Star Trek Lower Decks - Season 1 - Was it Good? (Spoilers)

[@RowanJColeman]

SOME LINKS: Discord server: discord.gg/BYxQNuD Gaming Channel: kzbin.info/door/4AQjWVhQBOoHlOrKn_SJqA Second Channel: kzbin.info/door/uRTWD6C2lqy-y-0HMwRoNQ

[@daviddyster4145]

Thank you for answering my question and I can't wait to see your new Star Trek Retrospective.

[@paulaburrows8660]

That scene with Riker and the Titan was so much more exciting than what we got in Picard.

[@Novarcharesk]

To be fair, in Picard, they are retired. In LD, they are still in their career primes.

[@paulaburrows8660]

@@Novarcharesk I'm more referring to the copy paste Starfleet scene at end. It was a meh.

[@etexpatriate]

I really enjoyed Lower Decks, much more than Picard and Discovery (both of which felt downright cringey at times). I think the difference is Lower Decks celebrates the greater lore of Trek, while the new live action series too often feel like they're merely exploiting it.

[@Destructor111]

Or worse, ashamed of it! Discovery has been steamrolling TOS canon since day one. This is despite referencing and using better-known tropes like Harry Mudd and the mirror universe. But of course they have to be put through Discovery's bizarro-world filter for story, character and visuals first. Because we wouldn't want this new Star Trek show to resemble that "Star Trek" crap, now would we!?

[@SC-mq1eh]

@@Destructor111 The visual update by DSC was necessary - while some OG trek fans find charm in the dated almost campy aesthetics of TOS, most people today would laugh - and while some fans want trek to be a members only club, it's always even since TOS been a means of generating income and you do that by homaging the past, but always attracting new audiences

[@CaesiusX]

I agree with a bit of what you said @@Destructor111. Particularly the _steamrolling over the lore_ aspect. If you have a solid, well written science fiction story, there is a better chance of attracting viewers. Ignoring the lore, over utilizing said lore, shouldn't have an impact on that. Thus, it just seemed unnecessary to me. Like they were ashamed of it. I'll admit, there are some elements of past iterations of _STAR TREK_ that many might agree should just stay where they are. But the ones that they do ignore don't fall into this category IMO. So, again, it seemed unnecessary. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ And I disagree with what somebody said about the old sets. I always had what I felt was an ideal premise for a _STAR TREK_ series.¹ The title I always applied was _STAR TREK - Tales of the Federation._ The concept is an anthology wherein each episode or perhaps 1-3 episodes take place in a different timeline within the history of the Federation. As far back as *Enterprise,* and as far forward as our imaginations will take us. Personally, I was looking forward to seeing *TOS* sets and costumes with today's filming techniques and effects. And I don't mean a redesigned _Enterprise_ with a redesigned bridge for today's sensibilities.² But one that looks just like the classic series. And since only a few episodes per season might take place in that timeline, it would be novel to some while giving *TOS* fans something they would cherish. And fans of *TNG* and other incarnations would receive that same gift. While it would be extremely exciting for some to see, as with any captivating story with compelling characters, the sets are just the dressing. _I have several paragraphs detailing casting and story ideas. But since this wasn't the topic of conversation,³ I should just stop after two._ 🤫 *EDIT:* And despite my advocacy for seeing the old sets done with today's techniques, I'm not against updated sets and costumes. Those are just something for me to complain about when I feel everything else isn't working. •••✺●✺••• *¹* ─ Like a million other fans, I know. 😏 *²* ─ Unless of course we had episodes taking place during the *TOS* _movie_ period. In which case, _let's see that refit Enterprise!_ Possibly my favorite _Enterprise._ 😁 *³* ─ Plus, I seem to be simply babbling at this point. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Destructor111]

@@SC-mq1eh I have no problem with updating the production values for modern tastes - what I do have a problem with is nearly wholesale chucking out the *design intent* of the original sets. They look cheap and stodgy because they were. But take the original designs as a starting point and do a detail/style pass. Add texture and depth, but keep it looking like the same Starfleet - just a *way better looking* version. But no, everything has to be completely redone from scratch in a generic scifi blue and chrome for some reason. It's insulting.

[@SC-mq1eh]

@@Destructor111 If you can't see the updated 1701 didn't use the original TOS designs as a base, while taking from the rest of franchises history, thus making it "fit" better, I'd update my eyeglass prescription - and if you're referring to the Disco it's from an era of ship design from which there is nothing canonical - we don't know ship designs from the 100 odd years between ENT and TOS - Not to mention the tech was updated to be more in line with basic advances we've made from the 60s

[@steveweshinskey2117]

It was a throwaway bit but I loved the lieutenant who was the conspiracy nut. 'Wolf 359 was an inside job' 'Changlings aren't real' ' The Dominion war never happened'. I can totally see someone thinking like that just based on what we see on the internet every day :).

[@marckrieger3277]

Funny thing is he was right about wolf 359. Picard "leading" the borg as an ex starfleet officer kind of made it an inside job.

[@steveweshinskey2117]

@@marckrieger3277 But thats conspiracy theories for you, a tiny nugget of truth taken out of context or blown up to represent the whole truth.

[@caslaBBalsac]

@@steveweshinskey2117 Actually, given how dirty Starfleet intelligence is, it's entirely plausible, if not probable, that they somehow orcastrated all of this in order to study Borg Capabilities. Gotta admit, the fact that they only appear rarely afterwords, save for on Voyager, is MIGHTY suspicious.

