Ranking every lead character from the Nu Trek era of Star Trek characters

How do the new series leads stack up against one another?

"wej Duj" Ep# 209 -- Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner and Tendi, Dawnn Lewis as Captain Carol Freeman, of the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo: PARAMOUNT+ ©2021 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved **Best Possible Screen Grab**
"wej Duj" Ep# 209 -- Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner and Tendi, Dawnn Lewis as Captain Carol Freeman, of the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo: PARAMOUNT+ ©2021 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved **Best Possible Screen Grab**
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#4 Mariner Beckett

When we saw Mariner Beckett in Strange New Worlds, we saw a bombastic, beautiful woman who stole the scene with nothing more than a smile. Sadly, that wasn't her show and isn't being counted. The Lower Decks Beckett is muted. Done badly by a terrible art style that barely works for Rick & Morty, let alone for Star Trek. The style of the uniforms is great, however.

As far as the actress's portrayal, however, Tawny Newsome shines. She's hindered by being a stock cartoon character with far more scenes of one-note emotional level, but that's on the writing, not her. Still, bad writing does affect the character's grade, so we can't give her the highest grade possible.

Mariner is a rude character, who belittles a lot of her friends, and actively disrespects authority because she feels entitled to. There may be deeper reasons for her attitude, but she still has one and it's not a selling point.

Coupled with that idea, the way she treats some of her fellow crew members is far from great, especially Brad Boilmer. We wish she was a bit more accepting and open as a character.

As far as her effect on the show, she has the best drawing power of all but one character/actor (Brad Boilmer's Jack Quad) but the show's true power isn't the talent but the cameos. It's a cameo driven show, and the past stars of Star Trek are the true point of interest for a lot of fans.

Design - 3
Performance - 4
Personality - 3
Dynamics - 2
Show Affect - 2

Overall: 14