The Ultimate Tribute to Lower Decks' Creator: Star Trek Empowers Girls
Star Trek's Empowered Female Characters Shine Brighter Than Ever! From Discovery to Picard, Lower Decks, and Prodigy, the franchise boasts a stellar lineup of strong and dynamic women, taking the series to new heights!
Article Overview
Being called "Star Trek for Girls" is a compliment to the creator, Mike McMahan, as he loves writing female characters and telling their stories in the Star Trek universe.
The Star Trek franchise boasts a rich legacy of empowering female characters, spanning from Lieutenant Uhura to Captain Kathryn Janeway. This tradition is upheld in the current generation of shows, which consistently feature dynamic women. Star Trek: Lower Decks serves as a compelling illustration, showcasing an array of positive and multifaceted female characters such as Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, Lieutenant D'Vana Tendi, and Captain Freeman. These exceptional portrayals affirm that Star Trek transcends gender, welcoming everyone into its captivating world.
During an exclusive interview with Our website, we questioned Mike McMahan about the exploration of Orion culture in Star Trek: Lower Decks, through the character Tendi and her family. McMahan shared his excitement in response to a fan labeling the show as "Star Trek for Girls," explaining why he found this statement to be a compliment. His quote is provided below:
I love that someone online recently commented, "
Star Trek Has More Strong Female Characters Than Ever Before
I don't know if I like Lower Decks. It feels like Star Trek for Girls." My immediate reaction was sheer delight. I refrained from responding, but internally I thought, "Oh my God, if that's how Lower Decks is perceived, give me an Emmy right now!" I am absolutely enamored with the matriarchal Orion aspects of the show. It's incredibly enjoyable to write about. I have such a fondness for characters like Tendi and Mariner and crafting their narratives. I've had the pleasure of creating three episodes centered around girl's trips, with the addition of Boimler. I adore writing about women in the Star Trek universe. Female Starfleet officers, Captains, Orions, warrior princesses, and warrior queens. The combination of women and Star Trek provides a remarkable platform for storytelling; it exudes tremendous power. Orion fits into this framework perfectly. And if you're not a fan, just beware, Dr. T'Ana might just give you a not-so-friendly encounter.
Discovery, Strange New Worlds, Picard, Lower Decks, and Prodigy have a deep bench of dynamic women.
Star Trek has always featured a roster of formidable female characters. It started with Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) from Star Trek: The Original Series, followed by Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine introduced Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell), and Lt. Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer), while Star Trek: Voyager showcased Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Star Trek: Enterprise added T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) and Ensign Hoshi Sato (Linda Park) to the mix. This rich lineage of exceptional female characters has paved the way for a new generation of remarkable women in Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Prodigy, and Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Captain Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, represents the first Black female lead in a Star Trek series. Following her, Lt. Beckett Mariner in Lower Decks becomes the second.
Star Trek: Lower Decks, created by Mike McMahan and his writing team, showcases a rich collection of empowering and dynamic female characters. From Mariner, Tendi, Captain Freeman to the newest addition, Vulcan Lt. T'Lyn portrayed by Gabrielle Ruiz, all these characters serve as complex role models who are highly intelligent and capable. They inspire individuals of any gender. Paramount+'s Star Trek series brings forth a greater number of strong female characters than ever before, emphasizing that Star Trek is not limited to any specific gender. It has always been inclusive and relevant to all.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 is available to stream on Paramount+.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Star Trek, I am thrilled to see the franchise's continued commitment to empowering female characters. From the trailblazing Lieutenant Uhura in the original series to the current lineup of strong and diverse women in shows like Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, and Prodigy, Star Trek has always been at the forefront of gender equality.
These characters are not just eye candy or token additions; they are complex, well-developed individuals who play vital roles in the stories they inhabit. They are leaders, scientists, warriors, and explorers who inspire us with their courage, intelligence, and compassion. They show us that there is no one right way to be a woman, and that we can all achieve great things if we follow our dreams.