[@andrewtaylor940]

The season finale, particularly the finale of that episode was an epic Trek moment. Of the sort we have not seen in over a decade. The fact that it (probably unintentionally, but you never know) takes Picard’s season finale, and shows them how to do it properly, using the same character, is mind blowing. With Discovery and Picard they threw millions into glorified cgi crap feats, while this little cartoon comes along and shows them how much cheaper and easier it is to just do it right. You didn’t need a fleet of 1000 uninspired cut n paste cgi ships to save the day. Just having one Captain show up in one ship, the correct ship, was all that was needed for much greater impact with the audience.

[@AlanShieh]

Andrew Taylor yup, exactly. The style of the final rescue in LS is much more in keeping with classic Trek visual language than that last scene in PIC. I think the problem with PIC is that the VFX art direction was all over the place / no love put into it.

[@andrewxu3602]

It was unintentional. Mike McMahan has stated that he had no idea Riker would save the day at the end of Picard when he was writing the finale.

[@andrewtaylor940]

@@AlanShieh It shows the current lack of aesthetics in Hollywood. Somebody never taught them that in storytelling "less is More". It's the dark march that began with George Lucas's prequel trillogy, and found it's true unholy master in the twisted mind of JarJar Abrams and his underlings and handers on (such as Kurtzman). The feeling that "CGI lets us do 1000 things on screen at once! So that must be great!" and "It's CGI just make it BIGGER!" instead of a tightly paced simple scene with a small number of ships or people, that the audience can feel an empathy for. Look at the Battles between the Enterprise and Reliant in Wrath of Khan. How they still put you on the edge of your seat watching these two lumbering ships fight like old sailing ships. Then look at any of the JJTrek's (yawn) battles. Where you get bored 3 seconds in because you absolutely can't tell what is going on. It's just motion and 'splosions! The Picard FX team are like the low rent versions of that. They literally gave us a 100 examples of the exact same ship Cut n Pasted into a scene like a schoolgirls bad photoshop collage, and wanted us to think that this was awesome? That it was even interesting or dramatic? Because 'More is always Better!"

[@michaelmurley487]

"The correct ship," I totally agree with you there!

[@KhaosAdmiral]

hell what makes it more impressive is that it is done with half the running time of Picard.

[@foxisded]

Me watching the finale: How can something be so funny yet so intense at the same time??!

[@Dalipsingh111111]

People in August: "Lower Decks is shit and Star Trek is dead!" Same people now: *akward silence*....

[@GESSO217]

I never considered Trek Dead, but I still think Lower Decks is not very good.

[@superdewott3209]

I couldn't get into it. First episode was ... eh... But it's great others like it!

[@GESSO217]

@@superdewott3209 I was completely turned off by it. Instinctively hated it.

[@superdewott3209]

@@GESSO217 is not for everyone. Some like, others don't 😁

[@smithonme1888]

@@superdewott3209 if it makes a difference it’s one of those series where you have to get past the first few episodes to really see it shine.

[@WolfWinter]

As someone who was very skeptical of this show after seeing the trailer (I was using words like "watered down Rick and Morty"), I can honestly say that this has the potential to be the best Star Trek in years. It's not there yet, but after having seen Discovery, Picard, and the Kelvinverse fall on it's face over and over again, I found Lower Decks to be very refreshing, savvy, and funny. Although like Rowan I wasn't sold on the first episode, the second showed us a *proper* Klingon. I have waited years and years for a *proper* Klingon again. Also, the last two episodes were the best 40 minutes of Star Trek since the second part of In a Mirror, Darkly

[@hashpond420]

Picard was alright, Discovery is just a bunch of people crying all the time, Lower Decks actually reminded me of Star Trek.

[@lazykhur1361]

Bunch of people crying all the time 😂😭😂

[@mangalores-x_x]

Picard was not alright, it was a senseless clusterfuck of a story they (a bunch of marketing assholes) tried to salvage by shoving fan service your way. Patrick Stewart, hurray, Data yippie! Never mind the complete inane, cobbled together nonsense story and characters they managed to screw up despite only having six episodes to plan and write (and still ending with hours of filler and fan service detracting from the actual story premise). Both Discovery and Picard have the worst writing I have ever seen outside trash movies let alone an A-lister production. I can only watch them under the premise of film studies and how many flaws and false turns you can spot and even then it becomes a chore.

[@MrDill-uu2mj]

lower decks is really good show

[@mariairlete6754]

@@MrDill-uu2mj Yes, it's modern, but knows what to do with the old stuff, it's comical, but maybe too far at it, and it looks like Rick and Morty in Star Trek: The next generation, but is still great.

[@mariairlete6754]

@@mangalores-x_x And what do you think of lower decks, then?

[@kaicreech7336]

Can we talk about how beautiful the Titan is?

[@wertypearl7015]

If you're curious about what class it is, it's a Luna Class Reconnaissance Science Vessel.

[@Atamastra]

Yes. Yes we can.

[@Bennahr_Fett]

nou

[@jenniferdruidhill7157]

Lower decks wasn't good , it was freaking amazing

[@wertypearl7015]

You had me in the first half, ngl.

[@jenniferdruidhill7157]

@@wertypearl7015 the best new series

[@Xizor15]

The whole show, I was really enjoying myself but not very engaged. But the finale really brought it all together and made the whole season work on a different level, and upon rewatching the season, I really enjoyed myself even more. The first two episodes are the weakest, but it's negligible. Honestly this is my favorite Trek series since Enterprise.

