#and Ethan flying towards the Gorn like he just wants to give it a big hug

[tinderbox210]

Christina Chong and Ethan Peck + behind the scenes season 2

[cozyforjate]

What a season finale?!!!

It was a great episode, probably one of the best of the season for me but damn, i hate cliffhangers! Especially when there's a strike going on and you have no idea when the next season will air!

But it is what is… The only thing we can do now is pray for the strike to be over as soon as possible.

AMPTP, please pay your writers and actors!

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So lets talk about Spock and Chapel (and a little bit about Pike&Batel)

!SPOILER WARNING!

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The episode starts with Batel and Chapel helping the colonists. We learn that Chapel left the Enterprise early to start her Fellowship with Dr. Korby and Cayuga is basically her ride.

Can i just say that i love how SNW portrays their female characters? Batel and Chapel are 2 women who are really good at their jobs, love helping people, ambitious, strong, beautiful and charming!

The episode made a clear parallel between 2 relationships: Spock&Chapel and Pike&Batel.

At the beginning of the episode Batel and Chapel’s fates were unknown, both Spock and Pike were worried about losing the women that they love, but refused to give up hope and they were both ready to do whatever it takes to save them.

Both couples reunite at some point in the episode. Pike&Batel’s hug is lovely and sweet. Spock&Chapel holding each other’s hands in space is a beautiful and almost poetic moment. That scene was designed to look visually stunning and it did!

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If we quickly remember the status of both relationships:

Batel had a bumpy relationship with Pike at first, she even walked out on him bcoz just like Chapel, Pike had issues maintaining a serious relationship. But unlike Spock&Chapel, Pike&Batel fixed their problems bcoz Pike noticed his errors, they talked, they understood each other and made up!

Spock and Chapel still haven’t done that and we have to wait for season 3 to see them properly communicate again. But there’s still HOPE for them.

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“Hope” is one of the main themes of the episode. We have seen different characters talk about “hope” and use it as a motivation to keep fighting.

Una to Spock:

“I would never tell you not to hope.”

Pike to La’an:

“Sometimes... hope is a choice.”

Despite every single fact pointing to Christine’s death, Spock chooses not to lose hope.

“and Nurse Chapel, who I HOPE made it to the surface as well.”

“I have not given in to grief yet. Logic dictates we do not know Chapel's or Batel's fate. And until we do, the best chance we have to save them is if Enterprise takes out the Gorn's interference field.”

Hope is the thing that keeps him going. And i think, one of the reasons why he insisted he should be the one doing the space mission is bcoz he really believed that it might help save Christine’s life (and others').

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The zero gravity Gorn fight was amazing. Spock and Chapel defeating the Gorn together was so satisfying to me!

After that, they move towards each other and have an “almost” space hug. Beautiful! And then they slowly fly up together. The filming of the whole scene is breathtaking. Feels like a space dance in EV suits. As a big piece of Cayuga falls down, they reach for each other’s hands at the same time and hold so tight! Aww. The music, the scene… You get the sense that there’s HOPE. Against Gorn but also for Spock and Chapel too.

They energize still holding hands. Chapel seems pretty shook and Spock intensely watches her. He must be feeling so many things at once in that moment.

The way Spock loves Chapel is too pure.  He would do anything for her. ANYTHING. Vulcan emotions are stronger than human emotions. That’s why they suppress them. And what happens when they choose not to suppress them? Take a look at Spock! Ethan Peck has been doing an amazing job portraying a half Vulcan-half Human in love. But perhaps his feelings for Chapel can not even be described with the word love.

I have no words for what I feel.

Bcoz it’s more.

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Anyway, before they go Spock stops her. He wants to apologize but she doesn't let him. She tells him that they'll have time later. She smiles at him, eyes shining, holding his arm… Spock recognizes that look and that smile. Its Christine. His Christine. And he smiles back. There’s HOPE.

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Look guys, I don’t know if they’ll break up or decide to try again. All i know is, Spock and Chapel love each other. Despite their differences, despite Boimler’s “you’re doomed” BS, despite Chapel’s struggle with relationships&deep trauma, despite Spock’s struggle with human emotions… They LOVE each other. Feelings are there and not going anywhere.

Star Trek loves “on again - off again” relationships. So i predict Spapel be the new on/off relationship that will last for as long as the show goes on.