Ups & Downs From Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2.9 - Subspace Rhapsody
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Why are they singing on this week's episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Could it be they've finally done a musical? Here's Seán with all the ups and downs!
Read the article 'Strange New Worlds Director Reveals There Were Mixed Opinions About Subspace Rhapsody’s Klingon Scene' by Mick Joest here: www.cinemablen...
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#StarTrek #StrangeNewWorlds #Musical
You haven't heard K-pop until you've heard it in it's original Klingon.
You should mail that sentence to the writers of the show.
This needs to be on t-shirts.
@@EvilSoupDragon I'd wear it!
Best line!
Who would've known the K in K-pop stood for Klingon!
During the denouement, Uhura mentions that Spock was handling the diplomacy with the Klingons, and in comes Spock kinda stumbling as if he was hung over. Fantastic joke and a great callback.
Yes, I noticed that too!
I noticed - and loved it!
He was hung over, Uhura mentioned the "diplomacy" was at the same time as some bloodwine :D
Yeah he was still drunk not hung over
It's really neat that the show is establishing that Spock's skill for diplomacy was recognized so young. As amazing of a science officer as he was, it was _Ambassador_ Spock whose accomplishments would be talked about for the next thousand years across two timelines.
For me the highlight of the episode is when the Klingon captain struggled to hold back singing 😂 then just killed it with back up dancers 😂
They were trying to be some of the best actors!
I never thought the two words Klingons and Autotunes can go together as a form of creative outlet.
It was the outrageous moment the episode needed!
The Klingon Captain was played by Bruce Horak, a.k.a. the guy who play Hemmer.
now it hurts@@OzPiggy87
I love how Kirk was like "I thought you guys were pulling a prank, but then I started singing, and now I don't know what the hell is happening."
He said that as if the entire crew secretly practicing and pulling a prank on the Captain is normal 😂😂
Starfleet has been repeatedly shown to be full of pranksters and gossips, it’s just that previous Trek shows did their best to make it seem like this only happened at the Academy
The first officer from another ship*
Pike said pretty close to the same, from my recollection.
Can you imagine if they tried to play a prank on an admiral?
@@tanman99 starfleet admrials are such buzzkills
I really like that they did the scene between La’an and Kirk as an actual conversation and not a musical number, it really highlighted the somber nature of what La’an was feeling how important it was to her that she was able to express those emotions to Kirk on her own terms
I'm honestly surprised they didn't turn that into the mcguffin to break the field...having to voluntarily engage with your emotions rather than having them forced out by the musical. But then there'd be no big final number.
Although the 17th century sea chantey could have been fun!
I think it highlighted how little faith they actually have in musical theatre.
I think it's because the musical numbers cause people to lose all inhibitions when speaking their minds, and it would have been a bit of a cheat. La'An actually confessed her truth to Kirk on her own, with full consent.
Seeing George Kirk bopping his head to the Klingon-Pop was my moment. It’s just so wonderfully goofy.
There were so many moments, it’s hard to be choosy!
Oh man, I watched that multiple times. Just so damn good!!
Do you mean Sam kirk? (George kirk is the kirk brothers' father)
@@keit99 James T Kirk's older brother is George Samuel Kirk was named after his father George Kirk, but everyone calls George Kirk Jr by his middle name, Sam.
@@mryoungandbrave1 wait he's called George Samuel? I learned something new today
It makes sense that all of the songs would be of similar "Broadway" style since the song they beamed into the anomaly was "Anything Goes". The Subspace Fold was just giving back the same energy it took in.
Good thing they didn't pick Sweeney Todd.
You’re absolutely right, ok you win.
@@Trelane574 Or Candide...
Great point!
Yes, the lack of variety was not a down for me. It's certainly more Andrew Lloyd Webber-Broadway than it is Lerner and Lowe- or Rodgers and Hammerstien-Broadway.
Everyone singing that they'll miss singing and Spok saying "I will not miss singing".
🤣
The Kilingon K-pop was absolutely hilarious - the only thing that made it better, that no one has talked about is how Sam (Kirk) was really into it!
"I'm the X" is going to become THE breakup song for geeks, and I am HERE FOR IT!
Yeah... I'm the X, I don't know Y; maybe it's not meant to Z.
....Or Elon already has a cease and desist ready......
And how is "KEEP US CONNECTED" by Uhura not gonna be the Theme song of every IT manager out there ?
I'm glad I had captioning on during that song, it did first say "I'm the ex," then at the end "I'm the X." But I was really hoping for the line, "She's the why."
Me too
You missed the tiny bit where La'an she wants to get things over before they start singing 17th century sea shanties. LOVED IT
I love Sea Shanties, it's a pity we didn't get any.
I like 17th century peed panties myself.
I could have used a good sea shanty myself.
A sea chantey would have been better than "Keeping Secrets"...
That was I believe @seanferrick what you were hoping for referenced in meta, like “we tried to do more it wasnt working , well 4th dimension more diverse musical types”
The improbability field opening up alternate realities reminded me of the infinite improbability drive of Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. A cool parallel!
Something only true fans can tell!
I had kind of assumed that was the point...
Yes!
I was kind of surprised Sean didn't give that an Up.🔼 🤔. I did. 😁
Anyone else notice Sam Kirk surprised at how catchy the Kling-Pop was?
That was hilarious
Sam was diggin it
@@philly83 He was totally grooving into it.
@@philly83so was I.
I died laughing at the Klingon song. I was expecting a sea shanty or a power metal ballad but the boy band/Klin-pop was a pitch perfect expectation subversion.
