Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Number One Receives the Promotion Riker Never Had in TNG

Warning: SPOILERS for the Season 5 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks – “The New Next Generation.”

Significant Developments in Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Season 5 Finale

Star Trek: Lower Decks has marked a monumental shift by promoting its First Officer, Commander Jack Ransom, to Captain—something that the beloved character Commander William Riker (portrayed by Jonathan Frakes) never achieved during his tenure in Star Trek: The Next Generation. As Season 5 culminates on Paramount+, the USS Cerritos steps up for a pivotal mission: securing the universe by stabilizing a wormhole that leads to alternate Star Trek timelines. This wormhole now serves as a permanent multiverse gateway, with Starbase 80 established at its entrance.

With Starbase 80 officially positioned as the hub for quantum reality exploration, Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) is entrusted with the supervision of these groundbreaking missions. Accompanying her is Admiral Alonzo Freeman (Phil LaMarr), and with this restructuring, Commander Ransom (Jerry O’Connell) receives a promotion, becoming the Captain of the Cerritos. In contrast, Commander Riker remained First Officer of the USS Enterprise without obtaining a captaincy for many years, only receiving his promotion years after Star Trek: The Next Generation concluded.

Jack Ransom’s Transformation into Captain

The Growth of a Leader

Over the course of five seasons, Commander Ransom has evolved into a capable Starfleet officer deserving of the captain’s title. Initially reminiscent of a caricature or a parody of Riker, the character has been effectively fleshed out, particularly in the fifth season. Ransom has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, successfully motivating his crew to collaborate effectively. His unique approach may be unorthodox at times, but he tailors his strategies to fit the strengths of his team.

While the exact timing of Ransom’s promotion to First Officer remains unclear, his ascension to Captain after just five seasons is noteworthy. Riker, by contrast, dedicated a total of 15 years to the role of First Officer—from the seven seasons of TNG to four feature films—before finally accepting a captaincy role. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) extended his tenure as the captain for as long as he could, unlike Freeman, who transitioned to new responsibilities. Even though the California Class Cerritos may not partake in the high-stakes missions typically reserved for the likes of the USS Enterprise, its crew exemplifies camaraderie and family.

The Riker Dilemma: Why He Never Ascended to Captain

The Reluctance of Captain Picard

Commander Jack Ransom’s personality features traits similar to those of Commander Riker, yet his climb to captaincy has been notably swifter. Riker was undoubtedly skilled and received multiple proposals to command other ships throughout his tenure. Yet, he turned down every offer during Star Trek: The Next Generation, preferring to serve under Captain Picard aboard the prestigious USS Enterprise.

Ultimately, Riker accepted a promotion to captain the USS Titan in Star Trek: Nemesis. While he had opportunities to command, he never officially took over as Captain of the Enterprise-D. Even as TNG wrapped up its storyline, the first film was already in production, ensuring Picard’s continued command. Unlike the conclusion of TNG, which left Riker waiting for a captaincy, Star Trek: Lower Decks has successfully ushered in a new captain for the Cerritos, showcasing a fresh start for its crew.

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