[@CaesiusX]

I felt somewhat the same. I was not hating it, but I also wasn't terribly engaged. I am thinking I need to re-watch it as well. Something tells me I will enjoy it much more upon a second viewing. 👍

[@Calinks]

@@CaesiusX I enjoyed more with rewatching some episodes too. Particularly when I watched the episodes @nitpickingnerd did commentary on. Got some new insight. I was also no longer worried about how bad the show may be. Just watched it ready to be entertained.

[@gvhgnjhg1387]

Literally, a quarter of the episodes seem to have been made up on the spot or written by someone else

[@Xizor15]

@@gvhgnjhg1387 okay

[@Scandic45]

The series reminds me of The orville for haveing lots of jokes while still keeping the core of what makes Trek -Trek. Discovery and Picard feels always as if they don't fit into the universe as much as lower decks. All i can say is while i look forward to Discovery season 3 it allso sets up a timline issue that nothing we do wil prevent the federation into turning into whatever it is going to become. Overall Lower decks is the best new Star Trek series. It dosent throw out cannon it pushes easter eggs while not pushing into your face.

[@HatsoffHistory]

I totally didn't notice the lens flare joke until you mentioned it. Nice catch!

[@Rocketsong]

No Small Parts is the best Star Trek episode to "air" since In a Mirror Darkly.

[@inkognito1534]

Empress Sato do like this. ;)

[@billymanners9629]

One thing I loved about it is that until the finale noone dies on lower decks, making it all the more shocking when the Solvang (and a crew we'd met before) is lost with all hands 5 minutes in.

[@SkippD]

I was very surprised by the show. It certainly surpassed my expectations early but blew them away by the end. Looking forward to more!

[@TimothyMorigeau]

This is actually a pretty awesome show. I'm loving it too!

[@KingOfMadCows]

It started out pretty weak for me. They kind of just yell out references. But it improved a lot over the season. The references became more subtle and obscure. They also did a pretty good job using Trek tropes and resolving situations in ways that keep true to Starfleet ideals.

[@johnchedsey1306]

The Orville kinda did the same thing at first...trying to shoehorn in jokes (though Lower Decks was much better at it in their first couple of episodes). But both shows hit their stride pretty fast once the writing teams got a feel for what they really wanted to do with the characters and show.

[@piquels6934]

What absolutely kills me about Veritas is picturing Kurtwood Smith and Tawney Newsome in the same room yelling the final dialogue at each other. Gets me every time.

[@Mallory-Malkovich]

_Lower Decks_ is already the 2nd best _Trek_ series of all time. I can hardly wait for the next season!

[@AlanShieh]

Crisis Point was my personal favorite of the season. When I finished the episode, I couldn’t believe that they managed to squish in the experience of a Star Trek movie into 20 minutes!

[@The_0nly_N0VA]

once again...i couldn't agree with you more...we obviously have similar (if not the same) tastes with regards to our sci-fi: specifically, our Trek preferences...this is great as it seems like no other YT channel shares our views on both the new Star Trek series' and the Star Trek series in its entirety...anywho, loving your star trek stuff. though i initially subscribed to your channel because our generally similar scifi tastes, this shift to star trek has made me a regular viewer - especially as we agree on most things for the same reasons. There are plenty of folks who share our opinions but not for the same reasons and that's what makes your channel special for me...even when we blatantly disagree on something, you present it in a way that helps me better understand the differing perspective. thanks for the great content.

[@BarbadosBeerFestival]

The last episode felt epic in scale..it would have made a good full length movie.

[@alex_inside]

The first two episodes where okay bet then the show became actually really good.

[@johnmccarron7066]

Watching this show, it struck me the same way a lot of my favorite TV shows' first seasons go: not great, not bad, but still enjoyable. I find that some of the best shows have first seasons that are still trying to find their stride and pattern. Once they get the kinks out of the system, the following seasons feel much more solid. I'm looking forward to where Lower Decks will go.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

It's interesting coming back to this video almost a year later....as season 2 is getting ready to air it's last 3 episodes

[@robinsonsuarez6334]

I agree at first. The jokes weren’t landing and the fan service was not creative. But definitely got better and even smart tan service jokes like Riker. Also Prodigy surprised me.

[@brauliob]

My favorite callback to other Star Trek in Lower Decks is when they show a pad with Kirk and Spock's picture, it is in the likeness from the Animated Series. That really got a laugh from me that I had to stop and rewind a few times.

[@tocotronicon]

Agree with you, i watched the first ep and was underwhelmed, and it took some time untill i got back into it. But i'm glad i stuck with it in the end. For me the best "new" Star Trek show

[@Calinks]

Best first season of a Star Trek show ever. No, I'm not kidding.

[@uzumchiz1738]

TOS?

[@Calinks]

@@uzumchiz1738 Probably the only one that tops it though I don't like the super episodic nature of TOS.

[@cgrima117]

I am so proud to have been a huge fan of Lower Decks from episode 1. It is a really entertaining show.

[@Dalipsingh111111]

I gotta say, it needed until episode 3 to cinvince me. Now i want more. MORE!!!

[@ExiledQ]

first Trek content for actual Star Trek fans we've gotten in at least 20 years

[@elphee]

I was pretty turned off by the idea of Lower Decks when it was first announced. I didn't really like the first bits of footage we saw either. However, sitting at this end of the first season I can happily say that it is the best Trek media I have seen in quite some time - especially the first season of a Trek thing. You can tell that the writers just love Star Trek - all of it - the good and the not so good. Great video.

[@michaellewis1545]

While not my favorite animated Scfi show , that is Final Space, I am glad that lower decks up its game and turned into a good show. Also the Titian is great looking ship.

