EDITOR’S NOTE: This interview contains spoilers for ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 4, Episode 6, “Off Hour.”

This week’s episode of <em>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds</em> depicts one of the most intense hours faced by the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise throughout its four seasons. When the ship is ensnared in a perilous warp emergency, both the crew and the vessel are pushed to their limits physically and mentally. Written by Bill Wolkoff and directed by Dan Liu, “Off Hour” subjects our heroes to extreme trials, resulting in growth while also marking a pivotal moment for two central characters.

I spoke with Strange New Worlds stars Martin Quinn, portraying Scotty, and Babs Olusanmokun, playing M’Benga, about how their characters are irrevocably altered by the events of this episode. Olusanmokun elaborated on the compelling dynamic between Chapel and M’Benga, explaining why their relationship can endure so much, particularly in critical moments. Meanwhile, Quinn discussed Scotty’s gradual commitment to making the Enterprise his home and how this episode brings him closer to embodying the “miracle worker” that fans cherish from The Original Series. We also touched on last week’s remarkable Muppets-style episode and the challenges of recording audio for a puppet. You can watch the interview in the player above or read the transcript of our conversation below.

Bringing Two of ‘Strange New Worlds’ Best Dynamic Duos To Life

COLLIDER: One of the best dynamics on the show from the beginning has been M’Benga and Chapel. They’ve been through so much together, and this episode really pushes them to a breaking point. Why do you think it’s so important for him to push her to put down roots instead of just blindly following him?

BABS OLUSANMOKUN: Because he knows how she can be. He knows she really can neglect herself in a certain kind of way and is running in a way that he’s familiar with, also. I think he’s trying to save her, essentially, and say, “Hey, put down roots. These are good people. Stay here. I might be going off, but you definitely need to stay here. There’s no more running to do.” And I think he’s gotten to a place where he was very comfortable saying that to her. He’s seen enough evidence, and there is just enough love and care there that he would say that to her. He needed to say that to her.

Martin, I love the dynamic between Scotty and Pelia, as well, the sort of animosity, teacher’s pet trope turned on its head. What do you think that Scotty truly appreciates from learning from that relationship?

MARTIN QUINN: I feel like Pelia’s got this thing where she’s aware that something will happen. She’s, yeah, within a pickle, but it will either sort itself or the correct option that we need to follow will show itself. And I think that confidence that she has is something that Scotty, so far in Strange New Worlds, hasn’t quite got. You know what I mean? I think that she’s so laid back. He’s kind of the opposite, isn’t he? He’s quite uptight.

But at least that trust that we will solve this, I think that kind of trust is what he needs to trust a little bit more. I mean, that’s been his problem in Season 3 as well, wasn’t it? He didn’t trust anybody else to help. So, I think he kind of needs to trust that the answer will appear in front of him at some point. Maybe not right now, but soon.

Building off of that a little bit, Scotty’s relationships in this season in particular feel like they’ve had some big shifts. What does that say to you about him finally putting down roots on the Enterprise?

QUINN: He’s been the outsider during Season 3, but it’s great to see him slowly but surely making this his home. He’s got a lot to get over with what happened in the Stardiver, and he’s got to kind of accept now that this is his new family. He’ll have lost his family on the Stardiver, and then he’s moved away from his family that he does mention a couple of times in that episode. So, he’s got to kind of accept his new family, and it’s beautiful to see him—and for me to experience it—that he’s slowly accepted the Enterprise as his home.

Babs Olusanmokun Breaks Down M’Benga and Chapel’s Most Painful Episode Yet

“I think he was very, very deeply grateful for that.”

Babs, you spend a lot of this episode pinned down by that medical table. I would love to hear about the logistics of filming that and hiding your legs and the progression of the gore makeup through the episode.

OLUSANMOKUN: Wow. Well, they built this apparatus like a different table essentially and reconstructed it below [for] my legs. I needed help to get into it and help to get out. They tried to make it as easy as possible for me. The production designers did a fantastic job. What we thought would be the best way ended up going in a different direction than expected. There was quite a bit going into making it comfortable and ensuring I could sit there for hours while managing all the gore effects—it was challenging yet rewarding.

I love that. We’ve had a two-hander between you and Jess [Bush] each season. What was the biggest challenge of turning that conflict inward towards each other rather than facing an external conflict together?

OLUSANMOKUN: At least for this episode it’s a conflict we know will resolve itself eventually because they care deeply for each other as colleagues who share a significant history together. She wasn’t going to let him go or let him down—he wanted her safe like “Be gone! I’m good here.” There’s something profound between them—if they can’t take care of their relationship then who are they? Their shared history as combat medics on board Enterprise creates an environment where they can communicate truthfully while seeking what’s best for one another.

I think this episode encapsulates it well—it’s like “I can save you.” “No you can’t—we’re both going to die.” “No! I can save you!” She convinces him ultimately leading him to feel very deeply grateful for her actions.

Martin, I feel like Scotty’s true understanding of the Enterprise as his ship and deeper connection is established in this episode—especially when he feels the hull in the Jefferies tube. Can you talk about that shift in him?

QUINN: I think it’s realizing that answers aren’t always found in textbooks—situations arise unexpectedly requiring presence rather than panic—that’s likely a lesson we all could benefit from learning! That’s part of his journey—he becomes known as miracle worker after embracing lessons like these—listening attentively without panicking while following Pelia’s example.

Martin Quinn Had One Unexpected Problem With Scotty’s ‘Strange New Worlds’ Puppet

“I was losing my mind.”

Lastly going back briefly—we had an amazing puppet episode this season too! I’m curious how much fun you had making it—and did you want your own puppet at home?

QUINN: [Laughs] It was great fun! I had scenes both as myself and then later had voiceovers added over puppeteers’ performances which turned out grueling hours spent trying matching lips with dialogue—it felt chaotic at times! How did you find it Babs? For me personally—I felt like I was losing my mind!

OLUSANMOKUN: No—I remember being surprised at how little work I needed compared with expectations! Apart from major scenes on set or ADR work—it felt lighter than anticipated overall.

QUINN: For me though—I was losing my mind trying ensuring my lines matched up with puppeteer’s mouth movements since he had an accent different from mine—trying syncing everything felt overwhelming! Huge shoutout goes out especially towards sound engineers who were patient during those sessions!

The new episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds air on Paramount+ every Thursday—stay tuned at Collider for more updates.