The Ultimate Ranking of Star Trek TOS Character's Return in TNG: From Worst to Best

Summary

Several actors from the original Star Trek series appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation, including the iconic trio of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.

Captain Kirk's role in Star Trek Generations served as a pivotal point in transitioning the franchise from the TOS era to the TNG era; however, his death left much to be desired in terms of impact.

Scotty's inclusion in TNG's "Relics" provided a thought-provoking exploration of aging in a society driven by technological advancements, ultimately offering a satisfying conclusion to his character's narrative.

Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987, marking a new era for the Star Trek franchise. Throughout the series, several actors from the original Star Trek series made appearances. However, before its debut, TNG faced criticism from fans of the original series who doubted its ability to match the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. Despite a somewhat rocky first season, TNG quickly gained popularity among both long-time and new Star Trek fans.

Interestingly, all three members of the iconic original series trio were featured alongside Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew at various points in the series. Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott and Spock's father, Ambassador Sarek, also made notable appearances. While all of these crossover moments had their significance, some had more impact than others. Captain Picard and his crew were tasked with living up to the legacy of their predecessors, but Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry also aimed for TNG to establish its own identity. Out of the five characters from the original series who appeared in TNG, here is a ranking from least to most noteworthy.

5 Admiral Leonard "Bones" McCoy in TNG's "Encounter at Farpoint"

Retired Starfleet Admiral Dr. Leonard McCoy made his debut as a beloved character in Star Trek: The Next Generation. In the pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint," Lt. Commander Data accompanies Admiral McCoy as they journey from the USS Enterprise to the USS Hood via shuttlecraft. While McCoy's appearance is brief, it showcases his endearing irascibility in a truly wonderful scene.

However, McCoy's cameo in TNG has no impact on the episode's plot, and he only interacts with Data. It would have been enjoyable to witness McCoy engaging with more members of the Enterprise-D crew and more captivating if he had a more significant role in the episode's storyline. Nevertheless, McCoy's presence in "Encounter at Farpoint" serves as an homage to TOS and a symbolic passing of the torch to Captain Picard and his crew.

4 Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek Generations

The first installment in a tetralogy of Star Trek films, Star Trek Generations brings together Captain Picard and the legendary Captain Kirk, creating mixed reactions amongst fans of the franchise. Certain plot elements are considered illogical, and Kirk's death fails to create a significant impact. However, Generations does serve as a bridge between the original Star Trek era and the Next Generation era. The film begins in the original era with the newly commissioned USS Enterprise-B finding itself trapped by an energy ribbon. Captain Kirk assists in their escape but is presumed dead after the ship's hull is breached.

Many years later, a El-Aurian named Dr. Tolian Soran (Malcolm McDowell) embarks on a quest to locate the fabled Nexus, a heavenly realm existing beyond conventional spacetime. Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D strive to thwart Soren's plans, but eventually, Soren manages to enter the Nexus, accompanied by Picard. Inside the Nexus, Picard encounters Captain Kirk and successfully persuades him to reenter reality and prevent Soren's destructive intentions. Although Picard and Kirk effectively prevent Soren from launching a probe that could claim millions of lives, Kirk ends up sustaining fatal injuries. In his final moments, Kirk shares a poignant scene with Picard before being laid to rest on Veridian III by Jean-Luc.

3 Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in TNG's "Relics"

The Enterprise responds to a distress call and discovers the missing transport ship USS Jenolan, which had been absent for 75 years. Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge restores the pattern of former Chief Engineer Scotty, who had been trapped in the transporter buffer. As Scotty explores the modern Enterprise-D, he realizes the significant advancements in engineering technology since his time.

Ultimately, Scotty's outdated knowledge proves valuable as he assists Geordi on the Jenolan, helping to rescue the Enterprise from a Dyson Sphere. The episode concludes with Scotty borrowing a shuttlecraft to embark on new adventures. "Relics" not only explores the concept of growing old in a rapidly advancing world but also serves as a fitting epilogue to Scotty's story and connects two remarkable Enterprise engineers.

2 Ambassador Sarek in TNG's "Sarek" & "Unification"

In the episode "Sarek" of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), Ambassador Sarek arrives on the Enterprise to engage in his final mission before retirement, negotiating a peace treaty with the Legarans. However, upon his arrival, the crew members of the Enterprise start experiencing heightened emotions, resulting in a violent conflict in Ten Forward. Dr. Beverly Crusher and Counselor Deanna Troi determine that Sarek is suffering from Bendii syndrome, a degenerative illness that affects elderly Vulcans. To ensure the success of the negotiations, Captain Picard proposes a mind-meld with Sarek, allowing Sarek to temporarily transfer his overwhelming emotions to Picard.

Sarek's appearance in TNG sheds further light on this captivating character, who previously only appeared in one episode of Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS). In the classic TOS episode "Journey to Babel," Sarek's relationship with his son, Spock, is depicted as tumultuous. The emotional outbursts exhibited by both Sarek and Picard in "Sarek" reveal the deep care Sarek holds for Spock. Patrick Stewart and Mark Lenard deliver exceptional performances in this episode, presenting a compelling character study of Sarek.

1 Ambassador Spock in TNG's "Unification"

Ambassador Spock's triumphant return in "Unification," a two-part episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, expertly blends the worlds of the original series (TOS) and the next generation (TNG). The first part of the episode centers around Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D investigating reports of Spock's possible disappearance on Romulus. They discover Spock working alongside a group of peace-seeking Romulans who aspire to reunite with the Vulcans. During their encounter, Picard engages in a mind-meld with Spock, which allows him to experience the emotions and memories that Spock's late father, Sarek, had shared with Picard. While Spock maintains a stoic facade regarding his father's passing, the emotions become evident on his face when he connects with Picard and comprehends the depth of his father's love. This episode effectively pairs Spock with Data, creating an interesting dynamic as they discuss their differing perspectives on humanity and emotions. "Unification" serves as an intriguing exploration of Spock's character development and evolution since his time on TOS. Given Spock's immense popularity among viewers, it is no surprise that his return to the series captivated audiences, making the "Unification" two-parter one of the most-watched episodes in the show's history.