Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Ending Explained

Key Takeaways

Season 4 of Lower Decks focused on themes of history, growth, and legacy, adding depth to characters’ transformations.
Mariner faces her past with familiar ties to TNG, while Tendi’s identity as an Orion Assassin is revealed and embraced.
The season finale sees Mariner’s growth shine as she rejects Nova Fleet, with the crew rescuing her in a daring mission.

As a fan who’s been following this delightful crew through their antics, I must say that the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks has truly outdone itself. The writers have masterfully woven together the personal struggles and growth of our beloved characters, particularly Boimler’s first officer, Mariner.

In the fourth season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” fans were treated to all the familiar elements they’ve grown accustomed to in the animated series of this franchise. This included clever references to classic “Star Trek” shows, abundant Easter eggs, a closer examination of lesser-known species within the universe, humorously absurd action sequences, and, as always, plenty of laughter. Moreover, it provided a greater understanding of the characters and the concept of Starfleet than ever before.

In the climactic episode titled “Old Friends, New Planets,” the various plotlines and motifs from the entire season were skillfully concluded, yet left viewers eager for more as they pondered the mysteries that will unfold in season 5. As we prepare for the last season, here’s a recap of what took place during season 4 and its dramatic conclusion.

What Happened in Lower Decks Season 4?

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Ending Explained

While Season 4 maintained its reputation for delivering clever fan service, it’s not what truly makes it stand out. Instead, the season excels due to recurring themes such as history, personal growth, and legacy. Remarkably, these themes proved to be insightful considering they were developed well before the team responsible for Lower Decks realized that Season 5 would be their final one.

Promotions All Around

At the start of the season, the Lower Deckers advance to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, which means they’re no longer considered Lower Deckers. Characters like Jack Quaid’s Bradward Boimler, Eugene Cordero’s Sam Rutherford, and Noël Wells’ D’Vana Tendi take this news with joy and jump into their new responsibilities with their usual energy and commitment.

While Mariner becomes enraged following her promotion, Jerry O’Connell’s Commander Jack Ransom assures her that he will stand by her no matter the circumstances. In typical fashion, Mariner embarks on a rebellious streak. However, for the first time, those around her choose to stick by her side despite her actions, compelling Mariner to acknowledge that self-destruction is not her true desire.

Over the course of the season, spectators witness the growth of their beloved, stumbling Lieutenants Junior Grade characters. Boimler embarks on his first off-ship mission and realizes he can’t handle everything alone, learning instead the importance of trusting his fellow crew members. He also grapples with the harsh truth that Starfleet can be perilous, and as a leader, his decisions may put people in harm’s way or worse, cost lives. Simultaneously, Rutherford confronts his past when Badgey reappears with vengeance on his mind. This situation forces Rutherford to face the consequences of his actions. In an unexpectedly ‘Star Trek’ fashion, he learns the value of resolving conflicts rather than avoiding them: by donning a Mark Twain costume in a holodeck scenario.

Among all the changes each season brings, Tendi’s transformation stands out as the most significant. Once compelled to disclose her past on Orion, she comes to understand that it’s not something she needs to conceal, particularly from those close to her. She learns to accept and celebrate her strong persona, which in turn boosts her self-assurance. This newfound confidence carries over into her Starfleet career.

Tendi’s Backstory: The Orion Assassin

When Tendi receives an invitation to her sister’s wedding, it turns out to be a desperate call for help, as her sister has been kidnapped. Accompanying Tendi are her companions, Mariner and T’Lyn. As they uncover the truth, they discover that Tendi was trained as an assassin by the Orion Syndicate and comes from a wealthy background. On Orion, Tendi showcases her proficiency in weaponry, combat, and brutal drinking contests. Despite her awkwardness about revealing her past to her friends, Mariner and T’Lyn are taken aback by her skills.

When they locate D’Erika, Tendi’s sister, she confesses that she orchestrated her own abduction as a means to draw Tendi closer. D’Erika harbors feelings of being left behind by her elder sister and is apprehensive about assuming the mantle of Prime, which devolved upon her when Tendi departed for Starfleet. Despite reconciling, D’Erika remains reluctant to acknowledge that Tendi prioritizes Starfleet over Orion.

