JuicyTalk
Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks #17!
Two of Star Trek’s best spin-offs are finally getting the official crossover fans have been begging for. The Star Trek franchise stretches across 14 movies and 12 television series, as well as countless novels and comics. Each in its own way contributed to creating the Star Trek universe fans know and love.
Star Trek was canceled by NBC in 1969, and plans for a comeback began just a few years later, eventually coming to a head in 1979 with the release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This movie inaugurated a line of Star Trek movies that expanded the scope of the franchise.
Star Trek spin-offs also began in the early 1970s. An animated series, produced by legendary animation studio FIlmation, ran for two seasons. Then, in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered, kicking off a stream of spin-offs that continue to this day. Now, in Star Trek: Lower Decks #17, two of the best spin-offs are set to finally crossover.
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The Crews of the Enterprise and the Cerritos Are Joining Forces
Worf Has Been Promoted to Captain of the Enterprise
Star Trek: Lower Decks #17 is written by Tim Sheridan and drawn by Vernon Smith. In previous issues, the crew of the Cerritos had been searching for their lost comrades, believed to be dead. However, at the end of the issue, it was revealed they had been saved by Worf, aboard the Enterprise.
The issue also reveals Worf has been promoted to captain of the Enterprise. This keeps in line with revelations made about the character in Star Trek: Picard’s third season. During the course of the season, it came out that Worf was promoted and took command of his old ship. It also apparently ended in disaster.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Was Unlike Anything Else the Franchise Had Seen
Lower Decks’ Combination of Humor and Heart Made It One of the Best Star Trek TV Shows
Of the many spin-offs Star Trek has spawned in its 60 years, Lower Decks is one of the most popular. The second Star Trek animated series, Lower Decks, followed the exploits of four (later five) junior officers aboard a regular, non-flag Starfleet ship. Adopting a more humorous, but still reverent attitude, Lower Decks earned the love of fans.
Some of Star Trek: Lower Decks’ voice actors included Jack Quaid, Tawny Newsome, Jerry O’Connell and Phil Lamaar.
Lower Decks gained this respect by being a love letter to the Star Trek universe. Episodes were peppered with Easter Eggs, some more subtle than others. The writers of Lower Decks were unabashed Star Trek fans, with a deep appreciation of the lore, and it showed in each and every episode.
Being so rooted in Star Trek history, Lower Decks naturally had crossovers with other shows. Characters from The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and Deep Space Nine made appearances on Lower Decks. One-off species from those shows also returned on Lower Decks, reinforcing just how large Star Trek is, all while introducing its own contributions to the mythos.
The Lower Decks/Next Generation Crossover Can FIx Some Dangling Plot Lines
The Crossover Can Show How Worf Became the Enterprise’s Captain
The forthcoming crossover between The Next Generation and Lower Decks promises to be exciting, and one that serves continuity. Fans were stunned to learn that Worf became skipper of the Enterprise and were equally shocked to learn his tenure ended in the ship’s destruction, something Lower Decks #17 pokes fun at it on its first page.
The story of how Worf came to be in command of the Enterprise was never told, and it is possible the next issue of Lower Decks will explain how this promotion came to be. When Worf transferred to Deep Space Nine, Sisko believed the Klingon would never be a captain, and he may have been onto something.
When Wo
Worf transferred to Deep Space Nine, Sisko believed the Klingon would never be a captain, and he may have been onto something.
It is also likely fans will learn about the final days of the Enterprise NCC-1701-E. Currently, the crew of the Cerritos are facing a powerful foe, and the Enterprise’s firepower would be welcome. However, the fight may not go well, leading to the ship’s destruction and Worf’s leaving the command track.
The Meeting of Two of Star Trek’s Best Crews Promises to Be Cool
IDW Is Ending Star Trek: Lower Decks On a High Note
Regardless of how the crossover plays out, it promises to be one of the most exciting Star Trek crossovers in recent memory. Worf never appeared on Lower Decks, nor did the Enterprise, making this a treat for fans. Watching the stern and serious Worf interact with the wacky crew of the Cerritos will be prime fan service.
And it may give the Star Trek franchise a golden opportunity to fill in some gaps in the mythos. The days of Worf commanding the Enterprise are a mystery. Picard only gave fans the barest of hints at what happened to Worf in the years prior, and Star Trek’s most exciting crossover may shine a light on this lost chapter.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #17 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
