Exploring the Hidden Easter Eggs in J.J. Abrams' 'Star Trek' Reboot
The "Star Trek" franchise has a long history of incorporating Easter eggs, with references to past episodes and other franchises. In the 2009 reboot film directed by J.J. Abrams, a subtle Easter egg is the appearance of Slusho, a fictional soft drink brand that has appeared in other Abrams projects like "Fringe" and "Cloverfield."
Slusho first appeared in the Abrams-created TV series "Alias" as "Slush-O," with its logo inspired by the real-life "Icee" brand. It has made appearances in "Fringe" and "Super 8," but gained prominence in the viral marketing for "Cloverfield," where it is linked to a mysterious ingredient called Seabed's Nectar.
In "Star Trek," Cadet Uhura is seen ordering Slusho at a bar on Earth, hinting at its presence in the future. The film is filled with Easter eggs that pay homage to other Abrams projects and even rival sci-fi properties, such as the appearance of R2-D2 in a scene of space debris.
One notable Easter egg is the USS Kelvin, named after Abrams' father, which sets the stage for the Kelvin Timeline in the "Star Trek" films. The presence of Slusho's parent company, Tagruato, in the future cityscape further connects the film to the "Cloverfield" universe. Additionally, the appearance of Greg Grunberg, a frequent Abrams collaborator, adds another layer of connection between "Star Trek" and "Star Wars."