Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek series tend to be centred on important characters aboard important vessels... but not this one. The ship is the USS Cerritos, which gets sent on relatively minor missions and the protagonists are lower deck crew who aren't important enough to be told what is going on. Ensign Beckett Mariner, who is capable but has no desire for promotion and can be insubordinate; Ensign Brad Boimler is keen to follow every rule and dreams of promotion; Ensign D'Vana Tendi, is an Orion recently transferred to the ship; and Ensign Samanthan Rutherford is an engineer with cybernetic implants. Throughout the series we see them getting into a number of adventures as well as their mundane jobs.

I wasn't too sure about this series but having enjoyed most Star Trek series ever since I was introduced to the original series as a child... while this is quite different it is a lot of fun. Unlike other series this one is definitely aiming for laughs. I found myself chuckling at most episodes and occasionally bursting into proper laughter. The series is very much based in the Star Trek universe and plays with familiar tropes; successfully subverting to provide the humour. The characters are fun to watch, especially Mariner. While the main characters are lower deck ensigns we do get to see the senior staff as secondary characters; they are quite fun too. I'm not sure why so many complain of political correctness; it is certainly no more so than other Star Trek series... which have always been fairly diverse. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of Star Trek who want a laugh.

I have been working my way through the ST catalogue and came across this gem. I really didn't know what to expect and was almost going to skip it, glad I didn't.

While this is a parody show and pokes fun at Star Trek and the lesser thought of aspects of the Federation it takes itself serious enough that it ends up being pretty good Star Trek, a funny comedy, decent sci fi.

It's not well rounded, meaning it's really aimed at adults and fans of Star Trek. If you haven't watched ST before there will be tons of small jokes and events that won't make much sense so in that case it's better to have watched at least some Star Trek. Probably at least OG Star Trek, The Next Generation up to Voyager and you will get a lot of the gags and references in this show.

Looking forward to more seasons!

To comment on two themes I see in other reviews: this series is rated TV-14, so of course, it's not for young kids. And I'm not sure why fans who want all Star Trek shows to highlight social, moral, ethical and dramatic themes would even watch this. You know this show isn't for you. It's okay that this show isn't for you - be well and live your life. For reference, I'm 45 and watched all of TNG, all the movies, and Picard. I like this show because it's a funny, zany cartoon with Star Trek themes. Period. Life is hard - if you want to laugh at a Star Trek cartoon, then watch this. If you want to critique a cartoon that dares to be part of Star Trek, then skip it because this isn't for you...and that's okay!

Following the adventures of the backbone crew of a Starship...

Those expecting Lower Decks to echo 1973's Star Trek the animated series may be left feeling like Gene Roddenberry Holodeck ghost. In terms of tone this animated vision of Star Trek is reminiscent of The Orville, Futurama with a mix of Rick and Morty. It's sharp, fast paced and above all entertaining.

Thankfully, with plenty of in-jokes it never leaves the Star Trek universe, firmly set in the Star Trek world of TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager etc showing that if anyone can and should be parodying Star Trek it's, er, Star Trek. Lower Decks is wacky, funny, refreshing and outlandish.

With a cast of excellent voice actors the character are humorously and likably brought to life and for obvious reasons Tawny Newsome's Mariner is a sure instant fan favourite. Notable are Jerry O'Connell as Freeman and Noël Well's Tendi to name a few.

While no doubt many fans prefer a live action serious series and rightly so, but so long as they are running this wonderful animated incarnation in conjunction with the usual traditional style series this is Praxis shockwave gold.

Overall, once you buy into the style, it's plain Starship sailing, recommend.

As a Berman era Trek fan, I am loving this show. First episode is so so but it really takes off after that.

It's a show that pokes fun at itself, in the most loving way. I really don't get all the hostility to a cartoon, but if you like TNG, DS9 etc, at least give it a shot and make up your own mind.