Unveiling the Intricate Finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4

Article Overview

The season 4 finale of "Star Trek: Lower Decks" concludes with an exhilarating and explosive ending, as Mariner successfully thwarts Locarno's plot to establish a dangerous new authority in the galaxy.

Mariner's unwavering faith in Starfleet serves as a stark contrast to Locarno's bitterness and refusal to take accountability for his actions.

In "Lower Decks" season 5, Tendi's departure from Starfleet to join the Orion Syndicate raises questions about her future and the exploration of Orion culture. The explosive finale of season 4 sees Mariner saving the galaxy from Locarno, but it comes at the cost of Tendi leaving Starfleet and returning to Orion. Locarno, the villain responsible for attacking non-Federation ships, captures Mariner and reveals his true identity aboard his starship, Nova One, after trapping their command crews on the planet Sherbal V throughout the previous season.

Star Trek: Lower Decks' Genesis Device Creates A New Locarno Planet

Locarno aimed to establish himself as a prominent force within the galaxy. Utilizing various rebellious alien Lower Deckers, who had mutinied against their commanding officers, Locarno formed a formidable armada known as Nova Fleet. This name was inspired by the ill-fated elite group, Nova Squadron, which Nicholas Locarno had led during the fifth season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation titled "The First Duty." The cornerstone of Locarno's plan involved a Ferengi black market Genesis Device, which he intended to exploit in order to manipulate the United Federation of Planets through blackmail. However, Mariner thwarted his scheme by pilfering the device and making a daring escape aboard a stolen Starfleet vessel. Unfortunately, she became ensnared within the Detrion System due to a Trynar Shield. Nevertheless, Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) and the USS Cerritos bravely rescued Mariner, resulting in explosive events that gave rise to the formation of a brand new planet.

A Great Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan Homage

While trapped in a nebula with Locarno, Mariner took action by activating the Ferengi Genesis Device, nicknamed "G.D.," to prevent Locarno from using it. In an attempt to kill Mariner, Locarno aimed a phaser at her, but Beckett materialized on Freeman's Captain's Yacht just in time. Despite Mariner's efforts to bring Locarno with her as they fled to safety, Locarno stubbornly refused to surrender. His unsuccessful attempt to disable the Genesis Device was foiled by the Ferengi's paywall. Tragically, Locarno met his demise when the Genesis Device detonated, resulting in his molecular bonding with the newly formed Genesis Planet, later named Locarno by Starfleet.

These humorous moments become significant in Lower Decks season 4 when visiting Ferenginar and the introduction of Freeman's Captain's Yacht in Lower Decks season 1.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4's finale was the franchise's most impressive tribute to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, surpassing all previous attempts. Despite Locarno's claims of Lower Deckers gaining the upper hand against their superiors, he proved to be nothing more than a vengeful lunatic, comparable to Khan (Richardo Montalban). Fortunately, none of the Cerritos' crew members had to sacrifice their lives to halt Locarno's plans, thus avoiding a situation akin to Spock's (Leonard Nimoy) death in Star Trek: Nemesis or Captain James T. Kirk's (Chris Pine) fate in Star Trek Into Darkness. The lingering question of what lies ahead for the Locarno Genesis Planet remains to be addressed in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5.

Mariner Believes In Starfleet, Unlike Nick Locarno

Mariner dealt with her "pretty heavy stuff."

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 showcased Beckett Mariner's struggle (in a self-destructive manner) to come to terms with her promotion to Lieutenant, junior grade. This promotion resurfaced her deep-seated dread, linked to the loss of her friend from Starfleet Academy, Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill). Astonishingly, the finale of Lower Decks season 4 commenced with a flashback to a time before the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The First Duty" in 2368. This flashback depicted a young and enthusiastic Cadet Mariner who adored Sito and the members of Nova Squadron, including Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) and Joshua Albert, who, for the first time, is shown alive since his tragic death due to a prohibited flight accident before "The First Duty." The demise of Sito profoundly impacts Mariner's fear of advancement and the burden of sending others to their deaths, thus explaining her desire to remain a Starfleet Ensign.

