The Spectacular Fusion of Sci-Fi and Music Unfolds in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2

Summary

Strange New Worlds season 2's musical episode was set up in season 1, episode 2, proving that the cast had singing abilities.

Uhura's humming and the a cappella singing by Spock and Uhura in episode 2 hinted at the musical abilities of Celia Rose Gooding and Ethan Peck.

The concept of a musical episode was first brought up in season 1, and its triumph in season 2 opened up the possibility for future musical episodes in the Star Trek series.

The musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 seemed inevitable, given that the second episode of Strange New Worlds established that the crew members of the USS Enterprise can sing. Directed by Dermot Downs, with music and lyrics by Kay Hanley and Tom Polce of Letters to Cleo, episode 9 of Strange New Worlds season 2, titled "Subspace Rhapsody," became Star Trek's first-ever musical episode. However, in episode 2 of Strange New Worlds season 1, titled "Children of the Comet," it was effectively hinted that a musical episode would eventually occur. In this episode, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) leads the USS Enterprise to encounter and investigate a rogue comet, only to be intercepted by the Shepherds, a caretaker race who reveal that the comet is actually M'hanit, an ancient "Arbiter of Life" with the power to choose the fate of worlds. Unfortunately, a landing party consisting of Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck), Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), who is injured, become trapped aboard M'hanit, with the Enterprise unable to beam them back.

Star Trek’s Musical Was Inevitable After Strange New Worlds Episode 2's Singing

Star Trek's inaugural musical episode was set up by Uhura and Spock's actions in "Children of the Comet," the second episode of Strange New Worlds season 1. While trapped in the underground chamber of M'hanit, Uhura hummed to herself, and her melody resonated with the egg-like inner chamber of the comet. She deduced that her song had the potential to open the egg and asked Spock to match her frequency. With La'an opting out due to her inability to sing, Spock and Uhura harmonized a capella, successfully opening the egg. This scene highlighted the musical talents of Celia Rose Gooding and Ethan Peck.

Uhura, known for her singing abilities in Star Trek: The Original Series, often entertained her USS Enterprise crewmates with her songs. Spock's singing, on the other hand, is a new dimension of his character that Strange New Worlds explores in the musical episode. By establishing this early on in season 1, episode 2, it paved the way for the entire cast to participate in a musical episode. Additionally, this episode solidified Uhura's doubts about remaining in Starfleet. However, in the musical episode, she realizes through her solo number, "Keep Us Connected," that she is the hero of the Enterprise. Uhura continues to save the day in Strange New Worlds, showcasing the talent she first exhibited in episode 2.

How Strange New Worlds' Musical Episode Happened

Success has many different contributors, and this is certainly the case with the musical episode of Strange New Worlds. According to the showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers, Goldsman had been interested in doing a musical episode since Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard. He had expressed his desire to Michael Chabon, one of the showrunners, who happened to know Lin-Manuel Miranda. Unfortunately, they were unable to make it happen for Picard, but Myers had experience with musical episodes from his work on The Magicians and Ugly Betty. The idea for a musical episode was also brought up by co-executive producer Bill Wolkoff and Christina Chong, which eventually led to its realization in Season 2 of Strange New Worlds.

Taking a risk, Strange New Worlds decided to include a musical episode in Season 2, and it turned out to be a huge success. Both critics and audiences gave it positive reviews, and the soundtrack even reached the top of the Apple music streaming charts. However, the idea for a musical episode had been discussed as early as Season 1, particularly in Episode 2 titled "Children of the Comet." This episode may have served as a test to gauge audience reactions to characters like Spock and Uhura singing to solve a problem. Whether or not future Star Trek series, including Strange New Worlds, will venture into another musical episode remains uncertain for now.