Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Episode 2 Ending Explained

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Episode 2 Ending Explained: Kirk, Spock & La’an Face Personal Horrors Image credit: Paramount+ Published Jul 30, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 2 - "The Griffin Incident"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4's horror episode is a nail-biter that left members of the Starship Enterprise crew deeply unsettled but left many questions unresolved. With odes to Event Horizon, The Shining, and other horror classics, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "The Griffin Incident" emphasized an eerie fear factor over logic. Directed by Axelle Carolyn and written by Robbie Thompson, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, "The Griffin Incident," left Lieutenant La'an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong), Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), and Lt. Commander James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) deeply unsettled after their ordeal on the derelict ghost ship, the USS Griffin. Missing for nine years, the USS Griffin trapped La'an, Kirk, and Spock aboard with a malevolent entity that took the form of Lt. Rose Harper (Sorika Wolf), the Griffin's Security Chief. The Griffin isolated the three Starfleet Officers and preyed on their inner demons, with a special emphasis on bringing out "the monster" in La'an. The USS Griffin’s Haunting Was Left Unresolved Image credit: Paramount+ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4's "The Griffin Incident" had plenty of scares and set up many questions, but there were few satisfying answers about the USS Griffin's haunting. The malignant entity that infected the lost starship was never defined or named. It's unclear if what possessed the Griffin was a ghost, an alien, or a supernatural cosmic force, and simply beaming off the Griffin let La'an, Spock, and Kirk escape its reach. La'an, Spock, and Kirk, along with the viewers, learned not to trust what they were seeing, although the Griffin gradually broke the Starfleet trio. Still, by the time the USS Enterprise beamed Kirk, Spock, and La'an away from the Griffin, it was hand-waved that most of the horrors they experienced were hallucinations and didn't happen. For instance, James T. Kirk watched his brother, Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), die by being blown into the vacuum of space. In truth, Sam is fine because he is away on shore leave. Yet early in "The Griffin Incident," La'an and Kirk see that their shuttle craft was destroyed. But was it? Or was that just one of the Griffin's many illusions and hallucinations? Most of what Kirk, Spock, and La'an experienced on the USS Griffin, including Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn), Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and Lt. Sam Kirk beaming aboard, wasn't real. However, the physical trauma Spock, Kirk, and La'an inflicted on themselves or each other was real. Strange New Worlds Turns La’an Into The Villain She Fears She Is Image credit: Paramount+ Via Rose Harper, the USS Griffin's evil targeted La'an, who was Harper's equivalent as Security Chief. The Griffin knew that La'an was keeping her fears that she was changed by becoming a Vulcan in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, and that she is concealing the possibility that she's becoming more like her ancestor, Khan (Ricardo Montalban). Although La'an tried to fight the Griffin's possession of her, she eventually succumbed and tried to kill three of her USS Enterprise crewmates. La'an set the transporter to beam Ortegas into herself, she tried to stab Uhura, and she drove her dagger into James T. Kirk's midsection. Of the three incidents, only Kirk was real and nearly died from his wound. Captain Pike didn't include La'an nearly murdering Kirk in his official Starfleet report, easing her conscience by telling her about his childhood experience with a ghost haunting. Yet "The Griffin Incident" shows the apparition of Rose Harper watching La'an from the window of the USS Griffin and shushing her to keep it a secret. The potential transformation of La'an into the villain she always dreaded is an ongoing saga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 The potential transformation of La'an into the villain she always dreaded is an ongoing saga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4. Rose Harper and La'an at the end of "The Griffin Incident" implies that this story is "To be continued..." and whatever haunted the Griffin could return to affect La'an. Spock Is Confronted By His Unresolved Issues With His Vulcan Fiancée Image credit: Paramount+ To attack Spock, the USS Griffin entity created a manifestation of T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), his former Vulcan fiancée. Spock's logic didn't waver that T'Pring was not real, and that her attempts to convince him with facts about them were pulled from his memories. T'Pring then stopped the mind games and stunned Spock with a phaser before strapping him onto a bio-bed. T'Pring's last appearance was in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Charades," when their engagement ended and Spock pursued romance with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). Of course, the real T'Pring didn't appear in "The Griffin Incident." The horrors that the Griffin's evil inflicted on Spock were derived from his ongoing inner conflict over his Vulcan and human sides. The twist in "The Griffin Incident" is that Spock secretly feels that it's his Vulcan side holding him back, not his humanity. T'Pring cut off Spock's pointed ears and tried to perform surgery to move his heart to where it would be if he were human. However, it becomes clear that the Griffin made Spock cut his own ears off. Similarly, Captain Pike and Una did not actually come to Sickbay to rescue him, only for Pike to betray the Vulcan and insane chop his own fingers off. Pike and Number One were never aboard the Griffin. Safely back aboard the USS Enterprise, Nurse Chapel surgically repaired Spock's pointed ears. However, Spock did not confide in his ex-girlfriend and simply stated that he was fine when the Vulcan Science Officer clearly is not. Beyond his ordeal aboard the Griffin, his unresolved issues with T'Pring, and inner turmoil about his Vulcan and human sides, Spock is also concerned that La'an, his romantic partner, is growing distant. Kirk Nearly Dies After Facing His Guilt Over His Son Image credit: Paramount+ Although Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, did not show David Marcus, James T. Kirk's son, "The Griffin Incident" offers the most exploration of how James' feelings towards failing David as a father since Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Before encountering the USS Griffin, Kirk felt guilty about skipping a weekend with David to attend a United Federation of Planets conference so he could meet an Admiral he admires. Kirk choosing his own career over his young son is guilt the future Enterprise Captain harbors, represented by a little toy robot