Facing Nick Locarno, who was expelled from Starfleet Academy due to his own ego, Mariner reaffirmed her belief in Starfleet. While Locarno harbored resentment towards Starfleet for how he was treated, he never truly took responsibility for his role in Joshua Albert's death and subsequent cover-up. On the other hand, Mariner comprehends that Starfleet is fallible and prone to mistakes, yet she believes it is inherently virtuous. She highlights how Ensign Sito sacrificed her life to protect Starfleet, emphasizing the organization's worth. Mariner herself exhibits goodness, as she rejected Locarno's offer to join him and risked her own life to prevent him from obtaining the nefarious Genesis Device referred to as "a planetary murder machine." Mariner even urged Locarno to abandon his destructive path and join her instead. Hopefully, now that Mariner has assumed her new role as Lieutenant on the USS Cerritos, she can utilize her numerous talents to enhance Starfleet rather than persistently rebel against it. Of course, she wouldn't truly be Beckett Mariner if she did.

Tendi Leaves Starfleet And Returns To The Orions - Will She Be Back?

The Mistress of the Winter Constellations returns to the Orion Syndicate

Lt. D'Vana Tendi proposed a solution after Captain Carol Freeman made the decision to rebel against Starfleet in order to rescue Mariner. Lt. Tendi sought the assistance of her sister, D'Erika Tendi, played by Ariel Winter. Following a trial reminiscent of the one in "Gamesmasters of Triskelion" from Star Trek: The Original Series, in which Dr. Migleemoo lost on behalf of the Cerritos' crew, Tendi suggested an alternate course of action. Instead of surrendering the USS Cerritos to D'Erika as agreed upon, Tendi offered to return to the Orion Syndicate as the Mistress of the Winter Constellations. However, D'Erika, being an Orion, deceived Tendi and Captain Freeman by lending them a battleship that was inoperable. Nevertheless, the clever crew of the Cerritos utilized this battleship by hurling it at Locarno's Trynar Shield, successfully bringing it down.

This scene, where the Cerritos throws the battleship, pays homage to Captain Will Riker's use of the USS Titan-A to hurl an asteroid at the Shrike in season 3 of Star Trek: Picard.

After successfully defeating Locarno and rescuing Mariner, Tendi was obligated to fulfill her promise of returning to Orion. D'Erika wasted no time in demanding her sister reclaim her position as the Mistress of the Winter Constellations. Interestingly, Tendi's Lower Deck friends displayed a strong belief in her eventual return to Starfleet. However, Lt. Samantha Rutherford, still grappling with unresolved emotions regarding D'Vana, whose awkward charade as newlyweds on Ferenginar took place in "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place" (episode 6 of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4), is uncertain. With Tendi absent for an undetermined period, the Lower Deckers are once again comprised of four members: Beckett Mariner, Sam Rutherford, Brad Boimler, and T'Lyn.

Meanwhile, Captain Freeman receives praise from Starfleet for initiating diplomatic relations with the Orions, marking the first-ever occurrence despite the loss of Lt. Tendi. Thanks to Tendi and her influential crime family, Star Trek: Lower Decks has delved into the intricacies of Orion culture more extensively than ever before, first introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series through the portrayal of green-skinned space pirates. As Tendi reunites with the Orion Syndicate, this exploration will further accompany the essence of Star Trek: Lower Decks in its fifth season.

Captain Boimler Commands The USS Cerritos

A hint of things to come for Lieutenant Brad Boimler?

Assuming the role of Acting Captain, Brad Boimler demonstrated his command abilities aboard the USS Cerritos while orchestrating the defeat of the Orion battleship to penetrate the Trynar Shield. This successful mission paved the way for Captain Carol Freeman's entrance into the Detrion System to rescue Mariner. Boimler's accomplishment received praise from Commander Jack Ransom, leaving him understandably proud of his leadership skills. Comfortably positioned in the center seat of the Cerritos, Bradward exuded a sense of belonging and confidence. Positioned to his right, Lt. T'Lyn's presence added to the overall dynamic, evoking a reminiscent Spock and Captain James T. Kirk synergy when the two collaborated.

