Ethan Peck returns as Spock in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
We’re less than two weeks away from the premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and we already know that this is going to be a different type than the Star Trek shows that are currently airing. The series will be episodic but will still allow us to see the characters grow and have long-lasting emotions from events that happen in their lives. We’ve already seen one character in particular, Spock, with some interesting changes going on, and Ethan Peck, who portrays the iconic character, is interested in taking things a bit further.
In an interview with Gizmodo, Peck said he’s interested in exploring more than just the logical side of Spock. He wants to dig deeper, and he even pitched his desire to the producers that he wants to explore the Vulcan’s extremes. As Spock is always in conflict with both his human half and his Vulcan half, Peck thinks that’s what makes him a compelling character.
"“I had personally pitched to the creative forces involved a desire to explore the extremes of him. He’s eternally in conflict with his human and Vulcan halves, and that’s what I believe makes him such a compelling character over time. So, maybe in a moment he decides to solve a problem in a very human way—a very emotional way. Which will eventually become more balanced with his Vulcan, hyper-rational side.”"
Ethan Peck is playing an early version of Spock so it makes sense to explore.
Strange New Worlds is set ten years before Captain James T. Kirk takes the helm of the Enterprise so it wouldn’t be unheard of for Spock to still be struggling with his emotional side. Even aboard the Enterprise with Captain Kirk, the Vulcan had some moments of irrationality. Granted, most of those were because of outside forces, but Peck has an idea about Spock’s journey that hasn’t yet been fully developed onscreen.
"“I wanted to explore his anger. He comes from this world where he’s really been rejected. He’s not fully Vulcan, but he’s not from Earth. He’s not human. Imagine how that might make someone feel? To not really belong anywhere… that’s a really beautiful and rich part of his journey I wanted to explore, and I think we do.”"
We’re obviously going to see a very different Spock aboard this Enterprise when Star Trek: Strange New Worlds debuts. And that could be a good thing.