Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020–2024) User Reviews (647)

Unexpected Depth

[michael-04313 · 8/10 · 31 December 2020]

As the title suggests, this was unexpected. I was a big doubter off the show due to the trailer, but after relenting, I watched the first episode. Then the second, and third, etc.

Unlike other Klutzman "Trek-ish" shows from CBS, this show is made by people who care about canon and continuity. Each episode gets better as the season goes on, becoming more and more like Star Trek. The humor is what you are expecting, but can be quite good at times when made with good timing. The world and ship designs, voice acting, and music is excellent, capturing a TNG era which gives the show great presence. This makes me wonder, how is it an animated comedy can be more Trek than a show with a knighted legendary actor, costing a few billion dollars per episode?!?

Overall this was an excellent start with some kinks to iron out, but I am definitely anticipating season 2, and ready to flaunt Lower Decks in the face of STD and Picard.

Don't be fooled...

[drvix · 9/10 · 6 August 2020]

... By mediocre scores or disgruntled purists pining for a canon that was shattered before the original series even ended it's first run. Star Trek has always been escapist fun with an added layer of social awareness. It never became "woke" - it was "woke" back when we called "woke" people hippies and it never changed (with the notably shameful exception of S01 of TNG). It's enjoyable, Trek flavoured comedy with added in-jokes for nerds. The older (and nerdier) you are, the more of those in-jokes will hit home. As a 50 year old, lifelong Sci-fi fan I really enjoyed the 1st episode and look forward to more.

Whew! There is still some good Star Trek being made

[Mcduff3601 · 9/10 · 28 August 2023]

I have been working my way through the ST catalogue and came across this gem. I really didn't know what to expect and was almost going to skip it, glad I didn't.

While this is a parody show and pokes fun at Star Trek and the lesser thought of aspects of the Federation it takes itself serious enough that it ends up being pretty good Star Trek, a funny comedy, decent sci fi.

It's not well rounded, meaning it's really aimed at adults and fans of Star Trek. If you haven't watched ST before there will be tons of small jokes and events that won't make much sense so in that case it's better to have watched at least some Star Trek. Probably at least OG Star Trek, The Next Generation up to Voyager and you will get a lot of the gags and references in this show.

Looking forward to more seasons!

If anyone can parody Star Trek better it's, er, Star Trek.

[amesmonde · 16 October 2020]

Following the adventures of the backbone crew of a Starship...

Those expecting Lower Decks to echo 1973's Star Trek the animated series may be left feeling like Gene Roddenberry Holodeck ghost. In terms of tone this animated vision of Star Trek is reminiscent of The Orville, Futurama with a mix of Rick and Morty. It's sharp, fast paced and above all entertaining.

Thankfully, with plenty of in-jokes it never leaves the Star Trek universe, firmly set in the Star Trek world of TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager etc showing that if anyone can and should be parodying Star Trek it's, er, Star Trek. Lower Decks is wacky, funny, refreshing and outlandish.

With a cast of excellent voice actors the character are humorously and likably brought to life and for obvious reasons Tawny Newsome's Mariner is a sure instant fan favourite. Notable are Jerry O'Connell as Freeman and Noël Well's Tendi to name a few.

While no doubt many fans prefer a live action serious series and rightly so, but so long as they are running this wonderful animated incarnation in conjunction with the usual traditional style series this is Praxis shockwave gold.

Overall, once you buy into the style, it's plain Starship sailing, recommend.

I love this show

[fhazduzj · 10/10 · 8 February 2022]

This is a great show with some beautiful animation that somehow manages to get me invested in every character even minor ones. It started a bit mediocre and too hyper with the first 2 episodes but after that it's only improved with season 2 on average being even better than the 1st one.

Season 2 episode 9 Wej Duj I would count among my top 10 favourite episodes of all of Star Trek.

Simply in love with everything about this show...

[nefftimmy · 10/10 · 13 February 2024]

It's literally as much Star Trek as you can possibly get per second... it's hilarious and reminds me a lot of Rick and Morty in so many ways. The comedy mixed with the seriousness of Star Trek is so brilliant.. this isn't a kids cartoon, it's for mature audiences. I'm not good at reviewing but felt I had to express my love for this show and the itch that it scratches after watching TNG, DSN, and Voyager several times over the years I felt like I needed more Trek. I watched strange new worlds and fell in love with that show as well. While waiting for more SNW, I decided to binge lower decks and the four main lower deckers are just delightful.. not to mention the actual commanders of the ship are separate main characters that become more and more meshed with the lower deckers and vise versa as the show unfolds... seriously genius and deserves a watch by any Trek fan... There is also a fandom inside the show of all the characters we admire and it's so relatable and funny when the main characters make almost 4th wall breaking jokes. Such a fun show with so much more than I could have imagined.

