It was always a big deal for me when TOS characters showed up on TNG and UNIFICATION part 1 and 2 was so much fun and moving despite the (very enjoyable) padding.

Admiral McCoy's cameo in the pilot TV movie is a forced and hokey 20 years on (as a lot ENCOUNTER AT FAR POINT strikes me today) but of course through no fault of DeForest Kelley, who pretty much saves the scene from bad direction and questionable dialogue (Just like old times, eh?). He's womderful as always.

RELICS (At least I think that is the name of the one with Scotty.... from TNG on all the Star Trek episode titles become pretty bland, interchangable and unmemorable!) is heart breaking, but unfortunately it sort of cemented my over all dislike for the character of Geordy LaForge. My understanding is he was named in honor of a young Trekker with MD who died young, but again and again the character ends up coming across like the most disagreeable and arrogant side I've seen of nerdom. Which is a shame because I adore Levar Burton on Reading Rainbow (and assume he must be a really cool man in real life.). Of course by act 4 of RELICS he seems to come around to respect Scotty, but no matter how I slice it. that final denounment of giving Scotty his own shuttle craft feels like the Enterprise D crew were just disperate to get that uppity old coot of their ship as soon as possible. >_<

SAREK might be my favorite of the TNG/TOS cross overs. Unlike the hoopla that accompanied Spock and Scotty's appearances, Sarek's appearance came as a delightful, complete suprise, and it was an intriguing, touching, solid story that could have worked with any solid guest actor.
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