"I yearn to experience this firsthand." These words, uttered by Spock under any other circumstances, would mark an extraordinary confession. But spoken at the culmination of "Charades," an episode where emotional tumult beyond his command has tossed him into chaos, they resonate as a pivotal moment in his character's journey. Spock is acutely aware of the toll emotions can exact, even amidst his hiatus from his relationship with T'Pring and the inevitable repercussions that will surely unfold. Yet, he is willing to set aside all reservations to be with Chapel. Or, at least, to endeavor in that direction; the episode abruptly concludes as their lips meet passionately, leaving us in suspense about their fate. At this juncture, however, what transpires next is almost incidental. "Charades" is not concerned with repercussions, for both Spock and Chapel choose to overlook them. It's about steering them towards a point where resistance becomes futile.
Their journey to this crossroads has been long in coming, and achieving it in "Charades" demands that Spock and Chapel navigate through a labyrinth of complications. Some of these arise from the inherent awkwardness of their situation, while others stem from an encounter with a long-extinct species on the far reaches of the Vulcan system, specifically the moon of Kerkhov. This moon was once the cradle of an ancient civilization, making it of immense interest to Chapel, who stands on the brink of securing a Vulcan fellowship in archaeological medicine (apparently with the covert support of her entire social circle aboard the ship). She eagerly expounds on the tenets of her field but shies away from discussing her entanglement with Spock, despite the whispers about their "odd" bond.
Meanwhile, Spock diverts this "odd" energy into alternative pursuits. With his emotions firmly repressed, he finds solace in learning culinary arts from Pike. But repression, like a dam, only holds back so much. Spock can silently tidy up Samuel's messes, yet they still irritate him. He can maintain a stoic façade amidst laughter, pretending not to ponder what he misses, but this doesn't negate the fact that he's troubled by the missed moments. He pours his energy into reuniting with T'Pring, but even that path is fraught with hurdles. She insists on an expedited ceremonial Vulcan engagement dinner due to Spock's packed schedule and her mother T'Pril's (Ellora Patnaik) less-than-enthusiastic disposition towards him. The timing couldn't be worse, yet Spock assents anyway. Besides, his itinerary comprises a straightforward shuttle mission near Kerkhov's moon. What could conceivably go amiss?
Trouble ensues with the addition of an unplanned companion: Chapel. This forces them into solitary confinement, a scenario Spock has been diligently avoiding. Hardly do they have a moment to grapple with this new dynamic before a rift in space-time—potentially linked to the vanished Kerkhovians—disrupts their journey, resulting in a mysterious crash. Adding to the enigma: upon waking up aboard the Enterprise, Spock finds himself fully human, a transformation he receives with a mixture of shock and an expletive, cut short by the roll of the opening credits.
It's undeniably a bewildering scenario. Chapel appears undisturbed, and the shuttle is in tip-top shape, better than ever before, having also acquired an enigmatic extraterrestrial artifact. The only anomaly is Spock. When Uhura, wielding the artifact, establishes contact with a hitherto unknown alien race, "Yellow," the alien communicator with Kirk, strikes a cord of amicability, yet they display a marked reluctance to engage in extensive dialogue. After informing Pike that "remediation has been effected," they steadfastly decline "any further contact," even though they inadvertently altered Spock, a being described by Yellow as having "conflicting directives." They abruptly terminate the communication, leaving Pike and his crew to devise a solution to this conundrum on their own.
Meanwhile, Spock is consumed by hunger, overflowing with gratitude, distressed about the engagement dinner, excessively amused by others' humor, incensed by Samuel's disorganization, and sexually aroused—not solely towards Chapel. He is, in modern parlance, experiencing an array of emotions, much to his and everyone else's consternation. La'an deciphers the conundrum: he has essentially morphed into an adolescent trapped in an adult human form.
While Chapel and M’Benga search for a remedy, Chapel endures a curt, dismissive encounter with the Vulcan overseeing her fellowship application, leaving her disheartened and prompting her to seek solace in Spock's comforting embrace. She remarks to him, "That's not your usual demeanor." When Spock inquires if it's alright, she diverts the conversation. Although this transformed Spock might seem like a dream come true for Chapel, it is far from it. She prefers the reserved Spock she once knew. This humanized version of Spock is a different breed, and she yearns for the return of the old him. Perhaps she would have had the leisure to explore her feelings had it not been for another twist: Spock's mother Amanda (Mia Kirshner) has beamed aboard.
