Jack Quaid's Cross-Generational Star Trek Cameo, Worth the Wait!

Summary

Jack Quaid's crossover appearance in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a long-awaited win for the franchise, showcasing his talent in live-action.

Quaid's portrayal of Boimler in the crossover episode was exceptional, infusing both comedy and emotional depth into his interactions with the rest of the cast.

Star Trek must seize the chance to reintroduce Quaid in upcoming live-action endeavors, recognizing his versatility and the possibilities for further crossovers involving animated characters.

Jack Quaid's appearance on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a highly-anticipated and long-awaited moment for the franchise. The crossover episode with Star Trek: Lower Decks, titled "Those Old Scientists," in season 2 was a highlight. Ensigns Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimler accidentally time-traveled to the 23rd century and encountered the USS Enterprise crew. Boimler, portrayed by Quaid, stole the show in this episode, bringing humor and heart to his role. It was a significant achievement for Quaid to bring his character from Star Trek: Lower Decks into the live-action Star Trek universe.

Why Jack Quaid’s Live-Action Star Trek Crossover Appearance Is Long Overdue

With Jack Quaid's immense popularity both within and beyond the Star Trek franchise, it is astonishing that his live-action appearance in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds did not happen sooner. Quaid's exceptional acting skills have propelled him to great success in his recent career, particularly with his roles in The Boys, Scream, and Oppenheimer. Notably, Oppenheimer premiered alongside the Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks crossover, underscoring Quaid's high demand in the industry. Despite being part of Star Trek since 2020, the franchise has yet to fully utilize Quaid's immense capabilities.

Despite Jack Quaid's impressive voice acting contributions to Star Trek: Lower Decks for the past three years, some fans of the franchise might not have had the chance to experience his talent since it is not the most popular modern Star Trek show. Given Quaid's rising fame, it is perplexing that the franchise did not seize the opportunity to bring him into the live-action realm earlier. The recent Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks crossover episode showcased Quaid's incredible acting prowess, further underscoring the fact that Star Trek has not provided Quaid with the platform he truly deserves to exhibit his abilities.

Star Trek Needs To Bring Back Live-Action Jack Quaid

Given Jack Quaid's demonstrated talent in all mediums, Star Trek should seize the opportunity to bring him back to live-action soon. The crossover episode between Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks highlighted the equal legitimacy of animated Star Trek, thus paving the way for potential crossovers with animated characters in the future. With this revelation and Quaid's evident skill, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds should not mark the final appearance of live-action Brad Boimler.

Fortunately, Boimler hails from the 24th century, which serves as the primary backdrop for the Star Trek timeline. While certain modern series, such as Strange New Worlds and Discovery, have explored the 23rd century, others like Picard and Lower Decks have pushed the franchise forward into the later 24th and even the 25th centuries. This flexibility enables Jack Quaid's return in future live-action projects with ease, as Boimler would still be very much alive in the early 25th century, armed with a wealth of captivating tales after two additional decades in Starfleet.