Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 10 Review: The New Next Generation

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Episode 10, “The New Next Generation,” delivers an action-packed, propulsive, and thoroughly satisfying series finale while setting the stage for a franchise future full of possibilities.

Building on the cliffhanger from last week’s stellar “Multiverse of Madness” episode, “The New Next Generation” scratches every narrative itch while offering a sweet love letter to fans. The outing is so excellent that it makes one mourn the end — mourn what could’ve been in potential future seasons. 

Klingons Don’t Hug 

The series finale ties loose story ends left flapping in the breeze in the wake of “A Farewell to Farms.” It’s lovely to get more bonding time with Mariner, Ma’ah, and Malor. Sam Witwer, in particular, is always a welcome vocal presence in any animated series. He’s such a versatile talent. 

It’s also a testament to the writing that these characters have come so far, especially Mariner. She’s indisputably the lead, our eyes and ears into this world. Tawny Newsome consistently delivers layered, compelling performances, which is challenging when you only work with your voice. “The New Next Generation” finds Mariner in a much better place than the pilot. She’s more focused, motivated, and lighter. 

Of course, she’s not an entirely new Mariner. That would be unrealistic. Exhibit A: Mariner’s touching speech that hits home the crux of this series before admitting she set her bed on fire and kicked a computer in her rage. Mariner’s gonna Mariner, you know? Still, her glass-half-full approach, as exhibited in her monologue, proves her immense character development. 

G-r-o-w-t-h

Newsome and Dawnn Lewis are also terrific together. Mariner’s relationship with her mother is another highlight of Star Trek: Lower Decks, which the writers always handle with care. There are ebbs and flows to it like any parental/child relationship, but by the end of “The New Next Generation,” their individual and collective growth is abundantly clear. If their goodbye scene didn’t make you go, “Awww,” you might need to switch off your dopamine inhibitor. 

Beyond that, the series finale sets our lower deckers up for success as they all become a bridge crew, the new next generation, if you will, under Captain Ransom. Rutherford chooses the Cerritos over his implant, resulting in an inundation of emotions. Is Mike McMahan still toying with us Tendiford fans, or did we see the beginning of a potential romance? I believe this is up to interpretation, but I’m choosing to believe the latter. I say this as someone who usually doesn’t ship characters. 

Tendi and T’Lyn learn to work together as “science besties,” fulfilling Tendi’s wish from last season. While it would’ve been fun to watch them reckon with being co-senior science officers and occasionally butt heads, seeing them join forces to save the universe is a blast.

A Whole New Frontier

As for Boimler, our bearded beauty, he takes a significant step in the right direction by breaking Alt Boimler’s PADD. He’s officially forging ahead on his own path, realizing he doesn’t need to imitate another version of himself. Everything he needs to thrive is already inside him. I can’t hear anyone else but Jack Quaid as our Boims. He’s too perfect. 

Star Trek: Lower Decks cleverly keeps the rift open, literally and metaphorically, for countless new adventures. Paramount could easily expand on what “The New Next Generation” establishes and create spinoffs galore. This series is too special to let fall by the overarching narrative wayside. 

Even if this is the end, Star Trek: Lower Decks truly captures the essence of this franchise: hope and boundless optimism. “The New Next Generation” is no exception. Mariner’s monologue epitomizes what this show represents — a merry band of misfits who, against all odds, leave an indelible mark in Starfleet and now the multiverse.

They’re proof positive that one doesn’t need to fit a specific mold. It’s about navigating the ebbs and flows of life with the right people by your side. Anyone and everyone can be a hero. The open rift encapsulates Starfleet ideals, a gate to strange new worlds worth exploring. 

This isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning. 

Stray Observations: 

• T’Ana hugging someone genuinely? Are we still inside the dimensional rift? It’s a welcome change of pace, though. 
• Listen, Kimolu and Matt, I get it. Ma’ah is strangely — and inexplicably — hot. 
• Ransom’s reaction in the background to Shaxs and T’Ana’s steamy conversation is hilarious. 
• Tendi and T’Lyn uniting as science besties is giving, “Wonder Twin powers, activate!” I don’t make the rules. 
• Where’s that Starbase 80 spinoff? Huh? “The New Next Generation” perfectly tees us up for one. I’ll write it. Just give me a chance. 
• Did anyone else see O’Connor fall into medbay during Mariner’s monologue at the end? What a throwback to Season 1. I wonder what else he’s seen. Maybe the Koala! 
• Olly using her powers outside the Cerritos is such a badass moment. 
• The unconscious officer bleeding profusely on the bridge while T’Ana, standing right next to him, ignores him is so funny to me. 

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 is now streaming on Paramount+. 

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