Unveiling an Epic Star Trek Crossover: Must-See Strange New Worlds & Lower Decks Episodes!

Here are 10 episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks worth watching (or rewatching) before checking out their highly anticipated crossover. Despite their apparent differences, both shows have introduced amazing new characters and stories to the Star Trek universe. The crews of the USS Enterprise and the USS Cerritos often find themselves in ridiculous situations, and there are several comedic Strange New Worlds episodes that prove these characters can be just as funny as the Lower Deckers.

In the upcoming episode of Strange New Worlds season 2, titled "Those Old Scientists," Star Trek: Lower Deck's Ensigns Bradward Boimler and Beckett Mariner will make their live-action debut. The episode is directed by Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes, who has also appeared as Captain William Riker in Lower Decks. Although Captain Christopher Pike's adventures on the Enterprise take place long before the exploits of the USS Cerritos, time travel has always been a part of the Star Trek universe. When the crewmembers of the Cerritos find themselves aboard Pike's Enterprise, it promises to be a fun time.

10 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "Crisis Point" (Season 1, Episode 9)

9 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "Spock Amok" (Season 1, Episode 5)

Throughout the first season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, Beckett Mariner frequently succumbs to her anger. The intense strain between her and her mother, Captain Carol Freeman (portrayed by Dawnn Lewis), reaches a breaking point in episode 9 entitled "Crisis Point." Instead of taking her therapy sessions seriously, Mariner seizes control of Ensign Boimler's holodeck program and transforms it into a film titled Crisis Point: The Rise of Vindicta. In this movie, Mariner assumes the role of the villain and vents her frustrations on the simulated crew of the Cerritos. In a therapeutic twist, Mariner engages in a battle against a holographic version of herself. "Crisis Point" is an entertaining holodeck episode that pays homage to the numerous Star Trek films while also further developing the character of Beckett Mariner.

"Spock Amok" not only brings comedy to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds but also proves that humor can thrive beyond Lower Decks. The episode hilariously unravels as Spock and his fiancée, T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), unintentionally switch bodies, leading to comical chaos as they attempt to perform each other's duties. In a subplot reminiscent of a Lower Decks episode, Number One (Rebecca Romijn) and Lt. La'an (Christina Chong) discover they are deemed uptight. To counter this perception, they engage in Enterprise Bingo, a game typically enjoyed by Ensigns and Cadets, commonly referred to as Lower Deckers.

8 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" (Season 2, Episode 5)

7 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "The Elysian Kingdom" (Season 1, Episode 8)

As the USS Cerritos navigates the challenges of a jittery replicating envoy, Ensign Mariner takes a daring leap to crash a legendary Starfleet soirée. Despite his initial invitation, Ensign Boimler eventually bids adieu to the party scene and finds himself alongside Mariner at "Kirk's old bar." Adorned with an array of photographs showcasing familiar characters, locales, and relics from past Star Trek adventures, the bar's wooden counter proudly displays etchings of Kirk and Spock's names. In the episode titled "An Embarrassment of Dooplers," Boimler and Mariner successfully mend their friendship after Boimler's time aboard the USS Titan. While Lower Decks often centers around the zany shenanigans of the Cerritos crew, the series skillfully weaves in captivating character development.

In the first episode of Season 1, titled "The Elysian Kingdom," Strange New Worlds presents a humorous and absurd scenario that rivals the situations on Lower Decks. Dr. M'Benga, portrayed by Babs Olusanmokun, stumbles upon a bewildering predicament when the entire crew of the Enterprise mysteriously transforms into characters from his daughter's storybook. Together with Lt. Hemmer, played by Bruce Horak, they embark on a mission to unravel this bizarre occurrence. This particular episode feels reminiscent of a holodeck adventure, allowing the talented cast to showcase their comedic skills by portraying characters vastly different from their usual selves. "The Elysian Kingdom" primarily focuses on the journey of Dr. M'Benga, culminating in a poignant moment where he must bid farewell to his beloved daughter.

6 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "I, Excretus" (Season 2, Episode 8)

5 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "A Quality of Mercy" (Season 1, Episode 10)

: In the Lower Deckers' journey, led by "I, Excretus," they engage in simulations where they assume the roles of bridge officers. These simulations, intertwined with references to past Star Trek tales, feature diverse scenarios, including one where an escape from a Borg cube is the challenge. While Ensign Boimler dedicates himself to perfecting the Borg simulation, repeating it countless times to attain a flawless score of 100%, Ensign Mariner finds herself in the Mirror Universe in a simulation and later faces the effects of the crew's polywater intoxication on the Cerritos. Despite Mariner struggling in her simulations, the crew eventually realizes they have been set up to fail and unite to secure a passing score for the Cerritos.

In the finale of Season 1 of Strange New Worlds, an older version of Captain Pike pays a visit to his younger self. This marks the first appearance of time travel in Strange New Worlds with the episode titled "A Quality of Mercy." Within this episode, Pike is shown a future where he successfully avoids his tragic fate. Additionally, "A Quality of Mercy" serves as a tribute to the renowned Star Trek: The Original Series episode titled "Balance of Terror." As Strange New Worlds crosses over with Lower Decks, it is evident that time travel will play a role. Furthermore, Lower Decks frequently incorporates references and nostalgia for classic Star Trek narratives.

4 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "Hear All, Trust Nothing" (Season 3, Episode 6)

3 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" (Season 2, Episode 3)

The crew of the USS Cerritos eagerly explores the renowned Deep Space Nine when they make a stop there. Ensign Boimler, resembling the enthusiasm of Star Trek fans, shares the same excitement to visit Deep Space Nine and reunite with beloved characters such as Quark (Armin Shimerman) and Kira (Nana Visitor). This crossover episode titled "Hear All, Trust Nothing" not only brings back the iconic figures from Trek lore, but also reestablishes Boimler's fervor for meeting them. With characters like Spock and Captain Pike yet to come, Boimler's enthusiasm is bound to reach even greater heights.

In season 2's "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow," Strange New Worlds presents an intriguing time travel narrative. Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh finds herself transported to the past alongside an alternate version of Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) from another universe. While endeavoring to find a way back home and ensure the preservation of the correct future, the two characters forge a deep connection and La'an learns to embrace vulnerability. Despite the episode's somber conclusion, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" offers moments of levity as the future Starfleet officers navigate the streets of 21st-century Toronto.

2 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "Crisis Point II: Paradoxus" (Season 3, Episode 8)

1 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "Charades" (Season 2, Episode 5)

Ensign Boimler takes center stage in the much-anticipated sequel to "Crisis Point," aptly named "Crisis Point II: Paradoxus." This holodeck program not only surpasses the first installment in terms of Star Trek film references but also features the iconic George Takei as Captain Hikaru Sulu in a special appearance. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on Ensign Mariner's personal growth, this sequel delves into Ensign Boimler's existential struggle following the presumed demise of his clone. Brimming with enjoyable moments and side-splitting humor, the episode allows the Lower Deckers to truly shine and reveals the profound affection the writing team has for the Star Trek franchise.

The cast of characters in "Charades" solidifies Strange New Worlds as having one of the most outstanding and amusing ensembles on any Star Trek series. When a powerful alien entity mistakenly transforms Spock into a human, he must pretend to be Vulcan during a crucial engagement dinner with T'Pring. While Spock steals most of the comedic spotlight in this episode, other characters, including Captain Pike with his comical reaction shots, also join in. Although Star Trek: Lower Decks prioritizes comedy more than other Trek shows, "Charades" demonstrates that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can be equally humorous.