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‘star trek: strange new worlds’ actress gia sandhu breaks down moving episode featuring classic sci-fi trope.

Sandhu examines with The Hollywood Reporter the relationship between T'Pring and Spock, making clear there are deep emotions between them — along with those complications.

By Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker

Former Senior Reporter

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[Warning: This story contains spoilers for the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode “Spock Amok.”] 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actress Gia Sandhu knows T’Pring and Spock will not ultimately end up together per The Original Series , but she is finding great beauty in their present journey.

T’Pring, the Vulcan who was bonded to Spock as a child, only appeared briefly in the ’60s series, played by the late Arlene Martel in the classic episode “Amok Time.” Most casual fans would instantly recognize the episode from Spock and Kirk dueling one another with lirpas, an iconic Vulcan weapon. By the end of the episode, Spock and T’Pring are no longer (in the Vulcan sense) betrothed. Their story begins and ends with the episode. But there was so much more to be told.

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And that story is now unfolding through Sandhu’s T’Pring and Ethan Peck’s Spock. Strange New Worlds is taking a much deeper look into what makes both of the Vulcans tick, specifically for one another. And this week’s episode (the perfectly titled “Spock Amok”), does not disappoint, with Spock and T’Pring accidentally switching bodies.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Sandhu examines the relationship between the two characters, making clear there are deep emotions between them. But there are also complications. The actress also talked with THR about her and Peck’s process to portray one another for the classic, but fully rewarding, trope.

I love hearing about how folks became involved in the series. Mind sharing how you were cast as T’Pring? 

I went through the traditional casting process. And when I was given the audition scene, the character wasn’t actually revealed, which is characteristic of how Star Trek usually casts. ( Laughs .) It simply said “Vulcan woman,” so I did my best Vulcan woman. I’m actually glad I didn’t know that it was for the role T’Pring. Had I known, it might have caused me to get into my head! I sent in an initial audition tape, which was a unique experience unto itself because usually an actor aims to not sound like they are speaking rehearsed lines. And I remember watching my audition back and thinking, “Am I just doing very bad acting, or am I doing something ?” I guess I was doing Vulcan because they asked for a second audition, and then I ended up landing the part.

How did you prepare for the role? You were in a unique situation: T’Pring appeared on The Original Series played by the late Arlene Martel, but only briefly, so you weren’t beholden to a legacy character, like Ethan as Spock. 

I went right to the source and watched “Amok Time,” which I’d never seen before. I’d actually never seen any of The Original Series , so that happened to be the first episode I ever saw! I remember watching Arlene Martel and going, “Oh, my goodness. I’m playing her?” I was so excited. Although her role is brief onscreen, it’s very impactful. T’Pring is only in “Amok Time,” so it took a lot of pressure off what I think the other actors have to face. Arlene created this beautiful outline of a character, but there was definitely a lot of room for me to still color within that outline.

I looked at Ethan’s material from Star Trek: Discovery and also went back to Leonard Nimoy’s performances. There were a lot more components to think about. When you’re playing somebody who’s more established versus playing someone who’s less established, you get to really use your own imagination and your own creativity to get you there.

This week’s episode is so much fun. I love the classic sci-fi switched bodies trope. How did you and Ethan prepare, a lot of acting exercises? 

Ethan was really generous in terms of letting me into his process and revealing to me what influences him the most. And certainly Leonard Nimoy, I watched the documentary [ For the Love of Spock ]. And I went through a lot of TOS episodes. I also had a bit of a head start in terms of Ethan’s Spock because I got to see his work on Discovery , so that was very informative and helpful for me.

We really just sat down together and said, “How would you say this? How would you say that?” We had to identify for ourselves what’s most identifiable to the audience in terms of Spock’s mannerisms, his voice and intonation. Ultimately, we were given a bit of a free pass because the joke when the whole thing starts, T’Pring in Spock’s body says to Capt. Pike [ Anson Mount ], “Now that you know what’s going on, you can obviously tell the difference between us.” ( Laughs .) And Pike goes, “Yeah … sure,” saying that Vulcans are all very similar.

In this episode, most of my interaction is with Spock and with Jess [Bush] who plays nurse [Christine] Chapel. When we were preparing before the episode, Ethan, Jess and I all got on a call together, and we discussed what our characters are going through and what their intentions are. We rehearsed the scene together where Chapel and Spock in T’Pring’s body are outside. Ethan was listening in on and was able to help us get going in the right direction. One of the things that I definitely had to be mindful of as T’Pring was that I’m also carrying forward their chemistry. It’s almost the opposite of what my instincts want to do, but I’m picking up a part of what’s going on with them. So yeah, we had a great bond.

I spoke with Ethan a little while back, and he told me you’re so good at playing a Vulcan, he feels he needs to be more Vulcan in your shared scenes. Can you tell me more about bringing T’Pring to life? 

