Those Old Scientists

Ok, if you haven't watched Lower Decks yet, you need to stop and watch that series. Yes, Lower Decks is animated. Yes, it is very good.

We just watched Lower Decks earlier this year. There are 3 seasons so far. Each episode is about a half hour. Trust me, it's worth it. I am not sure this episode will make a lot of sense without watching Lower Decks first.

Two characters from the animated series interact with the Enterprise. No, they didn't do a Roger Rabbit thing here. They didn't mix live action and animation. I had heard about this episode a few months ago and was wondering how they were going to do it.

They really pulled it off. This episode was a BLAST. Very funny and a bit heart warming as well. Nice job directing Mr Frakes.

This had the makings of tragedy or triumph, and it was an undisputed triumph. I've been a Star Trek fan for 30 years, and this will go down as one of my favourite episodes. It was very trek, funny and at time heartfelt. A real love letter to Star Trek in all its form. I know some will hate it on principle, but that's just not giving it credit. To be able to combine a cartoon and a live action show like this was incredibly clever, kudos to the writers, and well done for planning ahead with the casting of the voice actors from lower decks allowing them to be able to transition into the real world. I'll watch this one again and again. Strange new worlds is consistently knocking it out of the park.

... honestly.

I wasn't sure at first because I thought this would be too far outside "the wheelhouse" ... but it was done with such respect and joy in the reflection of the true spirit of the Trek Universe that I quickly came 'round and this episode absolutely won me over.

It's obvious that the writers ... as well as all others ... involved with "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" are not only talented at their jobs ... but are also real fans.

I'm just not sure how I'm going to manage that upcoming "musical" episode that i've heard is winging it's way to broadcast ... maybe another bottle of Syrah?

It's perfection, GO WATCH IT.

Everything is done right, frakes might have ruined thunderbirds but since then he's learned and perfected his craft as director, if you loved all of his previous episodes in all trek shows you'll be loving this one too !

Boimler and beckett in live action sounds crazy but they did them justice and the make up on jack to make his hair purple is just icing on the cake, the LD uniforms are perfectly tailored to them and faithfull but also practical for their scenes.

It's not a filler episode like some might think, it's carrying on spocks 'emotional' journey and allows for a bit of fan service on top of the fan service their already doing.

It's a nostalgia trip of the old vs new tech and bit more insight in to the orion's.

Why are you still reading this ? Go watch it !

Star Trek, as a franchise, has a history of doing "funny" episodes, starting way back as early as the first TOS season. Some have been less than successful, but most have been an excellent counterpoint to the more serious stories. Even the movie series had "The Voyage Home", a very funny film.

But now, I believe we have been treated to Trek's very best "comedy" episode. A lot of the SNW actors have proven they have comedic chops in previous episodes, but this time they all got to stretch in new directions, crossing over with the animated "Lower Decks", and its two lead characters, Mariner and Boimler. (Played hilariously by Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid).

It's a testament to both the writing and the deft direction by Jonathan Frakes that this episode is both funny AND touching, and also doesn't forget to more along some of the overall character arcs of the series. Oh, and special kudos to whoever decided to have fairly long animated sequences at the beginning and end (along with an animated version of the opening credits), to let us see as much of the "Lower Decks" world as possible.

Brilliant installment of an excellent series. I'd give this one 11/10 if I could!