The Ultimate Ranking of Songs in Strange New Worlds' Musical Episode: Unveiling the Top Musical Masterpieces!

Summary

"Subspace Rhapsody" is Star Trek's first-ever musical episode, featuring nine original songs performed by the talented cast.

The musical episode features standout performances from Celia Rose Gooding and Christina Chong, highlighting the cast's best singers. It delves into character development and unveils truths through powerful songs, creating breathtaking musical setpieces and extraordinary performances.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody," features a musical episode with nine original songs performed by the cast. The incorporation of different genres throughout the season makes the musical episode a natural progression. As Star Trek's first-ever musical episode, "Subspace Rhapsody" impresses with its grand musical numbers and outstanding performances. Each character gets an opportunity to shine and reveal truths through song. This episode bears similarities to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Once More, With Feeling," where characters also expressed their truths through song, leading to character development and surprising revelations. "Subspace Rhapsody" showcases the exceptional vocal talents of the Strange New Worlds cast, with standout performances from Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura and Christina Chong as La'an Noonien-Singh. Below, you will find a ranking of all nine songs from "Subspace Rhapsody," from least to best.

9 Connect to Your Truth

"Connect to Your Truth" is not a bad song, but it falls short after the spectacular opening number. Rebecca Romijn and Paul Wesley deliver solid vocals, but the song doesn't quite measure up to the others that come later. Despite this, "Connect to Your Truth" carries a powerful message that resonates with La'an, causing her to ultimately reveal her feelings for Lt. Kirk. Moreover, the song plays a crucial role in advancing the storyline as La'an realizes that the music prompts the crew members to confess their deepest thoughts.

8 Private Conversation

While "Private Conversation" may be a delightful tune for Captains Pike and Batel (Melanie Scrofano), it falls short in comparison to the other musical numbers in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' episode. However, Anson Mount's performance is exceptional, showcasing his evident horror as he confesses his secrets through song, not only to his girlfriend but also to his entire bridge crew. One of the most comical moments in the entire episode occurs when Pike kneels down to profess his feelings, only for La'an to abruptly sever the connection.

7 Keeping Secrets

Una and La'an share a heartfelt moment where Una reveals her habit of isolating herself and keeping others at a distance. She emphasizes to La'an that while this approach worked for her in her youth, she now regrets not being more open and receptive to people. Through the song "Keeping Secrets," Una inspires La'an to open up and have a conversation with Lt. Kirk about her encounter with his alter ego in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow." With Rebecca Romijn's captivating vocals, the song creates a serene and introspective atmosphere, setting it apart from the other more lively tracks.

6 I'm Ready

5 How Would That Feel

Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Jess Bush) steals the spotlight in the lounge, celebrating her recent acceptance into Dr. Roger Korby's prestigious fellowship. The lounge comes alive with the energetic and captivating dance number "I'm Ready," where Chapel makes a heartfelt decision to prioritize her career over her relationship with Spock. Amidst the lively dance routine, Spock remains somewhat awkwardly positioned by the door, while everyone else enthusiastically joins in. Undoubtedly, Chapel's show-stopping performance is the highlight of the episode. Jess Bush exudes pure joy, and the infectious enthusiasm radiates from the rest of the dancers, including Uhura, Ortegas (played by Melissa Navia), and Sam Kirk (played by Dan Jeannotte).

Christina Chong's exquisite vocals shine in La'an's captivating solo number, providing not only a mesmerizing musical experience but also offering a deeper understanding of her character. In the remarkable journey of La'an in "Subspace Rhapsody," this moment serves as an ideal climax to the events of "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow," as she musters the courage to divulge her true feelings to Lieutenant Kirk. Through the heartfelt lyrics of "How Would That Feel," we are granted a unique perspective into the innermost thoughts of La'an, witnessing a profound catharsis unfold. In various segments of the composition, La'an's visage alternates between anger and heartbreak, struggling to regain composure even after the song concludes. With utmost passion, Christina Chong delivers a poignant performance that showcases the raw intensity of La'an's emotions.

4 I'm the X

Ethan Peck's remarkable singing voice is the biggest surprise in "Subspace Rhapsody". In a quieter moment, Spock shares his emotions with Uhura through an answering song to Chapel's celebration. Ethan Peck, known for his role in Star Trek, delivers a wonderful performance. Despite the emotional nature of the song, he embodies the essence of classic Spock, maintaining his stoic and composed facial expressions and movements. It is a heart-wrenching song that marks Spock's journey towards fully embracing his Vulcan side, with the lyrics conveying the sentiment: "Unending reason must be my true north." Additionally, the clever play on words with the title, incorporating "X" and "ex", adds a distinct Spock-like touch.

3 Status Report

The musical episode's opening number in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is truly breathtaking. Each crewmember at their respective station delivers their status reports in cleverly rhyming musical lines, resulting in a hilarious and captivating spectacle. The song becomes even more impressive as the bewildered expressions on everyone's faces accompany their sudden bursts into song. Anson Mount's brilliant comic timing and facial expressions add an extra layer of humor throughout. "Status Report" serves as an excellent introduction, skillfully setting the stage for the episode and establishing its tone. Captain Pike's concluding line, "But why are we singing?", right before the transition to the opening credits accompanied by a choir, brings the song to a perfect conclusion.

2 We Are One

"We Are One" delivers on the promise of a captivating finale, with full participation from all, as they come together to bring the show to a close. Uhura's infectious enthusiasm leading up to this song spreads throughout the crew, as they join in the uplifting final performance to triumph over adversity. This song serves as a jubilant tribute to the Enterprise and its crew, highlighting the core theme of Star Trek: the power of unity. It may be a slightly clichéd message, but its truth remains undeniable. Additionally, the Dancing Klingon interlude provides one of the most amusing moments in the episode, as the Klingons gleefully sing: "Your eternal torture is every Klingon's dream."

1 Keep Us Connected

In "Subspace Rhapsody," Celia Rose Gooding captivates as Ensign Uhura, stealing the spotlight. Gooding not only possesses an extraordinary voice but also embodies Uhura's intelligence, perceptiveness, and ability to forge connections that ultimately rescue the day. Uhura's solo performance serves as a showcase for Gooding's commanding vocals and pays homage to the revered yet sometimes overlooked Star Trek character. The refrain strikes a powerful chord as Uhura transitions from bemoaning her solitary experiences to embracing them. "Keep Us Connected" encapsulates Nyota Uhura's essence flawlessly: "My life revolves around fixing and protecting others; that's my purpose. I am the one who keeps us connected."

"Subspace Rhapsody" is a phenomenal episode that blends both joy and heartbreak with remarkable insight. It has undoubtedly earned its place as an iconic installment in not only the Strange New Worlds series but also the entirety of Star Trek. In its first two seasons, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has truly excelled in its mission to boldly explore uncharted territories. The episode's closing lines beautifully pay homage to every Enterprise vessel, as the entire crew passionately sings, "We embody the spirit of exploration; we are the crew of the Enterprise!" Don't miss out on streaming season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds every Thursday on Paramount+.