I had to rewatch it because I was laughing too hard the moment that part began. 😂😂😂😂
Really explained why they were so pissed about their dishonor.
I would have like a sea shanty in the episode.
@@PatEisen oh yes me too!
If this episode was missing anything it was little background songs from other members of the crew. To extend the ‘Once more with feeling’ comparison we needed a ‘They got the mustard out’ type song. A repair crew with a 10-20 second shanty would have been great
@@curtisbme yes! I loved that
I love La’an’s character development so far. Her solo was heartbreaking and I just want her to be happy but glad she’s progressing for the better.
It’s not too surprising she’s certainly a go-getter!
I totally agree. It was heart wrenching. But beautiful at the same time. That was the first of 3 times I flat out started bawling in the episode. Here we are a week later and I still have these songs in my head!
I just finished the season. La'an is amazing (granted, so are the whole cast.). I NEED to see her go ALL OUT on the Gorn in the new season. Get her revenge.
The synchronised ships dancing was awesome and hilarious
I love the comedy Pike brings. From having to deal with a sticky door when Spock is having an awkward meeting with inlaws to him suggesting they blow this anomaly up. Spock responding that it's a good plan, Pike's response of, "Really?!" is perfection.
Don't forget the toddlers as they're knocking over furniture. LOL!
Yeah, his singing was.. best to be kept at a minimum but his timing (and the writing and editing) is great.
He gave an interview yesterday and said he was purposely channeling William Shatner in his singing.
I like the fact that they utilized the same harmonic tune of both Nurse Chapel's and Spock's songs. It shows two different aspects and the same tune to show the thorn between the two.
Ooooh, good catch!
Yes, that was brilliant!
Wow that’s quite a good catch, look at you!
And even the same first line: "This information changes everything..."
I'm reverse-nerding you here, as I like musicals as much as sci fi.
Having a couple share a tune is as common a theme in musicals as a ship is in sci-fi...
I'm torn over this episode, and it's my problem. I like sci-fi and I like musicals, but apparently not together. I suddenly understand the kids who can't stand the peas touching the carrots...
It totally puts Spock’s behaviour towards Chappel in TOS into a new perspective. Especially when he says, “I won’t make that mistake again.“ In TOS she clearly pines after him and there’s that one episode where she’s like, Spock, please, and Spock is like I’m sorry I can’t. That TOS scene totally takes on a new level.
that's my favorite thing about a well-executed prequel, when it manages to imbue what comes later with deeper meaning
Spock in "The Naked Time", under the influence of the Psi 2000 virus, desperately asserts "I am in control of my emotions", and then immediately breaks down and sobs. The scene carries a heavier weight when you know where it's coming from
I'm sorry, but if _this_ is the end of their relationship and _this_ is the reason he doesn't pursue *any* romantic partnerships ("Amok Time" and various spores / love potions notwithstanding) for the next 120 years _I'm going to be pissed_
It would be one thing if they'd established Spock was aro or ace from the get-go (and tbf they could still have him discover that about himself) but for him to be _heartbroken_ for two centuries over a two-episode fling would be utterly disrespectful.
@@GSBarlev 2 season, not 2 episode. Had T'Pring not been there and spock thinking it was the right thing to do to be with a vulcan, he would have been with Chapel much earlier. And who knows, they may explore it more in the future, but he wasnt just broken up with, he was broken up with in front of the entire crew, just as he was trying to explore his emotions. that can certainly take a toll
@GSBarlev you're talking about a race that considers turning off their emotions natural. While it's still big, it wouldn't be that weird for a Vulcan to be aromantic
@@KaleRylan Well remember, it's not turn off their emotions, but rationally dominate their much more INTENSE emotions. Surak's emotions nearly broke Picard and that was with serious medical supervision with a close friend and only for a few hours. So just giving up pursuing romantic relationships for decades or centuries seems perfectly in line. Though he clearly reengages with T'Pring on some level since we have that TOS episode in the future. And then of course TMP Spock appears ready to completely purge emotion so this is completely in line with this era of Spock's emotional journey.
Loved the episode. "I'm the Ex" is actually a reprise of "I'm Ready," which makes sense in the context as it is Spock's response to the Chapel celebration. Essentially the same tune, different key, different mood. Best song of the episode.
I thought I was the only musician out there that that noticed this.
@@PatEisen I was beginning to think _I_ was.
@@rangersmith4652 😆
Didnt see that , good spotting or vulcan ears ,either way
Spock's: But I am also human. I feel things differently. Bigger. I see her logic, and yet... I am hurt. I am left behind. Really reveals that Vulcans feel more intensely and had developed logic to better tame those intense emotions. Add to this that Spock is half human, so his ability to contain the sweep of his emotions is likely more limited than full Vulcans.
April being their consistent point of contact makes MUCH more sense than the Admiral-of-the-Week routine.
One of the things I really enjoyed about The Orville was that you see the same three (or so) admirals every time an admiral is needed. Not all at the same time in the same episode (at least not until midway through season 3), but the same faces of authority nonetheless. It gave a continuity to the world that TNG in particular lacked.
But if there was one from Canada they could eat poutine!
It makes sense, you should be in an area of space that is has oversight of a specific Admiral, and its unlikely you'll be changing that space frequently. The Federation at this time was a lot smaller and would have fewer contacts compared to TNG.
April shoving everyone else out of the way whenever the Enterprise comes up "God dammit what is Pike doing to my baby now???"
The Enterprise was his baby at one point. 🤷
Sam Kirk’s little head bob during the Klingon K-Pop is now in my top 5 all time great Star Trek moments!