I think T’Pring specifically carries herself with a lot of grace, and she’s very deliberate in how she speaks. Her words are chosen very carefully, and this all comes from Arlene Martel, the original T’Pring. I definitely wanted to retain as much of that kind of elegance as I could. I think underneath, she’s probably a bit nervous too. She and Spock are two people who love each other, and are trying to navigate the ultimate long-distance relationship, living on two different planets. Both of their intentions are certainly to make sure this relationship succeeds. This whole episode gets into something that’s very funny, but it really starts off with the two of them just wanting to share each other’s katras, so that they can understand each other more and make things work between them. It is the sincerest intention that leads them astray.

Sadly, fans know it was not meant to be between the Spock and T’Pring. How do you go about the character and performance when you know the outcome that far out? 

You do have to let go of the future and try to honor what’s written for us right now. It is a very relatable situation. In any relationship, there are disappointments and there are triumphs. And the other part that I kind of love about this is that there is a bit of a love triangle that’s evolving at the same time. So, I think there’s a juiciness there as far as nurse Chapel brings to the situation. There’s just challenge after challenge that they’re having to meet and work through. And I think that’s definitely what makes it super relatable.

And finally, can tell me about your experience when the cameras are not rolling? Several castmembers have noted to me that you all have become a tight-knit group. 

Everyone is really easy to get along with, really kind, and all very welcoming. When I first got cast, Anson had everyone get together at a skating rink for his birthday, and he invited me. That was the first time I got to meet everybody, when we went for a skate in Toronto.

Interview edited for length and clarity. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams new episodes Thursday on Paramount+. 

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Gia Sandhu Details T'Pring and Spock's Stormy Courtship

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This interview was conducted before the beginning of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds begins, Spock (Ethan Peck) is engaged to his lifelong betrothed T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), with the two preparing for their wedding throughout the series. This romance is tested in the Strange New Worlds Season 2 episode "Charades ," with Spock temporarily transformed into a full human and keeping this a secret from T'Pring as he undergoes an important ceremony with her parents. Once the truth comes out, a visibly hurt T'Pring decides to pump the brakes on her relationship with Spock because of the deception.

In an exclusive interview with CBR conducted before the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ' Gia Sandu talked about the comedic highlights and heartbreaking finale to "Charades," offered insight on T'Pring's relationship with Spock, and explained her approach to playing T'Pring in comparison to the character's debut in Star Trek: The Original Series .

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CBR: I think Vulcans are so subtly funny, and that's been highlighted on Strange New Worlds before, but it goes up to another level with this episode. How was it playing to that deadpan comedy here?

Gia Sandhu: I think that is exactly what makes it so funny. Vulcans are so constrained by the suppression of their emotions that they can only go so far before bumping up against the edge of what too much is. But within this episode, I think we were given permission to go further than you'd normally see a Vulcan go into their emotional side.

The big clue for me came at the end of the episode when I first read the script. Spock says, "I couldn't tell you what was going on because you seemed pretty overwhelmed by your mom." That characterization, the word "overwhelmed," informed exactly how far T'Pring could go in expressing how she was feeling.

How is it playing overwhelmed as a Vulcan? How did you want to subtly approach that paradox?

It was subtle! I think it was a little bit in the body language and the tension she has, pretty much right from the moment she lands on the ship. You can feel that there's something going on. I really enjoyed finding those small moments, and it's all in the dialog. Spock says to her at one point, "Aren't you hungry?" and I say, "I don't have an appetite."

It's all written there for you. I think the writing for this particular episode is so strong, just as all of them are for us.

In Strange New Worlds Season 1, T'Pring temporarily swapped bodies with Spock. How do you think that shared experience has informed their dynamic in this episode?

I think it would've certainly brought them closer together. I think that because we've seen them be that close to each other, this episode becomes that much more devastating for T'Pring's character, as far as being left in the dark goes. Throughout Season 1 and Season 2, we're starting to understand what leads T'Pring to make such a harsh decision in "Amok Time ." I'm enjoying going script-by-script and understanding for myself how that all comes to be as well.

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How is it working with Ethan Peck to navigate that together?

Ethan's so wonderful to work with. I can't say enough good things about him. We spent a lot of time in the first season, especially in the body swap episode, learning about each other's characters. We both wanted to be as convincing as we could be in the short amount of time that we had to prepare for the episode. It's been such a natural relationship with him on set as someone to work with. I'm a huge fan of his as a person and as an actor.

With this episode, you've got Jordan Canning behind the camera. How was it having her as a director?

She is so easy to work with, and I think we all felt really lucky to have her because we were shooting while the COVID restrictions were still in place. The schedule got shifted so many times because of COVID, so we ended up having to shoot this episode in only a few days. We had late nights and long working hours, and she was the perfect person to be leading that because she made it so relaxed for all of us. We always ended up having a really good time. I think that the fun you see on-screen was 10 times more than that behind the camera. [ laughs ]

Strange New Worlds Season 2's tone has been lighter overall, and "Spock Amok" was a comedic episode too. How is it exploring your character with these lighter colors?

It's so much fun! I have the best time doing this show. I feel so lucky to be a part of it and to be playing this wonderfully written character. We get to see so many different sides to her and a very real relationship between her and Spock. I think that it's so relatable and universal what's happening between them. It's just been a lot of fun, especially when a lot of this was shot during a hard time in the world. To be able to escape into this fantasy space with really great people has been so lovely and is just a treat.

