Why Star Trek Won't Bring Back THAT Villain: Wrath of Khan Holds the Answer

Article Overview

Nicholas Locarno's demise in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks is irrevocable, much like Khan's fate in Star Trek II.

The Genesis Device proves to be a perilous weapon as it obliterates existing matter and substitutes it with its own intricate structure.

Locarno and Khan were both destroyed by the explosion caused by the Genesis Device and neither of them can be resurrected, unlike Spock. In Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, Nicholas Locarno, the main antagonist, will not experience resurrection similar to how Khan Noonien Singh was not brought back in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Genesis Device, which was developed by Dr. Carol Marcus and her son David Marcus, was introduced in Star Trek II. Originally intended as a terraforming technology, Khan misused it as a weapon and ended up being destroyed by it.

In the finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, a character named Nicholas Locarno organized a coalition of different species, which he named Nova Fleet. His goal was to establish a position of power in the galaxy that would rival the United Federation of Planets. Locarno's secret weapon in this endeavor was a stolen Ferengi Genesis Device acquired from the black market. However, he underestimated Lieutenant Beckett Mariner's unwavering loyalty to Starfleet. Mariner, who had known Locarno since his expulsion from Starfleet Academy, took it upon herself to steal the Genesis Device and escape. Eventually, Locarno caught up with her, but rather than allowing him to capture her, Mariner activated the detonation sequence of the Genesis Device. Locarno, refusing to abandon his attempt to deactivate it, ultimately chose to sacrifice himself rather than escape alongside Mariner to safety.

Wrath Of Khan Explains Why Star Trek: Lower Decks Won’t Resurrect Nick Locarno

The new Genesis Planet is named Locarno.

Nicholas Locarno's demise in the season 4 finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks is definitive and devoid of any possibility of revival, much like Khan's fate in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The Genesis Device operates by obliterating pre-existing matter and substituting it with its own framework. It is precisely this characteristic that renders Genesis an exceedingly perilous weapon, as its capacity to generate life necessitates the elimination of any existing life it encounters. Unfortunately, Locarno met his demise when the Genesis Device exploded and entirely disintegrated his physical form. Subsequently, Admiral Vassery (Fred Tatasciore) informed Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) that Nick's atoms amalgamated with the embryonic Genesis Planet in the Detrion System.

It remains uncertain whether the stability of the Locano Genesis Planet can be ensured, given that the previous Genesis Planet destroyed itself in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Likewise, Khan was not brought back to life in Star Trek II due to the complete eradication caused by the explosion of the Genesis Device. After the formation of a new planet in the Mutara Nebula through the Genesis matrix, there was no trace of Khan. It can be assumed that similar to Locarno in Star Trek: Lower Decks, Khan's atoms became part of the Genesis Planet. However, Kirk's son, David Marcus, illicitly utilized proto matter to construct the initial Genesis Device, which resulted in the instability and subsequent self-destruction of the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Any connection between Khan and the Genesis Planet was once again lost with the demise of that world.

Why Spock Was Resurrected By The Genesis Planet In Star Trek III

Spock's Genesis Planet resurrection was a very special case.

In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) experienced a unique and extraordinary rebirth thanks to the Genesis Planet. Although not killed by the explosion caused by the Genesis Device, Spock sadly succumbed to radiation poisoning after successfully repairing the USS Enterprise's warp drive to escape the detonation. His lifeless body was then placed inside a photon torpedo tube and launched from the Enterprise. However, unbeknownst to Admiral Kirk, the torpedo safely landed on the Genesis Planet where its rejuvenating powers revitalized Spock's existence. In a process that spanned from infancy to adulthood, the life-giving energies of the planet remade Spock, restoring him to life.

Spock's resurrection was made possible by the strategic placement of his katra, or Vulcan soul, within the mind of Dr. Leonard McCoy. In Star Trek III, Admiral Kirk's objective was to rescue Spock from the doomed Genesis Planet and reunite his katra, ultimately restoring Spock to his original state. Unfortunately, non-Vulcans like Khan and Nicholas Locarno do not possess these avenues for resurrection, suggesting that the villain of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 will not make a return. Stream season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Star Trek, I have mixed feelings about the decision not to bring back Nicholas Locarno in Star Trek: Lower Decks. On the one hand, I understand the reasoning behind it. The Genesis Device is a powerful and dangerous weapon, and it makes sense that it would destroy anyone who comes into contact with it. On the other hand, I'm disappointed that we won't get to see more of Locarno. He was a complex and interesting character, and I would have liked to see how his story continued.

I think the decision not to bring back Locarno also has implications for the future of Star Trek. It suggests that the franchise is moving away from the idea of resurrection. This is a significant change, as resurrection has been a major theme in Star Trek since the original series. However, I think it's a positive change. It shows that Star Trek is willing to evolve and change, and it keeps the franchise from becoming stale.

Overall, I'm disappointed that Locarno won't be coming back, but I understand the reasons behind the decision. I'm excited to see what the future holds for Star Trek, and I'm confident that the franchise will continue to be a source of great entertainment for years to come.