WARNING: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody."

It feels like Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) and Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) just got together on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but the musical episode "Subspace Rhapsody" sees the apparent end of the pair's relationship. The seeds for their break-up were planted a couple of episodes before, though, in the Lower Decks crossover episode, "Those Old Scientists." When Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) ends up on Captain Pike's Enterprise, he is confused by Spock's more human-like behavior. He makes the mistake of talking to Nurse Chapel about it only to realize that she is the reason Spock has been exploring his humanity.

The end of Spock and Chapel's relationship is not entirely on Boimler, as the couple also had some rocky interactions in "Under the Cloak of War." When a former Klingon War General visits the Enterprise, it causes Christine to relive painful memories of her time on the front lines of the Klingon War. Spock is unsure how to help her and this causes more tension in their relationship. In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode Chapel breaks up with Spock with a catchy song and dance number, choosing to prioritize her career over her relationship with him. While Ensign Boimler may not have been entirely responsible, he certainly did not help matters.

Spock & Chapel’s Breakup Is Partially Jack Quaid’s Boimler’s Fault

When Boimler stops Nurse Chapel in the turbolift to ask her about Spock in the Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover, he does not realize that the two are dating. By the time he realizes his mistake, he has already revealed too much. With this conversation, Chapel begins to realize that while Spock may want to explore his human side now, that will not always be the case. She recognizes that the legendary Spock with which Boimler is familiar has chosen to suppress his emotions and fully embrace his Vulcan side. Christine knows this means that their relationship cannot last, and this causes her to begin to push Spock away.

When Chapel discovers that she has been accepted into Dr. Roger Korby's fellowship in "Subspace Rhapsody," she realizes how much she wants to take advantage of that opportunity. She accepts that this would mean leaving Spock behind on the Enterprise. Since Boimler already suggested to her that her relationship with Spock was destined to fail, Christine chooses to embrace her future rather than work on a relationship that cannot last. If Boimler had been able to keep his mouth shut, Spock and Chapel's relationship might have taken a different direction.

Related: Is Jess Bush's Nurse Christine Chapel Leaving Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?

What Happens Next To Spock & Chapel In Strange New Worlds

Audiences who know Star Trek: The Original Series may be familiar with the name Dr. Roger Korby. By the time of TOS, Nurse Chapel is engaged to Dr. Korby, and the timeline of Strange New Worlds is quickly approaching the time of their engagement. After "Subspace Rhapsody," Christine seems ready to accept the fellowship with Dr. Korby, and she will apparently develop feelings for him. Not to be outdone by Christine's big musical number in "Subspace Rhapsody," Spock also gets his moment to shine. Unfortunately, his song is much more heartbreaking.

After Spock learns how Christine feels, he shares his own feelings with Ensign Uhura. His musical number shows the beginnings of his decision to reject human emotions and embrace the Vulcan way of life. Spock struggles to deal with the pain of his break-up with Chapel and he vows to renew his dedication to reason and logic. While the exact future of Spock and Chapel has not yet been revealed on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the two have set out on different paths and were always destined to grow apart.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 finale streams August 10 on Paramount+.