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In "Amok Time," Arlene Martel is only on-screen briefly as T'Pring. Is there anything from her performance in The Original Series that you wanted to carry over, or given her brief screen time, did you approach this as a relatively blank canvas?

I see it as having received a really beautiful outline of a character that I got to color in myself. What I took from her performance is that there's a real beautiful regalness to T'Pring. The way that she speaks is deliberate, and her mannerisms are so deliberate as well. We don't really get to peel back on the character in "Amok Time" to see why she's doing what she's doing. It comes across as being a bit harsh and unlikable in the situation, even though you are fascinated by her at the same time.

Being able to understand what drives a person to make a decision like that and act in that way, I think working backward like that has been such an interesting experience. As an actor, when you get a script and a character, you're doing a lot of the work on your own of [finding] how this person ended up in this situation. With this story, you get to live through all of that rather than just having to imagine it. I'm really enjoying that.

Though this episode is a comedic one, it does end on a heartbreaking note, and any break-up scene is going to be vulnerable. Walk me through T'Pring telling Spock they need to take a break.

I think it comes from a place of being incredibly hurt and feeling betrayed. Who wants to find out that they were in the dark about something that's going on with the person that's supposed to be the closest to them? It's a heartbreaking position to find herself in, and I think she expresses herself really sincerely when she speaks to him about it.

She literally says to him, "How did you expect me to feel?" I love that the word "feel" is used because we don't necessarily associate it with Vulcans, but that's something that I love about her and where I think this character also pushes the boundaries of what it is to be Vulcan in how vulnerable, sincere, and transparent that she is.

It's heartbreaking to watch because we know that T'Pring ends up with Stonn. We're rooting for a love story even though we know how it goes.

That's what I love about it, and I think that, depending on who's watching it, there are going to be people who are like, "T'Pring and Spock" and others who are like, "No, Chapel and Spock !" I love that it's not clear-cut.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds releases new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+.

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Interview: Gia Sandhu Talks T’Pring’s Love For Spock In ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’

| July 12, 2023 | By: Anthony Pascale 24 comments so far

Thursday’s episode of  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (titled “ Charades “) features the return of Spock’s fiancé T’Pring, played by Gia Sandhu, who took on the iconic role in season 1. TrekMovie.com had a chance to talk to her about the episode and what’s next for the Vulcan.

This is your fourth time playing T’Pring, and it is another light-hearted episode like “Spock Amok.” It must be a surprise to end up playing a Vulcan in comic situations, do you prefer these comedy episodes or the more serious ones?

So it was a joyful surprise. I love these episodes because they allow me to be serious, there are certainly stakes in the T’Pring and Spock relationship. But then, it’s really the circumstances around us that allow for the comedy to exist. While staying within that framework of what it is to be a Vulcan, we still get to bump up against the edges of what those borders really are. I think it’s been a thrill for me to be able to do that.

As you are trying to stay within that Vulcan framework, you are acting with others playing the comedy, including Anson Mount, who is hamming it up a bit. Is it hard for you and the others playing Vulcans to keep a straight face?

I think a lot of our laughs happen in between takes and while hanging out off-screen. For this episode especially, we were shooting pretty late at night. We didn’t have that many days to do it and we kind of just had to work it out because we were shooting during COVID and there are a lot of things that kind of derailed the original plans. So we all kind of put our working hats on and we just try to make the best episode that we possibly could. But we also had a really great time doing it. It was a lot of fun. Late at night, things tend to get a little silly, so that certainly happened. [laughs]

Gia Sandhu as T’Pring and Ethan Peck as Spock in “Charades” (Paramount+)

Even with the laughs, this is a pivotal episode for T’Pring and Spock. As T’Pring is so guarded it’s hard to tell, but do you feel that T’Pring genuinely loves Spock, or is this all for family obligation?

To me, it’s very clear that T’Pring loves Spock. I think that she’s loyal and dedicated. On numerous occasions, in different ways, she has shown how badly she wants this to work. One of those moments that I think made it very clear was in the first season when she starts reading about human sex, as she says. They have these virtual dates that they do to try to keep their romance alive. And I think she’s really stood by him and even in this episode, at one point, she does stand up against her mother and says, “Okay, that’s enough, woman, you need to calm down.”

Yeah, the episode shows that complicated relationship. This was Ellora  Patnaik’s first time playing a Vulcan but you and she had a very relatable mother/daughter dynamic… and same with you and Michael Benyaer as T’Pring’s father. Did you have much prep time to work out that chemistry?

It came quite naturally. We didn’t actually have much time to work things out before shooting the episode because of everyone’s schedules. But I thought that they were cast so brilliantly. The whole thing came together so well. When I watched the episode, I thought, “Oh, wow, that natural chemistry is really there.” I think you can see how T’Pring ends up being the person that she is when you see what her mother is like, and also what her father is like. She’s a bit of a blend between these two, maybe a bit more towards the mom than the dad but the family looks pretty convincing to me.