I love Pike's reaction shots this whole scene - especially since he seems like he's entirely willing to believe the entire crew is just messing with him until La'an starts singing - because La'an Noonien-Singh would not be participating in a flash mob to mess with the Captain. Everyone else, maybe, but not her.
Oh I love your read of the scene. I was in theatre-kid mode and Anson Mount was playing the bewildered (stage-centre) character perfectly. When La'an comes in and starts singing, Pike resigns to his fate. Anson delivers it (stage-wonderfully) as Pike sighs, looks down, nods, and understands the situation. I think you are 100% right that La'an is the crux. She wouldn't be messing with Pike for fun and the in-universe Pike would know it.
If there were ever an episode of SNW that would/should convince the Red Letter Media nerds (Mike and Rich) to revisit SNW for a second appraisal, it's this one...with the Lower Decks crossover being a close second.
@@withershin I also enjoyed the fact that the singing was always introduced with full music from the ether that the in-universe crew always reacted to. Hilarious!
@@samueltheprideofafrikarobi9319 I don't care what they think about Trek. They have a very fixed and nostalgic idea of what it should be. It's always strange to me that many so called purist fans cannot fathom or appreciate new ideas, technology, design or evolution of stories when that is the core of Trek - exploration of the new and forward thinking. RLM are pretty good at many things but are not objective when it comes to Trek. Their bias renders them to become annoyed protestors.
@@samueltheprideofafrikarobi9319 FORGET those losers!
I haven't laughed so much & hard in years, I loved this episode & the final song with the Klingons had me on the floor.
The Klingons killt me. I just couldn’t stop laughing 😂😂 for me the best moment in this episode 😅
The starships doing barrel rolls was just over-the-top. I loved it!
I didn’t think was K-pop at first, just thought was rap/rnb
Out of context, I was baffled when I saw the clip.. In context it worked so well.
Same! I completely busted out laughing at the singing and dancing Klingons. 🤣🤣
@@phillychick I am so mad it wasn't klingon Opera.
They gave Batel a first name, she made plans for the future with Pike before going on a priority mission. She’s dead meat. I haven’t been this worried about a character since Airiam got a bunch of backstory.
I was just thinking the same thing... Like it is a Red Shirt curse.
Chris's honesty -- or lack thereof -- with Batel is a major character arc for Pike. And, he still hasn't told her the "biggie" about his vision on Boreth, which would allow her to _choose_ whether she wants to be in a great relationships for 10 years, or hold out for another relationship in the future. Either way, if Pike confesses this to her, we will _know_ that Batel's days are numbered.
Well, we still have that one scene from the trailer, with Batel on a planetary surface, possibly a Federation colony. Must be the Priority One mission she mentioned. And the Gorn are about to pay them a visit. Have some tissues ready, folks.
@@Nergalsama01Jesus… I hope she has plot armour :/ that’s really damn sad if that happens Omfg
Poor doomed Capt. Batel. She was running those death flags up the flagpole so hard it might as well have been its own number with her playing taps for herself on a bugle. Long may she hammer a gin and tonic in the afterlife. (Letterkenny joke.)
I personally loved the bit in engineering where everyone sings how they will miss the singing, but Spock breaks ranks with how relieved he will be not to.
I know that Uhura was supposed to be a really good singer, but daymn I'm blown away with Spock. He can really sing those tunes and he's one that actually stands out, as well as La'an.
He really showed his vocal range with his song in Engineering.
At this point I have to admit that these "Ups & Downs" episodes are part of my enjoyment of the series. I found TrekCulture in the last half of Picard. Sean's energy and style is absolutely fantastic for this kind of show. I'm old enough that I saw the TOS when it was new. This channel is an excellent enhancement to enjoying Trek.
I find myself wondering, “What would Sean say about this?” as I watch a new episode now.
I find it's really enjoyable to rewatch the episode after "Ups & Downs" because of the things I missed. Yeah... Good on you Sean and @EditChrisEdit
And he’s not afraid to say when it’s a wreck!
Agreed! Watching this plus ready room makes me feel really connected to the star trek community.
I'm a bit surprised that Sean didn't call out the other direct reference to "Once More With Feeling". In the ready room, when they're discussing their first failure to close rift and figure out what's going on and Uhura chimes in with "I have a theory…" I couldn't help myself; I had to answer "that it's a demon!"
At that point, I was just waiting for, They got, the mustard, out......
They mentioned Bunnies, it's not just us, and a fair few other nods.
@@alanrobson705 the background music in the engine room just before they sent the song through was "dawns dance" from BVS.
I think some people missed the line "Cuts like a knife" panning on M'Benga when Una is singing the "secrets" song. This is a direct reference to the previous episode where M'Benga uses a knife to slash the Klingon's throat, and the secret that he is keeping about being the Butcher of J'Gal.
Nice catch!
Thanks, I’m someone who is going to have to watch this a few times to catch everything.
I laughed at the Klingon boy band. Beautifully done. Starting off as tough Klingons with a deep voice, then going into the pop. Hilarious! Then Pike's reaction.
One thing that I love that they established. You sing what's in your heart, though not necessarily what you would openly do. One would assume that your performance would match. By that logic, the Klingons were absolutely into that.
That the Klingon general is Bruce Horak is extra special.
