Strange New Worlds S2-E9 "Subspace Rhapsody" Warning may contain spoilers.

AMKC

Well it's time for the episode we have all being dreading. Let's hope it is not a "Les Misérables" and is more a "The Greatest Showman" type musical so at least it might be good.

This could go one of two ways. It could be brilliant or it could be terrible.

I am imagining a scenario where they have to make first contact with an alien race and the only way to communicate with them is through music.

Really hope it's something like that

Also this is the penultimate episode of Season 2. Only the final left after this.

AMKC

OK so here is the good news. It is not bad at all. Its not all singing only parts of it. I fact it is quiet an emotional episode and I even find myself singing along with them.

Ye not so bad at all and

I quiet enjoyed that.

We have some character development on it too for some of them.

The only real part I did not like was the four ships spinning around lol.

Also I still do not like engineering on this ship and once again where was the Engineer? She was not in this much.

What are them massive things on the side walls supposed to be injectors maybe. Some injectors. I get it they tried to make it look less advanced than when Kirk is Captain of the Enterprise and its a smaller more compact engine room but still not a fan. We need to see the Enterprise in a battle and see what happens in the engine room then. Maybe next episode.

DoctorEdgeWild

Wow. That was... the absolute worst.

(...and this is coming from me, who has been to 6 musicals in the last 9 days in real life)

corkie

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Subspace_Rhapsody_%28episode%29

A tough episode to sit through, at least they still manage to wrap up some threads (Spock + Chapel, La'an + Jim Kirk).

https://screenrant.com/strange-new-worlds-star-trek-musical-song-list-released/

the song list is now available on Apple Music. Titled "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 - Subspace Rhapsody (Original Series Soundtrack)" by various artists, the list of the 11 tracks in the musical contains the song titles, the performers, and the length of the tracks.

Above was posted 2 days ago.

Got a bit of showman vibes at the start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO28Z5_Eyls

DoctorEdgeWild

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934117#Comment_120934117

Good point about closing off those two storylines. Glad they took the simple, smart route and didn't try to be too clever and write themselves into a hole. That's an illustration of the difficulties with doing prequels, and where DIS failed and SNW succeeds.

Spear

Well, that was pointless and stupid. I expected worse from it though. The basic premise was something so hand wavy and magical it could have been written by Terry Pratchett.

That said, credit where it's due, they leaned fully into the premise. And buried in there were some important character moments.

Also Battel is getting set up to be murdered by Gorn, isn't she?

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120933938#Comment_120933938

Really. I really enjoyed it and will happily watch it again. I thought it was a nice easy fun to watch episode.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934339#Comment_120934339

A tough episode to sit through, at least they still manage to wrap up some threads (Spock + Chapel, La'an + Jim Kirk).

Really. I found it fun.

Yes I meant to mention they done that and wrapped them threads up nicely. That was well done.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934359#Comment_120934359

Well, that was pointless and stupid. I expected worse from it though. The basic premise was something so hand wavy and magical it could have been written by Terry Pratchett.

I disagree about it being pointless and stupid. The whole cast looked like they had a ball and it's a great jelling session for them too.

Also I have no idea who Terry Pratchett is.

eadrom

Wonderful! :-D

I wasn't fearing this episode, I guessed they'd probably pull it off and I think they really did. Fairly typical Star Trek premise on the surface with a fun twist perfectly executed.

Near enough 10/10 for me, and that makes 3 in a row.

Doodah7

Hated it. Hated the singing, hated the never-ending heart to hearts and hated all of the emotional boll*x. If this was in Discovery, everyone would be having a blue fit. A paper-thin plot and it was ugh.. just awful. The only redeeming segment was the boyband Klingons near the end.

For me, easily the worst episode of Star Trek of any series ever and that includes the cod-Irish episode in Voyager.

Spear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934391#Comment_120934391

It's pointless in the sense that it's a musical for the sake of musical. It wasn't part of a larger thing to make any point. All the episode really serves to do is to slightly advance (or kill) some of the secondary threads. They did something similar earlier in the season too, with the central plot little more than an hollow framework to further the secondary stories. The biggest long term event in this is Battel looking to be sent out to die.

corkie

@AMKC Also I have no idea who Terry Pratchett is. :-)

Of Discworld and Good Omens fame? I put a smiley after your quote because I guessed a joke?

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934968#Comment_120934968

Awe OK. Never heard or seen the first show. Have heard of the second one but not watched it yet.

eadrom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934844#Comment_120934844

Some of the best Star Trek episode are pointless in the sense they're just a <situation> for the sake of a <situation>. Or my favourite ones at least.

I mean I love the harder science episodes and the more serious episodes too but I absolutely have room for stuff like this alongside it.