You also worked with Mia Kirshner, who is returning as Spock’s mom from Discovery . Even though we have never seen them together, T’Pring and Amanda had a strong dynamic. Were you playing this as them having a strong prior relationship?

Yeah, I think when they first see each other, when T’Pring comes onto the ship, you can see that there. It’s a very brief moment, but there’s a lot of familiarity there. And it certainly did appear to us that they have a relationship where T’Pring, I think, probably feels like she can confide in her more than she can in her own mom. Maybe she has more in common with Spock’s mom than she has with her own mom.

Gia Sandhu as T’Pring, Ethan Peck as Spock, Ellora Patnaik as T’Pril, Mia Kirshner as Amanda Grayson, and Michael Benyaer as Sevet in “Charades” (Paramount+)

As you developed your performance for T’Pring did you have any specific Vulcan role models? Was Ethan a big help?

I did go through a lot of the material while I was preparing for T’Pring. And Ethan was, of course, a really big help. By the time I came in to do my first episode in season 1, he had already done a few episodes as Spock. So, especially when we were we were swapping bodies [in “Spock Amok”] that was a big one where I really learned about what it is to embody this Vulcan and what their mannerisms are, their level of suppression of emotions, and that they aren’t devoid of emotions. As Spock says in this episode, their emotions are just so powerful and more powerful than human emotions that they have to suppress them. So yeah, there was a lot of learning that went on.

Once again for this episode, T’Pring wears some amazing Vulcan costumes. They are quite elaborate, though; does that add a layer of difficulty to the process?

The only challenge came in season 1 where they were pretty tight. [laughs] I did ask during season 2 that they be loosened a little bit so I could breathe a bit better and eat a bit better. So that was really the only challenge, but otherwise, I would say that all they’ve done is really provide information to me about how to stand, how to walk, how to hold myself as T’Pring, who is quite regal in a lot of ways. I think these beautiful costumes that Bernadette Croft has imagined and created, they give a lot of information. It’s always a real special moment every time I get to step into them for the first time.

Often actors talk about seeing themselves in costume as important. When you see yourself in the makeup, hair, and costume, does that help you get into character as this Vulcan?

Absolutely, because it’s such a change from how I look in my everyday life. It’s such a big transformation. And I think the greater the transformation, the more information you naturally get from it without really having to seek it out. It’s something that just happens on its own. So as the process goes on throughout the morning, and as we get to the end of it and the costume finally comes on, which is the last thing, and I look at myself in the mirror, I go “Oh yeah, there she is.” There’s also something about the hair when it comes to T’Pring’s hair. She has an incredible mane of hair. And that one also really informs for me what this is because there’s something about that weight and that length that causes your neck and your sternum and your shoulders to move in a certain way.

Should we expect to see you again this season? Can you say?

I can’t say. I can’t say. [laughs]

New episodes from season 2 of Strange New Worlds drop weekly on Thursdays on Paramount+ in the U.S, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Season 2 is also available on SkyShowtime elsewhere in Europe. The second season will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in South Korea, with premiere dates to be announced later.

Keep up with news about the  Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .

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Where is Sarek!?

Commanding Romulan and Klingon vessels as a side job.

It makes it difficult to have him show up canon wise because it was said Spock and Serek haven’t talked to each other in 10 years or something. Can’t remember how long exactly. That’s why we never really saw them together on Discovery in season 2 outside of one scene.

But knowing this show, Spock and Serek will probably be going on a mission together next season. ;)

The actual line from “Journey to Babel” was that they hadn’t spoken *as father and son* in eighteen years. That’s actually a fair amount of wiggle room if you wanted to bring Sarek in at this point.

And believe me, we know they will eventually try lol.

He may even show up in this episode, just without Spock. Not holding my breath but you never know.

And I always found it funny, for a race of people who suppress their emotions, they are still good at the art of keeping a grudge. ;)

I love what everyone is doing with this character. I think Sandhu’s portrayal is incredible and is giving a lot of needed depth to the character from Amok Time who seemed so cold and calculating (which is entirely in character for a Vulcan, of course).

Ugh. She needs to stop being in the show.

Since she’s very popular with viewers and is a gifted and beautiful actress… no, she doesn’t.

I’m just curious but what is it that bothers you about her? Is it just the canon issues or something else?

She is a completely pointless character used for melodrama. I would rather see Sam Kirk who hasn’t appeared yet in S2

OK fair enough. I really like her personally but she really shouldn’t be on this show at all. But it’s a little too late for that. ;)

I could not disagree more — I love the character and the scenes she in — which she usually steals the show on.

You’ll be happy with this ep. Sam Kirk is in quite a lot of it.

There is nothing pointless about her.

The hell? I mean, I guess there is always that one doctor out of ten, but still. Very strange reaction.

Yea, that comment was “out there?” Lol

Yah, Julius Caesar’s comment was just weird.

Though I’m yet to be sold on many of the choices the SNW producers have made I’ll abide no criticisms of Sandhu’s performance or of Spock/T’Pring in general, which for my money has just been awesome. Canon issues? Ask me if I care.

