10 Best Star Trek Crossover Episodes
2. Unification
We'll get the Best Star Trek Crossover Episode in just a moment but, before we do, let's look at the Best Star Trek Episode (That Is Also A Crossover). The difference is subtle, granted, but the point is that while this is a good crossover it's actually just a great episode. One of The Next Generation's best by some distance.
The Season 5 two-parter sees Picard and Data linking up with Spock who, it is feared, may have defected to the Romulan Empire. He hasn't, of course, (it's bloody Spock, lads, have a bit of faith) but he is in deep with some Very Bad People as he strives towards a cultural reunification between the two ancient ancestors. Picard and Data, dressed up like a cover band whose gimmick is mashing up Monkees hits with Kraftwerk beats, offer to lend a hand.
The episode is a triumph of melding series nostalgia with a forward-thinking, world-building narrative, and was arguably the episode that first opened up the Romulans as a genuine culture that the franchise could explore. Leonard Nimoy, as well, is a joy to watch.