As someone who is not generally a fan of musicals, mostly because of how absurd it is to suddenly burst into song, I really appreciated how they treated the absurdity of breaking into song and made it meta. Also, I like how they behaved when they heard the music start (that look upwards). Reminded me of the _Monty Python and the Holy Grail_ bit where the son wanted to keep bursting into song, the music starts, Michael Palin's character hears the music, and shuts the whole number down 😂
The improbability field reminded me of the Improbability Drive in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Definite reference - they even talk about how it might turn them into bunnies
You zarkin’ frood!
There was no singing in Hitchhiker's, but it seems a definite nod to Douglas Adams
I'm surprised this wasn't more mentioned. But I had the same thought. I was half expecting there to be a reference to heart of gold or trillian or something. Not a single hoopy frood!
@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg The bunnies were in reference to Buffy, though. I don’t remember bunnies in HHGG?! Ford is turned into a penguin… but bunnies? 🤔
Concerning Chapel, viewers forget season1 Chapel, she was horrible about dumping lovers (boy or girl) and only liked casual temporary relationships. The fellowship gives her the excuse to dump Spock, so she reverted back to her old self.
Yeah the import was weird given the assignment was expected to be temporary and not even that long and these aren't hormonal teens. Would seem weird this would be any kind of real obstacle given the long distance relationship Spock had with T'Pring and Pike and Batel are currently engaged with (and I expect MOST officers that try to maintain long-term relationships deal with as well). Your reading seems to be the right one.
I agree with you 100%, and I just wish to add that her wartme experience could have made her (or anyone) incredibly jaded.
Yeah, she was attracted to Spock because he was emotionally distant. Once he bcame available, she either lost interest or got scared
In addition, Boimler told her that the relationship would be so insignificant that it isn’t even mentioned or remembered in the future. Poor Spock.
@@johantj
When I first watched TOS on reruns in the late 70’s I always thought of Spock and Uhura as having a subdued private relationship; I felt a sexual attraction but at a strong founded friendship level, where they kept the intimacy behind sliding doors and never overtly. I could actually see a strong bond form between them in this scene, especially Uhura and this moment is the true start of their life long friendship.
Only now, after I listened again the soundtrack of this episode, I noticed that "I'm ready" and "I'm the X" are sort of mirroring songs. They even have very similar opening lyrics. Nicely done, nicely done.
Yes. I think that in terms of songwriting, "I"m the X" being the reprise of "I'm Ready" was the most musically intelligent part of the score. In terms of thematic music, that is.
I realized that as I was first watching the episode and I thought it just made sense given they both had the same origin : Chapel's news and what it meant for their relationship. It's essentially the same song from different perspectives. Really nice that they did that.
Star Trek strange New World has been killing it recently. A whole new level of entertainment.
My husband STRONGLY dislikes musicals as a rule, but even he enjoyed this one. He even preferred it to last season's The Elysium Kingdom. We both cracked WAY up at the Klingon K pop, and I could listen to Ethan Peck sing all day!
I loved this episode. You know this was a good one, when the cast looks like they are having a ton of fun on it. It's like fairy tale one.
I’m assuming Chappel’s behaviour is partly explained by Boimler telling her that Spock needs to be Spock and not emotion-feeling Spock.
Exactly - Boimler made this happen.
I’m soooo happy that I’m not the only one who thought that! Thank you! 😅
I was gonna say this too… I interpreted the song more like saying she's ready to accept the needed sacrifice of her love for Spock, rather than not caring about breaking his heart
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
I came here to make the same observation. 😊
One extra sneaky easter egg. When discussing the improbability field, poofing into bunnies shouts out both Buffy and the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy- where an improbability field poofs characters into alternative forms like sofas and knitted versions of themselves.
You don’t want to end up as toys to be put on some shelves!
Yeah really surprised that Sean didn't mention Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the Easter eggs, I was giggling soooo much when they mentioned an improbability field. I figured Sean to be the kind of Hoopy Frood to know where his towel is, but I guess not.
I'm so happy! I've been waiting for this episode for decades, ever since I read the musical TOS novel, 'How Much For Just The Planet'.
I absolutely love how - just as La'an suggests - we learn so much more about the crew over the course of their songs.
I was expecting the Klingons to treat us to some opera, so when we got that Kling-Pop I very nearly fell out of my chair laughing.
Huh... After watching the the episode several times and listening to the soundtrack all weekend, I've finally connected that "I'm Ready" and "I'm The X" are the same song, a duet split into two scenes and styles. I hope someone somewhere on the internet creates a combined version.
How Much For Just The Planet is and shall ever remain the best Star Trek novel.
OK, no one has mentioned that TOS Uhura actually sings, too! While strumming an autoharp-like instrument. Nichols had a lovely, sweet voice! So it’s great to have a SNW Uhura singing!
and Spock used to accompany her on his harp, this IS canon
Agreed, and Celia Rose Gooding is a better singer than Nichols. She's the MVP of this episode.
Ms. Nichols did have a Broadway career before she met Mr Roddeberry and was cast in The Lieutenant
@@teto85 I'm aware of that, I simply said, that, in my opinion, Celia Rose Gooding is a better singer and, she is also theater trained. You are of course, free to disagree with me, this is my opinion of course.
The Changeling, Conscience of the King, Charlie X, Plato's Stepchildren...TNG's "A British Tar' scene. I'm surprised that it took this long for"Star Trek: The Musical" to happen...TOS had its light episodes. Why not SNW?
This show just keeps getting better… you don’t need to apologize for it being a musical episode it works!
I loved when Kirk praised Spock’s scientific explanation and said he *almost* understood it.
That was a very TOS-like Kirk at that moment. I can picture Shatner and Nimoy having that exchange
La'an is becoming not just my favorite Star Trek SNW character, but my all time favorite Star Trek character.
