WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 4, episode 7, "A Few Badgeys More"
Summary
In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager undergoes a fulfilling character arc, ultimately assuming the role of Captain aboard the USS Enterprise-G.
Star Trek: Lower Decks introduces a fresh character named Goodgey in its most recent episode, serving as a spiritual successor to Seven of Nine. Goodgey grapples with comparable uncertainties and concerns among the crew.
Goodgey's character development in the series may delve into the themes of holographic rights and the struggle for recognition. However, it is uncertain whether he will follow a similar path as Seven or revert back to his previous malicious nature as Badgey.
In the recent episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, it is revealed that Star Trek: Voyager's Seven of Nine (played by Jeri Ryan) has a successor. Initially met with suspicion upon joining the USS Voyager as a former Borg drone, Seven eventually earned the trust and respect of her crewmates. However, she faced distrust and prejudice as she pursued a career with Starfleet. In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Seven's story reaches a satisfying conclusion as she becomes the Captain of the USS Enterprise-G, leading the next generation of Starfleet recruits.
Goodgey Is Star Trek's New Seven of Nine
: Seven of Nine's spiritual successor is introduced in season 4, episode 7 of Star Trek: Lower Decks titled "A Few Badgeys More." This episode revolves around the redemption of former enemies. Notably, AGIMUS, Peanut Hamper, and Badgey, all artificial life forms, each undergo their own journey towards redemption. AGIMUS learns the value of friendship over subjugation, Peanut Hamper, a traitorous Starfleet officer, reconnects with her family, and Badgey, seeking revenge against Lt. JG Samanthan Rutherford, devises a daring plan. Interestingly, Badgey splits into multiple entities, with one potentially taking on the role of Star Trek: Voyager's Seven of Nine in future episodes of Lower Decks.
When Rutherford appeals to Badgey's need for love, the psychopathic hologram splits in two, resulting in the creation of Goodgey. Goodgey, a silver anthropomorphic Starfleet insignia, emerges as a kinder and more helpful version of Rutherford's holographic tutor. As Badgey recognizes his wrongdoing and transcends to a higher realm, Rutherford chooses to retain Goodgey. This self-aware hologram becomes Rutherford's guiding companion in his endeavors to replicate Star Trek: Enterprise's grapplers. Rutherford's decision unsettles Lt. JG's Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Bradward Boimler (Jack Quaid), and D'Vana Tendi (Noël Wells), akin to the unease experienced by the Voyager crew when integrating a former Borg drone into their starship.
In Star Trek: Voyager, Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) initially held the belief that Seven posed a security risk, much like how the Lower Deckers distinctly perceive Goodgey as a potential threat. Given Badgey's program's near destruction of the Cerritos and its manipulation of the Texas-class starships, which almost brought Starfleet to its knees, their concerns are justified. With Rutherford having learned from Badgey's influence by insisting on being called "Rutherford" rather than "Father," it's probable that Goodgey will ultimately prove to be as valuable a crew member on the USS Cerritos as Seven was on Voyager.
Goodgey Could Continue Another Voyager Character's Star Trek Story
Upon taking control of the Drookmani ship, Badgey cleverly incorporates salvaged holo-emitters, granting him unrestricted mobility. This cutting-edge technology had previously been utilized on the USS Voyager for its grand display in the first episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks' fourth season, yet it has not yet been implemented across active starships. This is likely why the EMH of Star Trek: Voyager refers to himself as an exceptional entity, as hinted in the preview for the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy.
The recognition of holographic rights is still in its early stages, which began with the EMH's struggle to be legally acknowledged as an individual in the final season of Star Trek: Voyager. Goodgey has the potential to either advance this fight or potentially set it back even further if he turns against the Cerritos. It will be intriguing to witness the development of Goodgey's journey in Star Trek: Lower Decks - whether he will follow in the footsteps of characters like Seven and the Doctor or revert to his Badgey persona. Only time will reveal the outcome.
Catch Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 on Paramount+ streaming every Thursday.
