Deep Dive into Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Finale with Mike McMahan

Article Overview

In the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, titled "Old Friends, New Planets," Lieutenant Mariner confronts ex-Cadet Locarno, Captain Freeman defies orders to save Mariner, and Lieutenant Tendi makes a selfless act.

Showrunner Mike McMahan delves into the crossover with Strange New Worlds, the show's embrace of Star Trek's hopeful atmosphere, and the enthusiastic response from Lower Decks fans.

In the explosive finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, showrunner and creator Mike McMahan delves into Mariner's ties to Nova Squadron and her unwavering devotion to Starfleet. Additionally, the return of Joshua Albert and the differentiation between Locarno and Tom Paris are explored, alongside the customary Easter eggs and nods to Star Trek: The Next Generation and other installations of the franchise.

In the season 4 finale of Lower Decks titled "Old Friends, New Planets," Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, played by Tawny Newsome, confronts an acquaintance from her time at Starfleet Academy named ex-Cadet Nicholas Locarno, played by Robert Duncan McNeill. Locarno has now become a threat to the entire galaxy. In the meantime, Captain Carol Freeman, portrayed by Dawnn Lewis, defies Starfleet's orders in order to rescue Mariner. Additionally, Lieutenant D'Vana Tendi, played by Noël Wells, makes a significant personal sacrifice to save her friend.

Our website recently spoke with Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks. During the interview, McMahan discusses the conclusion of season 4, the return of familiar characters from a classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the crossover with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and provides some hints about what to expect in season 5 of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Mike McMahan Talks In-Depth About Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4's Finale & Season 5 Hints

Our website: Congrats on the finale. It's incredible. It seems like I say this to you every year, but I think this is the best one. This is the best ending.

Mike McMahan: Choosing a favorite finale is always a challenge for me because they all have elements that I absolutely love. Chris Westlake's incredible music always blows me away. It's so good that I find it difficult to pick a favorite with all this amazing content. Thank you.

Before we dive into the finale, I wanted to ask about the crossover with Strange New Worlds. I'm curious to know how you felt seeing it finally and witnessing everyone's reaction. What was that experience like for you?

Mike McMahan expressed how validating it was to see the crossover between Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds. He acknowledged that some people had assumptions about a worst-case scenario, but the Strange New Worlds team embraced them and showcased the optimistic and non-cynical nature of Star Trek. He admitted to initially worrying that the Strange New Worlds team might demand higher stakes, but they were proven wrong as the tone and character development were spot on. McMahan was proud to see the fandom embrace the unconventional approach and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction. He enjoyed the finale and wanted to discuss the various elements, such as the revelation of Mariner's connection to Nova Squadron and the flashback to Starfleet Academy.

Mike McMahan was ecstatic about a remarkable opportunity - collaborating with Shannon Fill after successfully finding her. It was beyond belief, akin to a dream come true for an avid fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Excitedly, he invited others to inquire about this extraordinary experience.

To begin, we encountered Joshua Albert - a character who had already met his demise in "The First Duty."

Mike McMahan mentioned that it was interesting to see young Mariner under the influence of the charismatic Locarno during their time together. He also pointed out the various Easter eggs present in the Starfleet campus, including the bridge. McMahan felt it was significant to introduce Mariner's character to new audiences before the Dominion War, showcasing who she was before experiencing challenging situations. This portrayal highlighted the stark contrast between Mariner's perspective on Starfleet and Locarno's misguided belief that she shared his thoughts. McMahan expressed his intention to show that Mariner was never going to be swayed by Locarno's ideas, emphasizing that there was never any doubt about her stance in the series. Instead, the focus was on how she would confront and counter his viewpoints. This aspect held great importance for McMahan.

I concur. Mariner possesses an inherent goodness, as she firmly believes in the inherent goodness of Starfleet. Not once did she contemplate joining Locarno, and she even made an effort to rescue him. It was truly remarkable, the finest display of Mariner's character we have witnessed thus far.

