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Star Trek Just Made Uhura’s Best TOS Scene Even Better
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes a classic Uhura moment from Star Trek: The Original Series and adds an even deeper meaning behind it.

Star Trek Just Made Uhura’s Best TOS Scene Even Better

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds elevates one of Uhura’s very greatest moments from The Original Series into something even more special. Picking up in the (highly classified) aftermath of Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds plants Anson Mount’s Christopher Pike back into the Enterprise’s captain’s chair, seeking out new life and new civilizations. He’s joined by a few familiar faces, and most notable among the newbies is Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura. Memorably played by Nichelle Nichols in years gone by, Strange New Worlds affords Uhura more time and character development than Star Trek ever did during the 1960s – especially during episode 2, “Children of the Comet.”

Uhura’s very first away mission becomes a baptism of fire when a giant comet threatens the peaceful pre-warp civilization of Persephone V. This holy rock comes fitted with its own in-house temple and deflector shields, but when a Kirk-averse egg prevents the Enterprise away team seizing control, Uhura’s linguistic skills offer one desperate last hope. Ultimately, Uhura realizes music unlocks the comet’s secrets. The day is then saved by Celia Rose Gooding’s super-green communications officer walking around this giant alien egg singing an ancient Kenyan song. Once the comet is successfully diverted, Uhura delivers an encore by decoding musical notes to reveal a secret message of peace.

Uhura’s singing talent is more than just another string to her already impressive bow, however – it’s a nostalgic throwback to Star Trek: The Original Series. Nichelle Nichols gave several musical performances during her 1960s Star Trek stint, most notably season 1’s “Charlie X.” Enchanting the Enterprise’s recreation lounge with the ballad “Oh, On The Starship Enterprise,” Uhura’s impressive voice made for an ethereal, magical introduction, and was added to take advantage of Nichols’ considerable musical prowess. Celia Rose Gooding’s Uhura strolling around an alien comet singing during Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode 2 serves as a neat tribute to her character’s iconic 1960s crooning scene from The Original Series, strolling around the Enterprise’s rec room doing exactly the same. The connotation becomes stronger through the presence of Spock. Back in 1966, Leonard Nimoy’s Spock accompanied Nichelle Nichols on his lute; fast forward (or backward?) to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and it’s Ethan Peck’s Spock awkwardly singing along with his Enterprise colleague.

More than just a touching tribute to the past, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds turns Uhura’s famous singing talent into a genuine, meaningful plot point. Whereas her vocal delights were merely episodic dressing in Star Trek: The Original Series, Uhura’s singing ability saves an entire civilization in Strange New Worlds – her unique blend of linguistic and musical skills achieving a feat no other Enterprise crew member (no one important enough to appear onscreen, at least) could possibly replicate. It’s a win all of Uhura’s making. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds also casts “Charlie X” in a completely new light. Perhaps when Spock was plucking his lute alongside Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, he was fondly remembering their impromptu performance on the Persephone V comet mission.

Turning Uhura’s passion for singing into a central plot point summarizes how Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is developing Celia Rose Gooding’s character. The modern series identifies fundamental and fascinating aspects of Uhura (who, let’s be honest, didn’t always receive the most substantial storylines in Star Trek: The Original Series) and magnifies them. As the weeks continue, audiences will hopefully witness the same evolution for fellow under-utilized supporting characters like Nurse Chapel and Samuel Kirk.