Upon their reunion at Cerritos, Tendi comes to understand that her friends cherish her deeply, despite knowing her true identity. Far from being a liability, her past proves valuable, serving as a significant factor in the climactic episode of the season.

Mariner’s Backstory: A Past With Some Familiar Faces

During the course of the series, it’s revealed that Mariner’s past and her strained relationship with Starfleet are closely tied to a well-known character from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Ensign Sito Jaxa. For those who might need a reminder, Sito was part of the controversial Nova Squad, a flight team that conducted an unauthorized maneuver resulting in the death of one of their comrades, under the command of Nick Locarno. After this incident, Captain Picard felt she deserved redemption and assigned her to the Enterprise. Unfortunately, during a covert operation, Sito lost her life.

Towards the end of the season, Mariner shares that Sito was her dearest friend. Upon learning that Sito, as an ensign, was assigned to such a perilous mission and subsequently lost her life in it, Mariner’s distrust towards Starfleet started growing. Later on, Mariner admits to having participated in the Dominion War shortly following Sito’s demise, which only intensified her disenchantment and instilled within her a reluctance to advance through the ranks due to her unwillingness to command others into danger.

In this scenario, Mariner’s disobedience, persistent defiance against Starfleet rules, and hesitance to accept promotions appear more understandable. Once she addresses her history, she should be able to leave it behind. Unfortunately, as soon as she does, her past unexpectedly reappears in the form of Nick Locarno.

How Did Season 4 End?

Throughout the season, a mysterious spacecraft has been attacking random ships all over the Alpha Quadrant. In the season finale, the owner of that ship is revealed as Nick Locarno. After kidnapping Mariner, Locarno explains that he hasn’t been destroying the ships; he’s been recruiting their captains and crews into his Nova Fleet — a coalition of independent crews, working together without a hierarchical leadership structure. Assuming Mariner’s history of defying Starfleet makes her a perfect recruit, Locarno tries to convince her to join.

Here’s where Mariner’s development is most evident. Though she empathizes with Locarno’s disappointment towards Starfleet, she’s come to accept that no institution can fully meet its principles. However, she believes Starfleet comes closer than many others. Instead of allying with Nova Fleet and setting herself up for self-destruction once more, Mariner seizes the Genesis Device, a tool Locarno has been using against Starfleet, along with a shuttle, effectively leaving Locarno behind.

As the team onboard Cerritos strives to rescue Mariner, they discover they lack the necessary firepower to breach Locarno’s shielding. In desperation, Tendi proposes a visit to Orion to seek aid from her sister. However, D’Erika, now a Prime within the Syndicate, is met with resistance and declines Starfleet’s request. After suffering defeat in combat, Tendi makes an enticing offer that she believes D’Erika won’t be able to resist – if her sister provides them with an Orion battlecruiser, Tendi vows to return to Orion and resume her position as the Mistress of the Winter Constellations. Reluctantly, D’Erika agrees and lends them a vessel, but true to form, she deceives them by providing a subpar ship instead.

Following their heated disagreement about the unjust agreement, the team from Cerritos brainstorms an audacious yet potentially effective solution: ramming the Orion battleship into the shield. Remarkably, the plan succeeds, allowing them to save Mariner and foil Locarno’s plots. Regrettably, they execute this strategy too late, as Locarno inadvertently triggers the Genesis device, resulting in his own demise and the creation of a brand new M-Class planet.

At the close of the episode, the Lower Deckers are jubilantly toasting another absurd triumph over drinks at the bar, when Captain Freeman abruptly interrupts. She shares the news that an Orion vessel has arrived to transport Tendi back to her native planet. The season concludes with Tendi bidding farewell, and her comrades watching her departure.

The feeling that everything is about to change is pervasive as the credits roll. To see how it all plays out, check out season 5, streaming on Paramount+ as of October 24th.

2024-10-26 17:27