Mind-Blowing Finale Unveiled: Unraveling the Epic Crossover Conclusion in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 7 - "Those Old Scientists"

In the crossover episode between Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, Ensigns Brad Boimler and Beckett Mariner return to the 24th century after imparting valuable life lessons to Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and written by Kathryn Lyn, Bill Wolkoff, and Mike McMahan, Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 7, titled "Those Old Scientists," brilliantly combines animation with live-action to deliver hilarious and heartwarming moments that celebrate the generations of Star Trek.

The main challenge of the crossover episode is to find a way for Ensigns Boimler and Mariner to return to the 24th century. However, complications arise when the Orions steal the time portal from Krulmuth-B, which had brought the Lower Deckers to the 23rd century. Additionally, the Enterprise lacks the horonium necessary to power the portal. Boimler and Mariner unknowingly cause chaos with their future knowledge, particularly with Lt. Spock, Number One, Ensign Nyota Uhura, and Captain Christopher Pike. Despite these obstacles, the time travelers from Star Trek: Lower Decks successfully make it back home, and the implications of their journey have significant ramifications for both shows.

Captain Archer's NX-01 Enterprise Is The Key To Mariner & Boimler Returning To The Future

The Enterprise's only remaining source of horonium, needed to power the time portal, was depleted when Mariner used it to rescue Boimler. This left two possibilities: a risky attempt to synthesize horonium, which resulted in an explosive outcome when Spock and Boimler tried, or finding a new source. However, as Captain Pike spoke about Captain Jonathan Archer's NX-01 Enterprise with admiration, Boimler realized that Pike's Enterprise carried a supply of horonium because NX class ships were constructed with it. The Starfleet tradition of incorporating a piece of the predecessor ship meant that some of Archer's Enterprise was hidden on Pike's starship.

The crossing over of Star Trek: Lower Decks in Strange New Worlds contained touching tributes to Star Trek: Enterprise, which were well-received. The final series of the Rick Berman era is not often mentioned in live-action Star Trek shows on Paramount+, but Strange New Worlds made up for that. Pike nostalgically mentioned that ships like the NX-01 are no longer made, and Lt. Erica Ortegas admired Travis Mayweather. Additionally, Uhura held Hoshi Sato in high esteem, as she was the Communications Officer of the NX-01 Enterprise and could speak 87 languages. It is fitting that a part of Archer's Enterprise aided Captain Pike in ridding his ship of the well-intentioned but chaotic time travelers from the 24th century.

Lower Decks' Time Travelers Began A Change In How Starfleet Sees Orions

The Orions who absconded with the time portal allowed Mariner and Boimler to utilize it for their journey to the future. In exchange, the Orions were acknowledged as the 'discoverers' of the time portal, despite the fact that the Enterprise had actually reached the planet Krulmuth-B before them. However, the Lower Deckers played a crucial role in initiating a new perspective for 23rd-century Starfleet towards the Orions. In Captain Pike's time, the Orions were simply seen as a race of space pirates. Nevertheless, Orion culture is diverse and culturally significant. Pike’s Enterprise even encountered an Orion science vessel, which Boimler pointed out due to his friendship with Ensign D'Vana Tendi, an Orion herself.

Thanks to Tendi, Star Trek: Lower Decks has been exploring the rich diversity of Orion culture across multiple seasons. As Boimler explains to Pike, in his 24th-century era, it is considered racist to limit the perception of Orions solely to pirates. By facilitating the return of Mariner and Boimler, the Orions obtain the acknowledgment of discovering the time portal, particularly through Ensign Tendi's great-grandmother, Astria Tendi. However, Starfleet still maintains its claim to credit for the Enterprise's involvement. This peaceable negotiation between Pike and the Orions represents a small but significant step towards the vision of the future depicted in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Number One Is The Future Poster Girl For Starfleet

Boimler's peculiar behavior towards Number One in the Strange New Worlds crossover episode had Commander Una Chin-Riley questioning if he possessed knowledge of something distressing regarding her future. While this sly reference acknowledges the absence of any canonical information about Number One's fate after Strange New Worlds in the Star Trek universe, the truth behind it is surprisingly amusing and heartwarming. It turns out that Number One, also known as "Numero Una" in Star Trek: Lower Decks, is essentially the iconic symbol of Starfleet. In the 24th century, Una's image graces Starfleet recruitment posters, including the one that Boimler proudly displays in his cabin aboard the USS Cerritos. Moreover, it is Number One and her empowering phrase, "Ad Astra Per Aspera," that serve as inspiration for Boimler's decision to join Starfleet. Adding an extra layer of cleverness, Commander Jack Ransom, the First Officer of the Cerritos (portrayed by Jerry O'Connell), is also an admirer of "Numero Una," referring to her as the "hottest First Officer in Starfleet." This playful nod subtly acknowledges the real-life relationship between O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn, who are married and both portray different versions of Number One.

