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Adiós Cerritos
When a still unnamed new animated Trek series was announced in October 2018, I was cautiously optimistic. I could imagine that the Star Trek Universe was big enough for an animated comedy. Well, the first Lower Decks trailer from July 2020 with its focus on swearing, farts, slime, zombies and similarly lame jokes temporarily discouraged me. Still, I was never really concerned that the show could damage the continuity or harm the franchise in any way. This is in part because I underestimated Lower Decks and didn't expect it to be more than a side show, a light-hearted companion to live-action Trek. I never imagined how relevant it would become for the franchise and the fandom and how well it would stack up against the live-action series (irrespective of its canon status).
Lower Decks embraces the traditional optimism of Star Trek like no other recent series in my book. It is free from dystopian aspects as they pervade the settings, the characters and the stories of the modern live-action shows. And as much as Lower Decks loves to comment on the downsides, especially concerning the underappreciation of low-ranking personnel, the series successfully establishes Starfleet as a family. Tendi, Rutherford, Boimler and Mariner may have their disagreements, but they are in it together, and so is the bridge crew - largely without narcissistic solo efforts or hidden agendas. The feeling of camaraderie is as strong here as it hasn't been since 2005.
Character arcs are the spice of modern series of any genre, and the ones of Lower Decks are more consequentially developed and stronger in some regards than those in live-action Trek. Take Mariner's survivor guilt (as revealed in "The Inner Fight") or Rutherford's gloomy back story (that finally comes to light in "Reflections"), which for me work better than Burnham's or Tilly's developments in Discovery. And even though their faces consist of just a few lines, Boimler and Tendi feel almost as real as Stamets or Saru (no offense meant).
I have probably mentioned it in many of my reviews, but I wish to reemphasize how faithfully Lower Decks recreates the world of the 24th century (in-universe) and of the Golden Age of 90's Trek (in real life). Starships, sets and props are reproduced or newly created with loving attention to established details, although everything would be possible. In many ways, this animated series is more authentic than multi-million dollar productions that strive to "update" Star Trek to something more bombastic and sometimes hardly recognizable on the visual side.
In light of its authenticity and of its countless in-jokes it is almost ironical that Lower Decks is the one among the recent Star Trek series that explores the most strange new worlds and overall relies the least on nostalgia.
Lower Decks does have its share of stories or lines of dialogue that are seen by some as mockery of Star Trek, but I think it is in line with how fans have been talking all along. Lower Decks is made by fans (the creators leave no doubt about that), it is made for fans (casual viewers don't get half of the jokes), and it is about fans on a meta level (because Mariner, Boimler, Tendi and Rutherford are into everything Starfleet). It has its heart in the right place. Thank you very much to Mike McMahan and his team for bringing us this show!
Much of my above praise applies to Prodigy likewise, but Lower Decks has a special place in my heart - because of the characters and the kind of humor that has grown on me. I admit it took a while. Also, Lower Decks helped me through a difficult time in my life when I was recovering from a serious injury and didn't know whether I would be able to return to a normal life again.
Season 5 of Lower Decks will be the last one. I can't imagine this of all series was canceled due to low ratings, to negative feedback or to a lack of story ideas. Maybe we just have to accept that nothing is supposed to last longer than that in an ever-changing media landscape. Still, I am sad to see Lower Decks of all series go. Although I can keep telling myself that Strange New Worlds isn't bad, that Starfleet Academy will not suck and that Section 31 perhaps just isn't for me, I will miss the endearing crew of the Cerritos and I will miss the authentic Trek feel and spirit of the show.
Bernd Schneider

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11 Jun 2025
Added Artifort Pala.
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11 Jun 2025
Sure, I'll add it. It belongs here: https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/mondor.htm
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11 Jun 2025
The base Husnock Warship design was also used in Lower Decks by the Pakleds as the core ship in their clump ships. So you might want to add that to the list
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10 Jun 2025
Added a note on "Fleet Captain Pike" and Kirk repeatedly meeting Pike.
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10 Jun 2025
Added a paragraph on Pike's age.
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02 Jun 2025
I suppose you mean the Obena class. https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/schematics/obena2-firstfirstcontact.jpg
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01 Jun 2025
What is that ship in the site header? Looks like an Excelsior/Sovereign kitbash.
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01 Jun 2025
Added Primo Stool.
