Unveiling TNG's Incredible and Surprising Links to Mariner in Star Trek

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 9 - "The Inner Fight"

Summary

In Lower Decks season 4, episode 9, an astonishing revelation unveils Lieutenant Beckett Mariner's deep ties to Star Trek: The Next Generation. This jaw-dropping twist uncovers her previous role as a cadet at Starfleet Academy and her close bond with Ensign Sito Jaxa, shedding light on her inclination towards self-destructive behaviors and her hesitation towards career advancement.

The discovery that disgraced former Starfleet Cadet Nicholas Locarno is responsible for destroying alien starships raises questions about his involvement with Mariner and the potential reappearance of Sito Jaxa.

In episode 9 of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner's shocking connections to Star Trek: The Next Generation are unveiled, specifically referencing the memorable TNG episodes "The First Duty" and "Lower Decks." Mariner's self-destructive tendencies become a concern for her mother, Captain Carol Freeman, prompting Freeman to assign Mariner to a routine mission with her friends in an attempt to keep her out of trouble. However, during this mission, Mariner unintentionally encounters Nicholas Locarno, the individual responsible for the destruction of numerous alien starships, who happens to be a disgraced former Starfleet Cadet.

How Lower Decks’ Mariner Connects To TNG’s Tragic Ensign Sito

Mariner, prior to encountering Nick Locarno in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 9, discloses some of her secrets to a Klingon named Ma'ah (Jon Curry), whom she fought against and befriended. The fragments of Mariner's life story have gradually been unveiled in Star Trek: Lower Decks. However, in her past, Beckett excelled as a Cadet at Starfleet Academy, ranking at the top of her class. Before serving on the USS Cerritos, Mariner was stationed on five different Starfleet ships, including the USS Quito, and participated in the Dominion War, which led her to spend time on the Deep Space Nine space station. Additionally, Mariner formed a friendship with Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) of the USS Enterprise-D, who was her mother's mentor. Despite these revelations, numerous questions persist regarding Mariner and her connections to Star Trek: The Next Generation, with "The Inner Fight" episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks unveiling a series of shocking revelations.

Lt. Beckett Mariner revealed a shocking truth to Ma'ah that she had once been best friends with Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill) during their time at Starfleet Academy. In the fifth season, episode 19 of Star Trek: The Next Generation titled "The First Duty," Sito was a part of Nova Squadron, an esteemed group of cadets that included Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) and Nicholas Locarno. Unfortunately, Nova Squadron covered up the death of a fellow classmate while performing an unauthorized flight maneuver. As a result, Sito admitted her involvement in the incident and had to repeat a year at Starfleet Academy. However, three years later, in the seventh season, episode 15 of Star Trek: The Next Generation titled "Lower Decks," Sito found herself serving on the USS Enterprise-D. She later discovered that Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) had specifically requested her assignment, granting the young Bajoran officer a second chance.

Sito is presumed to have perished while on a covert Cardassian mission, masquerading as their prisoner. Mariner was profoundly affected by Sito's demise, leading Beckett to renounce her aspirations of becoming a starship captain. Instead, Mariner determined to remain an Ensign, sparing her comrades from the perils of Starfleet's costly conflicts. Unveiling Mariner's profound connection as Sito Jaxa's closest friend, we gain insight into her poignant justification for rejecting a promotion to Lieutenant and embracing the role of a Lower Decker. By reasoning that "if 'being an Ensign was good enough for Sito, it's good enough for me," we glimpse into Beckett's psyche, revealing a perfectly understandable sentiment.

How Lower Decks’ Mariner Connects To TNG’s Disgraced Nick Locarno

Nicholas Locarno, the former leader of Nova Squadron, orchestrated a conspiracy to conceal the truth surrounding the death of their classmate, Joshua Albert. Expelled from Starfleet Academy in "The First Duty" episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Locarno's whereabouts remained a mystery until Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 9. It is revealed that Locarno serves as the pilot aboard an enigmatic enemy starship responsible for annihilating other vessels throughout the galaxy. However, it turns out that Locarno has also been abducting the crews of Ferengi, Cardassian, Romulan, Orion, Bynar, and Klingon ships, leaving survivors stranded on the planet Sherbal V.

Prior to Mariner being beamed from Sherbal V onto his starship, Locarno, in Star Trek: Lower Decks, it was revealed that he was one of the four individuals that Starfleet needed to find and protect from the mystery ship, which was ultimately traced back to Nick. After being expelled from the Academy, Locarno became a freelance pilot operating within the underworld of New Axton. Mariner clearly recognizes Locarno from their time together at Starfleet Academy in 2368, approximately 13 years prior to the events of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. Locarno invited Mariner to join him on his starship, expressing their intention to "cause some trouble together." The reason behind Locarno's attacks and abductions of other species will be unveiled in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Could all of this ultimately lead to the shocking revelation that Sito Jaxa has been alive all this time?

Star Trek: Lower Decks Proved Its TNG Namesake

Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks, expressed that "Lower Decks" is his favorite episode from Star Trek: The Next Generation. As a tribute to this beloved episode and its underlying concept, he named his own Star Trek series after it. Star Trek: Lower Decks serves as a heartfelt homage to TNG, carrying forward the enduring legacy of this Star Trek era. However, with "The Inner Fight," the bond between TNG's "Lower Decks" and the animated Lower Decks strengthens significantly. The ingenious retcon in Mariner's backstory, relating to her time at Starfleet Academy, intricately connects with TNG's "The First Duty," which introduced characters like Sito Jaxa and Nick Locarno. Additionally, it is entwined with the poignant events of TNG's "Lower Decks" that ultimately led to Sito's tragic demise.

"Lower Decks," an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, delved into the harsh realities of a career in Starfleet and the sacrifices that come with exploring new worlds. The episode highlighted the tragic consequences that dreamers face in their quest to reach the stars and occupy a position on a starship's bridge. Mariner, influenced by the events surrounding Ensign Sito in TNG, exhibits behaviors and a reluctance to attain a higher rank, ultimately endangering her fellow Starfleet Officers. Beyond its fast-paced humor, Star Trek: Lower Decks commendably maintains a sense of emotional depth, with characters who experience love, loss, and heartbreak. Lt. Beckett Mariner is burdened with the weight of this tragic reality every day. Stream season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+ every Thursday.