Fun fabulous animated Star Trek

[robbiedeens · 10/10 · 3 March 2024]

A 'tongue in cheek' cartoon version of Star Trek that is awesome. They trek their way around space with lots of weird and wonderful experiences. Love how the opening sequence "grows" with each episode. Fun to look back to the first episode to compare the changes. The lead actors play semi believable characters with great personalities. Lots of guest appearances from previous versions of star trek which helps tie in cartoon and real life performances. And lower decks even makes a guest appearance in Strange New World... Probably my favourite show of all . Highly recommend... Can't wait for season 5.

So good!

[mrragnarmar · 10/10 · 20 August 2020]

What's with all those uptight reviews?? This is my first review, I always read reviews first and I was bummed that this one was receiving so many bad ones! But this show is so good and I had a blast watching it! I also love other Star Trek but why can't there be a funny sci-fi about the lower ranked people?, those people saying this is the death of Star Trek need to check into a senior citizen facility or try to loosen up. Two different types of Star Trek can exist at once, I for one like that they are expanding the franchise and I hope this show gets many many seasons!

A bit o fun

[xaocam-77480 · 7/10 · 21 August 2020]

Don't know what all the harsh reviews are about. After reading them I was expecting absolute rubbish but thought I would give it a go. It's not fantastic but but it is enjoyable. Its obviously having a bit of fun around star trek and it's an animation so what would you expect? I would actually consider it better than the Orville which after a few episodes became too melodramatic, I can't see that happening here.

Better Star Trek than many

[hydralien · 8/10 · 22 November 2023]

Honestly, with all the goofiness and bad jokes and deliberately over-the-top situations (it's a comedy, after all), it has much more Star Trek in it than many recent Star Trek shows.

There's everything here those others lack: the discovery, the strange new words, the meaning, the coherence, the goal, the meaningful disobedience.

True, the jokes are not always funny, and some situations are just too goofy, but overall it's great - it has an audacious soul of space adventure, and a fork-all spirit of a modern sitcom.

Plus great animation and voice acting, and lovable characters. It's great. It took me a second take to enjoy it, but it grew on me quite a bit.

Not bad!

[reggit-53464 · 7/10 · 27 October 2022]

After the god-awful writing of Picard... And the garbage fire that is Discovery...

Lower Decks is actually pretty decent!

Not perfect by any means - but most of the jokes are written by someone who has at-least watched all of the older Trek - and some of the more serious episodes, honestly wouldn't look out of place compared to a season of TNG, DS9 or Voyager. (I can't think of higher praise than that!) Mike McMahan has succeeded where so many fail - he is obviously knowledgeable, and does a good job of respecting the canon, and having some fun with it!

In my humble opinion - it's worth a watch.

If Star Trek and Futurama Had a Baby

[heatherlbeltran · 10/10 · 22 August 2020]

I thoroughly enjoy this series! It's not 100% Star Trek, like the same style writing, or seriousness, or anything like that, but Star Trek is the foundation and follows the ships and lower ranking officers who are generally in the background. Then add the same style of episodes and humor of Futurama, and TADA! You have Star Trek: Lower Decks. I hope this series keeps going!

Gets Better

[jeremy_ · 7/10 · 13 August 2020]

I didn't care for it at first, but it grew on me by the finale of the first season.

Loud, stupid and very annoying

[armesisp · 1/10 · 15 April 2021]

What the heck is going on? Everyone in the show is so stupid, loud and annoying, they all act like 12 year olds high on ecstasy. Its basically idiocracy, but in space. Avoid this garbage, shame on the people who made this monstrosity and called it 'star trek'. They should have called 'wild space cadets' or something.

An amusing animation centred on low ranking characters on a minor Star Fleet ship

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 27 January 2021]

Star Trek series tend to be centred on important characters aboard important vessels... but not this one. The ship is the USS Cerritos, which gets sent on relatively minor missions and the protagonists are lower deck crew who aren't important enough to be told what is going on. Ensign Beckett Mariner, who is capable but has no desire for promotion and can be insubordinate; Ensign Brad Boimler is keen to follow every rule and dreams of promotion; Ensign D'Vana Tendi, is an Orion recently transferred to the ship; and Ensign Samanthan Rutherford is an engineer with cybernetic implants. Throughout the series we see them getting into a number of adventures as well as their mundane jobs.

I wasn't too sure about this series but having enjoyed most Star Trek series ever since I was introduced to the original series as a child... while this is quite different it is a lot of fun. Unlike other series this one is definitely aiming for laughs. I found myself chuckling at most episodes and occasionally bursting into proper laughter. The series is very much based in the Star Trek universe and plays with familiar tropes; successfully subverting to provide the humour. The characters are fun to watch, especially Mariner. While the main characters are lower deck ensigns we do get to see the senior staff as secondary characters; they are quite fun too. I'm not sure why so many complain of political correctness; it is certainly no more so than other Star Trek series... which have always been fairly diverse. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of Star Trek who want a laugh.

