Put on your fancy duds for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues.” We’ve got a new love interest, a shared delusion, and a wedding crasher of questionable origin. It’s a lot to take in, plus we’ve got a few callbacks to Star Trek: The Original Series. Make sure your feet are perfectly warm and your glass is topped off as we settle in for a double dose of Star Trek this week. Join me for my review of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues.”
Who is our Wedding Crasher?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues” works in a few call backs to Star Trek: The Original Series. The first is our “wedding crasher,” as Korby calls him. Based on his costuming, whimsy, and the appearance of a ball of light at the end of the episode, I think it’s fair to call Rhys Darby’s character Trelane. If you’re new to Star Trek and don’t know who that is, go check out Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1 Episode 18 “The Squire of Gothos.” The other thing this appearance confirms is something long speculated in the Star Trek fandom and explored in at least one Star Trek novel (Q-Squared by Peter David), is that Trelane is a Q. And how is that confirmed? We have John de Lancie voicing Trelane’s “father.” Is it said explicitly that Trelane is a Q? No, but if the audience isn’t supposed to interpret Trelane as a Q, then why cast John de Lancie? Rarely do we get to see a question in canon answered so clearly in new Trek. What do you think of this new development? Sound off in the comments section!
Rom-Com Beats
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues” brings back some of the rom-com beats we got last season in Season 2 Episode 5 “Charades.” This tracks since Jordan Canning directed both episodes. There are a lot of great comedy beats in this episode, and far too many to name here. However, a few highlights for me include Spock trying to make Sam Kirk punch him, in particular the “No one likes your mustache,” and “You have terrible taste in wine.” Additionally, his comments about Roger Korby are fantastic. When Trelane says, “Just look at him! He’s so handsome and smart and perfect. It’s annoying,” and Spock replies, “Yes, that makes perfect sense,” I lost it. Ethan Peck’s delivery is absolute perfection.
The other comedy goldmine in this episode is Martin Quinn’s Scotty. He’s “not much of a drinker,” but as soon as he tries some of that Vulcan food that Captain Pike prepared, watch him in the background reaching for some extra Saurian Brandy to wash it down. Then later, he and his new drinking buddy, Dr. M’Benga, grab a couple of pints of Guinness. Now we see how Scotty would later build up his alcohol tolerance, which he’d be known for in Star Trek: The Original Series.
Finally, this seems to have closed the book on the whole Spock/Chapel relationship. It’s a bummer for the shippers, but at least things seem to have ended amicably. Spock cares for Christine, but knows that he can’t care for her or support her in the way she needs. It’s difficult to admit that, but he does, and it shows good growth for him. What do you think about this? Are Spock and Chapel done for good? Leave me a comment with your thoughts!
MORE: Read our review of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 1!
#MORETEGAS!
While it’s not her episode, my girl Erica Ortegas got a little more character development in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues.” We get a bit of humor with her in this episode with the line, “All weddings should be on the beach and everyone should be in shorts.” While it’s not how I did my wedding, I definitely wouldn’t be mad about attending one like that. Her interactions with Beto are all sweet and definitely very affectionate. I always wanted a kid brother, so I will enjoy living vicariously through their relationship. Also, with that conversation with the chancellor, it seems Beto might be joining the cast on a more long-term basis. I’m not mad about it. Mynor Luken is adorable and plays well as the fun kid brother to Erica.
Finally, when I have been beating the drum for #MORETEGAS for the past 3 years, I did NOT mean for them to give my girl PTSD! There are some notes that we see in this episode of that. She’s training with Beto at the beginning of the episode, and then when she’s walking down the hall with Uhura and Beto, she mentions that she just wants to have one drink and then get back to the training program. What is she training for, another Gorn attack? It seems like it, especially since the image of the Gorn in her head seems to loom heavy. I’m eager to see how she works out this trauma she’s experienced. Massive props to Melissa Navia for moving from comedy beats to dramatic beats easily in this episode. What sort of #MORETEGAS are you hoping for this season? Tell me more about it in the comments!
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues,” has a lot to like. We have a neat array of dress uniforms and dress clothes. The costuming is gorgeous for this episode. Big props to costume designer Bernadette Croft for these gorgeous looks. I especially love all the greens!
There are a few other tiny details I want to point out. Is there any significance to whom M’Benga is talking at the bar? I believe that particular alien is identified as the R’ongovian delegate in the end credits. Additionally, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the three-armed Edosian bartender! As someone with a bartending hobby, an extra hand would be fantastic for making a great drink. Props to Kira Guloien for playing Kelzing, the first Edosian we’ve seen in live-action Star Trek. I do hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of her.
Finally, it delights my 80s-loving, nostalgia-tinged heart that Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” is still getting played at celebrations. My professional experience as a DJ has shown me that people will move and groove to “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” 41 years later. I’m glad to see that 230+ years from now, people will still be moving and grooving to the same song. Good music is always transcendent.
What did you think of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 “Wedding Bell Blues”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will air on July 24, 2025, on Paramount+.
