“Star Trek: Lower Decks” Show Lighter Side of Starfleet

It’s amazing how there aren’t more animated Star Trek projects, but Star Trek: Lower Decks will focus on a lighter side of Starfleet centering around four ensigns not serving onboard reputable ship. Taking place 15 years after Star Trek: Nemesis, you’ll get a better look one of the most underlooked areas of Star Trek, the non-senior crew that help keep their ships operational.

The last dedicated animated show from the franchise prior to Lower Decks was Star Trek: The Animated Series. Meant to carry on the five-year mission that the live-action Star Trek: The Original Series, failed to do, The Animated Series lasted 22 episodes through two seasons from 1973-1974 featured much of the original cast sans Walter Koenig. The reason cited was budget with some of the cast performing the voices for multiple characters.

On the live-action side, there have been few times when younger inexperienced crew had to face overwhelming odds and adversity like on Star Trek: The Next Generation where Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) found his character “growing up” of sorts like facing a court-martial and possible expulsion from Starfleet Academy in “The First Duty”. What about the actions of Nog (Aron Eisenberg) during the Dominion War in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine?

Trek proved they can write younger characters well and they don’t have to be immature or a klutz. Personally, it would be nice to see a show here a cadet can rise up the ranks throughout the show’s run. It would provide a new wrinkle to the franchise and perhaps Lower Decks could be that start for either more animated Star Trek shows and/or more focus on the lower ranks.

Star Trek executive is already thinking outside the box for a traditional Trek with the success of Star Trek: Discovery, which shifts focus from a captain to the first officer. Why can’t we have a show from the person’s start as ensign all the way to captain? We about saw that with Hikaru Sulu (George Takei), but never really saw how well on screen the USS Excelsior crew gelled.

Are you excited for Lower Decks? Sound off below.

About Tom Chang

I'm a gamer, sci-fi and fantasy fan. film and TV snob. I love to write and read the classics. Anything you want to talk about, I'm here to entertain or at least pretend to be interested.

(Last Updated July 20, 2019 4:06 pm )

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