Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 7 - "Those Old Scientists"
Summary
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Those Old Scientists" renews the debate between the 23rd-century communicator flip-phone and the 24th-century combadge.
- The combadge offers convenience and additional functions like a universal translator, making it more practical for fast-paced Starfleet environments.
- Starfleet officers of the 24th century appreciate 23rd-century technology for nostalgic reasons, just like people today enjoy vintage technology.
One of the most useful pieces of technology in the Star Trek universe is the communicator or combadge, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks renewed the debate about which version of the iconic device is better. Following the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise, Strange New Worlds takes place about 120 years before Lower Decks in the Star Trek timeline. 24th century technology has seen plenty of advancements over the gear seen in the 23rd century, but is it better?
In Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 7, "Those Old Scientists," Ensigns Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) from Star Trek: Lower Decks travel back in time and encounter Captain Pike and his Enterprise crew. Though they do their best to avoid altering the timeline, Boimler in particular cannot help but get excited about meeting his heroes and seeing 23rd-century technology in person. When it comes to communication devices, even Pike gets a little defensive about the 23rd-century flip-phone-like communicator.
Strange New Worlds Renews Star Trek’s Communicator Vs. Combadge Debate
Nearly every Star Trek series has done at least one time-travel story, and the characters often make comments about the technology of the time period they are visiting. "Those Old Scientists" shows Captain Pike and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) examining Boimler's combadge and commenting that they prefer their flip-phone communicators. While everyone seems to be in agreement that the flip-phone version of the communicator is the most satisfying to use, it's not exactly the most practical. If Starfleet officers find themselves in a dangerous situation, they may not have a free hand to grab their communicator and flip it open.
Star Trek officers often need to communicate with one another quickly, and the combadge offers a more convenient way to reach another officer. Quickly tapping their badge is faster than flipping open the communicator, and the combadge attached to their uniform reduces the amount of technology officers have to carry. The combadges of the 24th century had other uses beyond just communication, and acted as a universal translator and a means of identification. While the old-school communicators are fun and nostalgic, the updated combadge offers a more convenient way for officers to communicate with one another in the fast-paced environment of Starfleet.
Why Star Trek’s 24th Century Still Likes 23rd-Century Tech
Ensign Boimler was not the first Starfleet officer from the future to show their appreciation for outdated technology. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribble-ations," Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) appreciates the "classic" design of the 23rd-century tricorder. Boimler, too, excitedly asks Dr. M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) if he can hold his tricorder, saying that "they never improved on these." Of course, Boimler then goes on to list the ways the technology has improved, but still, he clearly appreciates the old-school designs of the 23rd century, even if the o.g. tricorder may have a tendency to explode.
Starfleet officers of the 24th century likely love 23rd-century technology for the same reason that people today love technology from the past. Whether or not someone grew up with the older version of the technology, there is a sense of nostalgia associated with it. People today still enjoy typewriters and record players and flip-phones just like the Starfleet officers of the 24th century like the 23rd-century communicators and tricorders. With "Those Old Scientists," Star Trek: Strange New Worlds not only reignited the debate between communicators and combadges, but also continued the tradition of Starfleet officers from the future geeking out over the technology of the past.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.