Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated television series from CBS All Access that premiered in 2020. The series is a part of the expansive Star Trek franchise and represents a unique addition to the Star Trek universe. The show's approach to the legendary Stark Trek series is unique, as it presents a humorous, light-hearted perspective on the universe that explores the lives of lower-ranking crew members of the starships.

Set in the year 2380, Star Trek: Lower Decks takes us away from the flagship vessels and high-ranked, famous characters we're used to, and introduces us to the lives and operations aboard the U.S.S. Cerritos, one of Starfleet’s least important Starships mainly assigned to second contact missions. Second contact, as humorously described by the series, involves all the necessary paperwork and mundane tasks that come after a first contact mission.

Developed by Mike McMahan, a writer and producer known for his work on acclaimed animated series like "Rick and Morty", the show is filled with genuine Star Trek lore and tradition while adopting a comedic, playful and sometimes irreverent tone. McMahan’s influence and comedic touch can be felt throughout, channeling previous experience in animated comedy to make a fresh, inviting, and funny offshoot of the franchise.

The primary characters of the show are four ensigns serving the lower decks of the U.S.S. Cerritos; Ensign Beckett Mariner, Ensign Brad Boimler, Ensign D'Vana Tendi, and Ensign Sam Rutherford. Each character has a unique personality, and they grapple with everyday life, workplace issues, and the challenges that come with living aboard a Starfleet ship. Beckett Mariner is an irreverent maverick, Brad Boimler is over-eager and desperate for a promotion, D'Vana Tendi is an optimistic medical trainee, and Sam Rutherford is an engineer learning to get to grips with his cyborg implant.

In addition to the ensigns, the show also introduces us to the bridge crew of the U.S.S Cerritos, but uniquely, they play a secondary role; the spotlight often showcases the lower decks crew, who are usually the unsung heroes of the spaceship in the Star Trek Universe.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is a series that manages to blend comedy and adventure while paying playful homage to the Star Trek franchise. The show captures familiar elements of the Star Trek world—like interpersonal relationships, exploration, and a quest for knowledge—that have been core themes of the franchise since its inception.

The series explores the idea that even in the vastness of space, there will always be mundane tasks, and it’s not always about dramatic battles, political games, and cosmic threats. It's about the everyday people who make it possible for starships to function, exploring the universe one second contact at a time.

The storytelling in Star Trek: Lower Decks is episodic, with each episode presenting a new adventure for the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos while also focusing on character development. There are familiar alien races, mission types, and Starfleet protocols but seen from a completely different perspective, and the interaction with the larger established Star Trek canon is a major part of the show’s humor.

Elements of animation also give the series a chance to bring the often fantastic and extraordinary visions of the Star Trek universe to life in ways not always feasible with live-action. The bright and colorful animation style contributes to the show's light-hearted tone.

In conclusion, Star Trek: Lower Decks is a divergent but warmly familiar take on a beloved franchise, aiming to entertain long-term fans and newcomers alike. The series is a testament to the versatility of the Star Trek universe, demonstrating that it can accommodate a wide spectrum of stories, tones, and formats. The show offers a fun, fresh injection of humor and light-heartedness into the captivating and often serious Star Trek universe while honoring the fundamental values that the franchise is known for.

By successfully merging comedy and homage, everyday heroism, and spacefaring adventure, Star Trek: Lower Decks invites viewers to boldly go where no comedic animated series has gone before, into the under-explored nitty-gritty of Starfleet operations.