CHICAGO (AP) – J.J. Abrams says “Star Trek” has to be sexy to keep with the “original spirit of the series.”

Abrams tells Playboy that in the first movie, he had fun with the idea that Uhura and Spock were a couple. He says “Star Trek Into Darkness” “takes that further and asks how that’s possible.” He says they explore what Uhura could see in Spock.

As for what Spock could see in Uhura? Abrams says she’s played by Zoe Saldana, of course.

Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 17.