Right there with you. It's amazing that a completely original creation on a show filled with legacy characters has really become the heart and soul of the show. The writers and especially Christina Chong deserve a great deal of credit.
Keep Us Connected makes me cry nearly every time I listen to it. To go from grief to grief to self-realization is so powerful.
that's what got me too....every time she shifts I start bawling!
SAME
I LOVED THIS!!! And didn't think I would! The Klingon scene was HILARIOUS 😆 I loved that! My favorite song was Ahura's Alone song. It spoke so much to me in my life. I can't think of one song to put into the fold - anything by Mozart seems fitting. And I have to say that you guys can SING!! 😂🎉
Don’t forget, they could also shake their thing!
Great episode, Sean! Surprised you didn't mention that this is essentially, the SNW version of "The Naked Time" and the "Naked Now" where an external stimulus forces the crew to express their otherwise hidden, innermost emotions. Tackling this theme musically was a stroke of brilliance which elevates the idea to new heights, and is a feather in the cap of the entire SNW team.
They certainly have reason to beam!
Really great point!
One additional point regarding Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura). The character Uhura lost her parents in a tragedy, and I recently learned that Celia's real-life father was lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. I can't help feeling like she is able to truly translate her real-life emotions into her performance on this show. This actress is SO GOOD, and this musical gave us all an opportunity to enjoy her brilliant vocal and acting talents. Truly one of my FAVORITE characters on this amazing Star Trek iteration. I am SO GLAD I didn't give up on Paramount after Discovery's horrible Season 3!
I didn't know that, but, that's awesome! I agree about Celia Rose Gooding, she kills it as Uhura and is great in this episode, she also has the best voice of any of the cast.
Damn!!
I had no idea! Oh god 😢❤
The Klingon Pop scene had me laughing so hard, I had tears rolling down my face! Spock's solo "I'm the Ex" was SO good. The octave leaps were spectacular. The one UP you missed was the hung over Spock stumbling out of the turbolift at the end. If you blinked, you missed it, but it was SO good!
I appreciate that, bit by bit, the series is laying the background for "Spock as a diplomat", specifically with regard to the Klingons, which puts his later career (especially in Star Trek VI) in context. In the TOS, one of Spock's most consistent characteristics was his distaste for and impatience with diplomacy/diplomats (which was a nice, but surely unintentional, comment on his relationship with his father).
Yeah that would be great if it was added, if you could!
One of my favorite bits about the whole 'we know we're in a musical' thing is acknowledging the random music that comes out of nowhere to start up a song and looking around in confusion.
No Up for Spock’s “I won’t miss singing” while everyone else was saying, “I’ll miss the singing”? When I heard that, I immediately thought, “oh, that’ll get an Up.” 😊
You get the ups instead!
It was definitely as cute as a pup!
Yeah! That's and "Our Prime Directive (not exactly)"
I have a friend who is not a Trekkie, but has been watching and enjoying SNW. She hates spoilers and refuses to watch scenes from the next episode. She knew I was excited about this episode but wouldn't let me tell her why. I watched it at 2 am when it was available to me. She watched the next day. The best part of this episode for me will always be her reaction when Spock starts singing!!
Same here. I've been watching the series with my teenage daughter, who is not a treekie but is loving SNW since the beginning. Her reactions to Spock singing were amazing!
She must have not watched Discovery then? Spock sang in one of the shorts.
@@indranidasgupta8982 Why would she have watched that... ... ? Yuk.
@@NextWorldVR I’m not recommending Discovery. I don’t like it either. Just saying that one of the Short Treks during that show had Spock/Ethan Peck singing.
@@indranidasgupta8982 that is a relief (hehe) ... I might watch the short treks then he is the bright star of SNW.
K pop singing klingons and Pikes bewildered look has got to be one funniest things I've seen this franchise do. Hands down one of the best episodes in the entire history of Star Trek.
and lets not forget the dancing battlecruisers
I concur. One of, if not the best episodes in the franchise. For so many reasons.
Worst episode, This is the final nail in the coffin. This makes Discover crying and whispering look good, and that was shit.
Agreed. This and "Those Old Scientists" are both top ten of all time episodes for me, and the fact we got them less than 2 weeks apart means we really are blessed. This show inspires such deep joy in me, I love it so much.
Well, I was hoping for a warp core breach when the first song started, so I would disagree :D
Did anyone notice the scene where La'an tells Kirk the secret and opens her heart that was all one scene. It didn't appear to be cut. I watched it twice and she did that one scene in one cut. I think Christina even slightly messes up but corrects it quickly and the fact they left it in. Respect from me. Christina nailed it.
That was a deeply emotional scene and brilliantly done by Ms. Chong. To be honest, Paul Wesley was out of his depth by comparison. The intonations, the small changes in facial expression, the body language. Christian was pouring it all into that scene. It was heartbreaking to see, knowing where it was going to go.
That alternate timeline scene with the Romulans, where La'an hugs Pike after beaming aboard - makes sense now.
@@victorpradha9946 Fake Kirk is always out of his depth.
I was so impressed my bellybutton was puckering and unpuckering the whole scene!
will check this out later, thanks for the catch. It's like the equinox ending scene with janeway. all 1 cut.
Something I really liked in this episode was Uhura becoming more confident in comms. At the start she is expertly handling what looks like dozens of communications simultaneously, and at the end she gives that great "you fly safe!" message to the other ship
I absolutely cried both times I watched this and Pike said "THE VOICE OF THE ENTERPRISE" I'm so glad it hit you too. So much power, historical, the history with Nichelle all of it. Legacy done right.