She arrives with news: despite the hurdles posed by T'Pring's family, the engagement dinner, which has been precariously hanging by a thread, is still on and impending. In fact, it will take place aboard the Enterprise tomorrow night. After a vain attempt to conceal his secret from Amanda, Spock confesses, removing the stocking cap concealing his unmistakably un-Vulcan ears. Alongside Pike, they concur to proceed with the intricate engagement ritual by concealing Spock's humanity—an act alien to his Vulcan essence: feigning normalcy.
It mandates an arduous array of preparations. Amanda guides him meticulously through an intricate tea ceremony, demanding the deft handling of a scalding kettle without the slightest flinch. La'an, Ortegas, Una, and Uhura provide a tutorial in adopting the stoic tone of a Vulcan, merely the prelude to the evening's challenges. The dinner agenda encompasses enduring a barrage of stern critiques from T'Pring's parents and enacting a mind meld with Amanda. Despite their thorough preparations, Spock's ability to navigate this charade remains doubtful.
The situation escalates: in sickbay, Chapel discerns the urgency in repairing Spock, for if they fail, he is condemned to a perpetual human existence. Armed with a plan, she sets her sights on seeking clarification from the Kerkhovians by revisiting the crash site. After enlisting Ortegas and Uhura, they embark on this mission, each member steadfastly resolved to see it through, regardless of the convoluted maneuvers required. Meanwhile, Chapel engages in discourse with Blue, whose voice eerily echoes Yellow's, discussing their flawed "remediation" efforts.
Ultimately, Chapel secures an audience with Yellow, who is displeased by the timing of this complaint, falling outside the designated response window. Yet, Yellow divulges crucial details about the crash, revealing that Spock maneuvered the skidding vessel to shield Chapel at the expense of his own safety. This revelation puzzles Yellow but clarifies the picture for Chapel, empowering her to vocalize her feelings for Spock for the first time. In recognition of her courage, she is granted a cure.
As Chapel undertakes her desperate endeavor, Spock reunites with T'Pring, whose sharp instincts nearly expose his lie when he chuckles at an apparently unintended jest comparing her mother to a cannibalistic creature. Hardly an absurd parallel. The tension mounts further with the arrival of T'Pril and T'Pring's father, Sevet (Michael Benyaer). T'Pril does nothing to alleviate the strained atmosphere. Seven admires Pike's attempt at Vulcan cuisine, but T'Pril quickly dampens his enthusiasm, diving headfirst into the ritual. If this is, in some respects, a meticulously orchestrated disaster, T'Pril is eager to expedite its catastrophic conclusion.
Yet, against all odds, the impending disaster fails to materialize. As Spock pours the tea, he grits his teeth through T'Pril's scathing criticisms, each barb digging deep, culminating in an insulting declaration that he is unworthy of T'Pring. Despite the onslaught, Spock finds himself on the brink, prompting Pike to suggest a game of Charades—as though they weren't already enmeshed in a silent drama of their own. This strategic delay proves fortuitous, as Chapel returns with a cure at precisely the right moment. She hastens to administer it, demanding an answer for his protective instincts during the crash. Spock concedes his emotions are a "tangled web," but before he can elaborate further, Chapel administers the cure, ensuring his human side, with its ease of expression, fades into the background.
With his Vulcan nature restored, Spock excels in the remainder of the ritual, capping it off with a spirited defense of his mother, his humanity, and humanity at large. Amanda beams with pride (particularly given the memory's nature, which she later ponders with Spock), while T'Pril seethes in frustration, realizing it's too late to call off the engagement. However, even amidst this triumph, T'Pring is wounded to discover Spock kept his struggles hidden from her, deciding a break is in their best interests. She is not alone in her furious retreat; rejected by the Vulcans, Chapel concludes the interview with a definitive kiss-off.
Later, in private, Chapel and Spock reunite. Spock reveals his split from T'Pring and confesses his feelings for Chapel. He goes on to say, "I want to embrace this feeling." They share a kiss, deciding to let the future sort itself out.
Part farce, part romantic comedy, and potentially the opening chapter of an intense love story, "Charades" is an enjoyable episode with potentially profound ramifications. Written by Kathryn Lyn and Henry Alonso Myers and directed by Jordan Canning, it unexpectedly brings Spock and Chapel together, though Strange New Worlds seldom stretches its ongoing narratives across numerous episodes (cf. M'Benga's daughter and Una's augmentation secrets). Yet, it feels like merely a chapter in a larger tale. This is partly due to our foreknowledge of the T'Pring/Chapel/Spock saga from the original series, but also because it treats T'Pring with fairness, portraying her as an appealing character who seems a fitting match for Spock—were his heart not elsewhere.