Why the hate?

[danchrismanco · 10/10 · 7 August 2020]

It seems like some trekkies will just never be pleased because they have this idealized Star Trek in their heads that can't actually be recreated. Just have fun with it, man. Give the show a chance to develop. Can you imagine if TNG had been judged on the entire first season, even? Loosen up.

Surprisingly awesome!

[Jack1420 · 10/10 · 21 September 2023]

Life long Trek fan, seen every episode of every series. The way this makes fun of itself while staying true to trek is fantastic. More trek fans need to look past it being animated to see they show for what it is. This show is the love story to all avid fans who pick up and get all the small details while getting to know new characters. The actors personalities come through in the characters in all the best ways. And I'm invested in all of the chorus, I want to see all their back stories. Speaking of which, character development has been nothing short of amazing, so many shows could take a page from these writers! Thank you to them! Clearly they are massive fans.

Star Trek's Parody of Itself

[brendan-63701 · 10/10 · 7 September 2023]

Lower Decks is definitely the show for the Star Trek super fan, the fan who watched every episode and movie multiple times. Sounds daunting, but this is what makes it so rewarding to watch. It is full of references and in-universe jokes. It expertly makes fun of topics we've debated and pondered for years, but with love. The characters are us, they are also fans of the old Starfleet heroes and captains we've all seen on screen.

The animation style allows its frenetic energy to shine, The characters are enthusiastic and passionate. There's a lot of humor that works really well. It's a blast to watch and filled the hole of old star trek that I had until Strange New Worlds premiered.

I enjoyed it.

[bookofshaddows · 7/10 · 6 August 2020]

Decent first episode, I enjoyed it, I do hope it picks up a bit more as it goes on, I know folk will say "it's not Star Trek" and maybe it isn't in the traditional sense but it's just a fun silly show and what's wrong with that? It won't be too everyone's taste, but hey everyone's different!

Love It

[wendeerae · 10/10 · 20 August 2020]

Wow. So harsh with the reviews. I've been a Trek fan for 25 years and I think this show is brilliant. There are plenty of other series to watch if you're not into the humor, but can't we have a little variety?

Started out disliking it, but gave it another go. It gets better.

[lottyfulford · 7/10 · 28 January 2021]

I didnt like it at first. The main character kept on shouting, which thankfully was toned down in later episodes. The whole thing just seemed like unfunny satire. Due to lockdown I decided to give it another shot, and around the 4 episode I started to really enjoy it. It's more Star Trek than Discovery anyway.

Surprisingly good!

[nategerard77 · 8/10 · 7 November 2022]

I'll admit that I'm an old Trek purist. I abandoned Discovery after a season and couldn't get through the second season of Picard. They both just didn't come across as anything that resembled the reasons I've loved this show since the 70's.

I was ready to put Lower Decks in the same category until I watched it. It's mostly episodic and there are over the top aspects to the ensemble crew that make me smile. It's fun and somehow enjoyable Trek all in one, at least for me. I've enjoyed the Trek past show cameos as well. Season three was the best one so far.

Give it a chance. You might surprise yourself too.

GIVE IT A CHANCE

[alessandrocarta · 7/10 · 29 August 2020]

It has some frustrating moments but this show has a lot of hart and some fun characters, some interesting new concepts and i'm sure that if you give it a chance. Your heart will warm up to the show just like mine did! It's not perfect but what first season of star trek was? :D At the moment I see a show with a lot of potential that could sprak a new (good) generation of modern star trek shows.

Not a big trekkie, but Star Trek deserves better

[KingAssmar · 2/10 · 14 August 2020]

I'm a casual fan, I've seen some of TNG, and those movies, as well as most if not all of the more recent explody/lens flare ones so I have a very rudimentary knowledge of Trekdom, and even I'm not impressed. Only 1.333 episodes in, and I must say I'm underwhelmed with the humor. The writers seem to think one reference equals one joke, so a million references must equal a million jokes. Also, the Rick and Morty style animation really doesn't do it for me except for Rick and Morty itself, and that's due to the writing and humor that OVERCOMES the failings of its hideous art style. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but to be honest, it had a pretty low bar to hurdle and it still managed to stumble.

Lifelong Trek Fan

[lancegwsmith · 10/10 · 22 August 2020]

I honestly do not understand all the negative reviews; there are just a bunch of die-hards out there that get upset when something isn't TNG's The Measure of Man or Darmok.

Even more, I think the show is well aware of this disposition towards the philosophical and intellectual aspects of Berman era Trek and encapsulates it in Mr. Rules and Regulations, Ensign Boimler.

Fans who are too uptight should be more like Ensign Mariner!

Change is hard for people, I get it. But it shouldn't have to take away from the rest of our fun.