Carl Roberts 
The fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks has warped in on Paramount+. But does the opening episode leave us beaming or as cold as space?
The fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks has warped in. The series once again brings us the trials, tribulations, and sheer madness onboard the U.S.S Cerritos. Our main characters return, all present and correct, alongside their superiors. But after THAT crossover episode with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, have the team of Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, and Rutherford still got what it takes to keep us entertained and amused?
STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS (S4:E01 TWOVIX)
Of course, they can! This opening episode makes us feel as if we’ve never been away. From the start, we are on safe and familiar ground, and the humor doesn’t lessen. Our foursome is back on top form and the plot of this first episode manages to bring us back to classic Trek from years ago. You can guess by the title of the episode as to which direction and what classic show we are dealing with this time.
From the second we hear that classic theme and see the ship itself, warm memories and feelings for Star Trek: Voyager come flooding back. As you can guess, we are given a more adult-themed, hilarious reprise of a classic episode from the series. With Boimler being the cause of the problem, and his panicked behavior, we are thrust back into our seats with laughter. With the fate of the crew aboard the Voyager, and the fate of the universe at stake, can Boimler come through for everyone and everything?
THE VOCAL CAST
The vocal cast is on point once more. Tawny Newsome as Mariner is her usual take-no-nonsense, defiant, trouble-causing self that we have come to know and love. Jack Quaid as Boimler is perfect. From his panic-stricken ways to his high-pitched scream and his little boy-lost voice, Quaid hits every note he needs to. Noël Wells as Tendi is once again lovable. Her sweet and innocent tone, and her sense of wonder with everything is just what the show needs. And Eugene Cordero as Rutherford compliments her perfectly. We are used to seeing the four split into two camps: Mariner and Boimler, Tendi and Rutherford. But when all four appear on screen together, the show and the episode pick up wonderfully.
The supporting cast all play their parts well. Dawnn Lewis as Carol Freeman once again commands authority while also making us want to smack the character in the face at some point. Jerry O’Connell as Jack Ransom once more gives us a slimy, two-faced but ultimately smart first officer who we love and loathe in equal measure. Fred Tatasciore as Shaxs brings the Bajoran tactical officer to life with some terrific comic timing, some brilliant delivery of his dialogue, and some unexpected warmth. While Gillian Vigman as T’Ana is hilarious as usual. The character remains a firm favorite with her miserable ways, her cutting dialogue, and some of what we see of her in the episode, completely memorable.
CONCLUSION
Welcome back, the crew of the Cerritos! We’ve missed you! With the memory of the crossover episode still fresh in our minds, it’s back to business for our foursome. And they return in style, with some great laughs, brilliant vocal acting, and some things that are unsuitable for young viewers. The show is a more adult version of what we expect and it still works. There is no sign of fatigue as we begin this fourth season of the show.
Star Trek: Lower Decks remains an animated series that we can all sit back and enjoy. We find ourselves laughing at moments that we really shouldn’t. We see a sex-craved cat doctor and her foul mouth comes to the fore, making us cry with laughter. We see comradeship, friendliness, teamwork, and an ingrained message lying underneath it all. It also has a heart which is one thing that makes it so enjoyable. Do yourself a favor. Beam aboard the Cerritos once again for the fourth season and get yourself ready for warp factor fun once more.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 is streaming now with a weekly episode drop. Each episode and the complete first three seasons are available to stream now on Paramount+.
Carl Roberts is the News Editor for The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
