Summary
- Bill Wolkoff explains the real-world science behind the musical episode in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, "Subspace Rhapsody."
- The USS Enterprise creates a musical reality in the galaxy with a song sent into a subspace rift, resolved with a grand finale number.
- Scientific research shows a potential for a musical reality forming in the distant future, inspired by a book about the heat death of the universe.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds writer Bill Wolkoff gives the real-world scientific explanation for Star Trek's first-ever musical, "Subspace Rhapsody". Wolkoff co-wrote Strange New Worlds' musical episode with Dana Horgan, which was directed by Dermot Downs. In "Subspace Rhapsody," the USS Enterprise sending a song into a subspace rift created a new musical reality that began to affect the entire galaxy, until the Starship Enterprise crew's grand finale musical number, "We Are One," managed to seal the rift.
Joining other screenwriters for Variety's A Night in the Writers' Room, Bill Wolkoff delved into his scientific research behind Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical, and how eons from now, it's possible that a musical reality could spontaneously form. Check out Bill's clip on his X account (@flying_lobster) below:
Melissa Navia, who plays Lt. Erica Ortegas in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, backs Bill Wolkoff's scientific explanation for Star Trek's musical reality on her X account (@melissaCnavia):
A Scientific Basis Is Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Musical's Secret Weapon
"Subspace Rhapsody" is a Star Trek episode through and through
When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode was announced, it was understandable if viewers feared it would be a gimmick and the crew of the USS Enterprise would be made to look ridiculous singing and dancing. However, while the musical performances of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' cast were overall excellent, one of the secret weapons that made "Subspace Rhapsody" work was that the songs allowed the Enterprise crew to vocalize their innermost feelings, paying off character arcs that have been ongoing since Strange New Worlds' premiere.
Real-world science is the basis of much of Star Trek since Star Trek: The Original Series.
Bill Wolkoff explaining there was real science-based research into how Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could have a musical reality is icing on the cake. While Star Trek certainly has fantasy elements along with its science fiction trappings, real-world science is the basis of much of Star Trek since Star Trek: The Original Series. Wolkoff's research proves Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical is a true Star Trek episode through and through.
