Star Trek: Strange New Worlds committed a mishap in season two by trying to throw an ill-conceived musical into their series. For some reason, the folks running the franchise forgot what show they were on and decided to play into the wholly unfounded and perpetually disproven myth that "Star Trek can be any genre". The musical episode amused some but annoyed everyone else. Whether due to its poor songs, bad story, or just flat-out forgetting what and who this franchise is for.
The episode, entitled "Subspace Rhapsody" has just a 6.8 on IMDB. The second-lowest of the series. A sure sign that the fandom did not enjoy this episode. Some fans enjoyed it, and it does have its defenders. It's not terrible, especially with the franchise finding new and bold ways to disappoint the fanbase.
Yet, like wondering how hot a ghost pepper would actually be to eat, finding out what a musical episode looked like was a mistake. It hurt the show's reputation some, shaking the faith that many had in the show, now keenly aware that they may take further unnecessary risks and alienate the fanbase again and again.
They'll take another bold risk for season three, a new seasonal stable that no one is looking forward to. After all, the other "big risk" that Strange New Worlds took in season one flopped as well. That episode, the "Elysian Kingdom" also divided the fanbase. It currently is the least-liked episode on IMDB with a 6.2.
Maybe the next "risky episode" will be good, but who's to say? If Star Trek has proven anything as of late, it's best to air on the side of caution and assume the worst. After all, Section 31 proved to us all of us that just because it says "Star Trek", doesn't mean it should.
The only saving grace? No musicals. The composer for Strange New Worlds, Nami Melumad, has gone on record with Screen Rant (via CBR) revealing that while there will be "surprises", there won't be any more musical episodes. At least for season three.
Melumad has done a good job on the show, as the musical scores for the show really do embrace classic Star Trek, something that shows have gotten away from since it returned as a series in 2017. Still, the fewer musical episodes the better. Especially with how divisive they are.
We're not sure what is coming next for the show but we're hoping that this season's "bold" episode is better than the last two.