Saddle Up! 23: Emotional Whiplash

“Wedding Bell Blues”

Nurse Chapel wraps up her three-month fellowship with Dr. Roger Korby by returning to the Enterprise to celebrate Federation Day with a big glass of … awkward! It’s a spirit the ship’s Vulcan bartender can work with, especially since he turns out to be none other than galactic trickster Trelane. But he’s not just a drink slinger, he’s also a wedding planner—and an Andorian. At least that’s how he appears to Spock and the rest of the crew as they prepare for a celebration of his and Chapel’s love for one another. Korby, channeling Guinan à la “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” realizes that the timeline has changed. And while he manages to snap Spock out of the delusion, they can’t get anyone else on board, at least not until the last moment when Daddy Q shows up to scold junior.

In this episode of Saddle Up! hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our journey through Strange New Worlds with “Wedding Bell Blues.” We discuss Chapel's character arc, contrast her and Spock's relationship with that of Pike and Batel, question the story's tone, and, of course, delve into the return of the lonely squire of Gothos.

Chapters

Intro (0:00:00)
Chapel Don't Care (00:02:34)
Wrong Focus? (00:11:01)
Teeing Up TOS? (00:14:16)
Mature vs. Teenage Relationship (00:19:43)
Of Course He's Trelane (00:24:46)
Emotional Whiplash (00:35:33)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:39:32)
Closing (00:47:52)

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production

C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)