Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Episode 10 Review: Old Friends, New Planets
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Episode 10, “Old Friends, New Planets,” is an action-packed, hilarious, and heartwarming season finale that blasts our characters to the past. It also brilliantly connects Mariner to Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Nova Squadron, picking up where Season 4 Episode 9, “The Inner Fight,” left off.
“Old Friends, New Planets” closes out Lower Decks‘ strongest season yet with a high-stakes showing that presents a genuinely tense narrative. True to the show’s form, the outing also weaves in its trademark biting wit, complemented by plenty of moments that tug on the heartstrings.
T’LYN: Clearly, his emotional behavior conflicts with his culpability.
DR. T’ANA: Yeah, he’s an asshole.
It’s easy to feel for these characters because of how much time the writers have spent methodically cultivating them. This makes Tendi’s departure by the episode’s end so heartbreaking, especially considering how hard she worked to extricate herself from her Orion background.
Mariner’s growth in this episode (and the season as a whole) is beautiful to watch. There are genuine moments where you’re afraid for Mariner’s life. Sure, she saves the day in the end, but not without a few close calls. Her conversation with Nick Locarno before he died (and turned into a planet because of those damn Ferengi and their paywalls) is proof positive of how much she’s evolved as a person.
It’s been said here before, but it bears repeating: Tawny Newsome is Beckett Mariner. Her vocal performance is full of nuance and colors. She’s never static. She can make any line funny or gut-wrenching. There’s a natural ease and pliability to her voice, too.
MARINER: Don’t let that anger define your life.
“Old Friends, New Planets” also gives one Bradward Boimler the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to sit in the captain’s chair. Admittedly, his proclaiming he’s acting captain to Admiral Vassery made this reviewer a bit weepy. The wins for these characters are well-earned and gratifying, and Boimler’s, in particular, feels like a warm hug.
As for the Nick Locarno arc, it’s certainly an unexpected direction for the overarching seasonal story to take. That’s not a bad thing. Season 4 takes a big creative swing by giving us a comprehensive, all-encompassing plot. Who would’ve thought the culprit behind the missing alien vessels was a character from The Next Generation who appeared in one episode? It’s a clever twist.
“Old Friends, New Planets” sets the stage for where Season 5 could take us. The possibilities are as intriguing as they are endless. The writers do an excellent job of tying loose ends, such as resolving the kidnapped ships plotline, while providing a few threads for exploration in future episodes. Could we get more Tendi in pirate mode as she tries to return to Starfleet? Absolutely. And that’s exciting as all get-out.
ADMIRAL VASSERY: Who the hell are you?
BOIMLER: Acting Captain Bradward Boimler, sir.
This season finale proves why Star Trek: Lower Decks is at the top of its game. It’s the perfect closer to a cohesive, fast-paced, and breathlessly zany season that pays homage to multiple Star Trek properties. Talk about a treasure trove of Easter eggs for Trekkies. There’s so much heart and humor in our ragtag Beta Shift crew. You can’t help but love them.
In the words of T’Lyn, “Cerritos Strong.”
Stray Observations:
- T’Lyn elicited so many “aws” from me in this episode. There were so many moments that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. From her “Cerritos Strong” declaration to claiming Tendi is her “science bestie” and insisting that Rutherford and Livik solve their problems in the Mark Twain simulation, our new fave Vulcan is part of the family now.
- Speaking of the Mark Twain simulation, I love that we brought that back in the same episode the crew visited Orion, just as both first occurred in Season 4 Episode 4, “Something Borrowed, Something Green.”
- In addition to Robert Duncan McNeill reprising his role, Wil Wheaton and Shannon Fill return to voice Wesley Crusher and Sito Jaxa, respectively. This is Fill’s first appearance in anything Star Trek-related in over three decades.
- “Old Friends, New Planets” is an unabashed display of the badassery of women. Mariner kicks ass, Tendi makes a grand sacrifice to save her friends, T’Lyn helps get the Orion ship up and running with illogical logic, and Captain Freeman gives the middle finger to protocol to rescue her daughter. I’m in awe of these Trek ladies.
- Is that Tom Paris or Nick Locarno? Even Rutherford notes that they look identical. Has anyone ever seen them in the same room?
- I love the callback to the season premiere when Tendi claimed she wanted T’Lyn to be her science bestie. That’s a fun, full-circle moment.
What did you think of this episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Star Trek: Lower Decks Seasons 1 through 4 are now streaming on Paramount+.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.