[@ReddwarfIV]

When I first saw the trailer for _Lower Decks,_ I wrote in the comments something along the lines of "If you wanna see a sci-fi cartoon with a cool cat character in it, watch _Final Space_ instead". I still like Avocato more than Dr. T'Ana, but that's a very high bar and she's basically a side character. The trailer did the show a massive disservice. _No Small Parts_ is, unironically, one of the best episodes of _Star Trek_ as a whole in my opinion.

[@stipe3124]

Lower Decks is show from which we did not expect much but actually got alot of good things

[@JeremyKShort]

Spoilery stuff here! Don’t read if you haven’t seen the full season. I really was sad to see Shaxs die. No, he was not a complex character, but honestly, I liked him more than Tasha Yar. Giving him a serious send off was nice. As for the character himself, I think there was a decent chance he was in the Resistance. This show is something like 11 or 12 years after the Occupation ended, so he definitely lived through it. What else can I imagine someone with Shaxs skill set doing on Bajor at that point?

[@christopherseraph575]

I range from "meh" to outright disdainful of new Trek, and even I say Lower Decks was amazing. Because I actually gave it a fair shot. It was my favorite Trek since Voyager. I suspect most people who have condemned it haven't given it a fair shake and either have not seen it, or turned it off after the first half of the first episode. One mistake they did make was probably having the weakest episode as the first. You want to start and end strong with a season, especially with a new show facing great skepticism. They nailed the strong finale, but missed the mark on ep 1. It was enjoyable, but not enough to convince extreme skeptics. I'm not suggesting they should have aired ep 2 first, as that would mess up continuity, but they should have had stronger writing in the first episode and a little less "crazy whacky humor" to convince the skeptics this was actually the Trek we remember, but with far more humor. If you can enjoy The Orwell as the spiritual successor to Trek, as many fans who despise new Trek do, then you can definitely enjoy Lower Decks as long as you can get over that it's, well, a cartoon.

[@priest2001]

I’ve watched Star Trek for over forty years but recently I’d pretty much given up on it. Discovery, Picard and the latest movies seem utterly devoid of heart and anything resembling coherent plotting. But I loved lower decks, clearly made by people who live Trek, give me hope, a tiny bit.

[@boxtears]

Basically mirrored by experience exactly. Very much looking forward to Season 2.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

Uh, sorry you did miss something... When the admiral and the captain first talked about Mariner. Then there's the fact of their names being different were both hints that neither one wanted their mother daughter relationship known. The only time it's acknowledged on screen is when they are fighting to keep the ship from being completely terraformed... Quite a secret when one's number one isn't informed of a familial relationship... No sweat though... Enjoyed your review. 🖖

[@DR.64A9]

Yeah that was pretty clear to me as well.

[@davidhamilton6612]

IMHO, for what Lower decks was meant to be, I think it was great and can't wait for more episodes. It shows the funny side to life in the lower decks of a starship. As a former grunt (low ranking infantry soldier) I can relate to some of the antics shown in the episodes.

[@cb3391]

I liked it. The show wasn't stuffy , or took itself too seriously. I hope the writers remember that.

[@Atamastra]

Dude, just found this channel on a whim of a search for someone to sing the praises of Lower Decks. Cuz you basically laid out 90% of the same misgivings and congratulations I gave the show when I watched it. I was very hesitant to take it in, and Mariner really annoyed me at first, but I ALWAYS give a show until it's 4th episode to win me over. It's a pretty good litmus test for me and Lower Decks passed (in fact, the 4th episode was one of my favorites; the Ascension climax had me in tears for 10 straight minutes). As you said, only true fans could make Trek jokes this funny and this lovingly. Well said sir.

[@Friendlyneighborhoodguy]

Lower Decks is very funny i liked it more than Picard

[@machinegunsally1874]

No one can replace Gene Roddenberry's writing and creativity, but Star trek lives on ever changing and living different lives with every new star trek series. It's not about being the next Gene Roddenberry, it's about knowing and loving the franchise and this show showed it. Although it wasn't perfect, but the first ever star trek wasn't either. This show might look like a bad apple, but you will never truly understand it if you never take that first bite.

[@dardobartoli]

Well you've convinced me to check it out.

[@myself2noone]

Not perticularlly. It wasn't really bad. It was all done well enough. Anamation works for what they're going for. Characters have unique voices. A and B plots tend to converge in a reasonable way. The only problem is it's a comedy that hasn't told a single funny joke.

[@myself2noone]

@elijah mikle Did you laugh because of socal acceptance? Or because something unexpected happened? I'm betting the former. They made a reference that you understood and that made you feel like an extra special person who is in on the joke. That or you're someone who is supprised by the sunrise.

[@Chunkhead]

I'm a Discovery/Picard HATER, but freakin' LOVED Lower Decks.

[@fancywrong6405]

dito

[@AndrewLuke]

@@fancywrong6405 Where's the energy to hate Trek in a world of Boris, Vlad and Donald?

[@thestormofwar]

Lower Decks isn't a love letter. It's a damn romance novel to Trekkies.

[@derworfnet]

I'm still not sure if I should watch this show. I mean, sure, based on all I've seen and heard of it so far, it easily seems more faithful to canon and closer in style and tone to the Trek I grew up with than everything produced since _Enterprise_ was cancelled. But the fact that this is a (in terms of the amount of money ostensibly spent on it) low-effort animated show marketed as parody tells me that, while the people actually writing it may love the franchise and take it seriously, the higher-ups at CBS don't believe that a live-Action Trek-Series that is *not* a grimdark, depressing, annoyingly busy and self-important soft reboot won't sell and not taken seriously by the audience. It tells me that, while the writers of the show may think of it as a love letter, CBSs reason for making it was to placate Older Fans, throw them a bone, so to speak - and that they have no intention of changing the direction they have taken the Franchise with DISC and PIC. To me, watching _Lower Decks_ would probably feel like eating leftovers. I would be like "Yeah, thats nice... but why can't we have this as Live Action?"