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31 May 2025
I just want to say in response to your recent May 31 2025 update: you absolutely should cut all ties with Twitter/X, as that site has become little more than a neo-Nazi breeding ground thinks to Elon Musk.
I get that it's a major headache, but continuing to support Twitter/X is not really a viable option anymore.
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29 May 2025
It is possible that at the time this episode was made, the war had already been moved to around 2050, which is also more or less consistent in the newest productions (PIC and SNW).

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Strange New Worlds will end after its fifth season, consisting of only six episodes. Although I usually don't extrapolate but strictly base my assessment on canon evidence, it is just too tempting to speculate how the direct prequel to TOS will end in a few years. Also read further news and thoughts on the upcoming season 3.12 Jun 2025
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Numerous improvements and some new findings in the two old articles Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and Observations in TNG: "Loud as a Whisper".08 Jun 2025
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Everything is set at EAS for Strange New Worlds season 3, which will begin on July 17 with two episodes, "Hegemony II" and "Wedding Bell Blues". See the rest of the episode titles and some previews.07 Jun 2025
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On another technical note, the Follow-it newsletter doesn't work any longer (it is a paid plan now). If you have subscribed and you are getting annoying e-mails from them instead of the EAS feed, I am sorry there is nothing I can do. Please unsubscribe.31 May 2025
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Twitter/X has cut all ties with the outside world and doesn't allow me to auto-post EAS news any more. I won't post site updates manually over there, but I'm not planning to leave the network either. Going somewhere else is currently not very tempting and would force me to work on tedious technical issues for several days when I would much rather like to create content.31 May 2025
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Several new entries and many other improvements in another article: Observations in TNG: "Identity Crisis".31 May 2025
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Two more old articles by Jörg are up to date now. Here are Observations in TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data" and Observations in TNG: "The Outrageous Okona".29 May 2025
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The recent Red Alert! Experience at Universal Studios featured the Enterprise-D bridge from PIC season 3 as the main attraction. Here is a report by our reader Uli, with impressions and side-by side comparisons of the sets.25 May 2025
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Two more Voyager season 6 retro reviews, of "One Small Step" and "The Voyager Conspiracy".24 May 2025
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After working on it for ten years, I have reached an important milestone. All EAS articles are now free from hideous old Frontpage formatting and ready for the future. While I was going to recode it anyway, I combined the three parts of our big survey of Planets in TOS and TOS Remastered to one.18 May 2025
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Continuing the update of old articles in season 2. Here are Observations in TNG: "The Child" and Observations in TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease".17 May 2025
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Here are two more Voyager season 6 retro reviews, of "Riddles" and "Dragon's Teeth".15 May 2025
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Two more old articles have been expanded and upgraded: Observations in TNG: "Conspiracy" and Observations in TNG: "The Neutral Zone". Each of them includes about 40 new or enhanced images.12 May 2025
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There are numerous supplements and improvements in Jörg's article Observations in TNG: "Night Terrors", with some 60 new or improved images. I have also added a small "Section 31" gallery.10 May 2025
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Final update with images from the Official Starships Collection in the galleries about the Nebula Class, Abramsverse Federation Vessels and Abramsverse Alien Vessels.03 May 2025
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I have reworked two more of Jörg's TNG season 1 observation articles: Observations in TNG: "Symbiosis" and Observations in TNG: "We'll Always Have Paris". Both now include references from the latest Trek series.26 Apr 2025

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20 May 2025
Model by
JLStudio
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11 May 2025
The Arrow class Runabout "Spirit of Proxima" escorted by two Kestrel class fighter. (Alternate view of this image: Escorting the Arrow)
In 2379, a medium-sized dispute broke out between the Kromsapiods and the Talarians over two planets in the Goliana system. The Talarians wanted to found a new colony there, unaware that the two planets serve as traditional hunting grounds for the Kromsapiods. Starfleet agreed to serve as a neutral mediator for the two parties, but due to the repeated outbreaks of violence on both sides, they wanted to play it safe and sent a small fighter escort with the diplomatic ship.
