Star Trek: Lower Decks
2020
Original language: English
- sci-fi & fantasy
- animation
- comedy
The story
The lives of the support crew serving on one of Starfleet's least important ships, the U.S.S. Cerritos, in 2380. Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford and Tendi have to keep up with their duties and their social lives, often while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies.
What it’s like
Bright, flat-lit starship corridors in saturated primary colors, with clean hand-drawn-look CGI animation, bold outlines and quick cartoon squash-and-stretch on the faces. The palette leans on Starfleet's familiar blues, reds and golds, set against glowing alien landscapes and cramped, humming crew decks that feel lived-in rather than sleek. The sound is a bouncy orchestral-synth score with cheerful stings and playful sound effects that undercut the grandeur of the space opera, and the rhythm is brisk, with twenty-minute episodes that cut fast between gags, sci-fi spectacle and quiet sincere beats. Its vibe is warm, goofy optimism with a sly affection for the franchise. The tone is hilarious and earnest in equal measure, and the emotional arcs follow four junior officers slowly growing into their careers and friendships, with real heart under the absurdity. The violence is cartoonish and mostly comic, with the occasional alien attack or explosion, and nothing graphic or frightening. It suits a comfort rewatch, a lazy weekend, or background viewing while cooking, and is made for fans of Trek who want a sweet, silly, affectionate corner of the universe.
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