Star Trek: Strange New Worlds had a cameo from Star Trek: The Original Series

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues to highlight its connection to Star Trek: The Original Series.

The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 8, “Under the Cloak of War,” now streaming on Paramount+.

There’s no denying Strange New Worlds’ connection to The Original Series with the original characters of Ensign Uhura, Mr. Spock, Captain Pike, Number One, and Dr. M’Benga already onboard the Enterprise. But its most recent episode took us all the way back to November 10, 1966 with a guest star from the highly-rated and popular episode, “The Corbomite Maneuver.” [via CBR]

In it, a seven-year-old Clint Howard played Balock, the commander of the Fesarius. Balock threatened to destroy the Enterprise for trespassing into First Federation territory and destroying its marker buoy. Through some excellent verbal manuevering, Captain Kirk manages to outsmart Balock who then invites him to meet in person. Kirk and Lt. Bailey are surprised to see the fearsome Balock resembles a small child rather than a horrifying alien. And that was Clint Howard’s first appearance in the Star Trek franchise but definitely not his last.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds brings back Clint Howard for a brief cameo.

“Under the Cloak of War” takes Nurse Chapel and Dr. M’Benga back to the Klingon War in flashbacks, and Chapel encounters Chief Medical Officer Commander Martinez who everyone calls “Buck.” Buck is portrayed by Clint Howard. The now 64-year-old actor is only onscreen briefly, but it’s enough to jog some memories, especially for those fans who saw him in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Grady, a San Francisco Sanctuary District resident.

The actor has appeared in other roles in the Star Trek franchise, including playing a Ferengi in Star Trek: Enterprise and an Orion in Star Trek: Discovery. Strange New Worlds marks his fifth appearance in the franchise and makes him the only actor who has appeared in both Star Trek: The Original Series and the most recent Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds.