Exploring the Dynamic Members of Star Trek: TNG's Nova Squadron, Unveiled in Lower Decks

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All five members of Nova Squadron from Star Trek: The Next Generation, including Jean Hajar, make an appearance in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. This finale features a flashback to thirteen years earlier at Starfleet Academy, where Lieutenant Mariner is shown as part of the esteemed group of cadets called Nova Squadron.

Nova Squadron makes a complete appearance in a flashback before their story takes a negative turn in Starfleet. In the finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, all five members of the ill-fated Nova Squadron from Star Trek: The Next Generation are featured. In "Old Friends, New Planets," Lieutenant Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) is tasked with saving the galaxy from Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill), a disgraced former Cadet whom Mariner once knew during their time at Starfleet Academy. The finale of Lower Decks season 4 begins with a flashback to their time at Starfleet Academy 13 years ago, showcasing Mariner alongside the rest of Locarno's esteemed group, Nova Squadron.

Jörg Hillebrand (@gaghyogi49), a researcher for Star Trek: Picard season 3, pointed out on Twitter/X that Jean Hajar, the fifth member of Nova Squadron, makes an appearance in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. However, Hajar is not present in the scene where Mariner approaches her friend Ensign Sito Jaxa (played by Shannon Fill). Nevertheless, all members of Nova Squadron are accounted for in the season 4 finale. Check out Hillebrand's post below:

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 5, episode 19, "The First Duty," Walker Brandt played Cadet Jean Hajar during Nova Squadron's debut. Although Hajar only had a brief moment, it was not necessary for Brandt to reprise her role as Shannon Fill did for Sito Jaxa.

Lower Decks Flashes Back To Mariner & Nova Squadron At Starfleet Academy

Just before Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The First Duty"

In the recent episode "The Inner Fight" of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, Lt. Mariner surprised everyone by disclosing her close friendship with Sito Jaxa during their time at Starfleet Academy. However, the show took it a step further by actually depicting a young Beckett at Starfleet Academy alongside Nova Squadron. This portrayal of Mariner's past is crucial because it sheds light on her motivation to remain a Lower Decker and prevent her friends from meeting the same fate as Sito, who tragically died in an episode that served as the inspiration for Star Trek: Lower Decks. In the season 4 finale, Mariner valiantly defended Starfleet and Sito's legacy by taking down Nicholas Locarno.

In addition to the unexpected flashback to Starfleet Academy 13 years ago, there were also surprises, including Wil Wheaton returning as Wesley Crusher for the first time since Star Trek: Picard season 2. Furthermore, viewers were able to see Joshua Albert, who had previously been portrayed as dead in the TNG episode, "The First Duty." The brief appearance of Jean Hajar in the finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 completes the full reunion of Nova Squadron before their unfortunate fate as Cadets in Starfleet. Both Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: The Next Generation can be streamed on Paramount+.

Source: Twitter/X

Editor's P/S

As a Star Trek fan, I am thrilled to see the return of Nova Squadron in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. This episode finally reveals the backstory of Mariner's time at Starfleet Academy and her connection to the ill-fated Nova Squadron.

The appearance of Jean Hajar, the fifth member of Nova Squadron, completes the full reunion of the group before their tragic end. This episode also sheds light on Mariner's motivations and her determination to prevent her friends from meeting the same fate as Sito Jaxa. Overall, I think this episode was a great way to tie together the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Lower Decks, and I can't wait to see what happens next in the upcoming season.