‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘The New Next Generation’

12/20/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

The Lower Deckers Prepare for a New Chapter in Their Careers in Episode 510 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘The New Next Generation. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Finale of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the Penultimate Episode, click here.

When it comes to series finales, fans tend to sweat a little bit before they tune into them. Because a great many franchises have fumbled the ball when it comes to their respective ends, which brings forth sorrow and frustration for fans that want a proper and respectful ending to the show they so love, and sadly… this happens enough that those nerves are usually on guard when the time comes to say farewell. But what’s interesting, is that there is one franchise that doesn’t produce that kind of concern and worry from its fans, and there’s good reason for that. Simply because, the Star Trek Universe tends to stick the landing when the time comes to wrap up a Star Trek show.

In fact, there’s really only two finales in the franchise that can be deemed lackluster. The ones that belong to The Original Series, and the finale of Star Trek: Enterprise. Mainly because TOS ended in such an abrupt manner with such a weird episode, and ENT relied too heavily on TNG to wrap up the saga of the first ship in Starfleet, and while yes… the idea was to show the impact the crew of the NX-01 had upon the future… it disappointed. But otherwise, the franchise has impressed us with its endings and mostly left us satisfied with how the story wrapped up and that’s why there was undoubtedly, nothing but curiosity and a tinge of sorrow when everyone tuned into the series finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+ this week.

For everyone knew, the show would do right by its fans and give us a finale worthy of the STU, and it most certainly delivered as expected. In fact, ‘The New Next Generation’ borrowed little bits from the many farewells we’ve endured to bring to a close the five-year mission of the U.S.S. Cerritos. Such as the fact that the stakes were super high in this story. For the ultimate, multiverse rupture made its way into the Prime-Trek universe and well, that meant it was up to the crew of the Cerritos to close it up. In part because the Enterprise was still on her way (also, that glimpse of the NCC-1701-E was ‘chef’s kiss’) and also because… the Boimler connection was too much for Starfleet to ignore and that led to an epic fight to close the rift.

One that much like, ‘All Good Things…’ reflected past actions and past concerns. Since Ma’ah and Malor returned to bring forth the central conflict in this tale. Which revolved around Relga, a relative of the men Ma’ah fought on Qo’Nos in ‘A Farewell to Farms’, and her desire to murder the brothers to satiate her need for revenge. Which brought them aboard the Cerritos for asylum and soon… inspired combat and even higher stakes for the crew as they tried to outrun Relga’s forces to close the rift. Mainly because Commander Ransom hid Malor because something was fishy about a Starfleet communique that tasked Captain Freeman with handing both men over. A concern that was warranted since Relga faked it to get her way.

Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) Bids Her Crew and Family Farewell in Episode 510 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘The New Next Generation. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

But what mattered more, was that this brought about action and adventure, more key elements to a good Trek finale and some tension to boot. All of which pushed the crew to take part in the best aspects a Trek ending has to offer. In that, they all put aside their fears, their quirks and worries… to work as one. To find a solution as a team so that a brighter tomorrow would take place, and that is the essence of the franchise, and made for an inspiring ending. Wherein the crew were heroes and soon, they stepped into new roles. For the rift, while stable, was eternally open and that required a watchful eye to explore it and secure it. Which meant, Captain Carol Freeman left her post to handle those matters, and in a tearful goodbye, she handed over the ship to Captain Jack Ransom, who promoted Mariner and Boims to co-First Officer and gave Ruthy more responsibility to help him excel at engineering with his implants now gone. All before the Cerritos headed back out into space to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life forms and new civilizations… and boldly go where no one has gone before.

All of which made, for a lovely, tearful farewell to a Star Trek series that was truly special. Simply because Lower Decks was the boldest entry in the franchise to date for so many reasons. Such as the fact that it went the animated route, leaned hard into the comedy but more importantly… found a way to express to fans and the uninitiated alike, what makes Star Trek so special. Because this one really did enchant all of us fans and it did indeed suck new fans in and make them curious about this Trek through the stars and while it is tough to let this one go, that kind of legacy is hard to beat, and well… that is it fellow Lower Deckers, there’s nothing more to say about this show. But it is worthwhile to take a moment and offer thanks. Thanks to Mike McMahan and the writers’ room for gifting us with five years of incredible stories and heartful adventures, and also… for gifting us with the Moopsy. The cuddly lil’ murderer that stole our hearts and our bones.

Also, to Jack Quaid, Tawny Newsome, Eugene Cordero, Noël Wells, Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O’Connell, Fred Tatasciore and Gillian Vigman… thank you. Thank you for giving life to a bevy of quirky characters that put a smile on our faces and that we deeply related to. For there are little bits of all of us in the Cerritos crew and well, this is one that will be deeply missed. Simply because of how special and beautiful it was, and because it tackled topics that even Star Trek rarely does and hopefully, much like the other franchises in this saga, we will meet the Lower Deckers again down the line. But until then, we can rewatch the hell out of our favorite episodes and share the wonder of this magnificent series with other uninitiated fans… so they too can understand what it means to be Cerritos strong, and to start their journey through the galaxy, by way of the most important crewmembers on a ship… the Lower Deckers.

Watch ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’

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