Boimler's ambition to become a starship captain appears to be his destiny. The crossover between Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks ignited this aspiration when Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise (Anson Mount) encountered him. Boimler's heroic act of rescuing the USS Voyager in the season 4 premiere of Lower Decks, titled "Twovix," led to his promotion as Lieutenant Junior Grade. In the following episode, "I Have No Bones, Yet I Must Flee," Boimler commanded his first away mission, although Bradward was unfortunately the only casualty, albeit briefly. While Boimler must continue serving as a Lower Decker in Star Trek: Lower Decks, it is reasonable to anticipate that he will eventually command his own starship in the future of the Star Trek universe.

T'Lyn Is Staying On The Cerritos

And T'Lyn wants to be "science besties" with Tendi.

Lieutenant T'Lyn made the decision to disregard a call from Captain Sokel, her Vulcan superior, and opted to remain on the USS Cerritos within Starfleet. This marked the culmination of T'Lyn's personal journey, as she initially had hopes that serving in Starfleet would pave the way for her return to the Vulcan fleet. However, T'Lyn eventually realized that she was not the "broken" individual her superiors perceived her to be. On the Cerritos, particularly alongside Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi, T'Lyn formed authentic friendships with these lively and irrational humans, as well as with an Orion. Additionally, T'Lyn granted Tendi's desperate desire for camaraderie by agreeing to become "science besties," even though D'Vana had to depart the Cerritos immediately afterwards. The inclusion of the wry, composed, and consistently amusing T'Lyn in Star Trek: Lower Decks has been an immense success, and the news of her continued presence on the Cerritos for season 5 is truly delightful.

What Season 4's Ending Means For Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 premieres in 2024 on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is set to return for its fifth season on Paramount+ in 2024, following its usual late summer/early fall release schedule. Season 4 of the animated comedy concluded various ongoing storylines, including the defeat of the malevolent A.I. antagonists. Characters like Badgey and the peculiar koala from Lower Decks have evolved into higher life forms, while Peanut Hamper and AGIMUS appear to have transformed from evil computers. Mariner has dealt with her promotion concerns and reaffirmed her commitment to Starfleet, while Boimler is advancing towards his goal of becoming a Captain. As season 4 comes to a close, Lower Decks prepares for a fresh start in season 5, though the challenge of returning Tendi to the Cerritos remains. Notably, season 4 did not address the supposed "death" of Brad's clone, William Boimler, who had joined Section 31 in season 3.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 and Star Trek: Discovery's final season are the only two confirmed Star Trek series to be streamed on Paramount+ in 2024. The Star Trek: Section 31 movie, starring Michelle Yeoh, is the only other known project with a chance of streaming on Paramount+ in 2024. Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, on the other hand, has found a new streaming home on Netflix. With its focus on the late 24th century Star Trek: The Next Generation era, Star Trek: Lower Decks will be the main attraction on Paramount+ in 2024 once Discovery concludes. Hopefully, the success of the animated comedy will lead to more seasons, allowing creator Mike McMahan to fulfill his vision for Lower Decks. Currently, viewers can stream season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 finale. On the one hand, I was excited to see the culmination of the season's main storyline involving Locarno and his plot to establish a new authority in the galaxy. The finale delivered on the action and excitement, with some great space battles and thrilling moments. I particularly enjoyed the way Mariner was able to outsmart Locarno and save the day.

On the other hand, I was disappointed by the departure of Tendi from Starfleet. I felt that her character had a lot of potential and I was looking forward to seeing her develop further. However, I understand that the writers wanted to shake things up and create some new dynamics for the upcoming season. Overall, I think the Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 finale was a solid conclusion to the season, but it left me with some mixed feelings. I am excited to see what the writers have in store for Season 5.