Totally. She’s awesome.

Looks like Kim Kardashian

Narrator: “She looks nothing whatsoever like Kim Kardashian.”

Great interview! She’s such a talented and attractive actress.

Gia Sandhu Talks Playing Spock's Love Interest In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Exclusive Interview

In "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,"  audiences get a chance to revisit classic characters, such as Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and Spock (Ethan Peck). However, there are other characters that have vital importance to the "Star Trek" mythos that viewers may not immediately recognize, and that goes double for Spock's mate, T'Pring ( Gia Sandhu ). 

T'Pring was introduced in "Star Trek: The Original Series" as Spock's wife in the episode "Amok Time." It's during this episode's events that Spock begins to suffer from pon farr, so he must return to Vulcan to mate with T'Pring. It's here that he learns she's fallen for another, and through various manipulations on T'Pring's behalf, James Kirk fights Spock to the death (not really, though). 

Her role in "Strange New Worlds" is far more subdued, as she's introduced in the pilot as a loving consort of Spock. It's an intriguing role, and Looper recently had the chance to speak exclusively with Gia Sandhu to talk about what it's like to play a character like T'Pring, who has such an interesting relationship with an iconic character like Spock.

On her relationship with Star Trek prior to Strange New Worlds

To start, what are some of your favorite movies of all time?

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona." "The Godfathers," of course. "Leaving Las Vegas," "The Hunt" ... It's hard to think of these when the question is asked.

Were you a fan of "Star Trek" before being cast on "Strange New Worlds"?

Yeah. I grew up watching "The Next Generation."

How were you introduced to it? Did you find it on the television one day, or were your parents fans?

That's how it worked back then. It was on the television at the time when I was not in school.

What was it like stepping into the role you have on "Strange New Worlds" as a character who has such a history with Spock in the "Star Trek" franchise?

When I got cast, I first went to the source material and I watched "Amok Time," which was actually the first episode of the original series that I'd never seen in its entirety. I was so enamored by Arlene Martel's portrayal of T'Pring, I think just like everyone else who watches that episode is. She's breathtakingly beautiful and so captivating on camera, and she gives such a strong and nuanced performance as T'Pring.

Although she's only on screen for a short period of time, she's very memorable, and what essentially was there for me to work with was this wonderful outline of a character. There's so much about her that's unknown, so I definitely was given the liberty of filling in all her history and shading in the rest of that outline that she created.

Working with Ethan Peck

What's it like working alongside Ethan Peck?

Ethan is an extraordinarily talented actor — as the world is getting to see — and beyond that, he's one of the kindest ... He's funny and he's really smart, and he's a great leader on sets. If you have to spend 16 hours a day doing something, doing it with him is great. We always have a great time together, and he was so generous with me in terms of letting me into his process and how he thinks about Spock and what his influences are. He gave me a lot to work with, and I absolutely adore him. I love working with him.

How do you think Ethan Peck's version of Spock compares or differs from Leonard Nimoy's or Zachary Quinto's versions of Spock?

I know that Leonard Nimoy's Spock certainly is a big influence for Ethan. We can even hear it in Ethan's speech when he speaks as Spock. He's got a bit of that Boston accent that comes up a little bit as well. There's a big Leonard Nimoy influence there, but he's also done a great job of balancing, making it his own. Ultimately, we're going back in time, whatever time is in this world. We're in a different period, so he gets to bring a lot of his creativity and his imagination into creating who this younger person is.

In the show, Vulcans are known for not showing a ton of emotion, but in the pilot, we see a bit more of the amorous side of T'Pring and Spock. What was it like balancing the logical side of this alien species with something that inherently requires some more emotion?

People who are fans of the show, who are invested in "Star Trek," are probably going to find this to be a bit surprising because we haven't really ever seen what happens behind closed doors for a young Vulcan couple. There's this new territory that we're navigating, and we get to see who they are. We get to see their sexuality. We get to see their affection for each other. What does intimacy look like between two Vulcans? And then we also get to see what they're like when there's an audience present, so we get to see the contrast between the private life and the public life for both of these people.

What's next for the actress

Steering away a bit from "Star Trek," who's an actor or a director you'd love to work with?

Good question. God, these are always the ones I go blank on. Pedro Almodóvar. He directs in Spanish, but should he choose to direct in English, my hand will be raised.

Do you have a dream role you'd love to play one day?

Maybe staying in the fantasy world. I grew up watching "Xena: Warrior Princess" as well. That would be a cool one.

Can you discuss any projects you have coming up?

I just wrapped on Season 2 of "The Mysterious Benedict Society." That will air starting in September, and that's my next thing that's coming up.

New episodes of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" air weekly every Thursday on Paramount+.

This interview was edited for clarity.

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Strange new worlds just began a spock & chapel story that tos continues.

