Summary
“Charades” is a playful and highly entertaining installment. Teenage Spock is an absolute delight, and the romance at the center of this episode is both well-written and free from cliches. The cast is starting to come into their own now, making this a delight to watch.
We recap the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5, “Charades,” which contains spoilers.
In the latest episode, titled “Charades,” Spock (Ethan Peck) must choose between his Vulcan fiancee T’Pring (Gia Sandhu), and the confusing feelings he has for fellow crew member Christine (Jess Bush).
This leads to a comical dilemma for our deadly serious Spock, which is easily the highlight of the season so far.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
Starting with Christine, the Enterprise nurse discusses the crew’s latest mission. They have detected a strange anomaly on a Kerkhovian moon in the Vulcan system.
This moon was once home to an ancient civilization. As they move towards this moon, the crew enjoys some downtime.
Christine prepares for an important interview for her fellowship, working tirelessly with M’Benga. During these preparations, it is clear that her relationship with Spock is still awkward and strained. This is evident when they silently pass one another at work.
Why does T’Pring contact Spock?
Spock has decided to take up new hobbies in his downtime, hoping to better control his emotions in the process. He is becoming more sociable and is being taught to cook by Pike. His fiancee T’Pring, contacts him out of the blue. Tensions between the families are growing, and they need to plan their ceremonial engagement dinner to alleviate this family drama.
To help distract from all this, Spock pilots a shuttle to the Kerkhovian moon with Christine. Their plan is to investigate the strange readings more closely.
Christine tries to discuss their awkward relationship, but they are interrupted by the discovery of a large vortex on the moon itself. The shuttle is drawn into this rupture in space-time and swallowed whole.
What happens to Spock’s appearance?
They awaken on the Enterprise. They are both safe, but Spock has somehow become fully human after this incident, with all the standard human characteristics and appearances. La’an and Una inspect the shuttle, which appears to be unharmed after the accident. La’an finds a strange object inside, though it’s a calling card. They contact the Kerkhovians straight away.
While talking with Yellow of Kerkhov, they are informed that the shuttle collided with their transport tunnel. It was repaired, and Spock was ‘corrected’ as they put it. Spock is angered by the sudden transformation and eager to postpone his dinner with T’Pring.
Ironically, Spock starts to adjust to his fully human body. He is more outgoing and emotional, acting like a stroppy teenager. Christine works nonstop to try and find a cure for this alteration. Overworked, her important interview goes terribly. Seeing how stressed she is, Spock gives her a surprise hug, which is very uncharacteristic of him.
Who prepares Spock for the ritual?
Spock’s mother arrives unannounced. T’Pring’s family isn’t happy; the dinner needs to go ahead immediately else the wedding will be called off. Spock is furious and accidentally reveals his new changes. Spock’s mother walks him through the rituals again now as a human; they plan on tricking T’Pring’s family into believing that Spock is the same as he always was.
The crew all work together to aid Spock in his mission, handing him prosthetic ears and teaching him how to act and sound like a Vulcan. Meanwhile, Christine is out of options and decides to fly back into the vortex for further answers.
T’Pring and her parents join Spock on the Enterprise. Her mother is terribly condescending as the ritual begins. Spock completes the tea and the awareness rituals with no issues.
Although when it comes to the sharing of memories section, he panics and flees.
At the same time, Christine, Erica, and Uhura journey into the vortex. They speak with Yellow about the misunderstanding and the transformation of Spock.
Christine is forced to prove her love for Spock to gain the Kerkhovian’s support. She is also informed that Spock risked his own life during the accident, protecting Christine.
Back on the Enterprise, Pike distracts the guests by starting a game of charades. Spock returns just in time to be greeted by Christine. She’s here with the cure.
Spock and Christine speak in private. Both are unable to properly express their feelings for one another, though. Spock is then injected with the cure.
He completes the ritual yet confesses to being fully human anyway. Spock removes his fake ears to hammer the point home. He states that being human is not a handicap and then expresses his admiration for his mother.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5 Ending Explained
T’Pring is hurt that Spock would keep such secrets from her. She decides that they should spend some time apart from each other. Spock says goodbye to his mother. Unfortunately, Christine doesn’t receive a place on the fellowship.
The episode ends with Spock and Christine being reunited. Spock tells Christine that he is spending some time apart from T’Pring. He implies that he has strong feelings for Christine, and then they kiss one another.
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