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Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks #3!Finally, Star Trek calls out one of my biggest issues with Lower Decks. The show, which just finished a five-season run on Paramount +, was a hilarious love letter to the franchise that also sent up every trope in it imaginable. Yet one aspect of Lower Decks always rubbed me the wrong way, and it gets a call-out in issue three of IDW’s new comic based on the show.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #3 is written by Ryan North and drawn by Jack Lawrence. Lieutenant Billups, the Cerritos’ Chief Engineer, asks his team to brainstorm possible causes for an anomaly the ship has discovered. An ensign speculates a miniscule number of Omega Particles could be the culprit. Billups points out that the Omega Particles would have caused an explosion. He then chastises the ensign, saying she should not know about the Omega Particles, and for everyone to forget what she said. In the background, Rutherford lets out his trademark catchphrase; “okey-dokey.”
The Omega Particles Are Bad News–Hence Starfleet’s Extensive Cover-Up
The Revelation of the Omega Particles’ Existence Shook Star Trek To Its Core
Even the Borg search for Omega, although they too have trouble harnessing its power.
It is quite odd that a low-ranking ensign, on what is supposed to be just an average Starfleet ship, would be aware of the existence of the Omega Particles, as they are highly dangerous–not to mention classified. Introduced in Star Trek: Voyager, the mysterious Omega is the most destructive substance known to Federation science. In one instance, the Federation attempting to synthesize Omega ended in failure, resulting in the deaths of dozens of scientists. Starfleet approaches Omega cautiously, implementing strict protocols on how to contain and handle the substance. Even the Borg search for Omega, although they too have trouble harnessing its power.
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Despite Omega’s highly volatile nature, and Starfleet’s standing orders on how to deal with it, it is also classified. In the Star Trek: Voyager episode “The Omega Directive,” which introduced the substance to the franchise, only Captain Janeway knew about its existence. Voyager’s crew had mixed emotions at the revelation of Omega’s existence, as did fans. The introduction of story elements such as Omega provided a more balanced view of Starfleet, showing the organization was not above engaging in shady tactics to get what it wanted. Keeping something like Omega top secret seemed to run counter to Star Trek’s values.
How Do the Low-Ranking Officers of Star Trek: Lower Decks Know So Much?
Beckett Mariner and Boimler Seem to Know An Awful Lot of Classified Information
Both Billups and the Cerritos’ ensign should not have known about Omega particles, yet somehow they did–and this points to an issue I have had with Lower Decks since it premiered: characters seem to know about missions and personnel that they should not. Lower Decks’ primary characters are low-ranking Starfleet officers serving aboard an ordinary, nondescript ship. They are not captains, commodores or admirals, who would have access to information on Omega or other such classified materials. Billups and the ensign knowing about Omega and casually mentioning it in conversation stretches credibility.
Left for dead on a distant world, no one beyond Kirk and others on the mission should have known Gary’s fate, yet the Cerritos crew not only knew, they made jokes about it.
Yet there are numerous examples of this running throughout Star Trek: Lower Decks. In the show’s pilot episode, a character name checks Gary Mitchell, a former Starfleet officer who developed god-like powers after an accident. Gary nearly kills Captain Kirk and destroys the Enterprise. Left for dead on a distant world, no one beyond Kirk and others on the mission should have known Gary’s fate, yet the Cerritos crew not only knew, they made jokes about it. The Cerritos crew regularly drops references to other Starfleet missions that, should by all rights, have been classified.
Does Starfleet Have a Problem With Intelligence Leaks?
The Answer To Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Biggest Issue Is Obvious
Billups and the ensign’s knowledge of Omega particles raises questions over how Starfleet handles disseminating information about its various missions and personnel. As seen in every incarnation of the Star Trek franchise, Starfleet crew members see some truly amazing sights during their service, be they aliens or interstellar phenomena. Some of what they see is dangerous, such as Omega Particles, necessitating that this information be classified. However, Billups knew about them, showing the cover-up may not have been as successful as Starfleet would have liked, and pointing to some serious flaws in their intelligence apparatus.
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There is at least an out–of-universe explanation for the Cerritos’ crew’s seemingly infinite knowledge of Starfleet history: it is a way for Star Trek: Lower Decks’ writers to pay homage to the franchise. Lower Decks’ writers know that Mariner and company having information about obscure Starfleet missions from over 100 years ago is implausible, but it adds another hilarious layer to the show. Far from stretching credibility, these Star Trek deep cuts only enhance the viewing (or reading) experience. Lower Decks’ five seasons prove this formula works.
Despite This Big Issue With Star Trek: Lower Decks, It Is Still A Fantastic Show
Yet One Gag Reminded Me Of This Issue
Of all the “nu-Trek” shows, Lower Decks just might be my favorite, and part of the reason for that are the Easter Eggs the show uses in pursuit of laughs. Yet, realistically, there is no way that Mariner, Boimler, Tendi and the rest would know about these missions. Sure, a random joke about Omega particles, followed by another joke about not knowing about them, is a hilarious gag, but it goes a long way to pointing out a serious flaw in this otherwise perfect Star Trek program.
Star Trek: Lower Decks #3 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
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