Rendered in 3ds Max 10
No Post Work
Arrow Class Runabout Designed by Malcolm Lu (Galen) and Andrew Gillespie (Kaden)
Kestrel class Fighter model parts (Typ 2 Shuttlecraft & Peregrine fighter) by David Metlesits
Similar Star Trek artworks:
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06 May 2025
Someone once asked me to make a display looking like someone from TNG or beyond was researching older starship designs. This is what I came up with
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This was done for a good friend StarfleetShipyards . He suggested I do something in the TAS Klingon Uniform style for the Dahar Masters, and also in hair styles that reflected by Worf's hair styles throughout his tenure in Trek.18 Nov 2021

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13 Jun 2025
No wonder Barclay is a little nervous when Doctor Crusher treats him in sickbay after the opening credits in #StarTrekTNG's "The Nth Degree"⬇️: she is holding one of the new morgue PADDs from "Night Terrors"⬆️, still displaying the autopsy report... ;-)
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13 Jun 2025
I remember how surprised I was when I first noticed the sickbay red alert indicator in #StarTrekTNG's "Remember Me"↗️. Here, it is seen again in "The Nth Degree"↘️. The red alert lights in front of the CMO's office can also be seen in "Remember Me"↙️ and "Suddenly Human"↖️.
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13 Jun 2025
This moment in #StarTrekTNG's "Coming of Age" is interesting: we hear Commander Riker speak this line and see his reflection in the window ⬆️, his mouth doesn't move at all, however. It's because the footage was taken from later in the scene when both Riker and Picard ponder the decision ⬇️.
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13 Jun 2025
These screenshots of the port Ten Forward entrance from season 3's "The Vengeance Factor"⬇️ and season 4's "The Nth Degree"⬆️ (redressed as the ship's theatre) clearly show how the lights to the left and right of the two Ten Forward entrances were mixed up between seasons 3 and 4. ;-)
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12 Jun 2025
#StarTrekTNG's "The Nth Degree"↙️↘️ is another episode where we see the bridge engineering station turning on when Geordi enters the bridge. In season 2 ↖️↗️⬅️➡️, Geordi had to turn the station on by voice command, as mentioned earlier.
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12 Jun 2025
The casual blue knitted outfit Dr. Crusher wears during Barclay's second theatre performance in #StarTrekTNG's "The Nth Degree"⬆️ will be seen again one episode later during her shared breakfast with Captain Picard in "Qpid"⬇️.
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12 Jun 2025
#StarTrekTNG's "Coming of Age" is the first of several times Picard is looking out the ready room window when we see the reflection of somebody entering the room, in this case Riker. Picard even talks to Riker and the Commander responds while only his reflection is visible in the same shot. 😊
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12 Jun 2025
These screenshots from #StarTrekTNG's "Sarek"⬇️ and "The Nth Degree"⬆️ show that the modification made to the Ten Foward set (!) to turn it into the ship's concret hall in "Sarek"⬇️ are similar to the modifications made for "The Nth Degree"⬆️. This time, no additional chairs are present.
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11 Jun 2025
In the season 4 #StarTrekTNG episodes "Galaxy's Child"↗️ and "The Nth Degree"↙️, the Jefferies tube set still was open ended and didn't have small airlocks, like in season 5's "Disaster"↘️. It definitely looks different from the spacious season 3 Jefferies tube in "The Hunted"↖️.
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11 Jun 2025
#StarTrekTNG's "Coming of Age" is the first episode in which we see the "regular" Captain Picard look out the ready room window, pondering a tough decision. It's also the first time the camera is located outside the window. I also love this shot because we see the stars through the bridge main viewscreen.

