Star Trek: Lower Decks has wrapped up its fifth and final season, enriching the franchise’s lore by suggesting the superiority of the Terran Empire from the Mirror Universe over Starfleet from the Prime Universe. Streaming on Paramount+, this season’s narrative centers on the intrepid crew of the USS Cerritos, who find themselves tasked with stabilizing a colossal wormhole beset by a Schrödinger possibility field that threatens to unravel reality itself.
Originating from the classic episode “Mirror, Mirror”of Star Trek: The Original Series, the Mirror Universe starkly contrasts with the ideals of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. In this alternate reality, the Terran Empire has expanded its dominion across much of the Alpha Quadrant, characterized by its violent and xenophobic nature. Subsequent series, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Discovery, have delved deeper into this darker iteration of Federation ideals, showcasing its militaristic focus and the consequent superiority of its starships.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Establishes the Dominance of Mirror Universe Vessels
The ISS Cerritos Is Equipped with Superior Armaments
In the climactic finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the fate of the universe hangs in balance as the USS Cerritos engages with the multiverse anomaly, while other Starfleet ships remain out of reach. Captain Carol Freeman leads her crew, maneuvering through circumstances where the ship is subjected to transformations due to the unique properties of the surrounding Schrödinger possibility field. As they approach the unstable wormhole, the Cerritos undergoes a metamorphosis reminiscent of the ISS model from the Mirror Universe.
Handling weaponry onboard, Lt. Shaxs observes the remarkable capabilities of the Terran weapons on the ISS Cerritos. However, the ship sustains damage, leaving the previously sophisticated armaments inoperable. Shaxs reflects on their predicament, expressing disbelief at having access to powerful Terran weapons yet lacking the means to utilize them. This scenario underscores a profound contrast—Terran weaponry is far more formidable than that utilized by typical Starfleet vessels. With a foundation built on conquest, it’s logical that the Terran Empire boasts advanced weapon technologies, often derived from the worlds it has subjugated.
Why Does Starfleet Lack Superior Firepower Despite Frequent Conflicts?
Starfleet’s Warships May Pale in Comparison to the Terran Empire’s Arsenal
Although Starfleet has endured numerous military conflicts throughout the history of Star Trek, its fleets are primarily designed for exploration rather than combat. The United Federation of Planets was founded on values of peace and discovery, as opposed to the Terran Empire’s expansionist ethos. While the Empire readily engages in conquest, the Federation emphasizes diplomatic relations and knowledge-sharing.
However, the emergence of the Borg during Star Trek: The Next Generation prompted Starfleet to initiate the development of dedicated warships, resulting in formidable classes like the Defiant-class and the Sovereign-class. Yet these warships still lag behind the advanced weapons systems of their Mirror Universe counterparts.
Initially, the prototype for the USS Defiant was shelved due to design flaws, but it was later reactivated in response to the increasing Dominion threat on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Despite producing multiple Defiant-class vessels, which played critical roles during the Dominion War and later confrontations with the Borg, the overarching conclusion remains: as highlighted in Star Trek: Lower Decks, even the most powerful warships in Starfleet’s arsenal lack the raw destructive potential habitual to the Terran Empire’s warships.