Jimmy and I just wrapped up watching the first season finale of Star Trek Lower Decks, and thought we’d share a little bit about why we’re in love with this series.
What Is It?
Star Trek Lower Decks is the ninth series (whoa) and second animated entry into the ever-expanding Star Trek universe. Set in the year 2380, this series follows the adventures of the U.S.S. Cerritos, a ship that specializes in ‘second contact’ with new species. (Allegedly where ‘the real work’ happens after the more famous ships make the first contact with new aliens.) However, unlike previous forays into the sci-fi franchise, this show’s primary characters are a team of junior officers who work among the ‘lower decks’ of the ship.
Why We Love It
Though it takes a few episodes to find its footing, Lower Decks is a pleasant change from the larger, serialized format, which has become the norm for many series today. Lower Decks is an animated comedy, in the same vein as shows like Family Guy or Bob’s Burgers, but with a bit more seriousness and sophistication you’ve come to expect of Star Trek. Lower Decks is still exploring new worlds and new aliens, but with a healthy dose of humor.
At its heart, this series is a pure love letter to die-hard Trekkies and Trekkers. Countless inside jokes and references pay homage to the 50+ years of the Star Trek universe. Jimmy and I look forward to catching the latest episode each week and seeing if we can find all the easter eggs and references to previous shows. It may take you a few rewatches to catch them all, but each one is a delight. On the downside, the fast nature of the episodes (running around 25 minutes) means that a lot happens in a short time. Sometimes the dialog and pacing feel too fast, making rewatches even more fun for eagle-eye Trekkers. As icing on the cake, the series features a few surprise guests from elsewhere in the Trekverse, and it’s always a delight when a familiar face shows up.
I had a healthy dose of skepticism when Lower Decks was first announced. Could Star Trek tell stories in this fashion? I’m happy to say I was wrong, and I’ve enjoyed every episode of the season. (And as the ten-episode season progresses towards the finale, they only get better and better.) Despite criticisms that some have that ‘this isn’t Star Trek,’ I feel this take is much more realistic as to how many of us would be if we lived in the Star Trek world we admire so much. It’s refreshingly different, but a great addition, and I look forward to more episodes to come.
Star Trek Lower Decks is streaming all episodes of its first season on CBS All Access.