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Two Star Trek Captains Can Pull Off Spock's Vulcan Nerve Pinch

Star trek explains why it uses 'quadrants' despite the universe being infinite, star trek's upcoming prequel movie is pulling the same trick for the 4th time.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 - "Children of the Comet"

Nurse Christine Chapel's (Jess Bush) long-lasting unrequited love story with Spock (Ethan Peck) has begun in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and is poised to last into Star Trek: The Original Series . In Strange New Worlds, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) leads the Starship Enterprise on a new five-year mission of galactic exploration. Pike is joined by his two most trusted officers, Lt. Spock and Number One AKA Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn). Meanwhile, Nurse Chapel is part of the new personnel coming aboard the Enterprise and she's destined to be attracted to Spock for many years to come.

In Star Trek: The Original Series , Nurse Christine Chapel (Majel Barrett) had romantic feelings for Spock (Leonard Nimoy) that the Vulcan Science Officer couldn't reciprocate. At this point in his life and Starfleet career, Spock was fully matured and dedicated to maintaining the logical Vulcan way of life, especially in the face of incessant teasing by Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). However, Chapel, Dr. McCoy's nurse, longed for Spock and made her feelings known to him. McCoy was also aware of Chapel's attraction to Spock, as was his colleague in Sickbay, Dr. M'Benga (Booker Bradshaw). There were a few occasions on TOS when Spock called Chapel "Christine" and returned her affections but the Vulcan always reset back to his stoic self. No actual romance between Spock and Nurse Chapel happened in the three seasons of TOS or in any of the six Star Trek movies starring The Original Series cast.

Related: Star Trek: Every Doctor On The Enterprise

However, Strange New Worlds may establish that something romantic could occur between the younger Spock and Nurse Chapel. In Strange New Worlds ' series premiere, Christine showed just a hint of regard toward Spock when she synthesized a serum to work with his Vulcan physiology and turn him into a member of Kiley 279's race for their landing party rescue mission. But in Strange New Worlds episode 2, "Children of the Comet," Chapel noticeably stepped up her flirtation with Spock as she prepped him to beam onto a rogue comet. There were definitely sparks between the medical officer and the Vulcan, and even Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) couldn't help but detect it. Of course, when Uhura referred to Chapel as Spock's "girlfriend," the Vulcan adamantly denied it, which left her a little confused as to what she saw.

What neither Chapel nor Uhura are aware of in Strange New Worlds is that Spock is engaged to T'Pring (Gia Sandhu). They were promised to each other as children but their romance blossomed as adults. Although Spock returned to Starfleet and set off on a five-year mission aboard the Enterprise, at this point in his life, Spock intends to marry T'Pring. Of course, it doesn't come to be. In the Star Trek: TOS  season 2 episode, "Amok Time," T'Pring (Arlene Martel) goes to great lengths to break her engagement to Spock, whom she no longer loves. In fact, Spock kept his arranged marriage to T'Pring a secret from his best friends, Dr. McCoy and Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Uhura also doesn't know about T'Pring until "Amok Time."

Still, as a prequel,  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has an open canvas to toy with expectations and develop the classic TOS characters like Spock and Nurse Chapel while still (hopefully) maintaining Star Trek canon. After all, both Spock and Christine are young in Strange New Worlds and the intriguing possibility exists that something could happen between them on Pike's Starship Enterprise. Even if it did, the Vulcan and nurse could easily swear to keep it just between them. Indeed, romantic sparks between Spock and Nurse Chapel in  Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could add context to some of the intimate moments Chapel and Spock share in TOS , especially since T'Pring is millions of lightyears away at home on Vulcan.

Next: Strange New Worlds Explains Why Humans Resent Vulcans For First Contact

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams Thursdays on Paramount+.

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Ethan Peck on Spock’s Love Triangle: ‘I Wouldn’t Consider Him a Player’

Keisha hatchett, staff editor.

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The following contains spoilers from Thursday’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . Proceed accordingly.

In this week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Spock found himself in a fascinating predicament: made fully human by an unknown being that healed him following a shuttle accident.

“It was really nerve-wracking,” Ethan Peck , who plays the Vulcan science officer, tells TVLine of Thursday’s episode. “Any moment that Spock leans into his humanness is such a challenge for me as an actor. I felt really scared. It felt like a big risk as the actor playing Spock, and it was beautifully handled by [director] Jordan Canning.”

During the hour, we learned that Spock directed all shields to protect Chapel, who was in the shuttle with him, while he bore the brunt of the strange occurrence. After fully recovering with his Vulcan side intact, Spock later confessed his feelings for Chapel, which was sealed with a kiss. Where they go from there, though, remains to be seen.

“I think they have a lot to figure out if they want to make it work,” Peck notes. “It’s going to be very complicated.”

Part of that complication has to do with the fact that Spock is engaged to T’Pring. But after T’Pring realized Spock didn’t trust her enough to tell her what happened to him, she called for them to take a break, and he agreed.

“I think he cares for her deeply and wants to belong with her but knows on some level that he can’t and doesn’t because her family would never accept that part of him, or Vulcan would not accept that part of him that’s human,” Peck explains. “So there’s this desire to be accepted and heartbreak that he can never be, and also probably a celebration at this point.”

Spock may be conflicted about his romantic interests, but Peck notes that the half-Vulcan officer would not be as torn about the Barbie versus Oppenheimer debate. In fact, he believes Spock would see both movies in a double feature.