Captain Pike Learns A Lesson Thanks To Mariner & Boimler

Captain Pike discovered that Boimler had informed the crew of the Enterprise about Chris' birthday and their plan to throw a surprise party. Much to the surprise of Mariner and Boimler, Pike also revealed that he was aware of his future disfigurement caused by delta-rays, a fact that remained unknown in the 24th century due to Pike's involvement in Star Trek: Discovery season 2. Pike further confessed that he had a strained relationship with his father, but intended to take a vacation on his birthday to reflect on their past.

Boimler managed to make Pike realize that there were individuals on the Enterprise crew who would cherish the opportunity to spend time with Pike before his inevitable fate, just as Chris desired to spend time with his father. Consequently, Pike decided to cancel his fishing trip and attend his surprise party on the Enterprise. Interestingly, Boimler's admiration for Pike, including his portrayal of the Captain on Halloween, disarmed Pike. Despite initially intending to keep his distance, Pike found himself appreciating the well-meaning and complimentary Ensign with purple hair.

Boimler's Hints About Spock's Future May Affect Spock's Relationship With Chapel

Boimler's confusion over Spock's display of emotions, including smiling and laughing, suggests that the knowledge of Spock experimenting with his humanity during this time period is not known in the 24th century. In the future, Spock remains renowned as the logical, composed Vulcan hero. Boimler's concern about Spock's peculiar behavior is shared with Nurse Christine Chapel, who is disappointed to realize that whatever connection she currently has with Spock may not have a lasting future. Chapel even expresses regret that she never thought she would have a lasting influence on Spock.

Since their romantic moment and admission of mutual feelings in Season 2, Episode 5 of Strange New Worlds, titled "Charades," Spock and Chapel's relationship has encountered challenges. Uncertainty about the complexities of their relationship troubles Christine, which in turn troubles Spock. Boimler unintentionally provided Spock and Chapel with more information about their future than they desired. Christine now understands that she is not prominently mentioned in the books Boimler read about Spock, potentially affecting their romance negatively in the future.

Everyone In Starfleet Is A Fan Of Their Heroes

The central theme of Strange New Worlds' crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks revolves around the notion that everyone is a fan of Star Trek, which is a positive aspect. Boimler's admiration for the Enterprise and the era of exploration ultimately aids in resolving the predicament of sending the Lower Deckers back to the 24th century. It is also endearing to discover that Pike and his crew share Boimler's fandom for Captain Archer's NX-01 Enterprise.

Encountering one's heroes can sometimes have negative consequences, but in Mariner's case, she was able to assist Uhura. Mariner envisions Uhura as the unshakable and skilled linguist portrayed by Nichelle Nichols in Star Trek: The Original Series. However, the 22-year-old Ensign Uhura in Strange New Worlds is consumed by work and unable to unwind, being years away from becoming the Uhura Mariner knows. Mariner takes Uhura and Ortegas to the Port Galley and introduces them to a drink called Orion Hurricanes, which helps to alleviate some of Uhura's tension. Erica soon discovers that making relaxation appear like a task is an effective way to help Uhura unwind. Fortunately, Mariner returns to the 24th century with the satisfaction of finding her idol, Uhura, to be everything she had hoped for.

Strange New Worlds' Crossover Confirms Animated & Live-Action Star Trek Are The Same Canonical Universe

The animated sequences featured in the crossover episode of Strange New Worlds added a unique touch to the show. The opening credits of season 2, episode 7 were beautifully animated in the style of Lower Decks, and the episode concluded with an animated scene at Captain Pike's birthday party. It was a delightful surprise to see the Strange New Worlds cast in an animated form, with a humorous reference to the Orion Hurricanes making everything appear "two-dimensional."

These animated sequences conveyed a significant message - there is no distinction between the animated and live-action Star Trek series in terms of canon. Both mediums exist within the same universe, and the characters from Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks coexist in the 24th century of Star Trek's Prime Timeline. The crossover episode showcased this unity brilliantly, with Mariner and Boimler returning to the live-action setting and the Strange New Worlds cast temporarily animated. This clever joke marked the end of a truly special and monumental event in Star Trek history.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks are available to stream on Paramount+.