Kevrano

I enjoyed it for the most part and was a good way to tie up the 2 threads mentioned above. Loved the way all the cast really threw themselves into it. The "finale" came close to crossing the cringe line though...

Varik

Spent a lot of that just skipping forward 10-30s to get past parts.

Doodah7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120935217#Comment_120935217

I did exactly that.

GreeBo

Nope, Nope, Nope.

corkie

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-subspace-rhapsody-musical-episode-interview

If you count the brief Klingon dance number — featuring the promised return of Bruce Horak as the Klingon captain — there are technically 10 unique songs in “Subspace Rhapsody.”

It didn't click with me, it was him when watching.

Spear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120935578#Comment_120935578

I caught the name in the credits, but didn't recognise him at all. I wonder if he's going to be the new Jeffrey Combs for guest star appearances?

Evade

I had this on while doing something else, which isn't typical watching a new episode, and it was meh but I'm not a fan of musicals. The Klingon boyband did get a smirk though, very dishonourable.

IstvaanV

I am so glad that episode is over, was dreading anything musical. Now we can refocus on what was hinted-at at the very end of the first episode of season 2.

ilovesmybrick

Nope, not for me. Though I can’t stand musicals anyway. Fair deuce to them for trying something new, and the cast seem to be able to hold a tune, but not for me at all. Anson Mounts reaction when the call was cut off was fairly funny though and I did like the nod to Carol Marcus in there. The Ktinga looked cool, pity it got introduced here during some boy band nonsense.

I will say, I did really like the harmonising during the intro theme, that was pretty fun, but the rest. Nope. Somewhat annoying as it seemed there was some character development in the songs, but really cannot stand musicals.

I think there have been some decent episodes this season, but overall a bit weaker than the first season. Though to be fair season 1 was very strong, especially considering the recent shows that had preceded it.

ilovesmybrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120935008#Comment_120935008

Book series. I'd avoid the majority of Discworld shows, maybe aside from Going Postal. Well worth reading.

fritzelly

Well that was better than I feared - laughed out loud at the Klingons

corkie

@AMKC @ilovesmybrick

Off topic for this thread but I enjoyed David Jason in both of the below.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1079959/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765458/

flazio

OK, that was a fine experiment. You never know unless you try.

Now let's never do this again.

Sudden Valley

They sort of torpedoed the Chapel character- being horrible To Spock after they were together for two episodes (with barely any scenes together). Has to be one of the more baffling relationships developed in Star Trek.

flazio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936544#Comment_120936544

But has canon merit as Barret and Nimoys Chapel and Spock played awkwardly around each other in Old Scientists era.

Sudden Valley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936558#Comment_120936558

It could be canon faithful but still entertaining. Reminds me of how they wrote Dath Vaders backstory in the Star Wars prequels.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934829#Comment_120934829

Your dead right about Discovery. This would be ripped to shreds if they done a musical episode but "something something SNW better something something"

There are exceptions but generally musicals are a pain because they take 5 minutes to say a 1 minute sentence. Also I'm not a fan of episodes that are all about the cast getting to act out of character and indulge their "craft". Felt a number of other shows have pulled it off much better too. Overall it felt like a very very long hour.

La'an and Chapel probably the best of the episode again but sadly we get another flimsy excuse to see that awful Kirk.

Also the Klingon ship looked absolutely terrible. Some of the worst green screen I have seen in ages and especially weird given how good the anomaly looked.

Had some funny lines like La'an worried about revealing herself through sea shanty.

eadrom

Kinda surprised there aren’t more positive takes on the episode here. I knew some people would dislike a musical on sight but I really thought they did a good job of it on this one.

It’s also a real credit to the format of the show and specifically to this cast, these characters, and the whole production that they can do something like this, or the Lower Decks episode, and have it fit and feel right alongside more serious or dramatic episodes. Like this isn’t just a pointless episode alongside more serious ones that matter more – it’s this variety that’s the whole point of the show.

And also there was plenty of good and relevant character development woven throughout. I’m shocked at how much I’m enjoying the new Spock and Uhura. Even Kirk is warming on me.

I bloody love Star Trek, and I really like this show.

corkie

@Doodah7 For me, easily the worst episode of Star Trek of any series ever and that includes the cod-Irish episode in Voyager.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Fair_Haven_%28episode%29

Or even worse the doctors singing episode?

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Virtuoso_%28episode%29

odyssey06

La'an really carried the show for me - best musical pieces, lines (eg sea shanty) and bringing emotion to her storyline resolution.

Echoes of Eponine in Les Mis with a story of unrequited love... although kudos for SNW for creating a scifi 'to have and have not' scenario.

