Revolving door...?

[Blooded]

I’ve been thinking about this for a few days.

Let’s assume, for a moment, that Lower Decks hits the numbers CBSAA want it to, and is considered a runaway success. The show continues, for several years.

As it’s an animated series, they can obviously go for a very long time without ever having to age the characters, but I was wondering if the premise of the show actually invites a revolving door for the main cast, if the show runs for a lengthy time?

These characters want promotions but, once they achieve them, they kinda stop being in that particular type of bracket that this show wants to focus on. So, does the show say goodbye to them as regulars, and then bring in new Ensigns to replace?

Hell, the same is true of the starship, in fact. There’s nothing saying that, after 3-4 seasons, they can’t just go and decide to focus on a new ship and crew.

I say all of these as positives, by the way. I like the idea that, by being animated, this show can do things that the other live action shows simply cannot.

 

[Tim Thomason]

I’ve been thinking about this for a few days.

Let’s assume, for a moment, that Lower Decks hits the numbers CBSAA want it to, and is considered a runaway success. The show continues, for several years.

As it’s an animated series, they can obviously go for a very long time without ever having to age the characters, but I was wondering if the premise of the show actually invites a revolving door for the main cast, if the show runs for a lengthy time?

These characters want promotions but, once they achieve them, they kinda stop being in that particular type of bracket that this show wants to focus on. So, does the show say goodbye to them as regulars, and then bring in new Ensigns to replace?

Hell, the same is true of the starship, in fact. There’s nothing saying that, after 3-4 seasons, they can’t just go and decide to focus on a new ship and crew.

I say all of these as positives, by the way. I like the idea that, by being animated, this show can do things that the other live action shows simply cannot.

Harry Kim was an Ensign for seven years, so I don't see their lack of promotion (and a Lieutenant can still be Lower Decked) as an issue. We also know from some character descriptions that Mariner has been demoted "several times", so that seems likely to occur again and again, especially given the shenanigans they'll get into.

I don't see them revolving out the main cast of four (unless something happens with one of the voice actors), or even introducing more LDs (unless a breakout background character gets popular), because of Cousin Oliver syndrome. What I am curious about is the march of time.

If the show maintains a consistent timeline, after a few seasons, we might butt up against the Martian attack, and later the Romulan supernova. Serious stuff going on in the Star Trek universe, and how will this comedy show deal with that?

 

[BillJ]

Trek is simply a universe where major changes really aren’t allowed, especially if something is popular. CBS is adverse to change. So if the show is popular, I don’t ever see much changing.

 

[BillJ]

If the show maintains a consistent timeline, after a few seasons, we might butt up against the Martian attack, and later the Romulan supernova. Serious stuff going on in the Star Trek universe, and how will this comedy show deal with that?

Universe is a big place, the Cerritos will simply be elsewhere.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Universe is a big place, the Cerritos will simply be elsewhere.

I don't think they'll be at Romulus or responding to Mars, but there will be Romulans on the show, and most likely someone will have ties to Mars. Will the show mention this? Via dark humor or an uncharacteristic (perhaps) dramatic scene? They might never reach April 4, 2385, or perhaps simply time skip around it, but we will some day get their reactions to it, either in the show or in supplementary material.

 

[BillJ]

I don't think they'll be at Romulus or responding to Mars, but there will be Romulans on the show, and most likely someone will have ties to Mars. Will the show mention this? Via dark humor or an uncharacteristic (perhaps) dramatic scene? They might never reach April 4, 2385, or perhaps simply time skip around it, but we will some day get their reactions to it, either in the show or in supplementary material.

2387 would be six or seven years away in universe, 2385 is four. Plus, with animation you don’t have to worry about aging. So multiple seasons could be one in universe year.

 

[Michael]

I don't see them touching on any of the “big events” of the timeline. The whole premise of the show is supposed to be that the Cerritos is tasked with the somewhat less prestigious missions Starfleet has to offer. They might throw in a reference in dialog here or there, but I wouldn't expect seeing them aiding Romulan refugees or fighting synths anytime soon.

I do like the idea of one or two of the four main “Lower Deckers” to eventually rise in rank. Maybe as an event at the end of the first season. I guess something like that would change the character dynamics, but that might be a good thing.

What I'm actually most curious to learn is if the tone of the show will allow for an occasional scene that's not necessarily played just for laughs. Will there be genuine character moments once in a while or even just a serious scene? Or will it just be jokes nonstop?

 

[NCC-73515]

It would be a great opportunity to see sequels to TNG-DS9-VOY episodes or the TNG movies, cause they go to planets after the main ships went

 

[BillJ]

It would be a great opportunity to see sequels to TNG-DS9-VOY episodes or the TNG movies, cause they go to planets after the main ships went

I hope that is few and far in between.

 

[fireproof78]

What I'm actually most curious to learn is if the tone of the show will allow for an occasional scene that's not necessarily played just for laughs. Will there be genuine character moments once in a while or even just a serious scene? Or will it just be jokes nonstop?

I am hoping they will allow more serious moments.

 

[Tosk]

after a few seasons, we might butt up against the Martian attack, and later the Romulan supernova. Serious stuff going on in the Star Trek universe, and how will this comedy show deal with that?

The same way that DS9 had a baseball episode and a casino heist episode during the Dominion War. Don't worry about it.

 

[Dukhat]

It’s going to be ten episodes of them doing silly things. Remember, it’s just a cartoon. It’s not meant to be some serious ‘linking’ show between Nemesis and PIC.

 

[fireproof78]

It’s not meant to be some serious ‘linking’ show between Nemesis and PIC.

And yet, here we are.

 

[XCV330]

Trek is simply a universe where major changes really aren’t allowed, especially if something is popular. CBS is adverse to change. So if the show is popular, I don’t ever see much changing.

CBS has killed off a few characters already and launched an entire show a good chunk of a millennia into the future.

 

[Dukhat]

And yet, here we are.

I didn't start the topic. I just replied to it.

 

[Tenacity]

The show continues, for several years.

several seasons could be several months in-universe

 

[fireproof78]

I didn't start the topic. I just replied to it.

Of course not. Just an observation of criticisms already leveled at the show without a single episode aired.

 

[Dukhat]

Of course not. Just an observation of criticisms already leveled at the show without a single episode aired.

I’m not criticizing it. If anything, I’m accepting it for what it is (or what I perceive it to be based on what I know.)

 

[fireproof78]

I’m not criticizing it. If anything, I’m accepting it for what it is (or what I perceive it to be based on what I know.)

I think you're taking something personally that was meant to be generic.

 

[BillJ]

CBS has killed off a few characters...

The only "good guy" regular that I recall being killed off is Katrina Cornwall. In one of the most ludicrously stupid scenes in the history of the franchise. Door only locks on one side, no one tries to use the transporters to pull her out. They used the character up and then didn't care whether how she died made a lick of sense.