I joke with my wife, I only cry when Kirk died in Wrath of Khan, but absolutely, I cried also!!!
Agreed, and while Majel was the voice of the computer, her voice was on all Starfleet computers, giving Uhura the title of Voice of the Enterprise was very appropriate.
I didn’t cry but only because I stopped it with all my might!
So true my friend. So very true.
I loved the nod to Buffy's "Once More With Feeling" when La'An asks if they are all going to turn into bunnies, which references Anya's metal rock "Bunnies!". The Klingons doing a choreographed Jacksons rip-off was the laugh out loud moment for me.
exactly
buffy did it 1st
Exactly, i have big schiffers as i write commantary.
I feel ♥️ the Same Like you...
So many sadness , happineass in the Songs...
Buffy once more Whit Feelings and now ???Star Trek musical. Is so great...Like the German,french Englisch Musical , dance of vampires.
This Feelings to hear... It's unbelievable Sound and i cannot say IT in better words.....
@@richarddennis3793 so did Scrubs
Your observation about April being one of the few Admirals we see, it is because April is Pike's CO and his superior in the chain of command and all that. April will be the fleet Admiral.
I love how important Uhura has been this season.. so many episodes she's been a focal point (even if not the main focal point) .. I feel it has been a callback to how important a role Nichelle Nichols played not just as a character in TOS but as a woman of colour during that time period.
Celia Rose Gooding as Uhura is wonderful all around... but really, her singing is exceptional! That vocal range from bass to treble! Awesome!
P.S. Always my whole undivided adoration to the pioneer Nichelle Nichols.
Agree completely. While i liked her from the start, i really fell in love with her in this episode. She´s letting out her sassy side more and i love it, its absolutely Uhura.
Re: James Kirk / La'an: A big up to the writers and actors for those times (and not just in this episode) of how Kirk's self-confidence leads him into *starting* to step over other characters, but he quickly realizes what he's doing and hands back the lead to the other person. It's a good piece of character development that shows that trademark Kirk boldness is NOT out of arrogance. And if that's considered a departure from "classic Kirk" it's one I welcome.
You could say that the original Kirk would race into a speech, then... pause... to reconsider his words.
With care, this speech pattern could be developed in future episodes.
It felt like a callback to Star Trek: Generations when Kirk watches Harriman head to the turbolift to make the repairs and then reconsiders: “No - you belong on the bridge. I’ll go.”
Bloom of Uhura's character as brilliant and important is a fitting tribute to Nichelle Nichols, and what she did in connecting people to the space program.
Anyone who disagrees should scram!
Although at some point Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura) is going to have to let her hair grow out just a bit more ala Nichelle Nichols.
For over 50 years, I have managed to suspend disbelief when watching Star Trek - until now 😄
A+ on the execution, even with some heavy stuff like Christine/Spock or La’an/Kirk
I'm surprised by all the people hating the Kling-Pop.
I literally LOLed. It was just so absurd, and there's nothing wrong with that. Anyone taking a musical episode seriously is missing something!
A soul, maybe?
Also the Absurdity of it is what made Kilngons singing (something considered manly and virile in the case of K-Operas) acually able to be believably "dishonourable" enough for them to be the mcguffin needed to give a time crunch to the situation.
Yeah, just look at this klingon captain. How he is ragequitting when his deep klingon opera voice gets autotuned.
They would've been absolutely fine if the whole Crew just started to sing klingon Opera, Folklore songs or even death metal. Thats the hilarity of the scene 😂
Those people wanted opera, but I wouldn't have laughed if it was opera. It would be totally expected.
My reaction was just like Pike's. It was another: "Well...that happened."
You two did a wonderful job in the first 30 seconds (about) singing. It was really cute. I really enjoyed this podcast very much.
Sometimes, I just pop this on just to listen to their silly song.
@@KougajiCalling me too, I have watched the whole episode at least 12 times the first day (I am bedridden) and over the last 2 months (about) have watched it 20 times and I don't know how many times I have just put on different songs.
I have a feeling why Ortegas isn't getting a central episode yet is because of the actress is likely not ready for it because she's still grieving the loss of her partner and it took lots of effort for her to stay on track just for this season. Maybe next season, with the likelihood that perhaps Chapel is away for the season, she'll get center stage.
This is a sad but great point. Especially when this season was filming that was so fresh for her. Ortegas is my fav though so I hope they give her a few good moments to shine in season 3!
I didn't even know the actress who played Ortega was grieving. I hadn't heard that her S.O. had died... That really sucks.
@@aaronmurphy9353 It is awful. He was there with her throughout shooting the first season but passed before they started the second.
They were also well into production of season 2 before the first premiered, so they may not have had time to notice how much the audience would love Ortegas and then try and fit a bigger story in there for her.
As a music teacher, I try to get my students to understand that music is a universal language. Also, Rebecca Romijn has a much better singing voice that I was anticipating. She’s really the total package. This episode could’ve gone so wrong but the cast really pulled this off tremendously.
There’s a moment in one of her songs you can hear a bit of the auto tune, but not 100% sure it wasn’t intentional. Overall it was really an awesome episode. Really loved each of Spock’s and Chapel’s songs.
Try short trek, when she sings Major Generals Song, while trapped in the lift with Spock.
Rebecca studied musical theater in University, if what I have heard is true.
@@marshsundeen You know what? You’re absolutely correct. She studied voice at USC Santa Cruz before leaving school to model, according to Wikipedia. I’ve always been a big fan of hers. She’s just so talented!
