As a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast and someone who’s spent countless hours pondering the mysteries of the multiverse while navigating the infinite realms of Rick and Morty, I find myself utterly captivated by the audacious exploration of alternate dimensions in Lower Decks. The series finale, “The New Next Generation,” not only provided a thrilling conclusion but also left us with a tantalizing open-ended possibility: the existence of a stable portal to the multiverse within Starfleet’s grasp.
Caution: This information reveals spoilers from the final episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks titled “The New Next Generation.” Watch it on Paramount+, but beware if you don’t want to know what happens ahead!
We’ve formally bid farewell to another “Star Trek” series departing from the 2024 TV lineup, yet there are still enthusiasts who anticipate the potential return of “Lower Decks” in the future on the “Trek” schedule. I am among them, especially after the animated show introduced a significant twist to the franchise, paving the way for numerous exciting journeys ahead. With Starfleet now boasting a permanent gateway to multiple universes, I was curious about how challenging it was for creator Mike McMahan to secure clearance for this concept.
Although Trek has had its fair share of bewildering instances in TNG and other series, it’s surprising that they haven’t delved deeply into the topic of the multiverse. There are the Mirror Universe, parallel universes, and of course, alternate timelines like the Kelvin universe. Nevertheless, Lower Decks has significantly expanded the idea of the multiverse by suggesting an almost limitless number of realities for Starfleet to investigate through the new portal.
Regarding this significant alteration to the Prime universe’s established lore, I inquired from Mike McMahan if the process of gaining approval for it was challenging. He indeed verified that it was.
episode parallels from TNG and the Mirror Universe. While you’ve never been particularly fond of the Mirror Universe, you appreciate its Star Trek roots. The humor in it, like Harry Kim’s reaction to the existence of multiple universes, appeals to you. Additionally, you spent four seasons working on Rick and Morty discussing the multiverse, pondering what makes the multiverse as intriguing as warp travel. You believe that Star Trek is not just about encountering strange life forms or talking goo, but also about exploring the possibilities of life itself. Given this perspective, the idea of a character like Lily Sloane traversing the multiverse, discovering the potentialities of humanity, and having a map of the multiverse quadrant sounds thrilling to you.
Speaking as a fan who rates “Star Trek: First Contact” among the finest Trek films, I must say I was thrilled with the Lily Sloane reference. Additionally, I appreciate Mike McMahan bringing up his tenure as head writer of Rick and Morty, given its masterful handling of multiversal storytelling, which is second to none. If Alex Kurtzman and the team are seeking a leader for a series exploring Trek’s multiverse misadventures, I believe McMahan would be an excellent fit. Provided they’ve gotten over his playful jab about Discovery’s Klingons, I think he could excel in that role.
McMahan persisted in discussing the proposal of a multiversal threat within the context of Star Trek and what ultimately convinced the higher-ups to embrace the idea. In making this point, he mentioned another prominent figure, Jerry O’Connell, voice actor for Lower Decks, who had previously been associated with a popular multiverse sci-fi series prior to joining Trek. To summarize his words: “Jerry O’Connell, voice actor from Lower Decks, was previously known for his work in another beloved multiverse sci-fi show before he came on board Star Trek.
Instead of attempting to return home like Jerry [O’Connell] in Sliders, you are embarking on a journey to understand humanity and grow from it. Initially, I devised this quest as if there was a villain tearing apart the multiverse throughout the season, only to later discover that it was merely an alternate version of Starfleet with good intentions. This approach resonated so strongly with Star Trek that I faced minimal resistance when the higher-ups read my ideas.
Although it’s disappointing that “Star Trek: Lower Decks” won’t air on any TV schedule in 2025, there’s a silver lining – the multi-universe portal has been established within the Prime timeline. This means that if a series is set after “Lower Decks”, it could potentially make use of this portal. Here’s hoping that future creators will capitalize on this opportunity and not let it float aimlessly in space like the well-intentioned Borgs from “Picard” Season 2.
At present, it seems that the possibility of Star Trek: Lower Decks returning to TV is quite low. However, this dedicated fanbase has seen unexpected resurrections of their favorite shows before, such as with Netflix and Prodigy. With hope in our hearts and perhaps some letters to Paramount, we might see the series find a new home. I’m ready to support the mission for more multiverse adventures if it comes true!
If you happened to miss the final episode or any part of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” you can catch up on it immediately on Paramount+. With numerous engaging episodes available, there’s plenty to enjoy if you’re new to the series, or revisit your favorites if you’re a returning fan. So, don’t wait any longer, stream it today!
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2024-12-23 02:37