Warning: Potential spoilers ahead for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 5 - "Charades." Even though T'Pring (Gia Sandhu) and Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) have appeared in multiple Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episodes, the show has skillfully avoided a situation where their paths would cross and contradict existing canon. Strange New Worlds serves as a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, featuring familiar characters and staying true to the established Star Trek universe.
In the original series episode "Amok Time," we are introduced to Spock's (Leonard Nimoy) fiancée, T'Pring (Arlene Martel). This occurs when Spock undergoes the Vulcan pon farr, a biological urge to mate. To save Spock's life, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) diverts the Enterprise to Vulcan, where T'Pring appears on the view screen. Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) remarks on T'Pring's beauty and questions Spock about her. In "Amok Time," Spock refers to T'Pring as his wife, alluding to the arranged marriage made by their parents when they were young. Although it may seem strange that Uhura is unfamiliar with T'Pring's appearance, she actually never sees her in the episodes "Spock Amok" or "Charades" of Strange New Worlds.
Strange New Worlds Makes Sure Uhura Never Sees Spock’s Fiancee T’Pring
T'Pring and Uhura do not have any interactions despite both appearing in the episodes "Spock Amok" and "Charades." In "Spock Amok," while Spock and T'Pring exchange bodies in a humorous manner, Uhura is away on Starbase 1, assisting Captain Pike and Admiral Robert April in negotiations with the R'ongovians. On the other hand, in "Charades," Uhura joins Nurse Christine Chapel and Lt. Erica Ortegas on a shuttle mission to aid Spock. It is important to note that Uhura and T'Pring are never on the Enterprise at the same time, hence the impossibility of an encounter between them.
At the conclusion of Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, T'Pring and Spock mutually decide to take a break from their relationship. Consequently, it is reasonable that Spock seldom mentions T'Pring thereafter and does not display any photographs of her. While Uhura may be familiar with the name T'Pring, it does not imply that she knows what Spock's former fiancee looks like. Thus far, nothing portrayed contradicts the information provided in Star Trek: The Original Series. Additionally, Spock is recognized for being private about his personal life, and his friendship with Uhura is still in its early stages.
Uhura’s Big Star Trek TOS Canon Moment Is Meeting Kirk In Strange New Worlds
Ensign Uhura's newfound friendship with Spock paves the way for her next significant encounter: Lieutenant James T. Kirk, portrayed by Paul Wesley. While Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has seen other iterations of Captain Kirk, none of them align with the official Prime timeline version that Uhura will one day admire as her Captain. This latest installment of the series delves deeper into Uhura's background, adding layers of complexity to her character compared to her portrayal in TOS. Despite early teasers hinting at the long-awaited meeting between these two iconic Trek figures, it has yet to occur in the current season. Naturally, their introduction is not the only pivotal canon moment that remains in store for Strange New Worlds. Spock, too, has yet to cross paths with the man who will eventually become his closest confidant and a legendary twosome in the Star Trek universe. The meeting between Kirk and Spock, which precedes the events of Star Trek: The Original Series, holds great anticipation. With five more episodes remaining in its second season, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds holds the potential for Kirk's highly anticipated initiation into the dynamic of his future crew aboard the Enterprise.
New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 air Thursdays on Paramount+.
