It’s been a long road, getting from there to here (yes, I went there!). But here we are, mere days from the first episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three! In the lead-up to episode one, we have been exploring key characters from the series. And as we come to our penultimate article, we get to unravel the complexities of the Enterprise’s science officer. So, please read on as we explore one of science fiction’s most recognisable characters, Spock (Ethan Peck)! It will be… fascinating!
One Famous Vulcan
It is worth noting from the outset that Spock is one of the most well-established characters in the Star Trek universe. The character has appeared in at least five television series and nine movies. That’s before you consider other media, like video games. This results in a significant amount of character development and established lore.
This also leaves me with a choice. Focus on Spock’s journey through Strange New Worlds. Or, write a series of essays on the life and experiences of our favourite half-Vulcan. I may write the essays in the future. Watch this space!
In The Name Of Love
Strange New Worlds kicks off its first season with Spock in a unique situation. He is in love with a Vulcan woman called T’Pring (Gia Sandhu). In the early scenes of episode one, the pair are having a very structured conversation in a public setting. T’Pring then takes out a necklace and asks Spock the question he’s been expecting. They are engaged and share a short kiss before heading home.
However, it’s at this point that an established assumption is broken. It becomes very clear once they return to their home that Spock and T’Pring are about to get intimate. Some fans had assumed that Vulcan males only mated during their Pon Farr (once every seven years). Well, you know what they say about assuming!
Despite their intent, they are again interrupted, this time by a call from Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). T’Pring is not impressed, establishing early on that Spock’s career could become a thorn in their relationship. Only time would tell…
An Identity In Conflict
This thorn seems to have been removed by the end of the season one episode ‘Spock Amok’. In an attempt to better understand each other’s perspectives and priorities, Spock and T’Pring mind meld. This results in a Freaky Friday of Trekkie proportions with the two Vulcans unintentionally switching bodies. Although they find themselves in some funny and interesting situations, the experience also has the originally desired effect. They return to their bodies with a new appreciation for their partner’s life and challenges.
But it’s not just Spock’s career that jeopardises his engagement to T’Pring. He is a child of two worlds, a characteristic that has always defined him, albeit not in a positive light. Something Strange New Worlds does very well is explore Spock’s conflict between his Vulcan and Human halves.
This struggle is personified in the season two episode ‘Charades’. A shuttle accident results in Spock’s Vulcan DNA being removed, leaving him one hundred percent human. While Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) desperately searches for a solution to restore his Vulcan half, Spock has to adapt.
But before long T’Pring and her family arrive on the Enterprise for an important ritual ahead of the wedding. Spock learns to pretend to be Vulcan just enough to get through the ritual, but at a cost. He doesn’t confide in T’Pring, who decides this lack of trust in her is a red flag, and she calls off the wedding.
Out Of The Frying Pan
Moments after his break-up with T’Pring, Spock finds himself in the arms of Christine Chapel. Little moments of flirting here and there in previous episodes had hinted that things could head this way. And Chapel’s hesitations, side-glances, and obvious determination to cure Spock throughout ‘Charades’ made her feelings clear.
And at last they were together, albeit not for very long. Just two episodes later, Star Trek Lower Decks favourite Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) reveals his distress about Spock’s behaviour. The Spock from the history books didn’t laugh, let alone smile, so why was he doing exactly that? Chapel clicks that it’s due to her influence, encouraging Spock to explore more of his human side. And if history didn’t know him to be this way, the fate of their relationship must already be decided…
Hence, when a prestigious fellowship comes knocking, Chapel doesn’t give her relationship with Spock a second’s thought. The opportunity is too great, and she’s already accepted the fact that she and Spock are on borrowed time. She lets our beloved science officer down brutally, in a chorus of song and dance as the crew celebrates her success. Spock takes it hard, but it is clear they still have strong feelings for each other. The way they look at each other and embrace in season two’s finale, ‘Hegemony’, speaks volumes.
Season 3 On The Horizon
So, Strange New Worlds has put Spock through his paces during the first two seasons. This has mostly been in the love department, an area of Spock’s that I didn’t expect the show to explore. That said, I’m glad they did. They have brought a new side of Spock’s character to life, which has strengthened his development and added to his wider arc. And there’s more to explore through the coming season, especially with a certain Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan) joining the show. How will Korby shake up the already stirred relationship between Spock and Chapel? We don’t have long to find out!
Strange New Worlds Season 3 premieres on July 17th (2025) on Paramount+ in the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan. It will also be available to stream on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Central and Eastern Europe.
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