TOS Crossover Episodes - Did They Work for You?

[2takesfrakes]

"Sarek" was the best of the bunch, as far as I was concerned, but even then, it was only to inflict him with the Vulcan version of Alzheimer's. Gave him a new Human wife and everything, too. But it's not really a bad episode, at all. It just should've offered Mark Lenard an open door to repeated appearances on TNG. He was a fine actor, who was quite celebrated in Trekkie circles.

But after "Sarek," the other cross-over episodes are a wash. "Unification" is embarrassingly bad. I try to get into it, because Nimoy's there, but it's not happening. The story, the execution of it, the thrift of it ... it takes away from the novelty, for me. And finally, there's "Relics," where - as far as I'd be concerned, TNG dipped into the TOS well once too often! It was a bridge too far, connecting the two shows, with disappointing results. And, of course, "Generations" is a movie, not an episode, but even on that much broader canvas, with everything that Hollywood can bring to bare on the project, the film was absurd!

So, I pose the question to those of you who love TNG, as much as I: "Did these types of episodes work for you?" And if not, can you offer possible suggestions on what went wrong? Surely, these two great shows go great together. So, what went wrong, do you suppose?

 

[JesterFace]

TOS and TNG work well by themselves, putting characters together from different shows just feels so forced... Except McCoy in 'Encunter At Farpoint' worked well because he wasn't a huge part of the plot, just an appearance.

 

[Terok Nor]

I like Relics the most out of the whole bunch. Even though it was silly(ish) that so many regulars from TOS somehow ended up in the TNG era I still enjoyed seeing them. The Spock scenes in Unification were good but the story was boring. Sarek was a good episode and I love watching the Bones cameo in the pilot. I'd have been fine with Generations having Kirk in it if it didn't end with his death. Such a bummer.

 

[Greg Cox]

"Unification" started off well. I still remember the excitement of Spock's dramatic entrance at the end of Part 1: "And you have found him." Alas, Part 2 kinda ran out of steam.

I enjoyed both "Sarek" and "Relics," though.

But the best crossover ep in all of STAR TREK remains DS9'S "Trials and Tribble-ations."

 

[Joel_Kirk]

But the best crossover ep in all of STAR TREK remains DS9'S "Trials and Tribble-ations."

This.

I haven't watched it in awhile, but I do think "In a Mirror Darkly" was interesting.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I've often wondered, over the years, why DeForest Kelley's character was never referred to as "Dr. McCoy," just "Admiral." At least I believe he was an Admiral, I haven't watched it, in a while. But I've even theorised that the character was, in fact, not Bones, but someone quite, astonishingly different. Possibly, with the intent of having De show up for further adventures, without stepping on TOS' toes, at all. Which he might've been concerned about. But otherwise, the cameo is great, it's really good to see him, but the makeup - the wig, especially - was almost as bad as his dodgy costume ...

 

[Galileo7]

But the best crossover ep in all of STAR TREK remains DS9'S "Trials and Tribble-ations."

Agree, absolutely great episode.

 

[Danlav05]

Agree, absolutely great episode.

In idea and execution a genius piece of television

 

[Nyotarules]

'Sarek' great episode! Since TNG was only 75 years after TUC and humans are meant to live longer in the ST universe knowing some of the crew were still out there enjoing their retirement was a nice thought.

 

[Kor]

Yeah, I don't know why "Unification" warranted having a special blu-ray release.

Of all the crossover eps, "Trials and Tribble-ations" is my favorite as well. I wish it was available in HD.

Kor

 

[suarezguy]

I think those three are few and different enough to not make much of a type but I did like them all. I especially liked "Unification II," which seems an unusual view, I thought it was both fun to watch Spock interact with Picard and Kirk and it was a pretty good story and I especially liked how it conveyed the differences between the original show and TNG without trying to declare one was better.
"Relics" was less successful, with neither Geordi or Scotty coming off really well but also not being out-of-character but it was great to see that Picard could strongly connect with Scotty.

