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Star Trek: Lower Decks – Pilot episode gets off to rough start

By Chad Porto

Pictured (l-r): Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford, Boiler, Fred Tatasciore as Lieutenant Shaxs, Dawnn Lewis as Captain Freeman, Ensign Barnes played by Jessica McKenna, Tawny Newsome as Ensign Mariner, Gillian Vigman as Dr. T'ana of the CBS All Access original series, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo Cr: Best Possible Screen Grab CBS 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Pictured (l-r): Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford, Boiler, Fred Tatasciore as Lieutenant Shaxs, Dawnn Lewis as Captain Freeman, Ensign Barnes played by Jessica McKenna, Tawny Newsome as Ensign Mariner, Gillian Vigman as Dr. T'ana of the CBS All Access original series, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo Cr: Best Possible Screen Grab CBS 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /
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Pictured: Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. ©2019 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Pictured: Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. ©2019 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /

Design

The design of the show is nearly perfect. From the look of the Cerritos to the design of the uniforms, everything about this feels right. The suit redesigns work in a modern way, while still doing a great job capturing the essence of Starfleet and past Star Trek properties.

The Cerritos isn’t an original design, at least not uniquely. It’s a California-class starship that looks great even in animation. The layout of the ship’s crew quarters is very unique to Star Trek which helps. Instead of everyone having their own room, the lower decks crew (made up of mostly newer recruits) sleep in a bunk that resembles a more barracks-style design. This idea was actually very cool and practical.

The problem comes with the design of the new Star Trek aliens, the Galadorians. A purple pig species that feels more at home in Rick and Morty than it does in Star Trek. They’re put into the series to add to the “cute” and “weird” aspect that a lot of cartoon aliens are supposed to have when catering to children but again this isn’t a show for children. So why have “pig people” when this is the universe that gave the world Klingons?

Missed opportunities.

Grade: 3/5

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