Star Trek Clarifies the Captain of the Enterprise at the Conclusion of Lower Decks

Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Season 5 Finale – “The New Next Generation”

Insights from Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 3 Regarding the Enterprise-E

The highly anticipated third season of Star Trek: Lower Decks shed light on a significant narrative element concerning the USS Enterprise’s command. In the electrifying series finale, the USS Enterprise-E makes a fleeting appearance, yet it does not intervene in the unfolding crisis. Interestingly, while viewers may question the absence of the ship’s captain or crew during this crucial moment, the series has previously clarified who commands the Enterprise-E.

The USS Cerritos Rises to the Challenge

In a dramatic climactic scenario where a volatile quantum fissure threatens to obliterate the entire Prime Universe, Starfleet’s reliance on the USS Cerritos becomes paramount. Ultimately, the dedicated crew of the Cerritos bands together, triumphantly stabilizing the fissure and thus preserving the universe. In the finale’s closing moments, the USS Enterprise-E can be seen docked at Starbase 80, although the crew remains unseen. However, it has been established that Captain Worf (voiced by Michael Dorn) is in command during this timeline within the Star Trek universe.

Captain Worf and the Legacy of Captain Picard

Transition from Captain Picard to Admiral

Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) initially took command of the USS Enterprise-D in 2363, leading it until its demise in 2371 as seen in Star Trek Generations. Subsequently, he commanded the USS Enterprise-E in several film installments: Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis. By the conclusion of Nemesis, Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) assumes command of the USS Titan, while Picard continues his tenure on the Enterprise. Notably, Picard is confirmed to have been promoted to Admiral by 2381, as disclosed in season 3, episode 10 (“The Stars At Night”) of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

In the season finale, Beckett Mariner embarks on a brief alliance with the Independent Archaeologists Guild, teaming up with Petra Aberdeen (Georgia King). However, Mariner becomes apprehensive about the source of Petra’s funding. During their exchange, Petra reveals her benefactor to be the now-Admiral Jean-Luc Picard. This disclosure establishes that by 2381, Picard had indeed ascended to the rank of Admiral, suggesting that Captain Worf (Michael Dorn) would take command of the USS Enterprise-E before the events of Lower Decks’ series finale set in 2382.

The Future of the USS Enterprise-E Post-Lower Decks

Worf’s Command and the Enigma of the Enterprise-E

Although details concerning Captain Worf’s leadership aboard the USS Enterprise-E are sparse, Star Trek: Picard season 3 provides intriguing hints about the ship’s fate. In episode 9, “Vox,”Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) mentions his two-decade-long effort to rebuild the USS Enterprise-D. In a conversation with Admiral Picard, La Forge cryptically notes, “we obviously can’t use the Enterprise-E.” Worf, present at this discussion, retorts, “that was not my fault,” suggesting that significant mishaps may have befallen the Enterprise during his period of command.

Set in 2401, approximately two decades after the events chronicled in Lower Decks, Worf’s situation appears to indicate that he has been operating somewhat independently, serving as a “subcontractor”for Starfleet Intelligence. This context hints at a possibly short-lived command for Worf, culminating in an incident that could have resulted in the Enterprise’s demise. Star Trek enthusiasts hope that forthcoming projects in the franchise will unravel the mysteries surrounding the USS Enterprise-E and provide a closer look at Captain Worf’s journey following Star Trek: Lower Decks.

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