Watch Jonathan Frakes direct Anson Mount as Captain Pike in some amazing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds crossover BTS video and photos.
Summary
- Bill Wolkoff shares behind-the-scenes videos of Jonathan Frakes directing the crossover episode between Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks.
- Season 2, episode 7, titled “Those Old Scientists,” features Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome from Lower Decks joining Anson Mount’s Captain Pike and the USS Enterprise crew in a comedic episode.
- With the SAG-AFTRA strike now over, the creative team of Strange New Worlds can discuss the episodes they couldn’t publicly talk about while on the picket lines.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds writer-producer Bill Wolkoff shares amazing behind-the-scenes videos of Jonathan Frakes directing season 2’s crossover episode with Star Trek: Lower Decks. Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 7, “Those Old Scientists,” saw Lower Decks‘ stars Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome jump to live-action and meet Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his USS Enterprise crew in an unforgettable comedic episode. With the SAG-AFTRA strike now over, Strange New Worlds‘ creative team can finally talk about the episodes of season 2 they weren’t allowed to publicly discuss while their unions were on the picket lines.
On Twitter/X, Bill Wolkoff (@flying_lobster) posted a video of Jonathan Frakes directing Captain Pike in Strange New Worlds‘ crossover episode, with Frakes playing the role of the Orion captain on-screen. Wolkoff also included pics of Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner, Jack Quaid as Lt. Brad Boimler, Ethan Peck as Lt. Spock, Frakes, Kat Lyn, and himself. Check out his post below:
Star Trek: Lower Decks executive producer Mike McMahan punched up the crossover’s dialogue, but he wasn’t able to be on set.
Strange New Worlds Crossover’s Impact On Star Trek
The crossover mattered to Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks
Beyond being a wildly entertaining episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Ensigns Boimler and Mariner coming aboard the 23rd century USS Enterprise had a profound effect on both shows. Captain Pike may have been exasperated with Boimler and Mariner, but they made him see the value of attending his birthday party and spending time with his crew. Number One (Rebecca Romijn) was also heartened that her motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” is a Starfleet recruiting slogan that inspired Boimler. Unfortunately, when Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) learned that none of the future books written about Spock mention her, it informed her decision to break off her relationship with the Vulcan Science Officer.
Back aboard the USS Cerritos in the 24th century, Mariner and Boimler were also changed by the Strange New Worlds crossover, even though neither of them are “supposed to talk about” meeting Captain Pike, ever. Boimler’s sense of confidence was bolstered by his experience aboard Pike’s Enterprise, and he heroically saved the USS Voyager in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4’s finale. This led to promotions to Lieutenant, junior grade for Bradward, Beckett, and their Lower Decker friends. Mariner also met her hero, Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and that set up Beckett facing the loss of her best friend from Starfleet Academy, Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill) in Lower Decks season 4’s finale. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks mattered, and it’s great that the cast and crew can finally share their behind-the-scenes joy of making the episode.