James didn't give David. The Griffin entity preyed on this to torture Kirk. Lt. Sam Kirk never beamed aboard the USS Griffin and died, which creates questions about when Sam shared his own guilt with Jim over choosing the USS Enterprise over his wife and sons, including Peter Kirk. When Sam tells his brother about how he calls his kids every night and says that he'll see them in their dreams, it is likely pulled from a previous conversation the Kirks had about fatherhood. Sam and James Kirk shared a drink in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3's finale, so perhaps they talked about fatherhood then. It took four seasons, but Star Trek: Strange New Worlds acknowledging that Sam Kirk has a family is a welcome nod to canon. David Marcus, and possibly Carol Marcus as well, will reportedly appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, so there's more about Kirk's regrets over being an absent father to come. Meanwhile, La'an did indeed stab James Kirk in the midsection and nearly murdered him. Kirk and La'an were beamed aboard the USS Enterprise just in time for La'an to come to her senses before finishing Kirk off. Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) saved Kirk's life with surgery. However, "The Griffin Incident" left La'an and Kirk hanging, and didn't deal with the fallout of her trying to kill James. Kirk will simply disappear until his next guest spot in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, where perhaps there will be an aftermath with La'an. Strange New Worlds Introduces Star Trek’s X-Files Division Image credit: Paramount+ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 formally revealed that Starfleet has its own version of The X-Files. Originally mentioned in an off-the-cuff comment by Lt. Erica Ortegas in Strange New Worlds' season 4 premiere, Starfleet's X-Files is called Division 12. Stardate 47988.1 · Crew Assessment The Final FrontierTrivia Challenge 🚀ShipsEnterprise! ⭐CrewMake it so ☠EnemiesResistance is… ⚡TechWarp speed! 📖LoreLive long… ENGAGE → 01 The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk’s original Enterprise from The Original Series? ANCC-1701-D BNX-01 CNCC-1701 DNCC-74656 ✓ Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The “-D” suffix belongs to Picard’s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer’s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager. ✗ Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard’s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer’s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager. NEXT → 02 Kirk’s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character? AData BSpock CTuvok DSarek ✓ Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose “Live long and prosper” salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager’s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock’s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk’s Enterprise. NEXT → 03 Starfleet’s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called? AThe Temporal Accord BGeneral Order One CThe Omega Directive DThe Prime Directive ✓ Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet’s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations — though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake. ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While “General Order One” is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols. NEXT → 04 “Resistance is futile.” This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called? AThe Borg BThe Dominion CThe Romulans DSpecies 8472 ✓ Correct! The Borg are Star Trek’s most terrifying villains — a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode “The Best of Both Worlds.” ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare “Resistance is futile.” NEXT → 05 Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him? AWilliam Shatner BAvery Brooks CPatrick Stewart DScott Bakula ✓ Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain’s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His “Make it so” is one of TV’s most iconic catchphrases. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard. NEXT → 06 Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called? ATranswarp Drive BWarp Drive CSlipstream Drive DSpore Drive ✓ Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity’s first contact with the Vulcans. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive. NEXT → 07 At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it — by cheating. What is this test called? AThe Prometheus Trial BThe Omega Simulation CThe Corbomite Maneuver DThe Kobayashi Maru ✓ Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win — earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation — because he doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario. NEXT → 08 In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth’s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. “KHAAAAN!” Who is this iconic villain? AKhan Noonien Singh BGeneral Chang CQ DGul Dukat ✓ Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, is Star Trek’s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG’s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9’s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk’s legendary scream across the cosmos. REVEAL MY SCORE → Mission Complete Your Starfleet Record / 8 Are you an Admiral — or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty? ↻ RE-ENGAGE Division 12 is comprised of "Starfleet analysts" who explained various "unexplained phenomena." At the end of "The Griffin Incident," Division 12 arrived with a starship to tow the haunted USS Griffin away to their undisclosed headquarters. Perhaps Division 12 will resurface in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 and deliver answers missing from "The Griffin Incident." The concept of Division 12 is novel and could be the basis of an intriguing TV series where Starfleet agents investigate the countless weird and scary things that happen in outer space in Star Trek's universe. If pitched five years ago, when Star Trek on Paramount+ was aggressively expanding content, Division 12 could have been made into a series or a Paramount+ streaming movie. Perhaps the idea of Division 12 can survive and be made after Paramount+ settles plans for the future of Star Trek on streaming. Meanwhile, the rest of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 will hopefully delve into how La'an, Kirk, and Spock's ordeal in "The Griffin Incident" affected or changed them. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 streams new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+. Release Date 2022 - 2027-00-00 Network Paramount+ Showrunner Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman Directors Dan Liu, Amanda Row, Maja Vrvilo, Akiva Goldsman, Dermott Downs, Eduardo Sánchez, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jonathan Frakes, Jordan Canning, Leslie Hope, Valerie Weiss, Sydney Freeland, Christopher J. Byrne, Rachel Leiterman Writers Onitra Johnson Franchise(s) Star Trek Creator(s) Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet