Summary
“Those Old Scientists” is a stellar crossover episode that fans will just adore. Building on a great premise, the episode mixes hilarious comedy moments with poignant time-traveling drama, whilst Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome inject a jolt of pure adrenaline into the series with their energetic performances.
We recap the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 7, “Those Old Scientists,” which contains spoilers.
Crossover episodes usually end up feeling forced or gimmicky, but Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks have managed to transcend the format, joining forces to pull off the impossible with a genuinely great crossover TV special.
“Those Old Scientists” is a fun and entertaining addition to the Star Trek universe, one which will please fans of the series no end.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 7 Recap
The seventh installment begins in animated form, in the Star Trek: Lower Decks timeline. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) is excited about visiting a historic portal, which Captain Pike and his crew discovered 120 years ago. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) is leading the mission, but she is nowhere near as enthusiastic.
While visiting the ancient portal, crew mate D’Vana Tendi (Noel Wells) quarrels with Brad over who discovered the device first. She believes that her ancestors, the Orions, were the true discoverers. Then Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) geeks out and snaps a photograph of the portal.
How does Brad go back in time?
This reawakens the portal, and Brad is subsequently drawn into the device. He reemerges in the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds timeline, coming into contact with Spock, Una, and La’an. After meeting his heroes, Brad passes out. Viewers are then treated to a special, animated version of the show’s opening credits.
Brad has traveled 120 years into the past and is now onboard the USS Enterprise. La’an runs through the time-traveling rules with Brad, as she is a bit of an expert on these matters.
Brad is unable to interfere with past events, he is unable to share knowledge of the future and La’an adds in a personal caveat, Brad should not get attached. Of course, he will break all of these rules during the episode.
While Brad gets to meet his other heroes, Orion pirates close in on the Enterprise. Brad urges Pike and the crew not to attack, stating that this is a peaceful science vessel.
Pike follows Brad’s orders, but the Orions steal the portal anyway.
What does Brad say about Spock’s future?
After this huge mistake, Brad socializes with the other crew members. He mentions Pike’s upcoming birthday and Erica suggests throwing a surprise party. Brad continues to inadvertently break protocol, ruining future scenarios. He even hints at the tragic end of Christine and Spock’s relationship.
Brad helps Pike’s team track the Orions. They negotiate a deal for the portal. Brad prepares to reunite with his own team by going through the portal on a return journey.
Just as the portal kicks into action, Beckett Mariner comes flying out of the other end. The portal then closes shut.
The Enterprise now has two time travelers and no way of reactivating the portal. Beckett helps Uhura translate the glyphs on the portal, but this is a dead end.
Meanwhile, Brad helps Spock. During this interaction, Spock figures out his possible fate with Christine.
What does Brad say about Pike’s future?
Brad and Beckett try to fix their mistakes but are quarantined by Pike. The Captain orders them to stay out of trouble and to cancel his surprise party. Again, Brad hints at Pike’s fate, implying that he may not have that much longer left to live. Brad suggests that Pike enjoys living in the moment more and spares some time for his crew-mates.
This discussion leads to a realization. The product they need to restart the portal can be found in the NX-01 starship. A piece of that historic ship is also found onboard the Enterprise.
They use this to activate the portal once more.
Before returning to their timeline, Brad and Beckett tell Una how she inspired them to join the Starfleet, with her image being used as promotional material for recruitment.
Una is astounded by this revelation.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 7 Ending Explained
Pike and his crew journey to the portal. The Orions are waiting for them there though. Pike formulates a deal, if the Orions let him use the portal then they will say that the Orion scientists discovered it first. The Orions agree to these terms. Brad and Beckett then return to their timeline.
The crossover episode ends with the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast socializing together in two-dimensional form. They share Orion alcohol and joke about. Whilst Pike thanks the team for his surprise party, which he stuck around for. It’s a fitting conclusion, the live-action characters now in animated form.
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