Unveiling a Surprising Encounter in the 'Lower Decks' Finale: Mariner Reunites with a Neglected 'Next Generation' Character

Article Summary

The Star Trek: Lower Decks finale reveals the surprising mastermind behind the season's mysterious attacks as character Nick Locarno.

Having been a part of Nova Squadron in the past, Locarno has managed to gather the Nova Fleet by acquiring starships illegally. He carries a troubled history due to his involvement in a prohibited maneuver, leading to the conclusion of his career in Starfleet.

The episode also features a connection to Star Trek: The Next Generation and Voyager. Locarno was initially being considered for a role in Voyager, but eventually, the character of Tom Paris, portrayed by Robert Duncan McNeill, took his place.

In an unexpected twist, the mastermind behind the mysterious attacks that have been plaguing the galaxy throughout the season is finally unveiled in a sneak peek of the upcoming finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. And it's none other than Robert Duncan McNeill returning to Star Trek to voice the character Nick Locarno.

Continuing from where the previous episode left off, the new clip showcases the aftermath of this shocking revelation. For the entirety of Lower Decks' fourth season, a mysterious space vessel has been attacking starships and pilfering them, leaving their crew stranded on an unknown planet. In the last episode titled "The Inner Fight," the individual responsible for these attacks kidnaps Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and unveils himself to be her former friend - the character Nick Locarno from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Locarno discloses to Mariner, much to her horror, that he has now formed a group called Nova Fleet using the stolen starships, the same group he once belonged to along with Mariner as a "junior member." The years have obviously taken their toll on Locarno, but he still holds onto his past as evident from the Nova Fleet insignia on his jacket, which is a stylized version of the forbidden Kolvoord Starburst maneuver that led to the termination of his Starfleet career.

Who is Nick Locarno?

He's a character who bridges 'The Next Generation' and 'Lower Decks'...and almost 'Voyager'.

Introduced in the fifth-season Next Generation episode "The First Duty", Locarno led Nova Squadron, a group of ambitious Starfleet cadets that also included former Enterprise crew member Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). This episode is notable as it marks the first on-screen appearance of Starfleet Academy. Sadly, a cadet from Nova Squadron seemingly perishes in a routine training accident. Wesley eventually reveals that it was the result of an attempted "Kolvoord Starburst," an extremely dangerous and illegal maneuver. Despite the insistence and pressure from Locarno to perform it, Locarno and the cadets all lie about the incident afterward. Consequently, Starfleet expels Locarno from the Academy. Interestingly, there were considerations for Locarno's inclusion in Star Trek: Voyager. However, the character of Tom Paris, portrayed by McNeill, with a similar backstory, was ultimately chosen for the series. It is worth noting that McNeill reprised his role as Paris in Lower Decks' second season.

Image via Paramount

Another member of Nova Squadron, the Bajoran Sito Jaxa, has a significant association with Lower Decks. She made an appearance in the seventh-season Next Generation episode "Lower Decks", which was groundbreaking as it delved into the lives of ordinary Starfleet officers. This episode served as the inspiration and namesake for the animated series. Moreover, "The Inner Fight" divulged that Sito Jaxa was a close friend of Mariner's, and it was her demise during a Starfleet espionage mission that sparked Mariner's constantly rebellious behavior.

Stream on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Lower Decks' finale will air this Thursday on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Our website for future updates, and watch the clip from the finale below.

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Editor's P/S

As a passionate Star Trek fan, I was thrilled to learn about the surprising encounter in the 'Lower Decks' finale, where Mariner reunites with a neglected 'Next Generation' character, Nick Locarno. This twist adds depth to the storyline and establishes a connection between two iconic Star Trek series.

The reveal of Locarno as the mastermind behind the mysterious attacks adds an unexpected layer to his character. In "The First Duty," we saw him as an ambitious cadet, willing to push the boundaries and engage in dangerous maneuvers. His expulsion from Starfleet and the subsequent failure of his Nova Squadron left him bitter and resentful. This resentment likely fueled his actions in 'Lower Decks,' seeking revenge against Starfleet and those he felt wronged him.