A temporal anomaly took “Strange New Worlds” into the “Star Trek” original-series era in its season 4 finale, where Paul Wesley played a more decisive Captain Kirk and Jess Bush brought Chapel closer to her TOS portrayal, the actors told TV Insider.
Bush said the writers slightly adjusted Chapel’s dialogue to reflect an older version, while costumes and hair helped shape the portrayal. Looking ahead to the fifth and final season, she teased: “Bring your box of tissues.”
The episode also has Uhura meet another version of herself before the two switch places. Wesley said the story further develops Kirk and Uhura’s bond, which he described as one of the series’ most important relationships, alongside Kirk and Spock.
