Star Trek: Lower Decks Finale – Updates on TNG’s Crew Members

Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Series Finale – “The New Next Generation” In a surprising twist during the finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the USS Enterprise-E makes a brief appearance; however, fan-favorite characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation are noticeably absent from the action. As the flagship of the United Federation of Planets, the Enterprise-E was unable to reach the Schrödinger field in time to prevent the obliteration of Star Trek’s Prime timeline. Instead, the crew of the USS Cerritos heroically stepped up to safeguard the universe. Ultimately, the Enterprise-E joined the Cerritos and other Starfleet vessels at Starbase 80, which now serves as a protector for the Federation’s inaugural stable wormhole to the multiverse.

The finale fittingly spotlighted the crew of the USS Cerritos, but it’s understandable that viewers eager to see the USS Enterprise-E wished for more interaction between the iconic crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks. Set in 2382, approximately three years after Star Trek: Nemesis, the events leading up to the finale highlight the significant changes undergone by the Enterprise since its glory days that fans remember so fondly.

Admiral Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Is Already Leading The Romulan Supernova Rescue

By the time of Star Trek: Lower Decks, Captain Jean-Luc Picard had already ascended to the rank of Admiral and was at the helm of a critical mission to evacuate the Romulan people in the wake of their sun going supernova. His promotion to Admiral occurred in 2381, which is alluded to in the finale of Season 3 of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Consequently, it would be implausible for Picard to be present on the USS Enterprise-E during the events of the finale.

As later revealed in Star Trek: Picard, Admiral Picard collaborated with Lt. Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd). However, the evacuation efforts were halted in 2385 following an assault on Mars by rogue synthetics, a plot stemming from the Romulan Zhat Vash. This attack decimated ships under construction at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards and led Picard to resign from Starfleet in outrage over the Federation’s negligence toward the Romulans. Picard would remain estranged from Starfleet until 2401.

Captain William T. Riker

Riker Is Captain of the USS Titan

The USS Titan, Luna Class, is docked at Starbase 80 during the Lower Decks finale, with Captain William Riker in command. In Star Trek: Nemesis, Riker finally accepted the promotion he had long awaited, taking command of the Titan after departing from the Enterprise-E with his wife, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis).

Additionally, Captain William Boimler (Jack Quaid) is now serving on Section 31’s Defiant Class starship, the Anaximander, exploring multiverse phenomena as highlighted in the concluding episodes of Season 5 of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Riker and Troi enjoyed memorable cameos in the series, making their presence felt in key moments alongside Ensign Brad Boimler, who had a transporter mishap that resulted in a duplicate of himself remaining on the Titan while he returned to the Cerritos.

Lt. Commander Data

Data Died In Star Trek: Nemesis

It is a well-known fact that Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) cannot appear in Star Trek: Lower Decks finale events as he perished in Star Trek: Nemesis, sacrificing himself to thwart a lethal threat posed by the thelaron weapon of Praetor Shinzon (Tom Hardy). Data’s ultimate fate was transformed in Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard, where he was rebuilt as a humanoid synthetic.

Interestingly, an alternate version of Lt. Commander Data encountered characters Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), D’Vana Tendi (Noel Wells), and T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) in Season 5, Episode 7 of Star Trek: Lower Decks titled “Fully Dilated.”

Captain Worf

Worf Is Captain Of The USS Enterprise-E

Although not present in Star Trek: Lower Decks, it is confirmed that Worf (Michael Dorn) assumed command of the USS Enterprise-E following Picard’s elevation to Admiral. This significant appointment made him the first Klingon to command the Enterprise or any Federation starship. With changes in crew dynamics, Worf finds himself commanding a new team aboard the Enterprise-E.

While several original cast members from Star Trek: The Next Generation lent their voices to characters in Star Trek: Lower Decks, Worf’s storyline evolved, culminating in revelations from Star Trek: Picard Season 3 about the USS Enterprise-E’s enigmatic disappearance in the 2380s, an event Captain Worf insists he is not accountable for. The Enterprise-F eventually took its place, and Worf’s path led him to Starfleet Intelligence, reuniting him with his former crew.

Dr. Beverly Crusher

Beverly Left Enterprise To Become A Mother

In the events of the Lower Decks finale, Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) is no longer serving as the Chief Medical Officer aboard the Enterprise-E. Following her romantic entanglement with Picard, Beverly chose to leave the Enterprise upon realizing she was expecting a child. Her departure was driven by her desire to provide safety for her child, moving away to offer humanitarian aid beyond Starfleet’s jurisdiction.

In her absence, Beverly Crusher’s name surfaced on a threat list during Season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks. By 2384, two years post-finale, she was residing on Cor Coroli V with her young son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), and later welcomed a visit from Wesley Crusher. Beverly would not rejoin operational capacities until later in Star Trek: Picard Season 3.

Commander Geordi LaForge

Georgi Is Engineering The Federation’s Romulan Rescue Fleet

In the context of Star Trek: Lower Decks, it is likely that Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) is not the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise-E anymore. Although the exact timing of his exit remains uncertain, Geordi joined Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s pivotal mission to save the Romulan population, serving as the lead engineer in the assembly of Starfleet’s rescue armada at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. Unfortunately, this critical operation faced devastation at the hands of rogue synthetics in 2385.

By the time we catch up with Geordi in Star Trek: Picard Season 3, he has advanced to the rank of Commodore and is overseeing the Fleet Museum at Athan Prime. In a covert operation, Geordi began restoration efforts on the USS Enterprise-D, which was destroyed at Veridian III. Surrounded by family, he is joined by his daughters, Lt. Sidney La Forge and Ensign Alandra La Forge, who contribute to their father’s legacy during the events of Star Trek: Picard Season 3.

Counselor Deanna Troi

Troi Is USS Titan’s Ship’s Counselor

Commander Deanna Troi is present on the USS Titan alongside her husband, Captain Will Riker, during the events of the Lower Decks finale. After the completion of their marriage in Star Trek: Nemesis, the couple took the reins of the Titan. Troi continued to serve as the ship’s counselor and became pregnant with their son, Thad, in the early 2380s.

Tragically, Thad was diagnosed with mendaxic neurosclerosis, requiring a treatment only achievable through an active positronic matrix. However, following the Mars Attack that resulted in a prohibition against artificial life, the Troi-Rikers relocated their family, including their daughter Kestra, to Nepenthe. Deanna Troi made sporadic appearances afterward, including crucial moments in Star Trek: Picard, showcasing her resilience and dedication to safeguarding the galaxy.

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