I think I will have another listen to 'Flying Blind'.

breezy1985

The worst thing by far in this episode is the fact that Klingons arrived and they missed possibly the only opportunity ever to have the Klingons approach on the starboard bow starboard bow starboard bow.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936812#Comment_120936812

https://youtu.be/FCARADb9asE

maybe in Season 3 who knows lol.

flazio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936812#Comment_120936812

Nah, the worst thing is the missed opportunity to have the Klingons perform like a Finnish Eurovision entry.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0XNZnPlpF5VpPfONAmtO7R?si=Js3kDj9sTjWs5ad6WiIfog

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936870#Comment_120936870

Also didn't understand why the Klingons were so ashamed. We see them singing songs all the time.

fritzelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936912#Comment_120936912

K-Pop was pushing it tho for them

Stark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120936766#Comment_120936766

Voice wise I did enjoy Uhura's bits the most. Wasn't aware previously that Celia Rose Gooding had a career on Broadway but went to Google it after this episode .

TheBigEvil

Just finished watching it. Not as bad as I expected, and I did enjoy it, but I do enjoy a good musical too, and in fairness everyone got their moment in it and everyone throws themselves into it. And you can see they all enjoyed it, and it was something different. And only a show that is confident in itself and its cast can pull something like that off. I thought it was well balanced and not full on musical, and was pretty emotional too.

Again some excellent humor... "The last thing anyone wants is singing Klingons" 😁 and La'ans "Sea shanty" remark.

Did an excellent job of sorting out the Spock/Chapel and Kirk/La'an story lines. And we got Klingon Captain "Hemmer"... what a great cameo !!

I think some people were never going to give it a chance and had their minds made up before watching it that it was going to be dire. I was apprehensive about it, but, in my opinion, it was good episode. Looking forward to the season finale next week, I think its gonna be a belter and set-up Season 3 nicely.

On a separate note, Kirk is getting more and more time on Enterprise as the episodes have gone on..... I wonder will there be a handover to a new Star Trek (TOS) reboot in the offing 😃, ... looking forward to Beep Beep 😂

IstvaanV

It was also very obvious that some voice altering/voice tuning was going on for pretty much every cast member while singing which was slightly jarring (before I turned down the volume while the songs continued). No way all of them were singing those notes naturally.

fritzelly

One thing you can say for Anson Mount - his facial expressions say so much that it just makes his character so much more.

PhiloCypher

Anyone think it was odd that, considering the anomaly was making everyone bare their souls through song ,that Mbenga didn't get a solo song given what happened in the last episode. Surely that would still be on his mind. The obvious answer is Babs can't sing to save his life but still . They could have just made a joke of it and had him hypospray himself into a coma for the duration so he didn't confess and land himself in a penal colony.

squonk

The episode felt long for me. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it and really I wasn’t overly taken with it. However, I am a fan of music and often can pull me in but I’m not a fan per se.

there was some good character exposition, but it all just felt like it took way too long. The plot was pretty thin as well.

on a positive note, Rebecca Romijn is not only lovely to look at but has a voice to match. Ethan Peck was great too. Uhura was a stand out. What a voice tgst sctif has! She’s amazing.

I’ll admit to rewinding the Klingon boyband. It was so funny.

Look, they did it. Let’s get back to real Trekkin next week and have a good finslé.

fritzelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120937142#Comment_120937142

The small bits he had were not great and thats why

Is there a link or does anyone know if they were all original voices or stand ins?

Beefcake82

This episode gave me a headache in the first 15 mins, had to turn if off i found it so bad. for me the worst episode in all trek ever. If i wanted a musical id go see phantom of the opera.

TheValeyard

That was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

Im not a man for most musicals, and some of the songs were very meh and blaaa, but some of it was alright.

I enjoyed the humour in the episode and some plot points were definitely sorted out.

It was fun, light hearted, and different.

To people saying if it was Discovery we'd be giving out -they are probably right. For one simple reason...

song 1: We love Michael

Song 2: Where is Michael?

Song 3: Michael save us

song 4: All hail Michael

Song 5: Michael saves the universe

Song 6: Emotional crying

STW - songs were about the crew, on DISCO it be about Michael.

Stark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120937216#Comment_120937216

The songs are on Apple music and the main cast are all credited.

CramCycle

Could have been good but wasn't but they found a neat way to tie off threads that would have annoyed the sh1t out of everyone if dragged out. I think they could have been resolved without singing but c'est la vie.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120937352#Comment_120937352

Ya the best thing about the episode is they put the Chapel/Spock and Kirk/La'an stories to bed.

Speaking of Discovery Kirk mentioned that he knew Carol was pregnant so where is the aaaaaahhhh CANON raging. This show gets away with way too much bullsht because people are too entrenched to admit any fault the very same as Discovery fans were.