Discovering the Whereabouts of Star Trek's TNG & Voyager Characters in Lower Decks

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 9 - "The Inner Fight"

Summary

In episode 9 of season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, a search is conducted for former Starfleet officers who are being pursued by an unidentified starship. Among the targets is Nicholas Locarno.

The central plot focuses on Lt. Mariner and her destructive tendencies, as she grapples with the pain of losing her friend Ensign Sito Jaxa.

The episode suggests the involvement of Seven of Nine, Dr. Beverly Crusher, and Thomas Riker as former Starfleet officers in need of protection. Here is the information on their current whereabouts.

In Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 9, four prominent characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager are highlighted, but their locations in the galaxy remain unknown. For months, a mysterious starship has been destroying non-Federation vessels. The USS Cerritos recently received intel indicating that this adversary is now targeting ex-Starfleet officers who have transitioned into civilian life. Starfleet has assigned the Cerritos the task of locating Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) and ensuring his safe return to Earth for protection.

4. Seven of Nine

In episode 9 of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, titled "The Inner Fight," the central focus revolves around Lt. Beckett Mariner's (Tawny Newsome) self-destructive tendencies. Mariner finds herself stranded on Sherbal V with Lt. T'Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz), Lt. D'Vana Tendi (Noel Wells), and Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid), along with crews from various non-Federation ships including the Klingon, Orion, Bynar, Romulan, and Cardassian. During a heartfelt conversation with Ma'ah (Jon Curry), a Klingon she has fought alongside and befriended, Mariner reveals that her reckless behavior and resistance towards promotion stem from the haunting grief over the loss of her dear friend, Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill), a Bajoran officer stationed on the USS Enterprise-D. Ensign Jaxa tragically sacrificed her life in the line of duty during an incident depicted in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 15, titled "Lower Decks." Meanwhile, it is revealed that a mutual acquaintance from Starfleet Academy, someone known by both Sito and Mariner, emerges as the true antagonist who is actively targeting individuals that Starfleet seeks to safeguard.

In 2378, the USS Voyager completed its journey and returned to Earth, marking the end of Star Trek: Voyager. However, the story continues with Star Trek: Lower Decks, which takes place in 2380 during its fourth season, set between 2381-2383. A significant event in Star Trek: Picard revealed that Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) supported Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) in her decision to join Starfleet. Unfortunately, Seven faced discrimination on Earth due to her past as a Borg, which deeply wounded her. Feeling disheartened, Seven chose to leave Earth and embarked on a journey to the Beta Quadrant. There, she joined the Fenris Rangers, a peacekeeping security force.

3. Dr. Beverly Crusher

During the events of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the Romulan sun is on the verge of going supernova. At this time, Seven is presumed to be utilizing her expertise as a Captain of the Fenris Rangers amidst the chaos. Interestingly, although Star Trek: Lower Decks categorizes Seven as one of the "ex-Starfleet Officers" requiring protection, it is not until nearly two decades later that she actually becomes a part of Starfleet.

Having missed the opportunity to meet Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), Lt. Brad Boimler was deeply disappointed. However, his ship, the USS Vancouver, was tasked with safeguarding the former Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise-E. Star Trek: Lower Decks portrays Beverly as an "ex-Starfleet Officer" and a "civilian", aligning with the revelation in Star Trek: Picard season 3 that occurred after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis in 2379. In 2381, Beverly and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) indulged in a romantic retreat on Casperia Prime, leading to the conception of their son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers). Yet, due to numerous assassination attempts on Picard, Beverly came to the conclusion that their son's safety would be jeopardized if Picard remained a part of his life.

Dr. Beverly Crusher resigned from Starfleet and departed from the Enterprise-E, severing all communication with her crew for the next two decades. Unbeknownst to Picard, Beverly was conceiving a child during this time, and in secrecy, she raised her son Jack while engaging in humanitarian efforts across non-Federation worlds. In the event that the USS Vancouver from Star Trek: Lower Decks locates Beverly, it is possible that she has already become a mother to baby Jack. Considering their past residence in London, where Jack acquired a British accent, it is conceivable that the USS Vancouver played a role in the Crushers' relocation to Earth, offering them protection against the enigmatic adversary encountered in Lower Decks.

2. Thomas Riker

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 9, "Defiant," the accidental transporter clone of Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), known as Lieutenant Thomas Riker (Jonathan Frakes), made his last appearance in 2371. Thomas, who had posed as Will, stole the USS Defiant and infiltrated the Deep Space Nine space station. It was then revealed that he had abandoned his position on the USS Gandhi to join the Maquis. Thomas was subsequently captured by the Cardassians and imprisoned in the Lazon II labor camp for the rest of his life. This was his last known location before the events of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. The current status of Tom Riker, whether he was released from prison after the Dominion War or still remains in the labor camp, is uncertain. However, regardless of his current circumstances, he continues to be identified as a "civilian" and an "ex-Starfleet Officer."

1. Nick Locarno

Nicholas Locarno serves as the primary antagonist in Season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, responsible for the attacks on non-Federation vessels. Initially introduced in Season 5, Episode 19 of Star Trek: The Next Generation titled "The First Duty," Locarno held the position of leader within the prestigious group of Starfleet Academy Cadets known as Nova Squadron. Notable members of Nova Squadron included Sito Jaxa and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). Following the tragic loss of their classmate Joshua Albert during a maneuver prohibited by regulations, Locarno spearheaded a cover-up.

After the truth came to light, Locarno faced expulsion from Starfleet Academy, subsequently vanishing without a trace. However, Star Trek: Lower Decks has now revealed that Locarno adopted a new occupation as a hired pilot, operating within the criminal underworld based on New Axton. Shockingly, it becomes clear that Locarno is the mastermind behind the destruction of non-Federation starships. The reasons behind Locarno's targeting of former Starfleet officers and his abduction of Lt. Beckett Mariner, with the intention to "cause some trouble together," will be unveiled during the highly anticipated season finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks' fourth season.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.