[@BrowncoatFairy]

i simply cannot relate to someone who didn't think The Dog was one of the highlights of the season.

[@Rocketsong]

When "The Dog" transformed into a cube and clunked down the corridor made me laugh far harder than it should have.

[@TheRyFiNetWork]

So I should give it a shot? I have been extremely disappointed with Discovery S1 & especially S2, but it was ST Picard that I was actually offended in its portrayal of well established characters and universe and it felt like a insult to fans who love and cherish 18 years of consistent Star Trek and characters built over that time. I came into new era Star Trek very excited and ready for Trek to finally return to the TV as that is where it thrives, tho the movies have been enjoyable but only so much can be done in 2 hrs. The saying goes 3 strikes you are out and the third strike (Picard) really put me off wanting to give any more time into this era that clearly is not aimed at a fan like myself. They also say vote with your wallet and as such I am not paying for CBS to watch something that offends, upsets and insults me as I could go on for days with the issues I have had. That being said I can also say they have moments that feel true to the Trek spirit but those moments are few and far between. I watched Star Trek Lower Decks Episode 1, was not drawn in as the characters felt more like current day humans more then what I had hoped, nothing bad just felt off, the look and feel of things did seem to be on point with what has come before, something Discovery & Picard missed completely. I am burnt from those other 3 entries and thus I did not want to give more time to something I did not like, but after watching you video and you specifically stating that if the first 2 episodes did not work to just keep going as it gets better and pays off. I think, from what I have seen anyway, this would be the closest to Star Trek as I know it just with a hyper speed attitude as seen through the characters, a little manic from what I got in the first episode but you have given me reason to question watching it fully. I REALLY REALLY love Star Trek, watch TNG/DS9/VOY/ENT on the regular as I am a HUGE Trek nerd and can NEVER get enough of those series, I just want a return to that universe while Boldly Going into the newest phase but honoring and building off of what came before. Say what you will about current Star Wars (I enjoy it but I see the issues it has, nothing awful by any means but just not well crafted) but if you watch '77 Star Wars and then Rise Of Skywalker you will still see the same universe, characters (Luke could be an argument tho lol) but the look, the feel, all of it is still there. Star Trek should've built from where it left off, but rather is has taken this nose dive into the darkest, depressed look at a now dystopian future where xenophobia, greed, money, drugs, over all distrust and hatred consume almost every character, that is now where we left off and it is a true disservice to all the hard work all those series did, the people in front and behind the camera for those 18 years created such a unique IP unlike any other SCI-FI and that uniqueness is what made Star Trek shine....... I do not recognize this IP anymore. But you have given me a glimmer of hope that maybe I can have a little of that return in this show, even tho it is a cartoon and Rick & Morty-ish. Liked the video, thanks.

[@MannyLectro]

It took me a few episodes to start enjoying Lower Decks, and the last ones got me extremely excited. I really think you should give it another shot. Let's not forget that it usually took a couple seasons for Star Trek shows to grow the beard. Lower deck is the same, but it does it in less than a season.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I think you should probably watch Hello Kitty instead.

[@Aurora2097]

Wether you like the characters and stories or not, lower decks has really good writers!

[@abbraxxis5998]

I made it through 3 episodes. The Lower Decks is the biggest load of horseshit I have ever seen. Its trying to be a cross between Futurama and Family guy on a Star Trek canvas. It fails miserably. You couldn't pay me to watch more.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

I thought season 1 of Trek hit a Zenith with Discovery. Then Picard. But now? This is by far like Clone Wars Season 7 levels of awesome. Not 1 episode was a dud for me. I have been saying since 2nd contact, this series has a comparable intelligence, comedy and pacing with shows like The Good Place, Bojack Horseman, Archer and Brooklyn 99. Add on world building for a 54 year old franchise (complete with 4th wall breaks like name dropping TOS). It has been AMAZING

[@Quole1234]

oh my god. Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

@@Quole1234 what about my disposition suggests that I'm joking? Or maybe you don't think I'm a "real" Trek fan because I happen to love New Trek.

[@cherubin7th]

I was surprised how Star Trek Utopian Lower Decks season 1 was. I found it interesting that the relationship between lower and upper decks was more relaxed and less rigid than in TNG. I always found that in the Federation you would be more equal despite ranks.

[@zenmaster24]

it was the first animated series i've experienced in trek - i found it pretty engaging after the first few eps, and looked forward to watching it weekly. fun characters and cool story arcs made it a win in my book.

[@Nebula1701]

Watch TAS!

[@benw9949]

You can get the 1970's era Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS) in a box set or via their Paramount+ streaming service. My advice: get the box set and you won't lose access if studios switch ownership again. The old TAS series is pretty good, like a 4th season of TOS. The animations typical of 1970's Saturday morning kids' show cartoons, but the stories are well-written (mostly) by well-known science fiction authors. Not perfect, but good. Some things made it into future Trek canon.lore. I hope you enjoy it.

[@michaelramsey82]

I binged the whole season in one night. Lower Decks is exactly the sort of Trek show I've been wishing for for years (although I would have liked to see it in live action). It's incredibly well written, and the callbacks to other Trek stuff, particularly in Crisis Point, had me rolling. Can't wait for season 2!

