Why does Star Trek: Lower Decks censor certain words when other shows don’t?

Star Trek: Lower Decks is known to censor inappropriate words but why?

Star Trek has largely been a science fiction brand for all. Dating back to its beginnings the franchise has always been a show that tackled big topics but in a way that wasn’t exclusionary. While the show isn’t for kids specifically, it’s largely been a show that children could watch alongside their parents. There were no over-the-top sex scenes, graphic gore, or outlandish language.

All things that have since gone out the window since the start of the streaming era. The content of the show is now no longer safe for all fans, simply due to the showrunners wanting to “modernize” the show and make it more “cool” and “edgy”.

Well, edge-lord-Trek has its fans but a good many want it to return to the type of show that we had all grown up on, one that had dignity to it. But others seemingly enjoy watching Jean-Luc Picard lose all decorum and swear for next to no reason.

For Star Trek: Lower Decks, however, despite being a more bombastic show they are imposing censorship on themselves.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is boldly going where no current show seems to want to go.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is, as of this writing, the only show that is an animated adventure under the Trek brand. Animated shows, largely cater to younger audiences. So it would make sense that the creators and writers of the show know that young fans tune in. But that’s not why they do it.

Surprisingly, animator and producer on Star Trek: Lower Decks, Barry Kelly, admitted that they were censoring themselves, telling Cinemablend, but not for the reason you think.

"I can confirm it’s self-imposed. CBS has never told us anything. We’ve never been censored."

Before going on to say;

"We just think it’s funnier. It’s funnier to self-censor. It tells you something bad happened without having to say it. There are a few times we’ve left an occasional s-word in there, or ‘ass’ makes it through. It’s the big ones that got more bite on them [that we censor]. Sometimes, I don’t even know what potty mouth our actors and actresses have because what they’re saying we don’t use."

Star Trek should never be Rick and Morty, which is what so many were hoping Lower Decks would be. The humor, crassness, and the like are all there. The shows are even drawn similarly. And while Lower Decks has issues, at least they’re limiting the amount of swearing they provide.

Even if it isn’t that much.