Mike McMahan explained that Mariner briefly explored the world of archaeology, resembling characters like Harry Mudd and Outrageous Okona who exist in the Star Trek universe but are not part of Starfleet. However, Mariner ultimately chose Starfleet because it resonated with her. On the other hand, Locarno sought to recruit ambitious lower deckers who desired power and to separate themselves from something greater than themselves. This contrasting perspective did not align with Mariner's values. McMahan admired Tawny's portrayal of Mariner, particularly her exceptional vocal nuances in the performance.

Mike McMahan: She's absolutely incredible. You managed to revive Joshua Albert, revive Nova Squadron, and even include Sito in that nostalgic flashback. Did you ever consider bringing Sito back in the present? Or is it simply impossible? Is there no chance for that to occur?

Mike McMahan strongly opposes the idea of providing fan service by undoing a significant storyline impact that had a profound effect on him. This course of action, although tempting and gratifying, would ultimately feel empty and devoid of substance. He believes that disregarding the metaphorical weight of the [death] and using it solely for the purpose of an animated comedy, rather than utilizing it for character development, goes against his perception of the enduring principles of Trek canon.

Yeah, her death losing its significance would have been avoided. Mariner and Star Trek hold importance in her death. Therefore, I had hoped that you wouldn't revive her, and I'm relieved that you didn't.

Mike McMahan: Well, in a sense, I did. Bringing her back in that opening scene felt like stumbling upon an old photo or video of a lost friend, allowing me to relish in their presence for just a moment longer, you know? It satisfied that impulse without diminishing the character's initial impact.

Sure! And Lower Decks reintroduced both of Robert Duncan McNeil's characters. Personally, I agree with Boimler. I can't see any similarities.

Mike McMahan: (laughs) They're incredibly different. Two completely distinct individuals. Absolutely no resemblance.

The joke was flawlessly delivered by Boimler and Rutherford.

Mike McMahan: It was helpful to me that we highlighted it because Locarno serves as our con character. He appears in one episode and then resurfaces years later, becoming a major cinematic antagonist. Typically, I don't like to tamper with existing storylines, as we discussed with Sito. However, we have Tom Paris, who provides a redemption arc. Having witnessed that, it felt acceptable to explore the idea of Locarno not learning the same lessons and creating a different narrative that still incorporates a comparable beginning.

The Orions in Lower Decks have become uniquely your own. Tendi, D'Erika, and the entire culture have been portrayed exceptionally well. Your show is the first to delve deeply into the world of the Orions in the past 57 years.

Mike McMahan: It was truly unbelievable. From the beginning, I had episodes focusing on the Orions in mind. However, there was some confusion on my part, leading me to question if we had actually explored Orion before. The iconic nature of the Orions made it feel like there must be more to their story. Considering that we have already learned about Ferenginar, visited Qo'noS, and explored Vulcan extensively, it was surprising to discover that there was untapped potential in exploring the Orions. Like Deep Space Nine did with Klingons and the Ferengi, I have enjoyed fleshing out this previously limited culture. It's a fascinating experience and one that I handle with great care, while still having a lot of fun with it.

This performance is truly incredible. Noël demonstrates such a deep understanding of the character. I'm captivated by her intuitive portrayal. And let's not forget Ariel Winter as D'Erika. She has been outstanding.

Mike McMahan: They're absolutely fantastic. I read a comment online the other day that said, "I'm not sure if I like Lower Decks. It feels like Star Trek for Girls." I couldn't be happier with that statement. I didn't reply to it, but I thought, Oh my goodness, if that's the reputation Lower Decks garners, give me an Emmy right now. The matriarchal Orion aspect is so enjoyable to write. I adore Tendi, Mariner, and crafting their stories. We've even had three episodes dedicated to girl's trips, plus Boimler. The inclusion of women in Star Trek is something I absolutely love. From female Starfleet officers to Captains, Orions, and warrior princesses, they bring such power to the stories. Orion specifically fits perfectly within that narrative. And if you're not a fan, just be cautious, or Dr. T'Ana might get up close and personal with her skills.

Well, speaking of women in Star Trek we love, I'm sure you know, and I'm sure Gabrielle knows, how much we love T'Lyn.

