In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 4, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) assigns Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) to test out new holodeck technology aboard the Starship Enterprise. While Lt. Scotty (Martin Quinn) works to keep the rest of the ship's systems up and running, La'an channels her inner detective, eventually recruiting Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) for assistance.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Confirmed Spock’s Ancestor Is Sherlock Holmes’ Creator
Spock Really Is Related To Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
When La'an first enters the holodeck, Spock is there to ensure the computer system is working properly. After La'an orders the computer to run the program, she marvels at the lifelike nature of her holographic surroundings, reveling in the chance to step into the shoes of her favorite fictional detective, Amelia Moon.
Before departing the holodeck, Spock looks to La'an and says, "Well, as my ancestor, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, would write, 'The game is afoot.'" This confirms that the creator of Sherlock Holmes is indeed Spock's ancestor, just as the half-Vulcan first suggested in Star Trek VI.
Since Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek, is a full Vulcan, this must mean that he is related to Conan Doyle through his human mother, Amanda Grayson.
Strange New Worlds Continues Star Trek’s Long History With Sherlock Holmes
TNG's Data Developed A Particular Fondness For The British Detective
Star Trek has a long history with Sherlock Holmes that began with Spock's shout-out in Star Trek VI. However, Star Trek's most significant reference to Holmes comes courtesy of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), who develops a fascination with the famous fictional detective and his stories.
Data discovers Sherlock Holmes in TNG season 1, which eventually leads him to take on the role of Holmes to solve a mystery on the holodeck in season 2's "Elementary, Dear Data." With Lt. Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) as his Dr. Watson, Data's Holmes faces off against a Professor Moriarty (Daniel Davis) whose existence threatens the entire Enterprise.