It’s easy to envision science fiction franchises crossing over with each other. The Corrino Empire from Frank Herbert’s Dune books operates a lot like the evil organization that the Rebellion fights in Star Wars, and Paul Atreides would surely enjoy picking Anakin Skywalker’s brain about being the chosen one. However, meshing two properties together is easier said than done. Even two franchises that seem to fit together perfectly, such as Alien and Predator, struggle to come together. That’s why it’s better for sci-fi franchises to just show love to their inspirations rather than trying to make a crossover happen that’s sure to bite off more than it can chew.
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Star Trek and Doctor Who seem to have crossing over down to a science, referencing each other without wandering too deeply into dangerous waters. However, one side of the equation is getting a little too close to outright confirming that the other one exists in its universe. It’s all fun and games for now, but there’s no way to put the genie back in the bottle once he’s out.
Star Trek‘s Latest Doctor Who Easter Egg Is in a League Of Its Own
Like any show that finds itself operating in different time periods, it’s impossible for Doctor Who not to embrace pop culture. There are references to various popular musicians and artists, as well as numerous movies and TV shows. Star Trek is one show that the Doctor finds themselves running into now and again, with Rose Tyler even comparing her traveling companion to Spock at one point. Since Star Trek typically takes place in the distant future, it doesn’t have the luxury of shouting out a show that would have been popular hundreds of years ago. What it can do, though, is show appreciation for its British colleague by tossing in the names of notable Doctor Who planets and characters.
For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which is preparing to wrap up its third season on the Paramount+ streaming service, a tip of the cap isn’t enough. In Season 3, Episode 6, “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail,” a TARDIS, the phone booth the Doctor uses to travel through time, is visible in one shot, seemingly confirming that the Sonic screwdriver-wielding character is around. Another Easter egg is also on the way that will see Pelia, one of Star Trek‘s oldest characters, discuss her experience with a time-travelling doctor. Captain Pike doesn’t pay her much mind because time-travel is something they discuss at Starfleet Academy, but he should reconsider his stance because the existence of the Doctor would go against everything his bosses stand for.
The Doctor Would Be an Enemy of Starfleet
Starfleet sends its ships all over the galaxy in search of knowledge. While Earth is in an era of peace, more problems are sure to rear their ugly heads, and having every solution possible is not only helpful but necessary. The one thing that Starfleet doesn’t want its officers to do, though, is interfere. The problems of other planets are their own, and it’s not any ship captain’s job to play hero. They still do, of course, but they never hear the end of it. The Doctor lives by a similar code, using their status as a Time Lord to offer help when it’s needed. However, they rarely play by the rules, and with their immense power, they’re dangerous.
If Star Trek ever attempts to bring the Doctor aboard the Enterprise or any other ship, it’s going to open Pandora’s box. There’s no way Starfleet will be cool with a being playing god and deciding the outcomes of disasters; just look at how it reacts to Q and his exploits. The only way the crossover could work is if the Doctor visits as part of a brief cameo, but that wouldn’t be fair to either party. The best course of action is for both Star Trek and Doctor Who to stay the course by occasionally waving at each other from across the stars.
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