Star Trek Eliminates 2 Iconic Characters from DS9 and Voyager: An In-Depth Analysis of Their Deaths

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5, Episode 9 – “Fissure Quest”

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5, Episode 9 – Key Events and Characters

The penultimate episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks made waves by featuring a remarkable crossover that included six iconic characters from the Star Trek universe, culminating in the tragic demise of two. In what marks the most ambitious Star Trek crossover to date, the series drew from alternate realities, assembling a diverse cast aboard the Section 31 starship, the Anaximander. This elite vessel was commanded by Captain William Boimler (voiced by Jack Quaid) and tasked with a critical mission: to investigate fissures in various quantum realities that jeopardize every timeline within the Star Trek mythology.

Among the characters incorporated into this thrilling narrative were T’Pol (portrayed by Jolene Blalock) from Star Trek: Enterprise, an Emergency Medical Hologram inspired by Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Captain Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard) who first appeared in Star Trek: First Contact. Additionally, multiple versions of Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) from Star Trek: Voyager joined Captain Boimler’s crew, including a sole variant promoted to Lieutenant. However, not all of these esteemed Starfleet characters would survive the challenges they faced in this episode.

Curzon Dax’s Heroic Sacrifice in Star Trek: Lower Decks

T’Pol’s Critical Decision

Curzon Dax, a variant of the beloved character from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, met his end in a noble act of bravery during this episode. This iteration of Curzon hails from a timeline where he did not transfer the Dax symbiont to Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). Serving as the tactical officer on the Anaximander, Curzon proved himself a formidable warrior, wielding a bat’leth with pride, hinting at his past as a United Federation of Planets Ambassador to the Klingons.

His downfall came while he selflessly defended his crew against the ferocious Khwopians, who had previously captured them. In an effort to provide Captain Boimler and the others time to escape, Curzon launched an attack against a gang of aggressive Khwopians alone. Unbeknownst to his crew, he sustained severe injuries during the battle and ultimately collapsed on the bridge. Despite T’Pol’s attempt to save him through a Vulcan mind-meld to preserve the Dax memories, Curzon’s demise was inevitable. He passed away with the comfort of knowing he had a friend in T’Pol, a connection he had previously resisted acknowledging.

Lieutenant Harry Kim’s Downfall as a Villainous Figure

A Disturbing Transformation

In a stark contrast to Curzon Dax’s nobility, Lieutenant Harry Kim’s character arc in this episode culminated in villainy. In “Fissure Quest,”this version of Kim cunningly deceives and abducts several Ensign Harry Kims to execute a nefarious plan involving the Beagle, Captain Lily Sloane’s Quantum Reality jump-capable starship. His intentions revolve around whisking his alternate selves away to his reality, convinced that they all deserve promotions.

Ultimately, employing tactics at odds with his true character, Lieutenant Kim’s hubris blinds him to the reactions of his counterparts, who reject his misguided ambitions. The Ensigns revolt against his authoritative demeanor, which sharply contrasts their experiences. Even as Lieutenant Kim realizes that his various iterations have never achieved promotion in their own realities, he remains adamant in pursuing his misguided goals.

His refusal to heed warnings about the destructive potential of entering Quantum Reality ultimately leads to catastrophic consequences. As the Anaximander successfully beams the Ensigns back aboard, Lieutenant Harry Kim’s attempt to escape returns him to his doomed fate, resulting in an explosive end along with the Beagle. This outcome sets the stage for the Star Trek: Lower Decks series finale, where the multiverse faces a dire crisis triggered by his reckless ambition.

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