REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 2 Episode 5 — “Charades”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds trades in the action for a teenage-style sitcom that still manages to hit hard emotionally in “Charades.” Written by Kathryn Lyn and Henry Alonso Myers, and directed by Jordan Canning, Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 delves into the complexities of relationships, personal growth, and the challenges of reconciling one’s emotions. With its seamless blend of romance, humor, and profound character development, “Charades” stands as a standout episode of the series.

Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 continues to explore the unresolved tension between Spock (Ethan Peck) and Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). Nurse Chapel prepares for a two-month fellowship interview at the Vulcan Science Academy, engaging with everyone except Spock, hinting at their unresolved feelings. Even Spock appears to be avoiding her, adding an air of intrigue and anticipation to their relationship. This ongoing “will they won’t they” element adds depth and anticipation to their relationship and is only heightened when Spock learns of an unexpected ceremony with his future inlaws.

Spock’s struggle with his emotions, stemming from unlocking them in the previous season, continues to be a central theme in Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5. Utilizing therapy and cooking as coping mechanisms, he strives to find a balance between his human and Vulcan sides. Adding to his emotional turmoil, he must also prepare for a traditional engagement dinner with his fiancée T’Pring, her parents, and Spock’s mother, all while his father remains distant. The engagement dinner becomes a backdrop for Spock’s growth, offering insights into Vulcan customs and the intensity of their engagement rituals. While he does not outwardly say it, it is clear that his feelings for Chapel only add to the added pressure from dealing with T’Pring’s mother is adamantly against their union.

As fate would have it, Spock’s dinner and Chapel’s interview both lined up nicely to put both of them in a shuttle together, alone in a shuttle. During the awkward shuttle ride, an accident occurs involving a rupture in space-time on their way to Vulcan. While Chapel is unharmed, Spock is transformed into a human, losing his Vulcan side completely. This unexpected turn of events leads to encounters with Yellow, a bureaucratical transdimensional energy being. Yellow very matter of fact lets the crew of the Enterprise that the situation has been handled as the duo are both alive and unwilling to listen before Captain Pike is able to mysterious entity the situation. This twist propels the narrative forward, setting the stage for introspection and character growth for Spock.

The episode cleverly infuses elements of teenage sitcom humor. The playful yet mature musical score enhances the sense of intrigue and builds tension throughout and effectively captures the “uh-oh” nature of the situation while maintaining the show’s overall mature tone. Moments like the revelation that Vulcan’s disdain for human scent adds a lightheartedness at the start, yet plays a crucial role in later events continuing that balance. While there were plenty of laughs to be had, it did not detract from Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5’s heavier moments as it explores multiple characters’ development.

“Charades” presents powerful moments of character development, particularly for Spock and Nurse Chapel. Ethan Peck delivers an outstanding performance as Spock, showcasing his versatility and comedic timing. His smile stands out as one of the best comedic deliveries of the year, adding a layer of lightheartedness to the episode. As Spock grapples with his intense human emotions, he begins to unmask before realizing he is in no state to attend the engagement dinner. Spock must learn to embrace his human side in order to navigate the challenging engagement dinner. Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 explores the emotional struggles faced by Spock’s mother as she suppresses her own emotions to conform to Vulcan ideals, subsequently guiding Spock in relearning emotional control. The guidance of Spock’s mother, the relearning of Vulcan traditions, and the exploration of complex family dynamics add depth to the narrative, portraying realistic scenarios of emotional struggle and self-discovery.

All the while, Nurse Chapel, deals with her own personal journey. Despite her numerous discoveries as a nurse and track record for success, Chapel still worries about her ability to be accepted into the Vulcan Science Academy. However, her focus is on Spock. Driven by her survivor’s guilt and feelings for Spock, seeks a cure through the use of archaeological medicine. As a season, Strange New Worlds has hammered home the themes of self-worth and achieving what others think is impossible. Through Bush’s performance, Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 adds yet another powerful arc for the crew as Chapel attempts to use ancient medicine that no one living understands: regardless if the Vulcan Science Academy thinks she is good enough.

Further, “Charades” delves into the intensity of Vulcan engagement rituals and provides a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced in intercultural relationships, particularly through the engagement dinner and T’Pring’s mother’s disapproval of Spock’s human nature. Publicly hearing the mother-in-law’s objections to the marriage provides authentic insights into the complexities of blending different cultures but personifies real-life scenarios in our own world.

The conflict between Spock’s emotions prompts a powerful realization for T’Pring, who finds her own voice amidst Spock’s difficulty in managing his emotions. Moments of understanding power dynamics and reconciling conflicting sides highlight the character’s growth and self-discovery. The portrayal of these situations authentically captures the complexity and emotional weight of love and self-understanding in a healthy manner.

Ultimately, Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 is an emotionally resonant and introspective episode. With its exploration of complex relationships, personal growth, and Vulcan traditions, the latest installment showcases the series’ ability to intertwine humor, emotion, and powerful storytelling. As the series continues to evolve, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds remains a compelling journey into the depths of the human (and Vulcan) spirit, reminding us that love, understanding, and self-acceptance are universal pursuits. “Charades” serves as a testament to the series’ commitment to character development and storytelling, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the next chapter in one of the best “will they won’t they” sagas in a long time.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 is streaming exclusively on Paramount+ with new episodes every Thursday.