Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 5 - “Through The Lens Of Time"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' controversial romance makes so much more sense than Lieutenant Spock’s (Ethan Peck) previous relationship with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). Chapel dumped Spock duringStar Trek’s first-ever musical episode, but the Vulcan finally accepted it was over when Chapel introduced her new beau, Dr. Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan).
During a three-month time jump betweenStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 premiere andStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2, episode 2, “Wedding Bell Blues,” Spock became the dance partner of Lieutenant La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). Naturally,the intimacy of dancing ignited sparks between Spock and La’an.
InStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3, episode 4, “A Space Adventure Hour,” La’an realized she had romantic feelings for Spock, which the Vulcan reciprocated. However, La’an told Nurse Chapel thatshe and Spock are just sharing undefined"fun times.“This is a notable improvement over Spock and Chapel’s tumultuous relationship.
Why Spock & La’an Makes More Sense As A Couple Than Spock & Nurse Chapel
La’an & Spock Have So Much More In Common
Audiences may understandably feel that Spock and La’an as a couple came out of nowhere, but look closely at their relationship, and it makes logical sense. Spock and La’an are both no-nonsense, efficient Starfleet Officers.They also have inner trauma in common; Spock is torn between his Vulcan and human sides, while La’an carries survivor’s guilt from the Gorn.
However, Spock and La’an also strive to break out of their set paradigms. Spock enjoys exploring his human emotions, and he used to lean on Nurse Chapel for this, while La’an yearns for more life experiences beyond her duty. La’an and Spock have much more in common than Spock and Chapel did. The chemistry between Ethan Peck and Christina Chong is also palpably electric.
By her own admission, Nurse Chapel was too erratic and unsure of herself in her relationship with Spock, and she is a better romantic fit with Dr. Roger Korby.Star Trek: Strange New Worldswas right to explore Spock and Chapel as a couple, butthey are ultimately a remnant of an unrequited love story fromStar Trek: The Original Series,and there’s a reason Spock and Christine don’t last.
Star Trek: TOS Canon Demands Spock & La’an’s Love Story Won’t Last
La’an Could Be A Turning Point For Spock
La’an and Spock are careful not to define their relationship, and are seeing where things go, whereasSpock’s insistence on being definitive with Nurse Chapel accelerated the end of their romance. Of course,Star Trekfans know Spock and La’an’s love story has a ticking clock no matter how far it goes. La’an is nowhere to be found inStar Trek: The Original Series.
Perhaps by the time Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) takes command of the USS Enterprise, La’an will simply choose not to serve with two men she is attracted to. There could also be a tragic future in store for La’an, and this could lead to Spock embracing Vulcan logic and explainwhy neither Kirk nor Spock ever mention La’an inTOS.
La’an’s relationship with Spock may be the turning point that helps turn Ethan Peck’s Spock into the Vulcan played by Leonard Nimoy. La’an and Spock’s love story may be over beforeStar Trek: The Original Series, but it could still run through the remainder ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 and possibly into seasons 4 or 5. Like La’an and Spock, audiences should enjoy their"fun times"while they last.
