WARNING: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody."
Summary
In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, viewers are treated to a remarkable musical episode that highlights the crew's extraordinary singing skills and features captivating original songs. Notably, Lt. Spock and Ensign Nyota Uhura shine brilliantly with their exceptional vocal prowess and heartfelt acting.
Not everyone in the cast had an outstanding vocal performance, but the latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 showcased the franchise's ability to excel in a musical episode. In this week's episode, the USS Enterprise crew delivered an incredible musical experience, although some members had stronger singing abilities than others. Prior to this episode, the Star Trek franchise had not explored the concept of a full-fledged musical episode. However, Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9 proved that Star Trek had the talent and capability to create a fantastic musical episode. The crew passionately performed nine original songs that were both humorous and heartfelt.
11 Commander Pelia (Carol Kane)
The musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds centered around Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) and Ensign Nyota Uhura's (Celia Rose Gooding) experiments on a subspace fold. Originally designed to improve interstellar communication, these experiments unexpectedly led to the formation of a quantum uncertainty field which triggered spontaneous musical performances whenever the crew experienced intense emotions. While all the musical numbers in the episode were outstanding, every member of the cast gave their utmost best. However, it was evident that certain individuals possessed exceptional vocal talents, establishing a noticeable hierarchy in terms of singing prowess.
Commander Pelia (Carol Kane) made her debut in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, seamlessly blending into the Enterprise crew with her captivating presence and remarkable comedic timing. Regrettably, her involvement in the musical episode of Strange New Worlds was limited, as she merely suggested to Uhura and Spock the idea of utilizing music to elicit a response from the subspace fold. While Pelia's solo line in the initial ensemble number showcased her fine vocal abilities, it fell short of fully showcasing her talents in comparison to the episode's standout singers.
10 Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano)
Similarly to Pelia, Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) had limited involvement in the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Despite the development of her romantic relationship with Captain Pike (Anson Mount), which resulted in an amusing subplot and a shared song, Scrofano's performance, although proficient during the song, did not stand out. Batel's contribution to the song was decent, but once again, it was not substantial enough to warrant a higher ranking among the more dynamic singers in Strange New Worlds.
9 Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount)
Although Captain Pike contributed memorable moments to "Subspace Rhapsody," his singing voice falls short when compared to other cast members, particularly Anson Mount. While Pike had solo lines in ensemble numbers and a duet with Captain Batel, it is evident from his singing that he wasn't granted a prominent solo song. Nevertheless, Mount's acting in the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds compensates for his slightly less impressive vocal abilities.
8 Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun)
Dr. M'Benga's (Babs Olusanmokun) contribution to the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds may have been limited, but it was undeniably impressive. Although he claimed not to be a singer, M'Benga showcased his unexpectedly pleasant and melodious voice in the group numbers, often performing duets with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). Regrettably, he was not granted the opportunity to have his own solo in "Subspace Rhapsody"; nevertheless, he flawlessly fulfilled his part in the ensemble numbers.
7 Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia)
Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), a character with a single line in the opening song, had the chance to exhibit her acting and singing skills more prominently than Pelia. Upon joining her fellow crew members on the bridge, Ortegas became engrossed in the song "Status Report" while informing Pike about the ship's condition following the creation of the quantum uncertainty field. Notably, Navia excelled not only in her enchanting singing voice but also in her performance, as she captivated the audience while delivering her report on the bridge.
6 Lt. James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley)
James T. Kirk, portrayed by Paul Wesley, defied expectations by showcasing his singing talent alongside Commander Una Chin-Riley, played by Rebecca Romijn, in a mesmerizing duet. Despite not ranking among the best songs of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode, their performance of "Connect To Your Truth" served as an enjoyable intermission, revealing a surprisingly dynamic partnership between Number One and Kirk. Wesley's astonishing vocal range exceeded all expectations, standing strong against Romijn's own impressive vocal abilities.
5 Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush)
In the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Christine Chapel's song "I'm Ready" stood out as a delightful highlight, showcasing the incredible vocal prowess of Jess Bush. The enchanting performance took place in the Enterprise's lounge, featuring backing vocals from various crew members, including Uhura, Ortegas, and even Sam Kirk (played by Dan Jeannotte). While "I'm Ready" exuded a joyful and lively atmosphere, the song concurrently depicted the end of Chapel and Spock's relationship, emphasizing Chapel's commitment to prioritizing her career. Bush's exceptional singing and acting skills truly brought the song to life, significantly propelling the plot forward.
4 Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck)
3 Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn)
: Ethan Peck's Spock took center stage in "I'm the X" after Chapel's rejection, delving into the depths of his emotions alongside Uhura in Engineering. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode brought a delightful surprise with Peck's exceptional singing voice, harmoniously combining the resonant qualities of his speaking voice and showcasing an impressive vocal range. Spock's poignant song marked a significant moment in his character growth, as he began to embrace logic as a means of navigating the heartache caused by Chapel's departure. While not stealing the spotlight among the episode's showstoppers, Peck's performance as Spock undeniably stood out.
The musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds showcased Number One's exceptional performances, leaving a lasting impact. Despite having a lesser role in the major storylines, she still had a significant influence, particularly when she encouraged La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) to express her emotions for Lt. Kirk. Number One effectively persuaded La'an to reveal her true feelings through the enchanting ballad "Keeping Secrets", exhibiting Romijn's incredible singing talent. Additionally, Romijn had a delightful duet with Kirk earlier in the episode, incorporating some light-hearted moments while referencing Number One's affection for Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
2 Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong)
1 Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding)
Christina Chong's remarkable talent shined through in the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as she flawlessly portrayed the character of La'an Noonien-Singh. Chong, a proficient singer in addition to being an accomplished actor, not only stole the show with her exceptional voice but also added an extra dimension to La'an's captivating storyline. The highlight of her performance came in the emotionally charged song, "How Would That Feel," where Chong's vocals beautifully conveyed the raw vulnerability stemming from the intense romance between La'an and Kirk.
Uhura's role and vocal contributions to "Subspace Rhapsody" were truly outstanding. In a similar vein to Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding is no stranger to the world of singing, having won a 2021 Grammy Award for their remarkable performance in the Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill. Consequently, Uhura's impactful song, "Keep Us Connected," not only stood out as one of the finest moments in the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode but also served as a captivating and dynamic showcase of their talent. With Uhura playing a pivotal role, the episode reached its climax as she skillfully brought the crew together for a show-stopping finale, successfully putting an end to the lingering uncertainty surrounding the quantum field.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.