The Puppet Episode of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Is Finally Here

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.