Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 9 - "All Those Who Wander"
Spock (Ethan Peck) undergoes a massive change in Starfleet Officers are attacked by baby Gorn, and Spock has to break his own Vulcan logic to face and defeat the reptilian monsters.
The younger Lt. Spock, who is half-Vulcan, has struggled with his humanity throughout Strange New Worlds season 1. Spock extolls the virtues of Vulcan logic but he privately fears being consumed by his human side. Further, Spock dreads that he is "too human" for his fiancée, T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), and he literally dreamed of his Vulcan and human halves fighting each other to the death. Spock's issues with being half-human are, in part, why Spock is content with maintaining a long-distance relationship with T'Pring. Meanwhile, Spock has turned to Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush), who has become his closest friend on the Enterprise, to help him understand his human side. Spock is also becoming aware that Chapel has developed feelings for him, but Spock believes Christine's word when she told him she didn't.
In Strange New Worlds episode 9, Spock unleashed his primal side in order to face the Gorn. With Spock's help, the Enterprise landing party was able to destroy the reptilian aliens, although Chief Engineer Hemmer (Bruce Horak) was tragically infected with Gorn eggs. Hemmer opted to commit suicide to protect his fellow Starfleet Officers. Back on the Enterprise, Spock was visibly emotional at Hemmer's funeral and, when he left the memorial, the Vulcan smashed a bulkhead in an uncharacteristic display of raw emotion. Spock then confessed to Nurse Chapel that he can't control the emotions he has let loose and he's unable to regain his Vulcan stoicism and devotion to logic. Spock fears that his "mind has become weak" and this drastic change to the Science Officer was left an open question going into Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale.
Chapel obviously cares deeply about Spock and helping him through this latest development may be what brings her and the Vulcan closer together. In Star Trek: The Original Series, Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) continues to be enamored with Leonard Nimoy's Spock, but Strange New Worlds is exploring how they have a bond that has lasted for the many years since they both served on the Enterprise under Captain Pike. Further, Spock and T'Pring are destined to end their relationship in the TOS season 2 episode, "Amok Time." The uncontrolled explosion of Spock's humanity may be the start of his deepening relationship with Chapel that will, in turn, begin to drive a wedge between Spock and T'Pring.
Spock opening the Pandora's box of his own emotions in Strange New Worlds could also be the start of his march toward becoming even more devoted to logic after Spock ultimately reins his emotions back in. By the time Spock is Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) First Officer in Star Trek: The Original Series, he is the embodiment of Vulcan logic. In Strange New Worlds episode 9, Spock already expressed his desire to undergo kolinahr, the Vulcan purging of all emotion, which is something Spock will inevitably fail to achieve in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Spock unleashing his emotions and his need to regain control of them in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode 9 looks to be a significant step to bridge Ethan Peck's excellent interpretation with Leonard Nimoy's legendary portrayal of Spock.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale streams Thursday, July 7, on Paramount+.