Star Trek: Lower Decks

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.

As the title suggests, this was unexpected. I was a big doubter off the show due to the trailer, but after relenting, I watched the first episode. Then the second, and third, etc.

Unlike other Klutzman "Trek-ish" shows from CBS, this show is made by people who care about canon and continuity. Each episode gets better as the season goes on, becoming more and more like Star Trek. The humor is what you are expecting, but can be quite good at times when made with good timing. The world and ship designs, voice acting, and music is excellent, capturing a TNG era which gives the show great presence. This makes me wonder, how is it an animated comedy can be more Trek than a show with a knighted legendary actor, costing a few billion dollars per episode?!?

Overall this was an excellent start with some kinks to iron out, but I am definitely anticipating season 2, and ready to flaunt Lower Decks in the face of STD and Picard.

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!

If you don't enjoy this show, you have forgotten how to have fun. Is it serious? No. Is it funny? Yes. Are there great Star Trek references? Yes. Is it cheesy? Yes. Does it live up to the standards of a great Star Trek show? YES!

The characters are great. The writing is funny and quick witted. It takes existing ideas and presents them from a great new perspective adding a new dynamic to the universe. It is the perfect addition to an IP that is, frankly, floundering to find itself.

Go in with an open mind and enjoy the frivolity!

I went into this show, a quite disgruntled star trek fan expecting to be disappointed once again. "Rick and Morty humor with Star Trek? How long are they going to beat the horse they killed?" I thought to myself. But then it turned out that I liked it. While it's not perfect and not all the humor lands for me, it's not bad either. Many Star Trek fans are understandably, and from my point of view, justifiably bitter about what has been done to Star Trek with Discovery and Picard, and even though Kurtzman is running this show too, I think there is an opportunity for it to shine by satirizing what made people like me hate the last two 'not treks' CBS made. It's not the trek you wanted, that mantle seems to have passed onto the Orville, but it's worth continuing to watch in my opinion as long as the show doesn't try to take itself too seriously, and especially will be if the creators can eventually seize the opportunity to demonstrate self-awareness about what went wrong with the last two shows.