Warning: SPOILERS Ahead for the Season 5 Finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks – “The New Next Generation”
Finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks Raises Multiverse Canon Questions
The conclusion of Star Trek: Lower Decks with its fifth season introduces a compelling yet complex multiverse predicament within the Star Trek universe. The USS Cerritos embarked on a critical mission to confront quantum fissures resulting in infinite timelines. In its final episode, Starfleet Command notified the Cerritos that it was the only vessel positioned to stabilize a monumental wormhole threatening universal destruction. Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) and her dedicated crew rallied together to avert catastrophe, ultimately creating a stable and ongoing portal to an array of quantum realities.
The Challenges of the Newly Established Multiverse
The ninth episode of the season, titled “Fissure Quest,”marked the introduction of the USS Anaximander and its crew, showcasing numerous Star Trek legacy characters under the command of Captain William Boimler (Jack Quaid). This eclectic crew included iconic figures such as T’Pol (Jolene Blalock), Curzon Dax (Fred Tatasciore), Garak (Andrew Robinson), Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), and a multitude of Harry Kims (Garrett Wang). Their adventures underscored the excitement surrounding multiverse narratives. However, the establishment of such a permanent rift during the finale poses substantial implications for Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, which ironically clashes with established Star Trek lore, as no previous series has referenced such a portal.
Why Has This Discovery Gone Unmentioned?
Despite the exhilarating finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, it inevitably prompts significant questions within the wider Star Trek narrative. Both Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Picard take place chronologically after Lower Decks, yet neither of these series acknowledges the existence of a multiverse portal. Notably, Star Trek: Prodigy delved into multiverse themes and even featured the return of Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) as an interdimensional Traveler, but did not mention the newly established gateway. Additionally, the potential motivations of the Federation’s adversaries, such as the Romulans or the Borg, to exploit such a portal raises further questions about its ramifications for the canon.
The absence of dialogue about the multiverse portal in earlier shows could be attributed to production timelines; Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 was likely not in development when Picard and Prodigy were created. Nevertheless, this new twist raises critical considerations regarding how the broader Star Trek canon will adapt to such a significant alteration. With Star Trek: Strange New Worlds set in an earlier timeline than Lower Decks and the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy positioned much later chronologically, it remains ambiguous if any future series will touch on this development.
Unresolved Multiverse Storylines in Star Trek
While Star Trek: Lower Decks wraps up with numerous engaging plot threads, there are currently no announcements regarding a sixth season or any prospective continuation. Despite the promising nature of a permanent multiverse portal and the opportunities it presents, it remains uncertain how, or if, Star Trek will revisit this narrative. Previous seasons of both Star Trek: Prodigy and Lower Decks have revealed the delightful potential of multiverse storytelling, hinting at limitless future adventures.
Moreover, cast members from Star Trek: Lower Decks have voiced their enthusiasm for further exploring their characters’ arcs. With the USS Cerritos still actively engaging in missions, possibilities for their return remain plausible. As Captain Freeman navigates the new multiversal adventures, the doorway is open for multiple plotlines to continue developing.
Considering the forthcoming projects within the Star Trek franchise, it may take time before audiences witness any continuation of Lower Decks. Regardless, the series ended on a heartfelt note, serving as an affectionate homage to the franchise while leaving ample room for future storytelling.
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