 

[Paradise City]

They where all excellent. Unification was overwritten with a large mystery on D that was sprawled slap bang in the middle of the two parter but went nowhere. They ran out of time when they blew up the ship. That's the big flaw that runs through Unification. But Unification is still exquisite with Sarek in his death throes recieving Picard, Data meeting Spock was well done and not forced, Spock battles with Picard as he might otherwise do with Sarek, the elegant tie in with VI, Nimoy acts well. All in all the Unification brace of episodes are quite good.

The good thing about Sarek and Spock in TNG is that many senses they aren't "TOS characters", they are fully formed, distinct characters with a specific function well integrated into the TNG era. They aren't crammed in there - like I think Kirk was in Generations. You could use other characters and still have fine episodes. That's different than Relics which is a wonderful episode because it pivoted on Scotty's powerful relationship with his old ship.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

"Unification" started off well. I still remember the excitement of Spock's dramatic entrance at the end of Part 1: "And you have found him." Alas, Part 2 kinda ran out of steam.

I enjoyed both "Sarek" and "Relics," though.

But the best crossover ep in all of STAR TREK remains DS9'S "Trials and Tribble-ations."

This pretty much sums up my feelings as well. "Sarek" in particular was very well done, and it didn't preclude them using Sarek again in other stories set in the 23rd Century (and he was in fact used again in STVI in 1991). From what I understand, the story of Sarek losing his faculties was inspired by Gene Roddenberry's failing health.

I've often wondered, over the years, why DeForest Kelley's character was never referred to as "Dr. McCoy," just "Admiral."

He was called "Admiral" so as not spoil the surprise in case the script was leaked.

 

[shapeshifter]

They worked well enough for me.

Only complaint was not seeing Spock until the end of part one, but getting to see TUC between the two parts was excellent. Really added punch to pt 2.

 

[2takesfrakes]

He was called "Admiral" so as not spoil the surprise in case the script was leaked.

That's interesting! Even now, TNG still manages to surprise me ...

 

[Trek Survivor]

I enjoyed them, though can recognise their flaws.

"Unification" was originally shown (with parts 1 and 2 joined together) on a Sky Movie channel here in the UK, which added to the excitement around it.

I loved "Trials and Tribble-ations" back when I first saw it, but caught a repeat recently and just found it a little more "cringey" than I remember, and hadn't aged too well. Appreciate I am in a minority on that one.

 

[RAMA]

Relics is the best of the bunch. Unification Part I was very good, bordering but not quite great, and Part II was a disappointment. Sarek is a close 3rd. Encounter at Farpoint with McCoy pulls up the rear.

Outside of STNG, Trials and Tribble-ations is hard to beat.

RAMA

 

[Tracy Trek]

I don't think the "Admiral" in the TNG pilot was ever meant to be anyone other than McCoy. I liked Sarek and Unification. I really liked the scene in Relics where Scotty visits a holodeck recreation of his old ship.

Spoiler: An observation

Isn't it true that if you go by the Trek novels and other things besides episodes, that except for Kirk, the main characters of TOS may still be alive in the TNG era? I've read one where Uhura was head of Starfleet Intelligence. Another one where a retired Starfleet officer named George is inferred to be Sulu. And then he's mentioned by Chakotay in an episode of Voyager. And I saw the start of a fan film where a very old Chekov is talking to Admiral Owen Paris.

 

[tomalak301]

I love all the TNG and Star Trek crossovers but my favorite was Sarek. Really used that character quite well.

 

[Seven of Five]

Sarek is the best one, and is where I'm usually in tears near the end. Relics is also good, with a heartening look at life after being a miracle worker.

Unification started off well, but amounted to nothing, despite some good scenes.

And Generations is just a mess.

 

[Vandervecken]

I loved "Trials and Tribble-ations" back when I first saw it, but caught a repeat recently and just found it a little more "cringey" than I remember, and hadn't aged too well. Appreciate I am in a minority on that one.

I'm in that minority as well. It bored me in fact.

I like Relics best. See nothing wrong with it.