[@PeoplecallmeLucifer]

7:20 I actually dislike the fight ... Some of the dialogue there just doesn't sit right with me

[@jolan_tru]

Great video! I assume... My sound wasn't working 😞 I'll watch it later. Also, for the record, I really enjoyed Lower Decks.

[@Renkencen]

Personally I loved it but it was abit of a slow start! I was a very refreshing take on the franchise which I welcome! Granted this is coming from a guy whose have watch some past ST (started with DP9) shows but had forgotten 99% of all!

[@maxoutyoutlife5261]

I'm a big fan of TNG and Trek in general and I've just got into ST LD last night. I'm surprised by all the fan base toxicity when it was launched (what the hell? It hadn't even aired yet. Are they really any better than Star Wars fans at this point? LOL! (I'm a big SW fan too btw)). From what I've seen so far, this show is hilarious! It makes a lot more fun of ST troupes and clever jokes about work place life that ST doesn't get that much into, and very relatable if you work in any office. It's definitely NOT Rick and Morty (which I'm also a big fan of), its ST centric and if you watched any TNG and following TV shows, this is really worth checking it out. The show doesn't take a serious tone, but its seriously funny. And after seeing some of the nonsense toxic reactions on its launch, some of these fans can use a boast to their sense of humor.

[@serielmcleod1900]

The way I describe it is “season one starts off trying to hard to be Rick and Morty for a few episodes but then finds it’s own voice and groove. And then it’s genius fun from there on out, and a love letter to Star Trek as a whole. All the hilarious things they make fun of would not have worked unless we all loved Star Trek sometime because it’s flaws and budget limitations. It’s about embracing random useless set dressing or costumes, nonsense science jargon to push the story forward, and the plot wholes left behind a 45 min problem and resolution story structure. Cus it’s all just a part of vehicle of what makes the human journey and imagination of Star Trek work. The vision is whats important. The idea. The exploration of what could be. Never let the need for perfection stop you from making something wonderful.

[@brydon5721]

After the first episode I was hooked. They did more in under 30 minutes than Discovery could only dream on in 2 hours. Before Lower Decks I felt as though I'd have to give up on Trek and just stick with the Golden Era, but this show has shown that there are some involved with the franchise that actually know it (so it's not just the crew of The Orville). I've binged it three times and suspect I will again before season 2. I only quibbles with the show is that the episodes could easily be 45 minutes long with the quality of writing they have, and once again the trope of adult animation being a comedy is a little disappointing--as with many adult cartoon shows when they do serious and dramatic then it works in the animated medium.

[@marcbraun5342]

I feel exactly the same way about the first season, the start was ok but it got great. My favorite episode of this season would be Veritas, it's basically as funny as the others at the end but I just love the courtroom stereotype and the kind of editing humor plus the redundant way they were cencoring was great. "You almost got yourself killed at a thank you dinner."

[@pudlordtynan919]

Now if only it'd pop up on UK Netflix...please... Like...as soon as possible?

[@robkemp598]

Yeah I mean streaming is great but you can only really afford 2-3 (maybe piggyback a friend's account for more than that) and I'm not getting CBS access just for lower decks

[@Destructor111]

Yarr!

[@PetersaberHD]

The Dog scenes become more funny when you realise that she could understand and use human language - meaning all the times something odd happened, it was her gleefully fucking with everyone.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

Sort of like a major Kira or ensign Ro kind of character... He'll be missed

[@Mr_Morningsloth]

A thing from lower decks I love is in Star Trek Online the titan ship has a Trait/special ability called Its another enterprise

[@unstablerupture6983]

I really enjoyed it. A lot of fun. Although it poked fun at trek a lot I feel it did it in a well-meaning way, and there were a lot of subtle references and easter eggs that legacy trek fans would appreciate

[@climberly]

as far as a first season for a trek series goes, I thought it was pretty good too! I'd def want to see more seasons of Lower Decks than I do Discovery or Picard. Honestly i can do without those two shows, aside from Rios I really didn't care about the characters at all. But I'm honestly curious about where the lower decks crew will go from here.

[@SC-mq1eh]

I agree almost wholeheartedly - the premier didn't sell me and I thought we were gonna get an offically licensed sn'Orville or animated TNG with some jokes and references - but while no trek is completely perfect this has to be the best 1st season of trek period and only needed a few eps vs seasons to nail it's storytelling and characters - and like you I thought PIC and DSC did comparatively better than their predecessors, even if they couldn't always stick the landing! But even great series fail to do that - And to your point of the pace of the plot, perhaps that's a symptom of modern animation because shows like the simpsons, family guy and futurama, are guilty as well - we can start off at home and in a scant 20 min we could wind up on the otherside of the planet and/or galaxy and back again And I'm gonna shill for kurtzman and say he and his production team are learning lessons and putting it on screen - every outing has gotten better, not perfect, but better - I just hope they don't kowtow to try and appease the fandom menace types and regress the franchise - to try and satisfy those that don't actually want to be satisfied! SNW maybe something in that vain, which would be a waste of characters and production if the simply make TNG 2.0 in fancy new TOS clothing - I want trek to always be strange and new, not the same and old

[@cupofjoakim]

It feels really good to hear someone else than me missing the fact that Boimler didn't know about the mom/daughter-relationship. I knew it was a secret, but it really didn't feel as that big of a deal - maybe they should've added something when they did the hints of a potential Mariner/Ransom romance?

