In a recent CBS promotional video, Ethan Peck talks about how his version of Spock is more dangerous than those that came before.
This week’s new episode of Star Trek: Discovery seems to have hit the right notes with just about everyone. It paid homage to what came before, namely the original pilot episode “The Cage” while creating something entirely new and fresh.
The biggest element that was new was the relationship between Ethan Peck’s Spock and his foster sister Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green.
Much has been made of Peck taking over the seminal role created by Leonard Nimoy and the challenge of trying to create something original while honoring the man who, for all intents and purposes, was Spock. Peck has talked before about what he did to prepare for the role, including talking to Nimoy’s family and getting their blessing.
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Now, in a new video released on the Star Trek: Discovery Twitter, Peck talks about actually becoming Spock and how he sees his version as one stop on the road towards what the character would eventually become. How Nimoy’s Spock is the finished version and how his Spock is edgier and has an element of danger to him.
"“We are not building off what [Leonard] Nimoy did in The Original Series, but sort of building towards. Spock from The Original Series is kind of the light at the end of the tunnel. This is a Spock who has been really overrun by the inherent conflict of being half-Human/half-Vulcan.“I hope I bring danger to the character.”"
"Spock from the original series is the light at the end of the tunnel." Ethan Peck talks about becoming a younger version of Spock.
— Star Trek on Paramount+ (@StarTrekOnPPlus) March 7, 2019
See him in the latest episode of #StarTrekDiscovery. It's On @CBSAllAccess. pic.twitter.com/QpzqZtXwux
It has to be said that Peck’s interpretation of Spock could be one of the best aspects of the second season of Discovery. While the character will always be defined by what Nimoy brought to the role, the fact the producers are willing to allow Peck to add some layers of his own is very welcome. It makes for a Spock that is unpredictable and vastly more interesting.
Plus, watching Peck and Martin-Green play of one another is just a joy to behold. I mean, the whole “You actually think the beard is working” exchange was worth the price of admission alone.
New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 arrive very Thursday on CBS All Access.