She certainly pulled it off stupendously!
The other thing about Once More With Feeling was how it accelerated so many story lines. This episode was great in doing this too, and making it a part of the story as a security risk.
Xena's musical episode also did this
Every single detail is just there, this episode was awesome and for sure one of the best ever!!!!!! (I am 50 now and have been watching Trek as a religion since I was 7 years old)
The full a-cappella version of the opening credit theme song was beautiful. That was an up for me.
I'll be honest, when I saw the trailers that this was going to be a musical, I was like "Big Sigh, not a fan of musicals." . . . But . . . This production team, this cast, if there was ever a group that could pull it off, this was it. They delivered! Went from something I didn't want to watch, to something I have watched multiple times already! I didn't think they could top the BD crossover, this does or comes awful close. Love it! (Oh, ya, and also I should have know TrekCulture would pull it off as well. Sean and Ellie's intro put a smile on my face as well. 😉)
I wish we had gotten a glimpse of a random, unnamed background character singing about their own personal issues. (Re: "They got the mustard out!")
While one of our lead characters is walking down the corridor, they should have had a whole choreographed number happening in a connecting hallway as they pass.
Up for the Klingons trying to resist breaking out into song too. Also, give an up to the vocal coaches who took actors who do not usually sing and made them sing.
One item I think you may have missed for Cetacean Ops is that General Garkog was wearing the same woven sash with frills that the Kang and Kor wore in TOS and that Worf wore during S1 of TNG.
This show truly lives by the motto of Going Boldly.. and I'm here for it. Nostalgia is great but I want the show, writers, cast and crew to make something unique they can be proud of, to truly bring something fresh and exciting within this universe. The phrase I've seen a lot of after this episode in comments, is "swing for the fences" and that fits so well. Everyone gets to shine in some way in SNW from episode to episode. We are so lucky to have this cast here, right now. It's clear the talent is so deep that many of these actors will have so many incredible and well earned opportunities. They are memorable in all the best ways.
They have certainly been acting as bright as sunrays!
Considering her background was in music, dance, and musical theater, I have to assume that Nichelle Nichols would have loved this episode - especially considering how Uhura-centric it is.
I kept thinking the same. How much she would have loved it and at one point I could almost hear her laughing delightfully when her character had to pull it all together.
Nichelle certainly was a whiz
I thought two other thing deserved ups:
First off, there was a little moment in the opening act when nobody knew what was going on and Ortegas and the other helm officer were doing the same movements on the controls in a synchronized way and they obviously didn't understand it, and then seemed to try to avoid it but then just got annoyed and went with it.
The second one was a small cue in the grand finale when Spock saw they were only a couple of points away from the breaking barrier and ran to the front to join in to try to help them over the top. He was obviously in some distress from the situation with Christine and he really didn't like the singing, but he's a team player and joined in to help when it was needed.
I also think that brief Bohemian Rhapsody cue should have gotten an up. Maybe Kirk's little ribbing at Spock too.
Bruce Horak is the new Jeffrey Combs. 🤣 Also, the Klingon boyband (it was more 90s-00s boyband for me rather than k-pop) scene killed me. I was definitely expecting the Klingons to start singing when they arrived, but was expecting a taste of the famous Klingon Opera. When they broke out boyband style, I laughed so hard. 🤣
"Boy band" is the description I thought of as well while watching this scene... I guess its a generation thing.
So clever of the writers NOT to give us Klingon opera but instead something so hilariously unexpected.
Sam Kirk was really into it too.
Definitely more “New Kling Ons The Block” than “Gowron Style”.
They resisted the obvious, You can't touch this, Hemmer Time.
Missed a big one. After Uhura said the ear worm line she was communicating with another starship. At the end of the communication a voice said "Acknowledge Enterprise" The voice was an old recording of Majel Barrett, Nurse Chapel in TOS
I was skeptical but after seeing the episode, I loved it. You have to realize that these are very talented actors and this platform shows their many and it told a story, like a musical. Cheers to the writers and directors for this. It was very refreshing !
The Klingon dance scene is the best quick joke from any Star Trek show (outside of Lower Decks) in decades.
General Garkog - "WHY HAVE YOU... UGGHH! Why you only calling us when you got your dramas?" - I think without re-watching all of Trek is a pretty deep cut. Awesome to learn that was Bruce Korak. That K-Pop scene I think I watched 20 times before finishing the episode.
It's like the Klingons are hurt that the Federation doesn't reach out to them more often.
The "UGGHH" was a perfect set-up, showing their disgust with the phenomenon, rather than rolling with it like the E-crew.
Let's put it this way. My wife is not a Trekkie and she has been watching SNW with me and she about died when she saw the singing and dancing Klingons. She loved it. This is by far my favorite Star Trek Series even above the Next Generation. It's the perfect mix of serious and fun. Please don't screw it up!
One of the last scenes where Uhura says she will scan for other ships / lifeforms in nearby, reminded me of Data in TNG humming/singing scanning for lifeforms. Could be a reference. Fantastic episode ❤
I think TNG fans the writers were trying to goad!
The solo by La'an sounded very much like a Disney princess song. Loved it.
Your last down on the lack of different genres of music. It's because of the song that was chosen to blast the fold with. They communicated a show tune to it and therefore its communication back to the crew would be with that same genre.
Bravo to TrekCulture for starting off in music for this edition of Ups and Downs. Much RESPECT. Also, you both have lovely voices, who'd have known? For this episode, was expecting some covers of classic Star Trek 80's-90's Rock (Magic Carpet Ride??) but No! They wrote 9 original songs. Good for them!
