With a third season continuing through October, Lower Decks (all Trek shows post episodes weekly) was created by Rick and Morty writer and producer Mike McMahan. This is the least Star Trek-like, but probably the most Star Trek-obsessed show.
Focusing on a group of friends of a junior crew member assigned to a low profile support vessel, “Lower Decks” practices a lighter version of “Rick and Morty’s” transcendental, ironic humor. (Or, conversely, a more frenzied and suggestive version of “Futurama” humor.) Bad luck with stupid or comically greedy aliens can lead to careerism, resentment, and hand-wringing among the crew. It’s secondary to the practical joke.
And at nearly every moment, a reference to the larger “Trek” universe is made in Toons’ funny-as-serious way that they know they can never make a crossover episode with a live-action show. Season 3 begins with Ensign Brad Boymler (Jack Quaid) revealing himself to be a vineyard owner who, like Captain Picard, has returned to Earth. Various characters from the “Trek” universe drop by to offer voice work to the original actors. JG Hertzler as the Klingon warrior Martok MCs a fantasy role-playing game. Armin Shimmerman is the owner of a Ferengi tavern, Quark, who is now the owner of a galaxy-wide restaurant chain.
It should come as no surprise that the Prodigy and Lower Decks are reinterpreting the Trek formula. What is less expected is that it can be more touching and emotionally complex than a live-action show. This may have something to do with the origins of talented creators outside of the “Trek” realm. But it also feels like the medium of animation, and the genres surrounding children’s programming and comedy, offers a freedom that live show producers don’t.
Both animated shows have more interesting and well-defined central characters than any of “Discovery,” “Picard,” or “World.” In both cases, it is the female off-lead or co-lead. In “The Prodigy,” they are Loctark (Riley Alazraki) and Gwynne (Ella Purnell), giant beings made of bricks who are revealed to be shy girls. ), the daughter of the story’s main villain. In “Lower Decks” Mariner (Tawney Newsom), a giddy competitive ensign with a mommy problem who bears a sly resemblance to a very masculine protagonist like Kirk. The comical intrigue of “Lower Decks” and the kid’s adventures of “Prodigy” might go straight to your heart with daring as these characters face off against demons.