music and lyrics for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode, which provides reassurance about its quality. Although the fact that a venerable TV series like Star Trek has never attempted a musical episode sets it apart in a saturated market, "Subspace Rhapsody" cannot rely solely on this distinction. Given the unassailable example set by Buffy's "Once More With Feeling", Strange New Worlds must work hard to achieve a similar cultural impact.

Does A Musical Episode Fit With Star Trek?

Spock and Number One's shared passion for Gilbert & Sullivan, combined with the musical talents of Celia Rose Gooding and Christina Chong, make a musical episode a perfect fit for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The episodic nature of Strange New Worlds allows for more experimentation compared to Star Trek: Discovery, enabling the exploration of different genres and storytelling forms. As long as it remains consistent with the context of the USS Enterprise, there is no harm in subjecting the crew to the influence of strange, musical energy in the episode "Subspace Rhapsody".

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has already showcased its willingness to experiment with form through a crossover episode with Star Trek: Lower Decks. By subtly referencing the potency of Orion booze, SNW smoothly transitioned into an animated epilogue to conclude "Those Old Scientists". Ultimately, Star Trek is rooted in the exploration of space's vastness and all the unpredictability it brings. Its enduring success for almost six decades is attributed to its ability to tell diverse stories. As long as there are valid narrative justifications for taking bold steps like musical episodes, may Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the wider Trek canon continue to push the boundaries of genre experimentation.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.