I really enjoy the animated Star Trek show Lower Decks. It’s pitched as a comedic take on the Star Trek world, mining humor from the life of the people on the lower decks of a Federation starship. What if the epic exploration of Star Trek was a workplace comedy?
The humor is broad enough that someone like me, who’s not particularly well-versed in Trek lore, can get a kick out of it lampooning general science fiction tropes, but there are plenty of specific jokes for the Star Trek fan I watch the episode with to cackle at. Through the comedy, though, the show’s managed to craft really compelling characters and tell some damn fine science-fiction stories (that happen to be funny). It quickly hit its stride: here are some lowly ensigns who go on adventures on the edge of the Really Cool Star Trek Stuff.
And then it changed. The beginning of Season 4 sees the ensigns promoted to Junior Lieutenants — a step forward towards their goal of becoming commanders. They’re not bridge crew quite yet, but they’re getting there. It does mean a change away from their prior surroundings (gone is the hallway that doubles as their cabin, now some ensigns report to them) and with it, a move away from the lower part of the show’s title. When so many gags and plots are based around the main characters being on the bottom rung, it’s a pretty big shift to promote them.
But man is it great! I love it when shows allow their characters to grow and develop! As I’ve watched the show I’ve gotten attached to the characters and it’s great to see them win and succeed. It’s also a sign that the show knows its characters are as vital as its premise and is willing to let them go beyond the initial bounds of the show. I’m eager to see what’s in store this season and can’t wait to see where these characters go.
Essays, Not Rants! 