We have reached the beginning of the end for Star Trek: Lower Decks. With one more episode after this, "Fissure Quest" goes all in on what the series is known for: Callbacks and references to the Star Trek series of the 1990s and 2000s.
Episode summary (spoilers)
"Fissure Quest" begins with a brief scene in the bar of the USS Cerritos, where our Lower Deckers are chatting. After a passing mention, T'Lyn asks Boimler about his transporter clone, William Boimler, who reportedly died in Season 3. We then transition to the Anaximander, a Defiant-class starship commanded by said William Boimler, the decidedly not dead captain working for Section 31.
Through a captain's log, we learn that Willam Boimler is working to close all of the quantum fissures that have been opening over the course of this season. His crew on this mission consists of alternate-universe versions of characters from earlier Star Trek series, including T'Pol, Garak, Curzon Dax, an EMH version of Dr. Bashir, and many, many Harry Kims.
After rescuing another AU Harry Kim (this one a lieutenant), William Boimler expresses how tired he is of the alternate universes. Then, the Anaximander rescues a person from an AU shuttlecraft, who happens to be that universe's Beckett Mariner. Although she is less brash than the Prime Mariner, William Boimler is overjoyed to see her.
With AU Mariner's help, the crew is able to find a way to catch the ship that has been creating the quantum fissures. We then find that it is a ship, the Beagle, commanded by an AU Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard, from Star Trek: First Contact). Rather than warp drive, she and the Zefram Cochrane of her universe had created a quantum drive to travel between universes.
After some conflict, the crew of the Anaximander and Beagle agree to work together, only for an incensed Lt. Harry Kim to lead a mutiny with all of the Ensign Kims and steal the Beagle. While most of the Kims return to the Anaximander, Lt. Kim does not and sends the Beagle into an overload, threatening the stability of the multiverse.
To solve this, William Boimler directs all of the quantum energy toward the Prime universe, believing that Brad Boimler and the other Lower Deckers of the Prime Cerritos are the most capable of solving the problem. We then return to the Prime universe, where Brad Boimler receives a warning from William and proceeds to completely freak out. Then, text saying, "To be continued…"
Thoughts on the episode
In many ways, this episode feels like a perfect example of what Lower Decks is. Namely, it has some well-written, original characters, but rather than fully leaning into that, it resorts to references to the Berman Era of Star Trek, spanning the end of The Next Generation and all of Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.
While the Berman Era (referring to producer Rick Berman, who stewarded the franchise following the death of Gene Roddenberry) is often lauded as the peak of Star Trek's popularity, it accomplished this with new characters and new worlds. It carried the spirit of Star Trek without constantly referencing it.
As delightful as it can be to hear the familiar voices of our favorite characters and see them rendered in the Lower Decks art style, it also diminishes what Lower Decks has to offer itself. After all, Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, Rutherford, and even T'Lyn are all strong, relatable, entertaining characters in their own rights. There are also episodes that stand as good comedy and good Star Trek episodes.
With 49 released episodes now, it is disappointing that Star Trek: Lower Decks has never quite moved past its need to call back what has come before, making it feel like a show about Star Trek, rather than a Star Trek show. I appreciate it for what it is, but I can't help but wish for more episodes like "wej Duj," "A Farewell to Farms," or "Fully Dilated."
Hopefully, next week's episode will let the Lower Deckers shine as their own characters, so that we can enjoy watching Lower Decks, rather than just be reminded of shows from 20+ years ago. The show deserves that.