The only con to this episode is that the Klingons didn't sing In Klingon in operatic form.
what happened instead was much funnier
Kpop!
Yep, the Bat'lith Boyz😊
They wouldn't be angrily charging over to blow up the source of their "dishonor" if it had been opera they were made to sing.
Klingon opera is a separate reality.
With Spock's reaction to Chapel leaving him to pursue her dream in mind, go back and watch the scene between her and him in "The Naked Time". I know that I see it in a whole new light now.
SNW has built the foundation - and a darned good one -- for so many things in other Trek iterations. It's creating depth to characters who weren't much more than window dressing before.
I've been a Trekkie for 45 years and I believe season 2 of Strange New Worlds is some of the best Trek I've ever seen. I've come to love this crew as much of any of the Trek crews....maybe even more!
Regrettably it wasn't for me, BUT I'm glad that they experimented and really happy that others found joy in it.
I feel that this sort of maturity shouldn't be an outlier. It's also not for me, but the name of the show is Strange New Worlds and it's living up to the promise of new experiences that the name makes.
@@spookyskeptic4978exactly to both comments
I really don't get the not for me opinion ( sorry) I watched the TNG episode when Picard was literally Robin Hood and this was leaps and bounds better than that😂😂😂
Yeah same for me. I hate musicals, and I found the episode cringy and ridiculous. I felt many of the cast couldn't even sing. It had its moments though, the Klingons dancing was genuinely funny. I also like that they at least had an explanation for the musicality, and didn't treat it like every other musical where no-one bats an eye when the cast starts singing.
Well said.
I mean..... We can all agree the Boyband Micheal Jackson Costume klingons is possibly one of the greatest things in trek history?
If they hadn’t delivered on their tease earlier in the episode, I would have written a strongly worded letter lol
Oh absolutely. "Gonna take your last breaths, at the end of our bat'leths". Sheer poetry. And no, it wouldn't have been better as Klingon opera, that wouldn't have been as funny, they were hating every moment of it.
No.
No
@@TheIrvy Ah, so "because it's funny" being a reason to do a thing and ignore lore seems like a weird way to do a Star Trek show. I guess that's just me.
A few comments. Love how Uhura is having the time of her life all through this episode - Wish Nichelle Nichols was still around to see her song.
Spock monitoring the levels during the start of the finale when he joins in the song. See the value spiking and at the end does the same. Jumps in just to provide the final 4 points :)
Anything goes - the song that triggers the first wave - outburst comes on the line 'Anything goes' - Majestic.
What I found nice about that "Spock Jumps In" bit is that it shows he was now resisting being Moved By Emotion to do so, until realizing it was necessary to fix the situation and then CHOSE to join in, which already shows both his new attitude toward Handling His Emotions and the fact that in the final analysis he's always going to find it necessary to embrace them, to some degree, by choice.
@@Scipio488excellent observation 🖖
All said about Chapel - I liked it. Spock is very difficult to talk to and they are avoiding each other. Relationship-phobic Chapel pushing Spock away and getting engaged also explains the way Spock treats Chapel in TOS - not justifies - explains.
Celia Rose Gooding has a Grammy. It's no surprise that her song is so amazing. (Rebecca Romijn and Christina Chong also have musical theater backgrounds.)
Christina Chong has 4 songs out. An album, if-you-will.
@@redmatrix There was certainly not a dearth of demonstrated singing talent before they even planned on a musical. It was either Chong or Romijn (or both) who were pushing producers for a musical episode even before this season began.
I knew Christina Chong had an album coming out. I didn't know that about Rebecca Romijn, but I figured she had to have some musical background given how good she was
@@flickmonger87 Yes, it was pretty clear who the true "singers" were and who could carry just a simple tune. Jess Bush wasn't too bad, but she doesn't have the musical theater background so she wasn't in the "top three" who each got two songs.
The breathing felt off and that unfortunately took me out of the musical numbers.
The original theme for the cage was a melody sung by Loulie Jean Norman. So having the intro for this weeks episode could be considered an easter egg.
In the Menagerie, Kirk does not say that he only met Pike once. He said he met Pike when he was promoted to Fleet Captain. One might read into that line that he meant “when he was promoted to Fleet Captain and I took over the Enterprise” but it’s not explicit. Kirk can meet Pike any number of times and the line in The Menagerie remains valid.
I fully agree. I don't know where the idea that Kirk has met Pike only once came from. When Kirk sees Pike in his condition he addresses him by CHRIS. This sounds more like they know each other very well.
Just because the K'tinga didn't previously show up until TMP doesn't preclude it being a long-lasting workhorse of the Klingon fleet. For all we know this was the first one, given to their top general, sort of like the Negh'var in DS9 era. You might see a couple of them, but the Bird of Preys, Vor'chas, and K'tingas were the body of the fleet in the 24th century. So here D7s are the common workhorse and the K'tinga is the centre of a fleet at this point.
Yeah, all those ships probably worked in joint!
We shouldn’t get hung up on every last detail needing to fit canon. SNW fits in the universe in spirit and does not make any fundamental changes. That’s good enough for me. The reason JJ Trek was garbage was changing all the character backstories and blowing up Vulcan. It was lazy and unnecessary.
The mention of Gilbert and Sullivan could also be a reference to the TNG episode "Disaster" because in that episode Dr. Crusher is trying to cast a production of The Pirates of Penzance and convinces Geordi to sing "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General."
Your "What are the odds of us all being on this spinning ball at the same time" punched me in the feels, super hard. Love your show. Thank you.