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While there is some crossover among their admirers, it’s typically not advisable to suggest that “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” belong to the same fictional realm. Such a claim could result in the ire (no, this isn’t a subtle “Trek” allusion) of two of the most fervent fanbases in pop culture. Nevertheless, not every enthusiast dismisses the notion of a common universe uniting both franchises. Proponents of the idea that the universes intersect might point to evidence such as Alderaan being mentioned in various instances throughout the “Star Trek” series.
Alderaan is well-known as the adopted home world of Princess Leia, which gets obliterated by the Death Star in the original “Star Wars” film. Within “Star Trek,” the name Alderaan was featured on Captain Picard’s monitor in the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” episode entitled “Up the Long Ladder,” where it was identified as a planet previously explored by the HMS New Zealand. It also appeared in “A Man Alone” within “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and potentially in the episode “The Measure of a Man” from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” However, in the remastered edition of “Up the Long Ladder,” the name was changed to Aldebaran.
Alderaan might have been a joke among Star Trek crew members
The mention of Alderaan on Picard’s display in “Up the Long Ladder” may simply be an inside joke for the show’s production team. Long before televisions provided high-definition clarity, crew members would insert such gags and allusions onto screens primarily for their own amusement, as they would not be noticeable to audiences at home. The name was only switched to Aldebaran in the episode when it was remastered for Blu-ray, allowing viewers to recognize it.
Nonetheless, some “Trek” fans claim they have identified Alderaan’s name on a notice board in the background of a courtroom scene in “The Measure of a Man,” even in the Blu-ray version. Because others say they find it difficult to discern the name in standard-definition screenshots, this is likely yet another jest intended for crew members that the public was never meant to notice.
Alderaan also has a comparable reference in the