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It’s the episode we’ve all been waiting for! Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists” is the Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover that we’ve been looking forward to since it was announced on Star Trek Day 2022. Get ready for some zany Madcap fun, some serious meta humor, and hijinks. Let’s dig into my thoughts on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists.”
The Best of Both Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists” brings out the best of what makes Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks work, while also commentating on the fan response to both shows. Statements like, “Everyone talks so much slower in this time. And softer!” and “I wasn’t prepared for how hot young Spock is!” contrasts the loud and fast dialogue of Lower Decks and highlight the…shall we say “fan response” to Ethan Peck’s attractiveness. Another aspect I enjoy in this episode is watching Boimler fanboy. Not just because it’s fun to watch Boimler fanboy, but that his fanboying gives our Strange New Worlds cast a bit of inspiration too.
Think about it. If you knew that you would go on to inspire people and help make the universe a better place, that could be truly inspirational. I think I would probably have a similar reaction as our characters. Intimidated at first, but then glad to know that I would be leaving behind something significant. That my life mattered. And if I’m honest, that’s what I really want.
From Animation to Live Action…and Vice Versa
It’s always difficult to temper my expectations when it comes to a highly anticipated episode like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists.” Will it be as good as I hope it will be? Reader, for me, it was all that and more. Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome are just as funny in real life as they are in the recording booth. And my goodness, do I ever want a Lower Decks uniform now. The costumes look fantastic. As always the costume department hits it out of the park for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
While I expected there to be a little bit of animation with the Strange New Worlds cast as well, the opening credits and that finale were just the icing on the cake. I laughed so hard at the end scene— “Why is everything so two-dimensional? What’s in these drinks?” But the real treat is watching my favorites interact with each other. I so hoped that Mariner and Ortegas would get up to shenanigans and watching them hang out at the bar was exactly what I hoped for. “I like you. You’re a good bad influence,” has been said to me when I make cocktails. It felt gratifying to me to see that on screen. As someone who has not often seen herself portrayed in media, it was especially satisfying.
Follow the Through Line
While this is a crossover episode and oftentimes, such episodes don’t always have an effect on the overall plot of the series. However, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists” may have affected the through line with Boimler’s conversation with Chapel in the elevator. “Oh, you’re the reason…” Just shut up, Bradward! As I’ve said before, I don’t know if Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is heading for a soft TOS reboot or not, but gosh, I just want Chapel and Spock to be happy. I love that Spock logic’d the heck out of Boimler about it while they were working together in the lab.
Also, “Are sparks bad?” “Yes, you should seek cover,” about put me in the floor. I can’t wait for folks to start cosplaying Spock and Boimler in those aprons and glasses. That will delight me to no end.
Fangirling and Final Thoughts
Overall, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists” is a wonderful crossover to add to the Star Trek franchise, up there with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “Trials and Tribble-ations.” But what I love the most about this crossover is that it is ultimately a celebration of fandom.
I love the Star Trek: Enterprise send-up that we get in this episode. Enterprise is criminally underrated in my opinion, so getting to hear Ortegas and Uhura fangirl over Travis Mayweather and Hoshi Sato delights me. And of course, Pike fanboyed over Archer. What this tells me is that not only do we have great writers in our writers’ room at Strange New Worlds, but we also have real Trek fans writing for this series as well. No one can write a crossover story better than a fan (*gestures wildly at AO3*), so to see this done so well is just plain phenomenal.
What did you think of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2×07 “Those Old Scientists”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
