10 of the big references and callbacks in the newest Star Trek: Lower Decks trailer

Star Trek: Lower Decks had a huge load of surprising references.

Star Trek: Lower Deck released its third season’s trailer at San Diego Comic-Con and in it was a whole host of interesting and unique references to not only past seasons of the show but also past series in the franchise.

There was a whole heap of them in this series, which is both good and bad. It’s good because it’s a show that remembers what came before it, but it’s also bad because relying on things like nostalgia and callbacks to unrelated events, often ends up hindering the show’s legacy. It can quickly become a show that relied on nostalgia.

And let me tell you, historically, nostalgia goes bad fast.

But until it does, let’s keep our eyes on the prize and that’s looking at the 10 biggest callbacks, references, or Easter Eggs we found in the Lower Decks season three trailer.

Top 10 finds in Star Trek: Lower Decks season three trailer

10. A Spock and Horta Sitting in a Tree

During the trailer, you can see Mariner at a career day-type booth where she’s trying to get people to sign up, next to them, you can see a mannequin designed to look like Spock and the Horta just hanging out.

9. Ketracel White Sauce

While parter of a bigger reveal later on, seeing on the table a bottle called “Ketracel White Sauce” is disturbing, considering how highly addictive it is.

8. The Return of the Delta Flyer

At one point we see the cast of Lower Decks wearing the Delta Flyer uniforms from Star Trek: Voyager and the indication is that they’re getting ready for a race, just like in the Voyager episode “Drive”. Not only that but we also see a Romulan Warbird pop up.

7. Martok’s Return

The return of Martok was revealed in this trailer, marking J.G. Hertzler’s return to the Star Trek franchise.

6. Mariner Leaping into Star Trek 2009

There was a clip in the trailer where Mariner tries to pull off the same dramatic move seen in 2009’s Trek film but to less than optimal results.

5. Calling out Star Trek for being Star Trek

One of the biggest running gags is that most Star Trek aliens look like humans but with some minor differences (foreheads, shoulders, necks all looking different) and Lower Decks pointed this out, by mentioning the different nose ridges.

4. Discovering the Undiscovered Country

At the start of the trailer, Mariner can be seen recruiting people to join Starfleet by using the title of the sixth film, as a marketing hook.

3. Sisko’s Creole Kitchen

We also see the return of Joseph Sisko’s famous Sisko’s Creole Kitchen, and inside of it we see the Ketracel White Sauce, and Rutherford wearing a very Jake Sisko-inspired sweater.

2. The Star Trek III connection

The start of the season will basically mirror the plot of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, with the crew stealing the Cerritos to go save Mariner’s mother. This shouldn’t be a surprise, as the posters for season three are all inspired by Star Trek III, so it makes sense they share the same plots.

1. Deep Space Nine’s return

Obviously, the big one was seeing Deep Space Nine return, along with the theme, the wormhole, and yes, the majestic pylons.