It’s never easy to say goodbye to any Star Trek series, but the series finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks is finally here. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” is everything I could’ve hoped for and more. This episode makes me laugh, cry, and gives me all the feels. Make yourself a bramble, or perhaps an ostentatious michelada. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Strap in for my review of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation.”
Trust Your Crew, Trust Yourself
One consistent theme in Star Trek: Lower Decks, but in particular Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” is trusting yourself and trusting your crew. We see this play out in multiple ways in the episode. First, there’s no conflict in getting support from Captain Freeman when they get the insane news from William Boimler about the rift coming their way. Many shows would have played that for conflict, but not Lower Decks. “Call it fate, or entanglement, this is your mission.” Brad says it himself, “Wow, that’s good captaining!” We should expect no less from Captain Freeman.
Second, my favorite example is watching Tendi and T’Lyn learn to work together as first science officers. “Relinquish control, trust each other! Now we unite as Science Besties!” made me laugh with its anime-style “With our powers combined” sort of vibe. But I also got a little teary because it shows how they have grown together as friends and coworkers. T’Lyn and Tendi are perfect foils for each other, but now they are also perfectly in sync. Their differences give them their great strength. Their science bestie energy is amazing and I want to see more of it. Someone, please pick up this series.
MORE: Here are our reviews of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 1 and Episode 2.
Built For Versatility!
They’ve not drawn much attention to it, and admittedly at first, I thought it was just a sign of Rutherford missing Tendi. The technical difficulties he’s had trying to get his implant to connect with the Cerritos have been challenging. I thought it was just Rutherford off his game because he missed Tendi, not because his tech was too old. Watching his frustration, and then realizing the true problem is great. Newer isn’t always better. Sometimes you need an old-fashioned solution to your problem.
One of the biggest surprises here for me is that apparently Rutherford can remove his implant. I had no idea. I had always assumed it was a necessity after his accident. Apparently not! Watching him slide into action and do his engineering thing warmed my heart. The Cerritos can do anything because Cali-class is built for utility. It’s amazing and wonderful. I’m glad our guy is back to himself.
MORE: Here are our reviews of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 3 and Episode 4.
Be Still My Shipper Heart
But speaking of Rutherford, I’m over here melting with all the shipping payoff with him and Tendi. In the heat of our conflict, Tendi loses her cool with T’Lyn, but forgets about her problems when she sees that Rutherford is stressing out. “Falling out of love with the Cerritos”? Is that a nod to their conversation in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2 episode 10 “First First Contact” about how much they love the Cerritos, but they’re actually talking about each other? It definitely crossed my mind.
Plus, Rutherford without the implant is now experiencing emotion without a dopamine inhibitor! Oh look, you have big feelings for your girl, dude! It also makes me think that Rutherford’s feelings must have been massive in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episode 6 “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place” for them to break through to the point of awkwardness. Did I get a kiss? No. But I did get a massive amount of feels and frankly, the door is open for more. Yes, this is the last season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see these characters again. More Tendi and Rutherford for me, please, and thank you.
MORE: Here are our reviews of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 5 and Episode 6.
Final Finale Thoughts
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” is a wonderful send-off for the Cerritos crew. There’s phenomenal character development for each of our mains. Tendi and T’Lyn are complementary science besties. Rutherford gains confidence in his unenhanced organic abilities. Boimler “grew his beard” has come into his own. Mariner has confidence and security in herself and her crew and is in a much better place emotionally. Ransom is smarter than he lets on, protecting Freeman’s plausible deniability. He’s going to make a great captain.
Even new characters like Ensign Olly got some solid emotional development. Olly’s usage is so perfect that I got a little teary. I’m an absolute mark for anything where the thing that makes the character a misfit is their saving grace later on. It’s a wonderful example of a trope done right in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation.”
MORE: Here are our reviews of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 7 and Episode 8.
Something for Everyone
Aside from all this character development, there’s so much in this finale for every kind of Star Trek fan. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” has the great humor the series is known for. “By the prophets, our weapons are amazing! Awwww, weapons are down!” is such classic Shaxs. This is also an episode for shipheads. I’m not as up on my ships, but even I was geeking out about all of the different ship types and models we see in this finale.
It’s everything I could have wanted and then some for a finale, especially when the show was unexpectedly canceled. I’m sorry to see Lower Decks go. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” is a wonderful send-off to these characters while also simultaneously wrapping the series up and leaving the door open for further adventures. Well done, Mike McMahan and crew!
Final, Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode 10 “The New Next Generation” leaves us with a good word, and it’s all found in how Malor has them fix the rift. You can’t stop it, but you can build a dam. Sometimes life comes at you at a pace you can’t stop, but you can fortify yourself against it. You can make the best of whatever situation you’re given, even if you can’t stop it.
Now we can explore strange new realities, not just in this Trek, but our own lives. What could we be if we made decisions to do and be better, no matter what catastrophic thing came at us? How would that change us? How could that change our communities, our countries, our world? It’s such a beautiful concept and a wonderful send-off for this series. It fits the message of positive emotional and mental health that Lower Decks has always had.
MORE: Here’s our review of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 9!
“Tune In”
This also meshes nicely with Mariner’s final monologue. I love the idea of embracing our weirdness as our greatest strength. It’s those weird things that make this thing called life work. Also, she says, “Tune in.” I see what you did there, Mariner. I really want to keep tuning in.
Before I wrap, I must say, “ENGAGE THE CORE!” It’s the most Ransom catchphrase we could have asked for. I hope you all engage to the core and make a lot of noise for Lower Decks. We saved Star Trek: Prodigy by making noise. I think we can do it again.
Finally, I want to say thank you to Mike McMahan and everyone who has worked on Star Trek: Lower Decks. It’s brought so much joy to my life, and it will continue to do so in rewatch. Thank you for creating such a beautiful love letter to the Star Trek franchise and for giving the entire fandom these wonderful characters. I’ll start the cheer from over here.
Lower Decks! Lower DECKS! LOWER DECKS! LOWER DECKS!
All episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks are streaming on Paramount+.
