Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 premieres Sept. 7 on Paramount+. Below is a spoiler-free review of the first eight episodes.

Summary

Star Trek: Lower Decks has consistently delivered unique and adventurous stories in its previous seasons. However, its crossover with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in “Those Old Scientists” marked a groundbreaking moment for the animated series. Building on that success, the fourth season premiere of Lower Decks, titled “Twovix,” captures everything that makes the show great. From its deep love for the Star Trek franchise to its lovable characters and ambitious plotting, the series continues to mature in its storytelling. Season 4 features a mix of standalone episodes and an intriguing serialized arc.

Premise

The premiere episode picks up where “Those Old Scientists” left off, with Beckett Mariner, Brad Boimler, D’Vana Tendi, and Sam Rutherford still fulfilling their duties on the USS Ceritos. This time, they are tasked with overseeing the transportation of the beloved Federation artifact, the USS Voyager. As the ensigns rise to the occasion and succeed in their mission, they find themselves on a new path within Starfleet. This allows the writers to explore their individual perspectives on career advancement.

Character Development

The increased responsibility given to the main cast members enriches their arcs. Boimler, who is perpetually competent but anxious, faces the challenge of assuming leadership without any training wheels. Mariner’s self-sabotaging behavior and aggression are also addressed as the character matures. Meanwhile, Tendi and Rutherford’s backstories receive more attention, building upon the chemistry between them that fans adore.

The Addition of T’lyn

T’lyn, the new Vulcan addition to the Beta Shift team, seamlessly integrates into the cast. Despite being deemed too emotional for service aboard the Vulcan ship, T’lyn’s calm demeanor and unexpected empathy are welcomed by the crew. The character serves as an unlikely sounding board for the ensigns as they navigate the emotional challenges brought on by their new positions. T’lyn’s journey culminates in a reveal about her own struggles, solidifying her place on the Cerritos.

Exploring Trek Mythology

For fans of Trek mythology, season 4 presents episodes like “Something Borrowed, Something Green,” which delves into the mysterious Orion homeworld. This character-centric adventure uncovers fascinating aspects of the little-known pirate warriors. Additionally, “Caves” pays homage to the tradition of stranding Starfleet officers, revealing surprising details about each character. And in “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place,” Deep Space Nine receives recognition with an all-encompassing celebration of Ferengi culture.

Utilization of Original Characters

Season 4 further showcases the series’ deep bench of original characters. Returning favorites like AGIMUS, Peanut Hamper, Badgey, and the Delta Shift team make appearances, strengthening the show’s world-building and rewarding invested viewers.

Some Missteps

Despite its successes, a few episodes stumble in their execution. “In the Cradle of Vexilon” introduces an intriguing premise involving a sentient computer, but fails to fully utilize this concept, resulting in a chaotic and unsatisfying conclusion. Similarly, “A Few Badgey’s More” attempts to tell an evil robotics story that becomes overly exaggerated and loses its seriousness. Additionally, the overarching villain plot introduced in the premiere takes too long to develop and becomes repetitive before delivering a payoff.