Chapel and Spock were conflicted about their mutual romantic interest, and the fact that Spock was engaged to T'Pring meant they couldn't pursue a romance. But Spock and T'Pring 'taking a break' became a green light for the Science Officer and the medical officer to give into their ion - which is something Spock seem to lack for T'Pring in spite of his affection for her. Of course, Spock and Chapel going hot and heavy will impact Star Trek: The Original Series canon, and this is the fun of Strange New Worlds. With years to go until TOS happens, Spock and Chapel could have a romance and its ending would feed into the unrequited love Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) feels for Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in TOS. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Ethan Peck's Spock and Jess Bush's Chapel is palpable, and Strange New Worlds is now set to pursue this romance where ever it will lead.

Is Spock & T'Pring's Engagement Already Over, Setting Up Star Trek: TOS?

Every Star Trek: The Original Series fan knows that T'Pring (Arlene Martel) will force the end of her betrothal to Spock in "Amok Time." Strange New Worlds seems to have planted the seeds for that eventual canonical outcome in "Charades." T'Pring told Spock that it was best to "take a break" from their engagement after she learned the lengths he went through to fool her family by pretending he was Vulcan. But what truly hurt T'Pring was that Spock relied on Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his Enterprise friends for his ruse, but Spock did not include her in his high jinks, which verified to T'Pring that Spock doesn't really trust her in spite of what they have been through together.

In Spock's defense, he was not himself. Without his Vulcan logic, Spock was hilariously erratic, frightened, and volatile; he had the temperament of a teenager, as Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) surmised. A fully logical Spock may have relied on T'Pring to be part of his absurd gambit, but he made very human and emotional errors of judgment out of fear of T'Pring's mother's wrath. T'Pring also doesn't know the full story of Spock and Chapel, or the fact that they kissed after T'Pring departed the Enterprise, but she has her suspicions about them nonetheless. Sadly, even if Spock and T'Pring are "on a break" like Ross and Rachel were on Friends, Spock immediately pursuing his feelings for Chapel does feel like a betrayal. What happens next if and when T'Pring returns to Strange New Worlds is anyone's guess.

T'Pring Is A Rebel In Her Vulcan Family

Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5 reveals more about T'Pring's family history and dynamics than ever before. T'Pring's mother T'Pril is a domineering force in their lives who strongly disapproves of Spock ("She hates me!" as the human Spock describes her). Strange New Worlds reveals that Spock's arranged marriage to T'Pring is because her father, Sevet, wants a bond between his family and Spock's father, the influential Ambassador Sarek (James Frain), but T'Pril considers the half-human Spock beneath their daughter.

However, T'Pring has a streak of rebellion within her, and while she must bow down to T'Pril's wishes, T'Pring also stands up to her when required. For T'Pring, Spock is attractive for the very qualities T'Pril looks down on him: his devotion to Starfleet and to exploring the galaxy, as well as how he balances his Vulcan nature with his humanity. As T'Pring reminded Spock, she "accepts all" of him, which is precisely why T'Pring was so hurt Spock excluded her from his ruse to fool her parents. T'Pring likely would have relished one-upping her mother. It will be fascinating to see what T'Pring does next, especially when her future paramour Stonn (Roderick McNeill) works alongside her at the same Vulcan rehabilitation center Spock's brother Sybok is held.

Chapel Becomes More Self-Confident After Saving Spock

Christine Chapel is a very capable nurse and medical researcher, but her friendly and flirtatious nature hid how she actually has self-confidence issues. Chapel was deeply conflicted about itting her feelings for Spock to herself, but Christine was utterly driven to save Spock and restore his Vulcan side. This led to Chapel recruiting Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Lieutenant Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) on a mission to recreate Spock's original shuttle accident in order to gain an audience with the Kerkhovians, which worked.

Hilariously, Chapel still had trouble itting her feelings for Spock, even though Uhura and Ortegas already knew. But Chapel pleading on Spock's behalf worked, and the Kerkhovians gave her the formula to restore Spock's Vulcan DNA. Chapel was planning on taking a sabbatical from the Enterprise for a research fellowship on Vulcan - to gain distance from Spock - but Christine's success with the Kerkhovians showed her that the Vulcans were wrong to belittle her application and accomplishments. Nurse Chapel is growing as a well-rounded character, and what happens next between her and Spock will be fun to watch as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues.

Strange New Worlds Reaffirms Amanda Grayson's Importance In Spock's Family

Star Trek: The Original Series canon dictates that Spock and Sarek (Mark Lenard) don't see each other until "Journey to Babel," but Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5 affirmed the true importance of Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson. When TOS introduced Spock's Vulcan father and human mother, Amanda (Jane Wyatt) was Sarek's loyal wife and a loving mother to Spock. Strange New Worlds has deepened Amanda's character and illuminated the challenges she faces as a human living on Vulcan. Amanda has been targeted with the same intolerance and cruelty Vulcans levied on Spock, but her son stood up to T'Pring's parents and touted Amanda's strength and comion. Amanda hadn't been seen since season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery, but she makes a triumphant comeback in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.