Mike McMahan: She does, she does. She loves it.

T'Lyn is definitely back in season 5, right?

Mike McMahan suggests an alternative approach for T'Lyn's presence in season 5 - instead of featuring her character, she is trapped in Carbonite and laid to rest. However, T'Lyn remains an essential part of season 5, as her character experiences significant developments in her Starfleet career. McMahan expresses his enthusiasm for collaborating with Gabrielle and the exciting progression of T'Lyn's story. Furthermore, he praises the portrayal of Acting Captain Boimler in the finale, noting how fantastic it was.

Mike McMahan praised his skills, acknowledging his excellent performance. Notably, he exemplified his mastery by hurling a battleship towards the Trynar shield. I couldn't help but draw a parallel to Riker's act of propelling an asteroid at the Shrike in Picard season 3, albeit Boimler had accomplished this feat two decades earlier.

Mike McMahan humorously highlights the effectiveness of throwing objects in space as a successful tactic employed by Starfleet. He mentions an instance in season 1 of the show where the alien species Drookmani were seen throwing trash at the starship Cerritos. As Star Trek progresses, McMahan believes that along with photon torpedoes and phasers, the act of throwing objects will continue to play a role. Now, shifting focus to the upcoming Season 5, McMahan expresses his interest in discussing its details and asks if there is any information he can share with the audience.

Mike McMahan: Although I haven't shared this with anyone, we explore Ma'ah in a much deeper way. Ma'ah holds a special place in my heart. Ever since "wej Duj," I've cherished him. While T'Lyn has provided me with ample opportunities, I've become insatiably greedy. Even though Ma'ah's journey diverges from T'Lyn's, my fascination with Klingons and my fondness for Ma'ah ensures that there is more to come. This is only the beginning of Ma'ah.

That's fantastic! I absolutely adore the dynamic between him and Mariner, and how it unfolded on Sherbal V. It was truly incredible.

Mike McMahan: He's essentially the Klingon version of Boimler. They are forced to coexist. In fact, at the end of the first episode, Mariner boldly declared to Boimler, "You're my cha'DIch from this point onward!" And he vehemently responded, "No, I am not!" "Yes, you are!" And now she's essentially repeating the same scenario with Ma'ah.

Before I conclude, I have a final question for you that might make you slightly uncomfortable: Can you disclose the whereabouts of William Boimler?

Mike McMahan: Unfortunately, I cannot divulge the details of William Boimler's current role within Starfleet. The information is highly classified and beyond the scope of your clearance level. I apologize for the inconvenience.

My life story. This season was absolutely incredible. These 10 episodes take the show to new heights, displaying its confidence and self-assuredness. The growth of these characters has been remarkable. We adore them and hope they achieve all their goals. I'm thrilled that you'll be joining us for season 5.

Mike McMahan: I want to express my gratitude for your support, and I want you to know that we all love creating this show. The entire team is passionate about it. I have a special request, though I haven't mentioned it to anyone else. I would love to establish a new tradition for the Lower Decks finale. I would love for each person who enjoyed the finale to introduce one new fan, one new friend who hasn't seen the show, to sign up for a complimentary pass on Paramount+ and binge-watch as much of Lower Decks as possible. If everyone can bring in just one person, it would bring me immense joy. I believe we gained many new viewers through the crossover event, and it has been a tremendous experience for them. But my dream is for even more people to discover and appreciate this show. If everyone can simply introduce one person to it, that would make my dream come true. And the best part is, it's completely free!

About Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4

Discover our exclusive interview with the cast of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4!

Supervising Director Barry J. Kelly

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 is available to stream on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 finale. On the one hand, I appreciate the show's willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of the Star Trek franchise. The finale was full of unexpected twists and turns, and I was particularly intrigued by the revelation of Mariner's connection to Nova Squadron.

On the other hand, I felt that the finale was a bit too chaotic and unfocused. There were so many different plotlines going on that it was difficult to keep track of everything. I also think that the show could have done a better job of developing the relationship between Mariner and Locarno. Overall, I enjoyed the Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 finale, but I think it could have been stronger with a more focused plot and more character development.