Title :
Those Old Scientists
Series :
Rating :
Overall Ep :
17
First Aired :
22 Jul 2023
Stardate :
2291.6
Director :
Year :
Writers :
Season Ep :
Plotline
In the 24th century, ensign Brad Boimler of the USS Cerritos is assigned to investigate an ancient portal. The portal turns out to be powered by the rare substance called Horonium. While investigating the device it sends Boimler back in time by 120 years where he is taken aboard the USS Enterprise. Boimler struggles to contain his excitement at meeting his heroes but is also trying to to prevent polluting the timeline with his knowledge of the future.
When the portal is stolen by an Orion ship, Pike trades grain supplies to retrieve it. The Enterprise crew attempts to return Boimler to the future, with the last remaining Horonium, but instead of returning Ensign Beckett Mariner comes through the portal instead, attempting to rescue Boimler.
In an attempt to get the portal working again Spock and Boimler try to synthesise Horonium, but their endeavours fail. Meanwhile, Mariner and Uhura work on translating engravings on the portal in the hope of finding an answer.
Boimler realises that Horonium from the hull of the previous starship Enterprise was incorporated into Pike's Enterprise. They use this to send Boimler and Mariner back to their own time, while the Orions agree to accept credit for discovering the portal in exchange for allowing the Enterprise to continue peacefully.
Analysis
When I first heard that they planned to do a crossover episode between "Strange New Worlds" and "Lower Decks" I couldn't even imagine what such a thing would look like, but having seen it I can only agree it was a good idea.
