Summary
Star Trek: Discoverywanted to do a musical episode for a long time, and Anthony Rapp regrets it was the cast ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsthat got to break that barrier and makeStar Trekhistory. “Subspace Rhapsody,“Star Trek’s first-ever musical episode, was directed by Dermot Downs, and written by Dana Horgan and Bill Wolkoff, with original songs composed by Tom Polce and Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo.Strange New Worlds' musical was a hit with critics and audiences, and the"Subspace Rhapsody” soundtrack even hit #1 on Apple Music’s Top 10.
In an exclusive interview withScreen Rant’s Deven McClure aboutStray Dogs: Orpheus, Anthony Rapp was asked about Star Trek:Strange New WorldsbeatingStar Trek: Discovery to a musical episode.Rapp says the idea of aStar Trek: Discoverymusical was floated"pretty early on"and he noted the vocal talents of hisStar Trek: Discoverycast.Alas, it wasStrange New Worldsthat got to have that historic honor. Read Rapp’s quote below:
I mean, we had been having people at conventions ask us about that from pretty early on. Because Wilson [Cruz] and I were in Rent together, Mary Wiseman can sing a bit, Sonequa [Martin-Green] wouldn’t advertise their singing, but they can sing, and Doug Jones can sing, so we were like, “We could do a musical episode.”
Obviously someone, somewhere was thinking about it in the Star Trek universe, but then Strange New Worlds got to do it, so yeah, I did feel a little bit like [disgruntled noise].
Star Trek Strange New Worlds Musical Episode Ending Explained
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode ended with a rousing grand finale where song was both the problem and the solution to save the galaxy.
Strange New Worlds' Musical Made Star Trek History
Star Trek: Discovery did show signs of musical greatness
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical was a high point and a watershed moment for Star Trek on Paramount+’s franchise. “Subspace Rhapsody” may be the most talked aboutStar Trek episode of the current era, and it has also inspired sing-along viewing parties at various conventions.Strange New Worlds' musical proved that there are no limits to what kind of storyStar Trekcan successfully present,and “Subspace Rhapsody” continues to be so popular thatStrange New Worldsis considering doing aBroadway version of theStar Trekmusical.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsactors Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Jess Bush, Melissa Navia, and Ethan Peck are also collaborating on new music outside of their series.
It is a shame thatStar Trek: Discoveryalso didn’t get to produce a musical episode.Star Trek: Discoveryshowed fleeting signs of their musical potential, such asEnsign Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity"in theStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2 episode, “An Obol for Charon”. Given Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz’s Broadway sensationRent, and the hidden singing talents ofStar Trek: Discovery’s cast, the Disco crew could have put on a musical showstopper that would also have brought the house down.
