Summary
- Spock's romantic relationships in the Star Trek reboot and Strange New Worlds highlight his struggle to control his emotions as a half-human, half-Vulcan.
- The romance between Spock and Uhura in the reboot films received mixed reactions from fans, while the slow build of Spock and Chapel's romance in Strange New Worlds is more well-received.
- Strange New Worlds provides context and confirmation of Spock's feelings for Nurse Chapel, adding depth to their relationship and recontextualizing their interactions in The Original Series.
Between J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Mr. Spock has romantic relationships with two different crew of the Starship Enterprise. Since Leonard Nimoy's portrayal in Star Trek: The Original Series, Spock has become one of the most beloved characters in all of science fiction, but he has not had much luck when it comes to finding lasting love. Because Spock is half-human and half-Vulcan, he sometimes struggles to control his deeply-felt emotions, which causes difficulty when it comes to his romantic relationships.
In the 2009 Star Trek reboot film produced by J.J. Abrams, Zachary Quinto plays Spock alongside Chris Pine's Captain Kirk and Zoe Saldaña's Nyota Uhura. In this film and its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, Spock and Uhura are in a romantic relationship that has divided fans. Ethan Peck currently plays Spock on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and his character has had two major love interests so far on the show. Though Spock begins Strange New Worlds in a relationship with his Vulcan fiancee, T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), he eventually acknowledges his growing feelings for Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush).
How Spock & Chapel In Strange New Worlds Compares To Spock & Uhura In J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek
While there were subtle hints of romantic feelings between Spock and Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, that show never paired up the two characters. Star Trek (2009) revealed that Spock and Uhura had gotten together sometime before the start of the film, and they remained together until they broke up at the beginning of Star Trek Beyond. Though they seemed to rekindle their romance at the end of Star Trek Beyond, Star Trek 4 remains in development limbo, leaving their ultimate fate unclear. Spock and Uhura's romance has divided fans since the release of Star Trek in 2009, though Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldaña are both talented actors who play their parts well.
On Star Trek: The Original Series, it was apparent that Nurse Christine Chapel (then played by Majel Barrett) had feelings for Spock. But because Spock had chosen to embrace his Vulcan side and repress his human emotions, he could not reciprocate her feelings. The Spock of Strange New Worlds has not yet made that decision, and he clearly cares deeply for Nurse Chapel. Strange New Worlds shows the slow build of Spock and Chapel's romance, as they awkwardly try to navigate around each other before finally giving in to their feelings. After T'Pring breaks off her engagement with Spock in season 2's "Charades," Spock and Christine seal their burgeoning romance with a kiss.
Why Spock & Chapel Are The Better Star Trek Couple
While the characters of Spock and Uhura could have made a lovely couple, J.J. Abrams' Star Trek films did not handle their relationship well. The Spock of TOS always kept his personal life private, so the scene in Star Trek (2009) when Spock and Uhura kiss in front of Kirk and Scotty (Simon Pegg) feels very out of character. Star Trek (2009) reveals Spock and Uhura's romance after they have already been together, providing little context about how the two met and fell in love. The background information that Spock was once Uhura's professor only serves to add another problematic layer to their relationship.
While Star Trek: The Original Series made it clear that Nurse Chapel had feelings for Spock, the show never revealed whether or not Spock had feelings for her. Strange New Worlds finally confirms that Spock does have feelings for Chapel, and Jess Bush and Ethan Peck have wonderful romantic chemistry. Their characters truly bring out the best in each other, and the show beautifully depicts the tension and growing feelings that lead up to their romance. Spock and Chapel's romance in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds also recontextualizes the scenes between the two from TOS, adding another layer to their sweet, but ultimately tragic love story.