Massive Star Trek Crossover Features 6 Surprising Comebacks of Iconic Legacy Characters

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5, Episode 9 – “Fission Quest”

The latest episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks has made history by featuring the most extensive crossover in the franchise’s history. This installment reintroduces an impressive lineup of six beloved legacy characters from various Star Trek series, with five of them voiced by their original actors. The ongoing fifth season on Paramount+ highlights the USS Cerritos’ efforts to mend fissures in space that lead to alternate timelines within the Star Trek universe. Notably, another starship has been tasked with preserving the multiverse, staffed with an array of iconic alternate reality Star Trek characters.

At the helm is Captain William Boimler (voiced by Jack Quaid), the transporter clone of Lt. Bradward Boimler, who assumed a new identity by faking his demise to join the notorious Section 31. This Defiant Class starship, named Anaximander, pursues a vessel known as the Beagle across a multitude of quantum realities. Notably, in Episode 9, titled “Fission Quest,”we see an alternate reality version of Lt. Beckett Mariner (voiced by Tawny Newsome), who has become a Starfleet engineer.

T’Pol

Voiced by Jolene Blalock from Star Trek: Enterprise

The return of T’Pol is a major highlight of Episode 9, “Fission Quest.”Originally portrayed by Jolene Blalock throughout all four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise, her comeback has surprised many, as it was initially thought she had moved on after stepping back from acting. This episode marks her reprisal of the role, credited simply as Jolene.

The alternate reality T’Pol maintains several traits familiar to fans of the Prime Universe, notably her long-standing marriage to Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer). In this timeline, Trip survived his fate in the Star Trek: Enterprise finale, enriching T’Pol’s human insights and deepening her friendship with Curzon Dax (voiced by Fred Tatasciore). She humorously observes that the alternate version of Captain Jonathan Archer (played by Scott Bakula) remains a devoted “Starfleet nerd,”illustrating the consistency of character traits across realities.

Harry Kim

Voiced by Garrett Wang from Star Trek: Voyager

Garrett Wang’s portrayal of Lieutenant Harry Kim adds an unexpected twist in this episode, as he emerges as the villain. Frustrated with the perceived disrespect towards the many Ensign Kims across the multiverse, he turns rogue, posing a serious threat to the stability of the multiverse itself. The episode cleverly uses Kim’s character to explore themes around rank and destiny, underscoring his unfortunate role as one of Starfleet’s perennial junior officers.

Dr. Julian Bashir

Voiced by Alexander Siddig from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

In a much-anticipated return, Alexander Siddig brings back Dr. Julian Bashir, though with a unique twist—this version of Bashir is an Emergency Medical Hologram. This aligns with story arcs from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where Bashir was initially considered to be the model for a new EMH after his illegal genetic modifications were uncovered.

What adds further depth to this character’s return is the revelation of his relationship with Elim Garak (Andrew Robinson) from an alternate reality. This pairing resolves an unfulfilled storyline hinted at in Deep Space Nine, showcasing a romantic relationship that adds nuance to both characters.

Elim Garak

Voiced by Andrew Robinson from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Andrew Robinson’s portrayal of Elim Garak brings charm to the character—originally crafted as a cunning ex-Cardassian spy on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In this episode, Garak retains his spy acumen while also showcasing his medical skills, creating a compelling dynamic with Dr. Bashir. Their relationship is filled with the delightful banter that fans have come to love, offering lighthearted moments against the backdrop of a multiverse crisis.

Lily Sloane

Voiced by Alfre Woodard from Star Trek: First Contact

Alfre Woodard’s reprisal of Lily Sloane from Star Trek: First Contact is perhaps the most surprising return in Season 5’s Episode 9. In this alternate timeline, Lily Sloane has never encountered warp drive technology and serves as Captain of the Beagle, a ship using quantum reality-jumping technology developed in conjunction with Dr. Zephram Cochrane.

Her character’s focus has evolved from exploring new worlds to a quest of understanding human potential across various realities, reinforcing the theme of human exploration in new and thought-provoking dimensions.

Curzon Dax

Voiced by Fred Tatasciore from Star Trek: Lower Decks

Curzon Dax stands out as the only legacy character reprised in Lower Decks not voiced by the original actor. Originally portrayed by Frank Owen Smith and the late Rene Auberjonois on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Fred Tatasciore takes on the role of the seventh Trill to host the Dax symbiont. Notably a mentor to Captain Sisko, Curzon’s experiences as a Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire are hinted at through his impressive bat’leth skills.

It’s also worth noting Curzon’s longstanding disdain for Vulcans, particularly T’Pol, providing humorous moments as T’Pol reveals that she has always considered him a friend. This refreshing take gives fans a chance to see Curzon Dax actively engaged in the storyline, offering a much-desired exploration of his character in a way never seen before.

For a detailed exploration of the characters and episode events, check out the source here.