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For all the controversy “Lower Decks” is sure to generate with conservative “Star Trek” fandom, the show’s biggest problem is that it’s far too nostalgic.
It’s 2020, but this is “Star Trek” that hasn’t moved past 1994, for better and for worse.
It’s 2020, but this is “Star Trek” that hasn’t moved past 1994, for better and for worse.
“Lower Decks” is transparently a seventh season episode of “The Next Generation”, just played self-aware comedy. (For example: “Genesis.”)
It swaps the “work place drama” vibe of “The Next Generation” for “work place sitcom.” Which is reasonable, but it needs more teeth
It swaps the “work place drama” vibe of “The Next Generation” for “work place sitcom.” Which is reasonable, but it needs more teeth
It’s obvious from everything from the riff on Jerry Goldsmith’s score to the simple fact that here - one year after “Nemesis” - we’re back in slight updates of “Next Generation” uniforms.
Which is grand. Mike McMahon started out doing “Next Generation” season eight on Twitter.
Which is grand. Mike McMahon started out doing “Next Generation” season eight on Twitter.
I think there’s a slight irony that those fans most likely to enjoy “Lower Decks” - those yearning for a return of the nineties “Next Generation” aesthetic - will be the ones most put off by the superficial layer of goofy, fast-talking modern comedy on top of it.
It’s... fine?
It’s not what I want from a modern “Star Trek” show, but I understand people want Berman-era nostalgia.
The problem is that the jokes (did that lead kill a dude that time? imagine cleaning the holodeck?) are the kind “Trek” fans have been making for decades.
It’s not what I want from a modern “Star Trek” show, but I understand people want Berman-era nostalgia.
The problem is that the jokes (did that lead kill a dude that time? imagine cleaning the holodeck?) are the kind “Trek” fans have been making for decades.
And, to be fair, it’s clear that “Lower Decks” comes from a place of love and affection, and celebration. Right down to having transparent expies for Riker, Worf and Geordi.
The first episode has an honest to goodness homage to the recurring “Geordi goes on a date” subplots.
The first episode has an honest to goodness homage to the recurring “Geordi goes on a date” subplots.
This is genuinely lovely, but it does cause problems.
In that the show clearly still operates within “the Roddenberry Box.” It’s more inside the box than “Deep Space Nine” or the first year of “Discovery.”
But the dynamics of a work place sitcom are... difficult in the Box.
In that the show clearly still operates within “the Roddenberry Box.” It’s more inside the box than “Deep Space Nine” or the first year of “Discovery.”
But the dynamics of a work place sitcom are... difficult in the Box.
As an aside, I wonder if that issue is why the two funniest “Star Trek” shows were the ones that existed outside “the Roddenberry Box.”
The original “Star Trek”, especially in its second Coon-led year, and “Deep Space Nine.”
Because characters could be jerks to one another.
The original “Star Trek”, especially in its second Coon-led year, and “Deep Space Nine.”
Because characters could be jerks to one another.
