It's Star Trek, Jim, but not as we knew it!

Which is presumably what Spock would have remarked to Captain Kirk on hearing the venerable show had crossed the final frontier and used the f-bomb for the first time in its 50-year history.

Dropped completely unexpectedly in the middle of a casual exchange between two characters, the word 'f***ing' detonated like a photon torpedo during Sunday's Star Trek: Discovery- the latest incarnation of the family show.

The show, which is billed as a 'grittier' version of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi stalwart, entered an undiscovered country with the use of the word, setting social media alight.

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Star Trek: Discovery shocked fans on Sunday night when the F-bomb was detonated like a photon torpedo during a casual exchange between Lt Paul Staments and Sylvia Tilly

During the exchange, Tilly, played by Mary Wiseman, says to Lt Staments, played by Anthony Rapp: 'That was so f***ing cool.' After an awkward pause she apologizes, then he responds 'No cadet, it is so f***ing cool'

The exchange happened on the fifth episode of the show during an interaction between Paul Staments, portrayed by Anthony Rapp, and Sylvia Tilly, played by Mary Wiseman.

When the pair make a major scientific breakthrough, Cadet Tilly turns to Lt Staments to say: 'That was so f***ing cool.'

After an awkward pause Tilly apologizes, only to have Staments turn back to her to say: 'No cadet, it is so f***ing cool.'

Until Sunday's episode no TV series or movie had strayed away from the very strict PG-13 guidelines- but Discovery producers seemingly made the shift in an attempt to make the show more adult.

Other changes to Gene Roddenbery's formula include sexy Klingons, inner Starfleet drama and even war.

The show, which is billed as a 'gritty' and more 'realistic' version of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi stalwart, entered an undiscovered country with the use of the word, setting social media alight

Until the episode no TV series or movie had strayed away from the very strict PG-13 guidelines - but made shift along with some other changes to Gene Roddenbury's Formula in an attempt to make the show more adult

Rapp told IndieWire that the actors embraced and had a blast with the profanity.

'We were aware of it, and we embraced it, and we had a blast with it,' he said.

'These people just put their brains to work in a really tough way and they had a breakthrough. And I imagine there's scientists in their labs who might do that any time.

'We didn't drop the F-bomb in Star Trek by telling someone to go f*** themselves. It's like we did it by saying "this is fucking cool.'"

This season wasn't the first time profanity was used in the show at all though - as any seasoned fan will remind you that classic character Dr McCoy's catchphrase was 'Dammit, Jim!'

And earlier in the season Lieutenant Tenant Michael Burnham says 'sh*t' when something goes wrong.

The first ever use of the word f*** on American television was when Charles Rocket said it on SNL in 1981. He was fired after the fact. But the first time it was ever said on live television in general was by British theater critic Kenneth Peacock Tynan in 1965 during a late night debate on BBC-3.

But devout Star Trek fans weren't so sure how to feel about the detour from the norm

Twitter user HL Dancler said the use of profanity made the new Star Trek seem more like The Sopranos

Another user said his main issue with it is that it will keep him from letting his kids watch the show

Other fans though had much more fun with the profanity, making jokes about what will come next in the show

But devout Star Trek fans weren't so sure how to feel about the detour from the norm.

One Twitter user wrote: 'When did @startrek (Discovery) turn into @thesopranos? Excessive violence; unnecessary, ugly language-swearing; conflicts among the crew. Bring on #CBSAllAccess does not give the show's producers the fight to ignore Gene Roddenbery's original version.'

Another dissatisfied fan wrote: 'Swearing in Star Trek: I get that they want it to come of age. Bit sad, though, when you don't want your kids to see it.'

Others, though, had some fun with the loose language.

'Woah, there's swearing in star trek now? Will they be showing boobies and willies soon? Alien ones I hope,' one Twitter user joked.