Star Trek's Discovery Sets the Stage for Orion Crime Syndicate

Article Overview

In the season 4 finale of "Star Trek: Lower Decks," it is revealed that the major Orion crime syndicate, the Emerald Chain, was created through the merging of two Orion criminal enterprises with the help of D'Erika Tendi. This merger took place around 2381, coinciding with the events of "Lower Decks" season 4.

Osyraa, the leader of the Emerald Chain in "Star Trek: Discovery," may have ancestral ties to Tendi's family, potentially even descending from D'Vana herself. This connection serves as an intriguing Easter egg within the franchise.

In an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the major Orion crime syndicate from Star Trek: Discovery is introduced with just one line. The fourth season of Lower Decks concluded with an explosive finale that brought back familiar characters from the Star Trek universe. It was revealed that Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill), a disgraced former pilot from Star Trek: The Next Generation, was the season's primary antagonist. In order to rescue Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) from Locarno's clutches, Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) and the USS Cerritos crew turned to D'Vana Tendi's sister for assistance.

D'Erika Tendi (Ariel Winter) made her debut in Lower Decks season 4, episode 4, titled "Something Borrowed, Something Green." It was revealed that in her sister's absence, she had assumed control of the Tendi family criminal empire. When the Cerritos crew sought D'Erika's assistance in rescuing Mariner, she initially hesitated. This led the crew to engage in the Orion system of barter through combat, after which D'Erika provided them with a non-functional ship. Interestingly, during their initial plea for help, one of D'Erika's lines unintentionally set the stage for a significant storyline that unfolded in the 32nd century of Star Trek: Discovery.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Set Up For Star Trek: Discovery’s Emerald Chain Explained

Initially, D'Erika declined to assist the Cerritos' crew, as she was preoccupied with orchestrating the merger of two Orion criminal factions. This undertaking hinted at her involvement in the establishment of the future Emerald Chain. The Emerald Chain, introduced in season 3 of Discovery, represented a vast criminal organization led by the Orions, which seized control of the galaxy following the catastrophic event known as The Burn. However, Captain Michael Burnham and the USS Discovery crew successfully put an end to the Chain's reign of terror when they journeyed through time to the year 3188. Prior to Michael ultimately eliminating the syndicate's leader, Osyraa, the organization wielded significant influence.

Although Discovery did not provide any concrete indication of when the Emerald Chain was established, the groundwork for an operation of such magnitude could have been laid as early as 2381, during the events of Lower Decks season 4. It is not unreasonable to speculate that the merger D'Erika was facilitating might have grown into a larger Orion crime ring, given the highly hierarchical society and proclivity for piracy and violence among the Orions. Moreover, the notion that Tendi's family could have been the initial leaders of the Chain poses an intriguing question about Osyraa's lineage.

Could Star Trek: Discovery’s Osyraa Descend From Lower Decks’ Tendi?

Following the events of the Lower Decks season 4 finale, there is a strong possibility that Osyraa, the future leader of the Emerald Chain, is descended from Tendi's family, potentially even directly from D'Vana herself. In order to secure D'Erika's assistance in rescuing Mariner, Tendi made a pact to return to Orion and assist her sister in managing their family's criminal empire. The episode concluded with Tendi fulfilling her promise and gearing up for her journey back to Orion, where she reconnected with her criminal alter ego, known as the Mistress of the Winter Constellation.

The final scene hinted at a different side of Tendi that viewers may not be accustomed to, suggesting the emergence of her more ruthless nature in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5. If Tendi once again becomes involved in her family's illicit activities, it is conceivable that her lineage will eventually include being the ancestor of Osyraa, particularly if the Emerald Chain's operations remain within her family. This connection between Tendi and Osyraa would serve as a captivating Easter egg for fans of the franchise and a compelling way to bridge the gap between two of Star Trek's popular contemporary shows.

All episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 are available to stream on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the possibility of a connection between Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Discovery. The idea that the Emerald Chain, a major crime syndicate in Discovery, could have been founded by D'Erika Tendi, a character in Lower Decks, is intriguing. This would create a fascinating link between the two shows and would add depth to the history of the Emerald Chain.

I also appreciate the way that Star Trek: Lower Decks is expanding the Orion mythology. In previous Star Trek shows, the Orions have been portrayed as a violent and untrustworthy species. However, Lower Decks shows that there is more to the Orions than meets the eye. D'Erika Tendi is a complex and sympathetic character who is trying to make her way in the world. She is not a villain, but she is also not afraid to use violence when necessary. This portrayal of the Orions is more nuanced and realistic than what we have seen in previous Star Trek shows.