Every upcoming Star Trek show and movie, ranked by anticipation
By Michael East
7. Star Trek: Lower Decks (Season 3)
Star Trek: Lower Decks is something unique in the Star Trek canon. Sure, the franchise has tried its hand at animation before, and the series’ irreverence and willingness to focus on the lower-ranking members of the crew is a huge departure from shows past. It shows that Paramount+ is willing to be bold in their efforts to expand the Trek universe. But does it work? Yes and no.
While the approach is undoubtedly different as far as Star Trek is concerned — the show gently mocks many of the franchise’s established tropes, it isn’t quite as radical or courageous as Paramount+ likely thought it would be during the concept phase. The animation is familiar and the humor funny but safe, meaning that Lower Decks doesn’t quite go as boldly as it might have done.
However, the second season improved a lot on the first, with the show capitalizing on its strengths while eliminating many of it flaws. With the rising quality, Star Trek: Lower Decks will surely hit its proper stride when it returns sometime in mid-2022.