The Deep Impact of DS9's Dominion War: An Indisputable Tragedy

Summary

"Star Trek: Lower Decks" serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating realities and emotional aftermath of the Dominion War depicted in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Specifically, it sheds light on the profound psychological impact endured by veterans like Mariner, emphasizing the toll that warfare takes on one's mental well-being. This conflict, marked by its unforgiving brutality and relentless destruction, forced Starfleet to confront difficult choices and question the extent to which they were willing to go in order to safeguard the Federation.

Mariner's refusal of promotions and aversion to being responsible for her friends' deaths stem from her harrowing experiences in the Dominion War. Reconnecting with Nick Locarno may aid her in overcoming the despair caused by the war's tragedy.

In Star Trek: Lower Decks, the audience is starkly reminded of the immense horror and tragedy that unfolded during the Dominion War in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Episode 9 of season 4, titled "The Inner Fight," showcases Lieutenant junior grade Beckett Mariner's reckless behavior, causing concern among Captain Carol Freeman and the Lower Deckers. While assigned to a seemingly "safe" mission of repairing a sensor buoy, Mariner is confronted with the repercussions of her recent actions, ultimately leading to a profound realization about the profound impact of her experiences during the Dominion War depicted in DS9. During a conversation with Klingon Warrior Ma'ah, Mariner vividly recounts the unimaginable horrors that unfolded throughout this pivotal moment in Star Trek history.

The making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was defined by the Dominon War arc, as it raised the question of the price Starfleet would pay to preserve the Federation. In DS9's Dominion War, there was no honor, only death and destruction. Though the Federation emerged victorious and resumed its mission of exploration and diplomacy, Mariner exemplifies the mental toll that the war has taken on its veterans.

Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Mariner Reaffirms What A Tragedy DS9’s Dominion War Was

In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, warfare was never glorified. However, Ma'ah's reaction to Mariner's revelations about fighting the Dominion revealed that, in certain parts of the universe, veterans have become legendary figures. DS9 fearlessly depicted the brutality of warfare, particularly in the episode "The Siege of AR-558" where Ensign Nog (Aaron Eisenberg) suffered critical injuries during a battle with the Jem'Hadar. Nog, one of Starfleet Academy's esteemed Cadets, never joined Starfleet to engage in war; instead, he longed to explore the vast universe beyond DS9 and Quark's Bar.

DS9’s Dominion War Is Why Mariner Wants To Be An Ensign

Mariner's psyche is heavily burdened by the memories of the Dominion War and her experiences, which occurred in close proximity to the events in Star Trek: Lower Decks. Following the loss of her friend Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill) and her graduation, Mariner quickly found herself thrust into the midst of intense battles. This serves as a stark reminder of the multifaceted responsibilities of a Starfleet officer, as the role often entails more than just studying plants and encountering peculiar extraterrestrial beings. In many instances, officers must fight to preserve their own lives, while in rare circumstances like the Dominion War, they are compelled to participate in a conflict of galactic proportions that exacts a considerable toll in lives lost.

Mariner's conversation with Ma'ah reveals that her reluctance to accept promotions stems from her experiences during the Dominion War. In Star Trek: Lower Decks, it has been established that Mariner has been promoted multiple times before season 4, but she consistently chooses to be demoted back to Ensign. She explains to Ma'ah that she refuses these promotions because she does not want to become a military leader responsible for sending her friends and colleagues to their deaths. Lt. JG Bradward Boimler also struggled with similar anxieties earlier in season 4, but Mariner's involvement in the Dominion War adds further significance to her concerns about command.

Mariner's reunion with disgraced Starfleet Academy Cadet Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) is likely to reinvigorate her sense of purpose. Commander Jack Ransom (Jerry O'Connell) is well aware of Mariner's desire to be demoted and has been disregarding her increasingly reckless actions throughout Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. With the confrontation with season 4's major antagonist, Mariner will undoubtedly find herself in a leadership role that ensures everyone's survival, allowing her to move beyond the tragedy of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Dominion War.

Don't miss the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks streaming on November 2nd on Paramount+.