The recent season of Star Trek: Lower Decks has effectively revisited a multiverse dilemma first encountered in Star Trek: The Next Generation. As mysterious quantum fissures emerged across the galaxy in season 5, the USS Cerritos embarked on a crucial mission to investigate this phenomenon. Under the command of Captain William Boimler, voiced by Jack Quaid, the crew tackled the challenges presented by these “interdimensional castaways”aboard the starship Anaximander, ultimately aiding in the resolution of the crisis.
This engaging multiverse narrative not only allows Star Trek: Lower Decks to resurrect numerous beloved characters from different series and timelines but also emphasizes the franchise’s rich history of exploring alternate realities. The extensive multiverse of Star Trek means that almost any character could make a return, adding layers of excitement and nostalgia. While multiverse themes have surged in popularity in contemporary media, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Trek has been delving into alternate dimensions since its inception with Star Trek: The Original Series. Notably, Star Trek: The Next Generation has addressed similar themes, aligning closely with the plotlines explored in the latest season of Lower Decks.
The Introduction of Quantum Fissure Multiverse Problems in TNG Season 7
Lt. Worf’s Encounter with a Quantum Fissure in “Parallels”
In the impactful episode “Parallels”from season 7 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Lt. Worf (portrayed by Michael Dorn) finds himself back aboard the USS Enterprise-D after participating in a Bat’leth tournament. However, he soon realizes that he is experiencing significant alterations to his surroundings. These anomalies lead the crew to ascertain that Worf has crossed into multiple versions of reality due to a “quantum fissure in the space-time continuum.” The episode culminates with numerous versions of the Enterprise-D emerging from these fissures, compelling the crew to identify the original timeline of Lt. Worf.
“Parallels”adeptly incorporates the concepts of quantum fissures and parallel universes into its narrative, delivering a captivating standalone episode. In contrast, Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 takes a broader approach by extending this multiverse concept throughout an entire season. This expanded narrative framework allows for rich explorations of alternate character arcs and “What if”scenarios from Trek lore, creating a delightful homage to the original series while inviting new stories.
Future Exploration of the Multiverse in Star Trek
Hopes for Ongoing Multiverse Exploration in Star Trek
The thrilling conclusion of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 saw the USS Cerritos triumphantly secure the universe’s stability, resulting in the formation of a permanent wormhole to the multiverse. This development hints at a wealth of potential stories for future projects. Given the animated format of Lower Decks, the series was able to bring back iconic characters—even those whose original actors have aged significantly. For instance, Jolene Blalock reprised her role from Star Trek: Enterprise, indicating the dynamic storytelling possibilities ahead.
A potential animated anthology series could explore various “What if”scenarios, revisiting established timelines and alternate realities. Personally, I would love to delve deeper into the alternate universe glimpsed in season 5’s episode “Fully Dilated,”as well as the one portraying a victorious Borg in “Parallels.”As of now, Star Trek on Paramount+ lacks upcoming projects set in the 24th or 25th centuries, but the recently introduced multiverse portal in Lower Decks represents an incredible opportunity for storytelling that should not be overlooked.