The Crossover Episodes We're All Dying to See

On Monday's podcast, my esteemed colleague Ankit mentioned a crossover episode in the works between two of the BBC's finest shows, Sherlock and Luther. It's a hand-in-glove fit. The two shows will blend perfectly together because they share a similar style, tone, and most importantly, subject matter.

We riffed on a few half-brained ideas on the episode, but I figure it's time to flesh things out. So here are a few more ideas now that I've actually given it some thought.

Ballers x Entourage

This one is almost too easy. But you don't even have to think that much to see the plot for this one. Victor Cruz, one of the Rock's most famous clients, wants a role in Vinnie Chase's next big movie. So they all head out to LA to try and make it happen.

Imagine Spencer Strasmore settling into Ari Gold's office as the two of them try to hammer out a deal (E can be there meddling too). Meanwhile, Drama gets into hijinks with Turtle and his new favorite player, Odell Beckham Jr. Now tell me, is that something you'd be interested in?

Tyrant x The Americans

A pair of FX shows that get a good amount of praise and should get a lot better ratings. I'm a prime example, for I haven't watched either. But based on their premises, it seems like smashing them together is a possibility.

Imagine the Jennings take a trip to Abuddin under the premise of a couples vacation. (Easy enough to get a sitter for the kids, right?) But in reality, they descend upon the fictional Middle Eastern nation to convince it to sever all ties with the United States. The international implications could be staggering. And the Al-Fayeeds would have some decisions to make. But just forget trying to rope in any modern-day headlines.

Guaranteed boots on the ground if this happens...

Survivor x Lost

This one takes a little imagination, but not nearly as much as Damon Lindelof has so we'll be fine. It would be a scripted drama, of a crew and cast members headed to the Island to film a show. Only problem? The Others don't take too kindly to this. Nor does the Smoke Monster. And neither does Jacob (he always preferred the Bachelorette).

It's great to watch while I do that kooky tapestry knitting stuff

It really wouldn't be that different a plot line from the first couple seasons of the original Lost. They always seem to pick out characters for Survivor who are equally as fucked up as Jack, Kate, Charlie, Sawyer, and all the rest of them. 

Forget a crossover episode, this has the makings of an entire series! Get JJ Abrams on the line stat. It's not like he's busy with anything else these days, right?

Archer x American Dad

Archer's a very enjoyable show, and it's built up a reputation for doing stuff like this already. But isn't this the one where the premises go together the best? You have an international spy agency (the original ISIS) in cahoots with the CIA, can go on practically any mission they please, and the collection of characters is straight up insane.

But most important for this argument, think about the potential interplay between Sterling Archer and Stan Smith. One's a free-wheeling, New York swinging bachelor. And the other's a straight-laced, conservative DC meathead. And yet they're both total egomaniacs. They're natural foils, and having them brought together would be a delight for animated espionage enthusiasts everywhere.

The Wire x True Detective

Let's just throw season 2 of both of these shows out the window. At some point I'll have an angry rant about the Baltimore Docks, but that's for another day. Tonally speaking, True Detective basically is The Wire anyway. But the more recent show has yet to scratch the surface on gang crime (and based on it's most recent product, might not get the chance to ever).

So move the show to Maryland for the hypothetical season 3. Have Rust Cohle and Frank Semyon come too. Let Cohle team up with Bunk for a murder investigation, while Marlo and Frank get into an interracial gang war. Who says no to that? Well, other than people who don't want to utterly depressed by their television shows, who says no to that?

No one is the answer, just like no one will ever get to see these brought to the light of day. So props to the BBC for actually pulling off the Sherlock-Luther crossover. And I hope you enjoyed the first installment of BWB's dream crossovers, because I'm sure plenty more are coming soon.