Exclusive: Star Trek's Jack Quaid Reveals Astonishing Transformation After Mind-Blowing Strange New Worlds Crossover

Warning: This Article Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4

Summary

Following their crossover with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, both Boimler and Mariner have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade.

As a newly-appointed Starfleet Lieutenant, Boimler will encounter various challenges ahead. These include taking charge of his initial away mission and developing a sense of trust in his comrades.

Boimler's promotion grants him privileges such as his own quarters on the USS Cerritos. However, with this advancement comes greater responsibilities, including the well-being of junior officers under his command.

In the aftermath of the highly-praised crossover event featuring Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Jack Quaid delves into the significant transformation that Ensign Brad Boimler experiences in Season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks. During the crossover, Boimler and Ensign Beckett Mariner found themselves thrust into the live-action realm, encountering Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise from the 23rd century. Now that they have returned to their home aboard the USS Cerritos in the 24th century, Boimler and Mariner are unable to openly discuss their time-travel adventure. Nevertheless, they have both been rewarded with promotions to Lieutenant, junior grade.

Jack Quaid expressed his admiration for the promotion of the Lower Deckers in a press release for Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. He specifically discussed Boimler's new role as a Starfleet Lieutenant and the obstacles he will confront. Quaid highlighted Boimler's apprehensions regarding his first leadership experience during an away mission, emphasizing his concern for the safety of his teammates. Ultimately, Quaid emphasized the importance of Boimler learning to place his trust in his friends and the operational procedures.

What Boimler's Lieutenant Promotion Means To Star Trek: Lower Decks

Lieutenant Brad Boimler is leading his first Away mission in Season 4, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, titled "In the Cradle of Vexilon." During this episode, the USS Cerritos visits a foreign megastructure to address an issue, and Lt. Boimler is tasked with supervising three new Lower Decker Ensigns. Assisting him is T'Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz), another Lower Decker who was recently promoted to Lieutenant. Boimler, who is anxious and eager to please, faces the challenging task of commanding others, testing his leadership abilities as the Cerritos crew tackles their latest crisis.

Boimler emphasizes that even though the Ensigns have been promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade, they are still considered Lower Deckers. This rank is considered the least significant of those above Ensign. Nevertheless, being a Lieutenant comes with certain advantages, such as having their personal quarters aboard the Cerritos and assuming greater responsibilities, including the lives of junior officers under Boimler's command during Away missions. Boimler harbors aspirations of one day commanding his own starship, and his actions hint at his potential to become a Captain in Starfleet. However, Star Trek: Lower Decks ensures that Boimler's inaugural mission as a leader will not be a straightforward one.

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

Source: Paramount+