Star Trek: Lower Decks may be nearing the end of the line.
Paramount+ is not playing games. They’re cancelling everything it seems. Hit shows like iCarly are already gone and Star Trek: Prodigy, a show that did very well according to social media engagement, was axed several months back. After it was greenlit for a second season. And after it was already in production on that new season. Paramount+ is struggling and that’s beyond obvious.
The most expensive shows seem to be targeted the most, even if they’re doing well in the ratings. So a show like Star Trek: Lower Decks, a show that caters to the smallest fraction of a franchise that is nowhere near the size of other franchises, is likely dead.
And that’s not us saying it, it’s series creator Mike McMahon. Speaking to Cinemablend, McMahon revealed that there is real concern that Lower Decks isn’t going to get a fifth season, saying;
"Yeah, I mean, listen, we’re in weird times. Everything is changing. I think everything’s gonna continue to change. I would say nothing is safe. I don’t have any bad news for anybody, but also, I think you shouldn’t assume that this stuff is gonna stick around unless you vocally and watch it early on. I do not know if we’re going to have another season after the season we’re working on right now [Season 5]."
What can fans do to save Star Trek: Lower Decks should it get canceled?
Honestly, nothing. Paramount+ is hemorrhaging money due to poor decisions, and bloated costs. If Lower Decks gets axed, it’s dead. We’re months into Prodigy’s cancellation and they still haven’t found a new home for their second season. But, McMahon still offers ideas, saying;
"So, if you love Lower Decks as much as I do, I would say make sure to watch it and get people to watch it now. A letter writing campaign after a show gets canceled, it’s helpful, but what’s more helpful is campaigning to get more eyes on the show when it’s airing because it gives me the ability to push for more seasons. I would love to finish Lower Decks with the plan that I have for it. I would say, take Prodigy looking for a new [network], and take a look at Picard being wrapped at Season 3, and at Discovery wrapping as well. I would say read those as signs that if you want more Lower Decks, you should be vocal about it now and not wait."
McMahon is clearly pointing out that Paramount+ seems done with the current state of Star Trek. That those shows, including Picard, didn’t have enough eyes on it early. And considering the lack of buzz around season four so far, it’s not looking good. Lower Decks twisted and morphed Gene Roddenberry’s idealistic future into a grotesque and hedonistic reality, damaging the brand as a whole. And while Lower Decks has its fans, a lot of the Star Trek community just hasn’t seemed to embrace the series.
It’s likely that, like Discovery before it, it got renewed time and time again due to the seemingly never-ending cash flow. That cash flow is out, and the bill is due.