“Absolutely, because I think Oppenheimer would fulfill the Vulcan side of him, and I think Barbie would fulfill the human side of him,” Peck says.

Note: This interview took place before SAG-AFTRA officially announced a strike on Thursday afternoon.

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12 comments.

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SNW has done a great job of making T’Pring a more sympathetic character. With this episode you start seeing how they got to the events in the TOS episode “Amok Time.”

It sucks because I like T’Pring in this show. She and Spock are constrained by the events of canon, so it is what it is, but they could have taken the easy way out and made her some sort of arrogant, icy person that Spock struggled to form any sort of relationship with. Instead, she is shown as being very reasonable, quite accommodating, and she’s literally slipping through Spock’s fingers because he’s got these strong feelings for Chapel. Not that I particularly dislike Chapel, but it kind of hurts to see this happen to T’Pring. If they had made her a character more like her mother, then it would be easier to root against her.

S; “What does this mean?” C:” I don’t know. Shut up.”

This was the first episode this season that I liked, and I loved it! Peck was really great in it, and all the main characters were given time…😍

I really liked season one, but something has been off for me this season. It almost feels like fan fiction rather than a series based in the actual Star Trek universe. Everyone acts like a teenager and while they have redeemable qualities, they only last as long as the story allows before all their intelligence goes out the window to tell a joke or prop up another character. I know times have changed, but the writing should be as good as if not better than The Next Generation. I feel like Enterprise was more Star Trek than any of these new shows. I’m a big Star Trek fan so I’m feeling conflicted on whether it’s me or the show. I guess, at the end of the day, the important part is that people are enjoying it and it’s keeping the franchise alive. But at what cost?

Although I like SNW overall, I agree with you as an old school fan. There is just something “off” with these new shows. People keep telling us that times have changed and we have to move on and this is what Star Trek is now, but sometimes the writing is just…grating. Modern, kitchy dialogue. Modern stylistic choices in terms of behavior. I don’t like it because it doesn’t fit Star Trek. Maybe this is what they felt they needed to do in order to get a new audience, but it just takes me out of the story when it happens. Sometimes I think these writers need to be locked in a room with the older episodes running 24/7 so some of it seeps into their brains via osmosis. I do find the show enjoyable. But the thing is… It could be great. It could be the best thing Star Trek has produced in 20 years. But this modern writing is holding it back.

The characters are less mature, because our society has become less mature.

In the old days, children had to grow up faster and fight their own battles. They had to stick up for themselves, because no one else would do that for them. Now, teachers do it for them. And as a result, children grow up to be adults and in some cases have a terrible time adapting, because when they were children they always had adults around to solve their problems for them. They didn’t learn how to navigate around difficult people. They didn’t learn to develop a thick skin, which helps create self-confidence. Now, any time someone says something that they don’t like they react to it, rather than ignore it.

There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere. I just don’t think society has found it, yet. No one should ever be bullied. The problem is that the definition of bullying has been badly watered down to a point where it seems as though everyone is walking on eggshells.

I have been a Trekkie since watching TOS as a teenager and I think, despite my huge teenage crush on Leonard Nimoy’s Spock, that SNW is a much better show. I love it and not all canon is worth preserving. The Spock/Nurse Chappel storyline in TOS was awful and I love what Ethan Peck and Jess Bush are doing with their characters. TOS opened the door and I will always be grateful for that, but it’s not sacred to me.

The writing and storytelling is excellent, this series is a blessing for us original trekkers. Keep up the Great work.

Did they forget that T’Pring is working on something with Sybok, that, if I’m not mistaken, Spock doesn’t know about.

An upcoming episode of SNW: The Search for Stonn.

I very much enjoyed this episode. That said, Vulcans’ are known for being logical, not emotional. T’Pring acted more human than Vulcan. She was way too emotional.

On a side note, it took me awhile to figure out where I was going wrong watching this series. My vision isn’t the greatest at times due to migraines. I had made the mistake of thinking that this was the third season of the series when it is the actual second season.

After watching the last episode of the first season, the streaming device immediately started to load “Picard” which had aired for two seasons at that point. I hadn’t noticed that the streaming device had started to load “Picard ” (I had shut off the streaming device before Picard had started), and just assumed that it was a continuation of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

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A Short History Of Spock's Love Life: T'Pring Explained

It seems like " Star Trek: Strange New Worlds " is boldly going where few "Trek" voyages have gone before. The new series has pulled the curtain back on an exciting era in "Star Trek" history , which means that some of the fandom's most pressing questions will finally be answered. What was the U.S.S. Enterprise like before Kirk stepped onto the bridge, and what was up with its former captain, Christopher Pike ? How did the Enterprise crew really come to meet? And, more importantly: will the enigmatic Mr. Spock ever ... you know ... get down?

