We finally got the Muppets episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds! Okay, technically they’re just puppets—that’s how they refer to themselves. But the Henson company made them, so they’re at least Muppet-adjacent.
In episode five, “Level-Five Transporter Accident,” the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise is headed to Vulcan, where Spock plans to spend some time studying logic. However, there are pirates in the area, so the Enterprise slows down.
When the episode opens, Spock is with Scotty. Scotty is trying to extend the transporter’s range, but he needs something to test it on, so he pulls out Little Ricky, an old puppet he says his brothers used to hide in his room to scare the “stuffing” out of him. Spock eyes the doll warily before excusing himself for a meeting with La’An.
Spock and La’An are supposed to practice dancing, but La’An calls it off. Spock is disappointed; he says it helped him “quiet his mind.” She admits she has been struggling since the Griffin. He apologizes for not being there for her, but she turns it into a good old-fashioned break-up. “There is no tragedy in a romance reaching its natural conclusion.” That’s a line to remember, folks!
Pike comes onto the bridge and waves off Chin-Riley, who is keeping an eye out for pirates. He’s more excited about his new chair. Pelia designed it herself and engineering set it up just a few hours ago.
Spock is meditating in his room until he hears screams (all in his head). He stops and video chats with T’Pring instead. He tells her that his time on the Griffin was difficult and he planned to spend time on Vulcan but…
T’Pring assumes she was the next best option, which Spock admits. T’Pring suggests that Spock’s trouble with logic may stem from serving on a ship of chaos. She offers to come aboard and help him with his problems, but she has two requests: first, he must arrange transport for her. Second, she requires there not be any hijinks while she is aboard. Spock says he will do his best.
We then see Spock on the shuttle. Scotty calls him back, saying T’Pring is already there. Scotty takes Little Ricky onto the transporter deck, saying he plans to “make history.” He turns on the transporter and Little Ricky seems to disappear… but then there’s a transporter malfunction, complete with blaring alarms and blinking lights.
Throughout the ship, everyone is affected by the transporter issue, and seems to disappear. Then the entire ship disappears, which worries Spock, who is still in the shuttle. He radios in to the Enterprise, but can’t get anyone to answer him. Suddenly, the Enterprise returns. Spock flies back to the ship and goes looking for the crew. He’s stunned—as is the entire crew—to discover they’re all puppets. Even T’Pring. This definitely violates her “no hijinks” policy.
The crew gathers to discuss what happened. Everyone is a puppet, except for Spock. Scotty insists it’s just a transporter malfunction, but Spock points out it was a level-five accident. Scotty sheepishly says at least it wasn’t a level six. Spock attempts to logically explain what happened, but the crew is way beyond that. Pike assigns Scotty to figure out a solution. Doc says this is also a medical problem.
Chin-Riley points out that, now that they’re puppets, they can’t do anything they would normally be able to do. La’An can’t operate any of the weapons. Uhura’s fingers can’t operate the communications console. In fact, nothing on the ship recognizes their fingers. Everyone turns to Spock, realizing that he’s the only one who can manage the ship.
Pike hops on a video call with Admiral April, who is astounded. April offers to send a support ship, but the closest one is two days away. April warns Pike not to let anyone else know they’re puppets. Pike has no problem with that, and they sign off. Pike then tries to give Spock access to his special new chair but it can’t recognize his hand.
Spock then arrives in the transport room to assist Scotty and La’An with fixing the transporter, but it doesn’t work. To make things even worse, La’An’s arm pops off in the process. They head over to the med bay, where Spock sews La’An’s arm back on while Doc and Chapel look on in fascination. No blood, no lasting damage.
La’An tells Spock that she realized she can’t become what she has feared as long as she’s a puppet. Spock admits he has felt “frazzled.” She asks if he has talked to T’Pring since she became a puppet. He hasn’t, so he leaves to do just that.
T’Pring isn’t happy, though she admits the puppet thing isn’t Spock’s fault. He gets a slew of calls from crew members who need his help, which triggers a panic attack. In response, T’Pring slaps him and says he can’t help everyone. Spock thanks her, finding her helpful even as a puppet. She slaps him again, telling him that gratitude is irrelevant, before storming away.