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SNW to End After Season 5 - Strange New Worlds will end after its fifth season, consisting of only six episodes. Although I usually don't extrapolate but strictly base my assessment on canon evidence, it is just too tempting to speculate how the direct prequel to TOS will end in a few years. Also read further news and thoughts on the upcoming season 3. The latest news and comments on ongoing Star Trek productions12 Jun 2025
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This trailer is pleasant watching. It is fun, without it appearing as campy as in the teaser released in April, which focused too much on the weird aspects of the season. I like how the new trailer emphasizes friendship and draws an optimistic picture of the future. There are still many basic elements of the series that I disapprove of, such as the total reboot of the Gorn and of some characters, and other deliberate continuity errors. There are some story stunts I will likely hate, such as the cringey "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans". But overall, SNW may be as close as possible to the Star Trek I love as a contemporary live-action series can be. One series. Infinite Adventures.The new season of Star Trek: Strange New worlds premieres July 17 with two episodes. New episodes will be available to stream...08 Jun 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and "Loud as a Whisper" - Numerous improvements and some new findings in the two old articles Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and Observations in TNG: "Loud as a Whisper". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "The Schizoid Man"08 Jun 2025
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SNW Season 3 Reviews Coming - Everything is set at EAS for Strange New Worlds season 3, which will begin on July 17 with two episodes, "Hegemony II" and "Wedding Bell Blues". See the rest of the episode titles and some previews. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode guide and reviews07 Jun 2025
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I saw him at conventions twice. Such a fine man. On his birthday, we remember the great René Auberjonois, who was Odo for all 7 seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and directed eight episodes of the show, guest starred on Enterprise, and played Colonel West in an eventually deleted scene from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. He is very missed.01 Jun 2025
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Termination of Follow-it Newsletter - On another technical note, the Follow-it newsletter doesn't work any longer (it is a paid plan now). If you have subscribed and you are getting annoying e-mails from them instead of the EAS feed, I am sorry there is nothing I can do. Please unsubscribe. Subscription options to Ex Astris Scientia news31 May 2025
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No Site Updates on Twitter/X - Twitter/X has cut all ties with the outside world and doesn't allow me to auto-post EAS news any more. I won't post site updates manually over there, but I'm not planning to leave the network either. Going somewhere else is currently not very tempting and would force me to work on tedious technical issues for several days when I would much rather like to create content. Subscription options to Ex Astris Scientia news31 May 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "Identity Crisis" - Several new entries and many other improvements in another article: Observations in TNG: "Identity Crisis". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Identity Crisis"31 May 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data" and "The Outrageous Okona" - Two more old articles by Jörg are up to date now. Here are Observations in TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data" and Observations in TNG: "The Outrageous Okona". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data"29 May 2025
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New Report: Red Alert! Experience - The recent Red Alert! Experience at Universal Studios featured the Enterprise-D bridge from PIC season 3 as the main attraction. Here is a report by our reader Uli, with impressions and side-by side comparisons of the sets. Report on the Red Alert! Experience at Universal Studios in 202525 May 2025
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Updated Reviews: VOY: "One Small Step" and "The Voyager Conspiracy" - Two more Voyager season 6 retro reviews, of "One Small Step" and "The Voyager Conspiracy". Star Trek Voyager (VOY) season 6 episode guide and reviews24 May 2025
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Site Maintenance: Bad Old Code Eliminated - After working on it for ten years, I have reached an important milestone. All EAS articles are now free from hideous old Frontpage formatting and ready for the future. While I was going to recode it anyway, I combined the three parts of our big survey of Planets in TOS and TOS Remastered to one. General NotesTalos IVPlanet 1EarthGuardian PlanetPlanet 2Planet 3Sigma DraconisExcalbiaAsteroidNew in TOS-ROther Celestial Objects18 May 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "The Child" and in TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease" - Continuing the update of old articles in season 2. Here are Observations in TNG: "The Child" and Observations in TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "The Child"17 May 2025
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Updated Reviews: VOY: "Riddles" and "Dragon's Teeth" - Here are two more Voyager season 6 retro reviews, of "Riddles" and "Dragon's Teeth". Star Trek Voyager (VOY) season 6 episode guide and reviews15 May 2025
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Update: Observations in "Conspiracy" and in "The Neutral Zone" - Two more old articles have been expanded and upgraded: Observations in TNG: "Conspiracy" and Observations in TNG: "The Neutral Zone". Each of them includes about 40 new or enhanced images. Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Conspiracy"12 May 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "Night Terrors" - There are several supplements and improvements in Jörg's article Observations in TNG: "Night Terrors", with some 60 new or improved images. I have also added a small Section 31 gallery section. Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Night Terrors"10 May 2025
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More Starship Images: Nebula and Abramsverse - Final update with images from the Official Starships Collection in the galleries about the Nebula Class, Abramsverse Federation Vessels and Abramsverse Alien Vessels. Gallery of Starfleet's Nebula class with its variations03 May 2025
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Update: Observations in "Symbiosis" and in "We'll Always Have Paris" - I have reworked two more of Jörg's TNG season 1 observation articles: Observations in TNG: "Symbiosis" and Observations in TNG: "We'll Always Have Paris". Both now include references from the latest Trek series. Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Symbiosis"26 Apr 2025
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