3 Missed Opportunities in the Amazing Finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks

In the thrilling season finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the USS Cerritos takes center stage as the only Starfleet vessel capable of preventing a catastrophic soliton wave from destroying the Prime timeline of the Star Trek universe. The crew bands together, showcasing their teamwork and valor in a desperate bid to save the galaxy. Ultimately, their efforts transform a volatile fissure into a stable wormhole, unlocking a myriad of quantum realities and paving the way for exciting future adventures.

Initially, Starfleet expresses their hesitation about entrusting the fate of the universe to a California-class starship. As fate would have it, while the USS Enterprise-E is en route, it fails to reach the wormhole in time. Notably, despite references to Star Trek’s most storied ship, the Enterprise makes only a fleeting appearance at Starbase 80, and its crew is conspicuously absent. Additionally, the Cerritos’ lower deckers miss the chance to interact with legendary alternate universe characters from the Anaximander’s crew.

Absence of the USS Enterprise-E Crew in Lower Decks Finale

Ideal Setup for an Enterprise-E Cameo

The underlying premise of Star Trek: Lower Decks draws heavily from the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode entitled “Lower Decks”(Season 7, Episode 15). The animated series is a spiritual successor to TNG, set approximately one year following the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. Nevertheless, the crew of the Enterprise-E is notably absent from the finale, and the current captain of the Enterprise remains undisclosed. Speculation persists about whether Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) or Captain Worf (Michael Dorn) holds command.

Imagining the Enterprise swooping in at the climax to deliver a heroic rescue would have added an entertaining twist. This scenario would highlight Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) confidently informing the crew that they have everything under control. While it’s understandable that the creators wanted to showcase the Cerritos as the primary protagonists—particularly to avoid repeating past finale missteps—it’s clear that a cameo from the Enterprise crew would have been an excellent addition. Furthermore, other beloved ships like the USS Voyager and Deep Space Nine received proper representation in the series.

Missed Opportunities for Interactions with Legacy Characters

Boimler’s Encounter with His Transporter Clone Remains Elusive

In the episode titled “The New Next Generation,”a vibrant party is showcased on Starbase 80, where Captain William Boimler (Jack Quaid) mingles with familiar legacy characters. However, the Cerritos crew is noticeably absent from this celebration. While Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) records a log entry mentioning his duplicate’s crew, he does not reunite with William or interact with any members of the Anaximander’s crew. Given the emotional impact of William Boimler’s “death”on Brad, a reunion would have been deeply satisfying.

The disappointment continues with Lt. T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz), who never crosses paths with T’Pol (Jolene Blalock). With T’Lyn being partially inspired by T’Pol, their interaction could have provided a delightful and insightful experience for both Vulcans—who are accustomed to dealing with more unpredictable and emotional crews. Additionally, Brad Boimler would likely have been excited to meet iconic figures like T’Pol and Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig). Lt. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) could also have enjoyed a lively exchange with Garak (Andrew Robinson), showcasing the rich tapestry of character interactions that could have enhanced the finale.

A Case for a Longer Season 5 Finale

TNG Era Finales Set a Precedent for Length

Considering that Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine all featured finales with feature-length runtimes, it naturally raises the question of why Lower Decks chose not to extend its finale as well. A longer episode could have allowed for a greater number of character cameos and deeper references to prior Star Trek series. Increased runtime would also have facilitated more character development for Lt. Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) and Lt. D’Vana Tendi (Noël Wells), who both received insufficient screen time, culminating in Rutherford’s abrupt implant removal.

Despite its potential to explore storylines in greater depth, “The New Next Generation”stands as a memorable series finale. As anticipation builds for future Star Trek ventures that may delve into the newly formed multiverse wormhole, the journey of Star Trek: Lower Decks has undoubtedly been a delightful experience.

Source & Images