‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘Old Friends, New Planets’

11/3/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Gabrielle Ruiz, Noël Wells, Tawny Newsome, Eugene Cordero, and Jack Quaid as Lieutenant T’Lyn, Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, Lieutenant Samanthan Rutherford, and Lieutenant Bradward Boimler in Episode 410 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. – ‘Old Friends, New Planets’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Four Finale of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Over the course of its illustrious fifty-plus year history, the Star Trek Universe really has accomplished some storytelling wonders. For instance, it’s posed the theory that with some real work and some understanding, humanity could in fact… unify and find its potential amongst the stars. Plus, it’s spoken deeply to how we could resolve some of the modern issues we face alongside offering powerful commentary on the human condition. Not to mention, this is that rare franchise that makes sure to spotlight now and again, the importance of taking care of our families, both the ones we are born into and the ones we choose. Because nurturing those connections and going the extra mile for them, are a big part of what makes life worth living and lays down the foundation… for a better tomorrow.

Because people see that, and are inspired by it and well, it just so happens that particular bit of wonder was featured in the season four finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. A feat that ‘Old Friends, New Planets’ accomplished, by giving us… quite the epic and sweeping story. One that finally showcased what inspired Nick Locarno to create the accident that got him kicked out of the Academy, and how he didn’t learn a thing from it. If anything, it inspired him to just go his own way and create his own Starfleet, known as ‘Nova Fleet’. Which would roam the galaxy with its own agenda, one that was rogue and profitable for all involved, and he had indeed built that fleet and was ready to grow it further by calling out to the galaxy to invite anyone who hated authority to join him.

Which exposed how deep his disdain for Starfleet and structure went and well, it also exposed what a jerk he was. Since Mariner didn’t go along with his plan and called him and his stupid plan out on a galaxy wide broadcast. Not to mention, she stole his leverage, a black-market Genesis Device, and escaped into the void of his home star system. Which of course, put her at grave risk and that’s when the story shifted to the theme in question. For while Mariner fought and hid in the star system to keep Locarno’s plan to rattle and divide the galaxy at bay, a troubled mother and Mariner’s bestest friends in the whole wide universe, were not good with just letting her handle this on her own. Especially after Starfleet asked Captain Freeman to keep the Cerritos out of the fight for diplomatic reasons.

Tawny Newsome and Robert Duncan McNeill as Lieutenant Beckett Mariner and Nick Locarno in Episode 410 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. – ‘Old Friends, New Planets’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

So, sacrifices were made. The kind that saw the crew swing by Orion to try and convince Tendi’s sister to provide the crew a battleship to penetrate the powerful shield that Locarno set up to prevent anyone from causing them harm, and in order to ensure that the crew had what they needed, to save Mariner and save the galaxy from a whiny man-child… Tendi offered her standing and role in the Orion syndicates in exchange for that battleship. Which D’Erika was happy to accept. Granted, she handed the crew a crappy battleship without any weapons or armaments, but a crew that was united under the banner of Cerritos Strong, wouldn’t let such a problem stand in their way. So, they found a way to make that ship work for them, and they even used a little Twaining to make that happen.

Which brought forth, one epic ending to this tale. Wherein Lieutenant Bradward Boimler served as captain of the U.S.S. Cerritos, as Captain Freeman and her bridge crew used the Captain’s Yacht and one big ass battleship to rip open the shields and head for Mariner. Who, in a very Wrath of Khan style sequence (Perhaps Crisis Point III: The Wrath of Locarno?) squared off against Locarno and stalled him long enough to fire up the Genesis Device before being rescued. A move that cost Locarno his life but did give life to a stable planet and peace in the galaxy once again. Wherein the crew of the Cerritos was forgiven for their disobeying a direct order and where… Tendi did indeed say goodbye for the time being.

But what mattered most, is that this family, showcased the best parts of humanity. For when we band together like this, and value a life and their future, we truly are an amazing species. And if we did that now… we would be equally as amazing and could perhaps begin to sneak our way toward a future like this. All of which brought forth, an amazing season finale. One that neatly wrapped up a powerful arc now spanning decades in real-life and the STU, and of course, it also featured some epic cameos along the way. Since Shannon Fill returned to play Sito Jaxa, and of course, Robert Duncan McNeill was back as Locarno, and how you can go wrong with a Wil Wheaton cameo? The answer is… you cannot. Because Wesley Crusher rules. But alas, that aside, we have reached the end of season four, and sadly all we can do now is wait for season five and the brilliance it will send our way.

Also, hopefully year five features the return of Moopsy. Because we simply need more Moopsy. Until next time.

Robert Duncan McNeill, Wil Wheaton, Shannon Fill, and Tawny Newsome as Cadet Nick Locarno, Cadet Wesley Crusher, Cadet Sito Jaxa and Cadet Beckett Mariner in Episode 410 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. – ‘Old Friends, New Planets’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

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