How does Lower Decks compare to Star Trek the Animated Series?

[The Overlord]

I know only 2 episodes of Lower Decks has been released (we can expand this topic as new episodes come out), but so far, how does Lower Decks compare to Star Trek the Animated Series?

I know this may seem unfair, given the almost 50 year gap between the 2 shows, but Lower Decks is better in terms of animation and voice work (they can afford to have a large voice cast) than TAS.

 

[Mudd]

It's a better cartoon.

 

[BillJ]

Better show overall, with clearly more money being put into it.

 

[fireproof78]

Better animation, and thus far very much enjoyable jokes.

I don't know if there is much comparison.

 

[Kelso]

If we're comparing the first two episodes of LDS with the first two TAS episodes- "Beyond the Farthest Star" and "Yesteryear"- I'd have to go with TAS.

LDS is funnier, though.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Better animation, and thus far very much enjoyable jokes.

I don't know if there is much comparison.

Come on TAS has an episode called "The Practical Joker"!!!!!

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[NCC-73515]

Like ST09 compares to TMP.

 

[Tosk]

Like ST09 compares to TMP.

The great thing is that there are multiple ways to interpret that comparison, both positive and negative.

 

[Cyrus]

Animation is better in LD and it is funnier. But TAS had iconic characters in it, so I give it the edge so far.

 

[NCC-73515]

The great thing is that there are multiple ways to interpret that comparison, both positive and negative.

Exactly

 

[starfleettanner]

If they toned down the hyperactive crew it would be on par with TAS. That's my only main issue is the hyperactive style they give the characters.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Sealab 2021 once did an entire episode in the exact same style of Sealab 2020 (it was a serious dub without any of the usual gags except at the end, I believe). Perhaps Lower Decks can do an entire episode in the style of TAS, with all the music and action one would expect from 1973 animated television.

 

[Christopher]

I'd say "contrast" is the word rather than "compare." TAS was an adventure drama for all-ages viewing; LD is a workplace sitcom meant for adult viewers. TAS was 23rd-century, LD is 24th-century. TAS was a direct continuation of TOS, LD is a new concept with new characters. The only similarity (aside from the shared universe) is that they're animated, but medium is not subject matter.

 

[Kelso]

Sealab 2021 once did an entire episode in the exact same style of Sealab 2020 (it was a serious dub without any of the usual gags except at the end, I believe). Perhaps Lower Decks can do an entire episode in the style of TAS, with all the music and action one would expect from 1973 animated television.

If they need an excuse, the fiftieth anniversary of TAS is coming up in 2023.

 

[BillJ]

Perhaps Lower Decks can do an entire episode in the style of TAS, with all the music and action one would expect from 1973 animated television.

Do a “Trials and Tribbles-lations” type episode. Where the Cerritos crew takes part in an episode of TAS.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Do a “Trials and Tribbles-lations” type episode. Where the Cerritos crew takes part in an episode of TAS.

"Why are their uniforms pink?"
"We don't discuss that with outsiders."

 

[BillJ]

"Why are their uniforms pink?"
"We don't discuss that with outsiders."

Have the Cerritos get trapped in the Delta Triangle from “The Time Trap”, then they can argue over the Bonaventure.

 

[Michael]

Do a “Trials and Tribbles-lations” type episode. Where the Cerritos crew takes part in an episode of TAS.

You know, this is a marvelous idea! Would love for them to attempt something like that at some point.

As for the OP's question: both shows are so different that I find it hard to compare them. Lower Decks is definitely more fast-paced than The Animated Series, that's for sure.

 

[Qonundrum]

I know only 2 episodes of Lower Decks has been released (we can expand this topic as new episodes come out), but so far, how does Lower Decks compare to Star Trek the Animated Series?

I know this may seem unfair, given the almost 50 year gap between the 2 shows, but Lower Decks is better in terms of animation and voice work (they can afford to have a large voice cast) than TAS.

TAS tries to keep the feel of TOS while using the animated format to do things the live action version could not... and with the limited technology of 1973.

LD is its own beast. It uses elements of TNG and TOS, throws in contemporary Rick and Morty (which I've yet to see so I'm taking it on repute), and comes up with something that's still its own.

Like comparing apples and giraffes, it's just not possible to compare the two in the same way.

 

[Christopher]

TAS tries to keep the feel of TOS while using the animated format to do things the live action version could not... and with the limited technology of 1973.

You mean limited budget and schedule. The technology existed -- there was great animation being done decades earlier. Filmation itself could do feature-quality work when given a feature schedule and budget, as in their 1972 Journey Back to Oz or their 1979 Flash Gordon movie. But TV networks allocated very little money for their Saturday morning programming, and TAS's first season had the added limitation of an exceedingly tight shooting schedule, given only 6 months to make 16 episodes. The 6 episodes of season 2, produced at a less breakneck pace, have noticeably better animation.

The main technological advance since then is that animation can be done far faster, since it's all done in computers so there are fewer steps, and reshoots and image alterations are far easier.