Vulcan romance has been used as a conceit in "Star Trek" stories here and there, but "Strange New Worlds" will see the human-Vulcan Spock navigating a serious relationship for the very first time. Granted, Spock has been pursued by women before. He's even pursued them back now and again, but usually while under the influence of sci-fi psychedelics or strange Vulcan mating rituals. Now, he's doing so of his own volition, and with an old flame previously introduced in "The Original Series." That's right: T'Pring is back — and for the long haul, it would seem.

Even if the name T'Pring doesn't immediately ring any bells, it's likely that her introduction in the original series episode "Amok Time" jogs a particular memory. It's a pretty zany episode, one made all the zanier by its introduction of pon farr, the Vulcan tradition that sends Spock into lust-fueled fever.

Let's T'Pring you up to speed

Pon farr visits Vulcans (typically the males) once every seven years. "It strips our minds from us," Spock explains to Kirk in "Amok Time." "It brings a madness which rips away our veneer of civilization." This bout of extreme horniness also forces male Vulcans to return to their home planet in order to mate, usually with a betrothed — and they've only got so long to do so. Apparently, if Spock's needs are not addressed within eight days, he'll likely die.

Kirk gets Spock to Vulcan just in time for his koon-ut-kal-if-fee ceremony, which can take the form of either a wedding or a gladiator-like fight to the death. And unfortunately for Spock, his is the latter. Though he was promised to T'Pring when they were children, Spock has been gone long enough for his betrothed to fall in love with somebody else. In an effort to annul their engagement, T'Pring claims kal-if-fee, forcing Spock and Kirk to duel for her hand in marriage. 

Spock's romance with T'Pring — if you can call it a romance at all — doesn't exactly end well, but it certainly wasn't his last. There was also Nurse Christine Chapel , whose crush on Spock came to a head in several episodes, "Amok Time" included. Unfortunately, her confessions (and Spock's subsequent rejections) get increasingly awkward as time goes by. But it's hard not to sympathize with her plight: Spock is weirdly irresistible. Haven't we all swooned a bit at his flawless intellect, or even his uncharacteristic outbursts? He might be prone to a rational approach in all his endeavors, but all that pent-up energy is bound to escape at some point. And when it does, it's kind of hot.

If we've learned anything from the "Twilight" saga, it's that restraint is inherently sexy. Such a phenomenon didn't begin on the pages of a Stephanie Meyer supernatural romance, but the Team Edward mania was certainly an example of the movement at its peak. Leonard Nimoy's Spock enjoyed similar infamy back in the days of "The Original Series," and it's not hard to see why. That Spock is so tightly wound really adds to his appeal as a sex symbol, in part because "Star Trek" writers know how gratifying it can be to watch him unravel. 

Take his run-in with Leila Kalomi, an ex-girlfriend of sorts, in "This Side of Paradise." Like Chapel, Leila once confessed her feelings for Spock before the events of the original series. Of course Spock couldn't reciprocate then, but when they reunite on an alien planet years later, Leila goes to interesting lengths to win his affections. Her tactics involve the use of a spore-spewing plant that "infects" its hosts with lowered inhibitions. Once Spock is exposed, he's finally able to admit that he loves Leila — but it's not clear how much of his confession is genuine, and how much is influenced by those pesky spores.

With most of these interactions taking place more or less against Spock's will, it's easy to feel icky about the whole affair. Fortunately, there's always the Kelvin timeline, which began with J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot in 2009. There, Spock enjoys a longterm relationship with Lt. Uhura. Though it's not without its ups and downs (Spock choses self-sacrifice and logic over Uhura's feelings more than once) it's one of the healthiest relationships he's ever had. It also informed Spock's battle between his human and Vulcan sides in a fresh and interesting way.

A logical appeal

Now, "Strange New Worlds" is taking that battle in a new direction. By reintroducing T'Pring (now played by Gia Sandhu), this time at the beginning of her long engagement to Spock, fans will finally get to see what he's like in a committed relationship with another Vulcan. We've seen him struggle against his more "human" inclinations in ill-fated flings with human women and we've even seen him forge connections with Romulans and Vulcans , but each was either born out of necessity or some weird extenuating circumstance. Spock's relationship with T'Pring is on an entirely different level from those in past installments. It will allow Spock to explore love and attachment through the lens of logic and tradition, and we can probably thank Ethan Peck — AKA "Hot Spock" — for this new and interesting development. 

Peck turned a lot of heads with his disheveled (and bearded!) Spock in "Star Trek: Discovery." His take on the character is younger and moodier than the Spock he'd grow to become, which means that his emotions — and his sensuality — could be played up a bit more throughout the series. It also doesn't hurt that he really is just plain hot, even when deferring to logic. Despite the obvious appeal of his more primal qualities, Spock's practical side is also a big part of his charm. It takes a certain kind of person to observe their emotions in a way that they can clearly articulate. Plus, his naïveté concerning human inclinations can be really endearing, and Peck plays into that innocence brilliantly.

Though he's clean-shaven and ready for duty aboard the Enterprise once more, Spock's latent sensuality hasn't gone anywhere. With T'Pring, Nurse Chapel, and even Uhura appearing  in "Strange New Worlds," who knows what situations Spock will find himself in this time around?

Episodes of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" hit Paramount+ each Thursday.