[@maniak1768]

I like the general ideas of your review and I have to admit that I enjoyed Lower Decks much more than Discovery or ST:Picard for a few particular reasons. First of all, I prefer the optimistic tone of the show and the fact that it isn't about the future of literally everything every other episode. The optimism is actually what CBS promised with ST:Picard in the first place and unfortunately didn't deliver, however nice that show might be. Lower Decks isn't about fighting some bad guys or conspiracies or other malicious entities, but about some half-wits on mostly mundane missions compared to the in-universe standards. That said, the show still conveys that these mediocre people can achieve something positive out of some form of good intention. The show is still political, although less obvious than DSC or ST:Pic, and I think you hit the nail on the head when observing that the show makes some very interesting points about everyday life and mundane things like work culture. That is actually politics, too, although in a more nuclear setting. I have to say that this makes this show above average when you compare it to the generally very apolitical (and therefore of course contradictorily very political) genre of situation comedy.

[@smithonme1888]

I fell like lower decks is turning out to be the “clone wars” of the Star Trek universe.

[@mainstreetsaint36]

That's a massive compliment as I find Clone Wars to be some of the best Star Wars around (movies and/or TV).

[@smithonme1888]

@@mainstreetsaint36 it wasn’t supposed to be an insult. Clone wars had a rough start, but soon every fan turned to it as the best modern Star Wars media available. I think lower decks will be the same. Many trekkies hated it at first but now most people I know love it, or at least consider it the best modern iteration.

[@CaesiusX]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. Perhaps not with the same level of enthusiasm. But that's just my way. If I like something, it must be destroyed.¹ I was most worried about them leaning into *The Big Bang Theory's* modus operandi of making _a reference_ in lieu of _a joke._ It is not comedy by default. As soon as I thought this I then became even more concerned, as *TBBT* (while horribly unfunny IMO), was _hugely successful._ Some can be a contextually relevant _reference._ While others are used in constructing a joke (as you noted). But at times they did strike me as a placeholder for a joke.² But there was marked improvement as the season went on. I try not to take *Lower Decks* too seriously. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but I'm sure you've seen how some fans flail their virtual arms about online over certain elements of the show, when it's clearly an animated _comedy._ And that in and of itself means we may not want to view it as we do other _STAR TREK_ iterations. Heck, every time I see one of those rants, I instantly think of the *Joker* asking, _"Why so serious?"³_ I would like to also note, _the music is fantastic!_ 🎶 •••✺●✺••• *¹* ─ My philosophy is not too unlike _Yvonne Craig's_ *Marta* in *'Whom Gods Destroy.'* _"He's my lover and I have to kill him."_ *²* ─ Or perhaps the writers felt that it helped make an otherwise weak joke *funny.* 🤷🏼‍♂️ *³* ─ Of course, for there to be quality content I want _the creators_ to take the show seriously, to a degree. But that is _so we don't have to._ 🙃

[@CCTV9]

Episode 9 and 10 are some of the best Trek we have this era.

[@musicalnotextr]

1:16 You did say it right! 10/10

[@rtpoe]

I appreciate the nods to the 70s animated series.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

Coming back to your vid almost a year later( 15 days till the 2nd season finale) and it strikes me how divided the fandom at large still is, despite being in a new era(a renaissance if you will) of Trek. Since a full week after the second season ends, a Nickelodeon series will start airing. Before we get the new seasons of Picard and Discovery. When we'll then see the launch of a brand new series, called Strange New Worlds (the long rumored Pike series). Which makes 5 series in simultaneous production.....never in the 55 years of Trek have that many series been produced. And despite the naysayers......Trek thrives in this form. And the stellar first season of LDS is a big part of why

[@xedalpha1]

Lower Decks and the Orville have become my jam. I hope we get LOADS more seasons. I personally think the Orville will do much better moving to Hulu and online services especially now it’s owned by Disney a la Mandalorian.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

Kind of funny in a way... the best Star Trek in recent history is funny

[@adrianokury]

LD is a lighthearted celebration of Trek lore. I like it a lot!

[@deddy2339]

I loved the entire season. I don't think I've ever been as impressed by a first season of Trek as I was for Lower Decks and I've been watching first run episodes since TNG. I liked the humour. I liked the animation. I liked the characters. And I loved how much it felt like Trek fans laughing with Trek fans, rather than at Trek fans. It was also wonderful to go back to a largely self-contained episodic format. It's rather refreshing. I've still enjoyed Discovery and Picard, and am looking forward to Strange New Worlds and Prodigy, but Lower Decks has me more optimistic for the future of Trek. That even though there are other areas pushing Trek in new directions that sometimes work, sometimes don't, there are still people within the franchise who clearly understand what worked about the older incarnations. Also, in the finale, I thought it was awesome that Shaxs still called Rutherford "Little Bear". He was still a member of the pack, even though he went his own way.

[@georgestefanou4250]

I would like your thoughts on the series 5 trailer for the expans

[@marckrieger3277]

Lower deck may have the strongest first season of all star trek, well from all star trek shows i have seen (still don't have seen TOS and TAS). But DS9 has the best pilot and is to this day my favourite show.

[@jeffthompson9622]

I hope that Shax will turn out to have a twin brother. His voice reminded me of that omnipresent J.K. Simmons.

[@DocWolph]

Tendi's Dog kind of scares me with what they might do with that one in the future or, heaven forbid, Dog ends up in a totally different series. Star Trek's version of Mr Mxyzptlk, but like a real dog with godlike powers.

[@idontwannaidontwanna7307]

God I despised the pilot episode.. I just didn't find any of it funny, moreso a rapid fire Easter egg / quip show.. But.... Boy did it improve quickly...

