Why did Star Trek: Lower Decks belittle Jadzia Dax?

Star Trek: Lower Decks took a jab at Deep Space Nine’s Jadzia Dax.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is known for digging up some obscure references from the world of Star Trek. The series not only does “deep cuts” with regards to references but have also given updates on former Trek characters, as well as giving former Trek characters their due. Like Miles O’Brien and Tom Paris.  So it was a little odd that Lower Decks dismissed a famous Deep Space Nine character in Jadzia Dax in the second season of the series.

Dax was referenced in passing by D’Vana Tendi (Noel Wells) to the U.S.S. Cerritos doctor, T’Ana (Gillian Vigman). The Caitian doctor had a moment with Tendi, who feared she was going to be transferred due to her poor performance. That’s when T’Ana explained that Tendi actually had potential and signed her to train as a Senior Science Officer. This is where Poor Jadzia got roasted.

"Tendi: A science officer? Like Jadzia Dax?”T’Ana: Who the [—] is that? I don’t know who that is. No, like Spock!"

Of course, that exchange caused some fans to be upset about the subtle dig at a very popular character from a very popular version of the show.

So why do it?

Star Trek: Lower Decks creator explains Deep Space Nine dig

Speaking to Screen Rant, Mike McMahon (creator of Lower Decks) explained why the reference happened. In his logic, McMahon believes that it seemed unlikely everyone in Starfleet would know everyone else, and that’s actually sound logic.

As he told ScreenRant’s John Orquiola;

"Screen Rant: Speaking of Deep Space Nine, when Dr. T’Ana told Tendi she didn’t know who Jadzia Dax was, you kinda stabbed me in the heart.Mike McMahan: [laughs] Well, the funny thing is, of all the times everybody knows everybody, of course, somebody has to not know at one point and it’s gonna be Dr. T’Ana. That’s so funny.Screen Rant: I mean, it makes sense. Of course, everybody knows who Spock is. I get it.Mike McMahan: Yeah, it’s like, Tendi is us and Dr. T’Ana is probably our parents, you know what I mean? They’re still Trekkies, they just don’t know who Tilly [Mary Wiseman] is, you know what I mean?"

It’s solid logic. Though the target of the joke is often viewed a bit differently due to how the character of Jadzia was written out of Deep Space Nine. The actress, Terry Farrell, didn’t want to return to the series full time anymore and wanted to be able to reduce her workload on the series.

This did not go over well with the producers who then opted to kill her off and bring in her replacement, Ezri Dax. Due to all the backstage issues with the way Farrell was handled, her run and its conclusion on Deep Space Nine are often viewed in a very defensive light. Taking pot-shot at her will usually never go over well.