Unveiling the Reason Behind Star Trek's Decision to Not Revive a Heartbreaking TNG Character: Insights from the Creator of Lower Decks

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Mike McMahan decided not to revive Ensign Sito Jaxa from Star Trek: The Next Generation for the grand finale of Lower Decks season 4. According to McMahan, bringing back Sito would be deemed as mere fan service and would undermine the significant impact of her death in the storyline.

Instead, in order to avoid diminishing the significance of her death, Star Trek: Lower Decks opted for a powerful flashback featuring Sito, granting viewers the opportunity to see her once again. Creator and showrunner Mike McMahan reveals his decision not to revive Ensign Sito Jaxa from Star Trek: The Next Generation. In "The Inner Fight," the ninth episode of Lower Decks season 4, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner discloses her friendship with Sito during their time at Starfleet Academy, while the return of former cadet Nicholas Locarno fuels speculation among fans that Sito may still be alive in the finale of Lower Decks' fourth season. Sito's demise occurred in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7, episode 15, titled "Lower Decks," which directly inspired the creation of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

In an exclusive interview with our website, we asked Mike McMahan if he had ever considered resurrecting Sito Jaxa. He then explained why bringing back the tragic Bajoran Ensign was never part of his plans. Read his quote below:

No, no, no, no. Resurrecting Sito Jaxa would be seen as fan service, which, to me, would be disrespectful to a storyline that had a profound impact on me. It might feel good initially, but it would also feel shallow. Have we not learned anything from Pet Sematary? Instead of undoing her death solely for the sake of an animated comedy, I believe it is more valuable to explore the weight of it for character development. Bringing her back was never a consideration for me, as it would go against my understanding of the Trek canon.

Why Star Trek: Lower Decks Not Resurrecting Sito Jaxa Was The Right Move

Sito did return in a flashback in Lower Decks season 4's finale.

The decision to not resurrect Sito Jaxa in Star Trek: Lower Decks was the right move for several compelling reasons. Instead, the show opted for a powerful flashback that showcased young Mariner alongside Sito and Nova Squadron at Starfleet Academy. Additionally, Shannon Fill returned to lend her voice to Sito for the first time in 29 years. Show creator, Mike McMahan, explains why the flashback was a more impactful way to bring Sito back:

I kind of did bring her back, in a sense. Having her appear in that opening scene felt like stumbling upon an old photograph or video of a lost friend, allowing me to smile and see them for just a moment longer. It satisfied that longing without undermining the significance of the character's initial presence.

Revealing Sito's return several years later would diminish the profound impact of her death on Mariner and the overall significance it holds in Star Trek: Lower Decks and the Star Trek series as a whole. Stream season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As an avid Star Trek fan, I greatly appreciate the thoughtful approach taken by Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks, in his decision not to resurrect Ensign Sito Jaxa. Her tragic death in Star Trek: The Next Generation had a profound impact on the storyline and simply undoing it for the sake of fan service would undermine the emotional weight of her sacrifice.

Instead, McMahan chose to honor Sito's memory through a powerful flashback that showcased her friendship with Mariner and her time at Starfleet Academy. This approach allowed fans to revisit Sito without diminishing the significance of her death. By focusing on character development and the lasting impact of Sito's sacrifice, Lower Decks maintains the integrity of the Star Trek canon while also providing a satisfying nod to fans who were deeply affected by her story.