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In the series “Star Trek: Lower Decks“, fresh characters were introduced who could potentially blend well into the broader universe, however, one specific character might feel too unusual if they appeared in another “Star Trek” production. It’s important to note that “Lower Decks” wasn’t solely about new characters; it also resurrected some old faces from the franchise, some of whom hadn’t taken on their “Star Trek” roles for a long time. “Lower Decks” was known for its abundance of classic-era references in the modern “Star Trek”, but it wasn’t confined to being just a tribute to the past.

As a devoted Star Trek fan, I can’t help but marvel at the one-of-a-kind nature of Lower Decks, nestled right in the epicenter of the Star Trek timeline. While it seamlessly became an integral part of the franchise with each tick of the clock, it also had a knack for playfully skewering every nook and cranny of Star Trek, in a heartfelt and affectionate way. However, what makes Lower Decks truly special is its status as a legitimate continuation of the saga, a fact that was underscored by its collaboration with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in the episode titled “Those Old Scientists.”

In this crossover, Strange New Worlds had to tone down some quirks of Lower Decks to ensure smooth cooperation, but even that wasn’t always sufficient.

Badgey Appearing In Star Trek Shows Other Than Lower Decks Would Be Very Weird

Rutherford’s rogue hologram only works in Lower Decks

Character Badgey, portrayed by Jack McBrayer, is a training hologram created by Ensign Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) within Starfleet. While performing his intended duties at first, events unfolded leading him to acquire consciousness, act against the norm, and transform into an antagonist. On the surface, Badgey seems like a stereotypical Star Trek adversary given his background; however, what sets him apart is that he is a colossal, anthropomorphic representation of a Starfleet badge, which makes him quite distinct among the villains in the Star Trek series.

McBrayer’s character seamlessly blends with Lower Decks’ humorous take on Star Trek history, yet it’s hard to visualize him appearing in another series without a significant shift in the show’s or Badgey’s tone for compatibility. For instance, Boimler and Mariner were quirky in their live-action debut in “Those Old Scientists,” but they remained human characters. Introducing Badgey in a show like “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” might introduce too much tonal inconsistency and could be quite disconcerting.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Wrapped Up Badgey’s Arc So He Doesn’t Need To Return

Badgey’s exit means he probably won’t need to come back to Star Trek

The animated series, “Star Trek: Lower Decks”, concluded with its fifth season towards the end of 2024. Although it’s possible that the characters might reappear in another “Star Trek” venture at some point in the future, there are currently no indications of this happening in the near term. The crew of the USS Cerritos was last depicted embarking on their journey to further explore the Alpha Quadrant, leaving their story somewhat open-ended. Contrastingly, Brad Boimler’s (Badgey) narrative was neatly wrapped up in the series finale.

Translated more casually, Badgey’s wicked actions propelled him to the status of a demigod, gaining near limitless power and rid himself of all worries concerning the Prime Universe. Currently, there seems to be no compelling reason for his reappearance in the narrative, and it would require deliberate writing to bring back Badgey. On balance, this is likely beneficial as it rules out the possibility of a character comeback in a movie or TV show that might not fit him as well as Lower Decks did.

Badgey Is The Perfect Argument For Why Star Trek: Lower Decks Shouldn’t Have Ended

The Lower Deckers had so much more to give

Initially, I harbored some reservations about Star Trek: Lower Decks when it was initially unveiled, given that it’s an animated comedy series set within the same universe as all the other productions. To me, it seemed like a peculiar concept that might potentially compromise the overall integrity of the larger universe. However, I found myself quickly embracing Lower Decks once I understood its approach. It skillfully presented a refreshing perspective on the cherished 24th century timeline, while seamlessly incorporating aspects from various other timeframes at times, creating an impression that the characters were engaging with viewers directly.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is a standout series that flawlessly combines its unique franchise style with established canon in a way that no other show seems able to achieve. A rogue hologram character, which might have seemed jarring in another Star Trek production, fits seamlessly into Lower Decks without needing any further acknowledgement. Frankly, I’m still bewildered and disheartened by the choice to end such a promising series prematurely.

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2025-06-01 01:57