[@wjf73]

I was optimistic and ready to give this show a fair go but it was so much better than even my wildest expectations. Crisis Point is one of my favourite Trek episodes ever. I liked Discovery and Picard but I loved Lower Decks.

[@volkhen0]

Discovery is really bad, Picard is even worse. I approached LD with very low expectations. I was surprised I actually enjoyed it. Nice amount of Easter eggs, references and over all TNG feeling (except the characters who are totally anti-TNG) but we didn’t see Lower Decks in TNG, right? Maybe except Wesley.

[@ADHDtj]

sad that we never got the reviews for season 2 and 3 :(

[@LENZ5369]

Lower Decks started off pretty 'meh' for me and I found Mariner a bit annoying but it kept getting better as the season progressed and Mariner has somewhat grown on me; I really enjoyed the tail end of the season -I watched the Titan scene 3 times. And yeah -the show really does feel like it was made for trekkies; by trekkies.

[@unstablerupture6983]

I actually like mariner, more and more with each episode. I think she was the type of character that if done slightly differently, could be very, very irritating

[@Quole1234]

@elijah mikle this show neither made by trekkies nor is it made for trekkies.

[@andrewtaylor940]

The last two episodes really took Mariner from being a Michael Burnham tier annoyance, into being a rather flawed and interesting character that you can empathize with. The writers did with her in 2 22 minute bits on a cartoon, what the STD team could not accomplish in three seasons with actual human actors. (well supposedly human... I still don't rule out that Burnham is an animatronic.)

[@KhaosAdmiral]

I do agree that Mariner was not a character I liked at first but then once they actually start to explore her whole deal, I found her a pretty compelling character.

[@christophersnyder1532]

I just got the DVD, and wanted it because it is more or less, current. I also own Filimation's Star Trek The Animated Series. As I recall, Nelvana's Star Wars Droids/Ewoks series had to drop Droids, because it was more expensive to create the different places and worlds, as oppose to woodlands. My thought is that the dialogue was too today, almost like they where using present day slang, and all those Star Trek references, how can these crew know all that information about Star Trek's past? It would be better if they had referred to other Federation vessels of the past that are not mentioned. Despite this, I quite like the series. Take care, and all the best.

[@Baslium]

It was so good. I never watched Star Trek. It's so funny. 😂😂

[@killboggins]

You a rick and morty fan by any chance

[@KayleighBourquin]

Is this Star Trek's best first season of any series? It just might be

[@Ya_Mosura]

Not unless it gets an episode as good as Duet, which it won't.

[@KayleighBourquin]

@@Ya_Mosura DS9's first season was rocky and some pretty weak episodes. The presence of Duet does not a good season make.

[@Ya_Mosura]

Apart from Move Along Home season 1 and 2 are fine, even that isn't so bad compared to the dregs of the other shows.

[@andrewxu3602]

@@Ya_Mosura Babel The Passenger If Wishes Were Horses Invasive Procedures Melora Second Sight

[@KhaosAdmiral]

I feel like maybe the first season of TOS is generally pretty well regarded

[@ravenstar100]

I thought it was funny as hell! About time Star Trek did something funny, and a Simpsons eske animated series was brilliant. I look forward to season two.

[@CptPeo]

I gotta admit, I liked Discovery overall, mostly for Lorca and then the Empress and Pike with some decent moments here and there for the remaining cast. Episodes were a general rollercoaster ride of ups and downs though with some hitting high and some hitting very low. Also everything regarding the Section 31 final space battle scene was a huge negative for me which reminded me of a 8v8 free for all in Sins of a Solar Empire and everyone uses the same race. Picard... I actually stopped watching after the Borg Cube episode. I don't even know why exactly but I basically lost interest and only peeked into one or two scenes on KZbin. Generally I thought what I had watched ranged from decent to terrible with a whole lot of okay scenes and episodes. Just nothing that really struck a cord with me. Lower Decks on the other hand hit me instantly even with episode 1. I don't know if it's because I set my expectations low or because it's just been that good, but I felt like coming home. I could overlook jarring call back drops like Mariner's at the end of episode 1 which I assume was because a lot of the jokes hit me well enough. And from there on it was just a constant upwards tending line of enjoyment for me. One major downside though is that Tendi and Rutherford could've really used some more screentime, which I assume was this short due to the short run time of animation episodes. I very much hope that these two will get some more time in season 2, if one happens and to be perfectly clear I greatly enjoyed what screentime these two got.

[@Destructor111]

Season 2 is already confirmed. No worries on that front. And I agree, LDS has felt like coming home.

[@josecuevasko4912]

Does anyone why we mentioned Lorde to Picard?

[@AYellowPepper]

You said exactly what i was thinking about Lower decks! While i enjoyed the first episode too because i expected garbage, by episode 5 i was hooked and the last 3 still hang with me! I cant wait for season 2! same with Picard! discovery i dont care for at all....

[@AndrewLuke]

Well expressed all round, Rowan. I liked #1 well enough but #2 had problems. I wonder if this appraisal would change now I'm familiar with the characters and relationships. Lower Decks quickly marked itself out as my favourite Trek since DS9. Stil, a few niggling points... Mariner: Absolute hoot, a favourite who doesn't get old, but felt like she might with every episode's focus upon her, or her and Boimler. I could do with seeing a lot more of the other two leads. The 'nods' were great, mostly, and only interfered with the story in the movie episode. (I've watched the Trek films about twice, they're not my centre) The finale while brilliant left a half dozen soft cliffhangers, some of which we could go without. That depends on SE2 E1-2 but it's suggested the writers might fall back on hyperactivity for the through-line of these stories. *No spoilers on my comments thread, beetches*