But why?!
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5 will mark the bittersweet end of the must-see streaming series when those final six episodes drop sometime in 2027. And SNW actress Jess Bush, who plays the USS Enterprise’s venerable nurse, Christine Chapel, warns the fans to “bring your box of tissues,” (via TV Insider), when the show’s swan song finally plays out.
Star Trek fans already have plenty to worry about if the future timeline that was presented in the Strange New Worlds season 4 finale, “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” plays out similarly.
During those events, which were set one year in the future and likely coincide with SNW season 5, Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) seemed to tease the death of La’An Noonien Singh (Christina Chong) to Lt. Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding).
Perhaps, La'An's fate is even worse than death, and the Augment finally succumbs to her darker side, which might lead her to become a dangerous Enterprise foe like her ancestor, Khan Noonien Singh. Regardless, Kirk was hesitant to share what happened to La'An with Uhura in the Strange New Worlds season 4 finale — and that doesn't bode well for the character.
Fortunately, though, unless Strange New Worlds showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers are planning on completely rewriting Star Trek canon, Bush’s Nurse Chapel will live beyond SNW season 5.
However, when it came to shooting those last episodes of the streaming series’ fifth and final season, Bush’s nervousness didn’t supplant what was “so, so special” about her time playing the iconic character. “I was nervous about the grief that was going to come with that, but it was actually so beautiful and continues to be,” Bush explains during the same sit-down.
Bush, who took up the mantle of The Original Series’ Christine Chapel from the late Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, continued during the same sit-down by saying:
“My feeling when they called cut on my last scene was just one of, I just can’t believe I got to experience this in my life. This is so, so special. To be able to make this kind of art with these kind of artists and be a part of this legacy and bring this wonderful character to life again has been such a gift. And I don’t feel like I’m clinging onto her or the feeling is not painful. It’s just one of immense gratitude and excitement for what comes after this.”
I’m delighted Chapel’s future is likely secure, but I am very worried about what happens to La’An after Strange New Worlds. After all, something tragic like La’An’s death would require a box of tissues, in my opinion. Now, what did you think about Bush’s warning about Strange New Worlds season 5? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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