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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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07 Dec 2024
It's funny - while I generally dislike John Eaves' designs (his style is so distinct that it makes his every ship look like they belong to the same era), I think that he absolutely nailed it with the Sovereign class. This is a ship that is unmistakably a Starfleet vessel, carrying all the design cues of the past, while at the same time making it clear that this is the next-gen ship (or should I say "next-next-gen ship"? 😁)
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07 Dec 2024
Can't believe that the fanboyish Prometheus is included, while the Excelsior is absent????? At least the Galaxy is number 1, where she belongs.
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07 Dec 2024
Thanks for the reminder. I forgot to add a note that the Fact Files drawings are incorrect. Regarding the wings that bend down, that's an impression on some of the model photos. But I agree that they don't. It just looks like this because of a change in the curvature of the forward edge of the wings. Maybe they used one preliminary and one further refined CG model at Eaglemoss (which raises the question whether the bending down was a refinement).
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07 Dec 2024
Can we address the problem with the wings on the Negh'Var? On the Studio model, the wings are perfectly horizontal, not bent down in any fashion. The warp nacelles however are angled inward (best seen on the ship in the background on the second screenshot in the gallery above). The fact files drawing shows the wings bent down and the nacelles straight, which is completely wrong. I have seen many 3D models and even official miniatures, like the one from Star Trek Tactics / Attack Wing that recreate that error. But the model from Eaglemoss / Herocollector for the Official Starship Collection is also not correct. While the wings are horizontal this time, the nacelles are upright too, but on some of the digital pictures, the wing tips bent down just before they reach the nacelles. However, this is not the case on the physical model. I wonder why they used two different 3D models here.
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05 Dec 2024
Worst LD episode ever. @Bernd Schneider, you might consider start giving negative scores...
There were only two (2) things I liked:
(I) Clicket ship design.
(II) The Lower Deckers thinking all the action revolves around them. -
04 Dec 2024
The Farragut look alike in "The Broken Circle" may be the actual Farragut as you can see its registry number on the nacelle.
Though with the False Federation ship also appearing in that dock, I guess it could be a 'maybe' and they just reused the model.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
The Daedalus art in the ready room does appear to be based on the Eaglemoss model. It has details unique to it. -
04 Dec 2024
It almost is a Winnebago.
The Raider is the most Star Wars of Trek-ships. -
04 Dec 2024
Just a tiny Nitpick
the Discoverse is in the Prime timeline, it isn't a whole other universe like Abrams is. There's no need to pass it off as it's own universe
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03 Dec 2024
"Rutherford doesn't look that much better in this story, and the beard he is growing symbolizes that the two are of one mind in their obsession of appearing manly"
No, they got the wrong lesson from the last episode, Boimler is trying to copy his alternate self, and Rutherford, thinking Boimler's seeming success in the last episode, is trying to emulate Boimler.
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03 Dec 2024
I don't see the difference in the 2 caps from TNG other than quality improvements.
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Here is a new ranking list, with my 10 Favorite Starfleet Ship Designs. Let me know your favorites in the comments!07 Dec 2024
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Here is my review of LOW: "Upper Decks". I am so sorry but the final season of Lower Decks is becoming the clearly weakest one.05 Dec 2024
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I have added some 40 new images, mostly of Various Federation Vessels and mostly from Eaglemoss publications, to the Starship Gallery. There are also updates and corrections in a couple of articles.01 Dec 2024
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There are a couple of updates with facts from recent episodes and a small new Discovery shuttle size chart.29 Nov 2024
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My review of LOW: "Fully Dilated". This is among the most entertaining and memorable episodes of season. It could have been even better, it it were not for one particular caveat.28 Nov 2024
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Here is my review of LOW: "Of Gods and Angles". Trigger warning: I think it's embarrassing and unfunny.21 Nov 2024
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Tadeo D'Oria has expanded the list of changes to the Enterprise-D bridge in "Generations" and has provided new renders. More of his impressive work can be found at the Roddenberry Archive. There is also a new chapter on the size issues with the USS Cerritos.20 Nov 2024
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Progress report: I have updated 32 of my old ship designs (follow the "update" tags). All designs come with extra details and in much higher resolution, some were changed more extensively. There are also a few variations, such as the colorful civilian versions of the Trident-class cargo ship.17 Nov 2024
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Mariner's much-anticipated return to Starbase 80 turned out differently than I would have expected. Read my review of LOW: "Starbase 80?!" if you dare.14 Nov 2024
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Read my review of "A Farewell to Farms", an unusual episode about culture clashes in which the regular characters take a backseat (and not always to their advantage).08 Nov 2024
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The EAS Fleet Yards section has been updated only occasionally since I stopped drawing non-canon starships some 20 years ago. I'm not going to create new designs, but I will gradually rework the old files and export much better orthographic views (as far as the existing level of detail allows it). Follow the "update" signs. There is one design, the Trident-class cargo ship, for which I have drawn all-new detailed views. I have also included some more refinements or 3D models by other people and revised several of the descriptions.04 Nov 2024
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The third episode of Lower Decks season 5, "The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel", has its merits. But it overall disappoints as it is about old issues that shouldn't have been revived in my view, giving the impression the series is running out of ideas.31 Oct 2024
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More updates with facts from recent episodes, notably a whole new section on the changing faces of Orions. I have also created a small fleet chart for the Abramsverse shuttles, including a few newly drawn or updated side views.27 Oct 2024
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And here is the review of LOW: "Shades of Green". I am also supplementing articles with facts from the latest episodes, such as Redresses of the Husnock Ship (new variant of a Collector ship).26 Oct 2024
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My review of LOW: "Dos Cerritos". The fifth and last season of Lower Decks starts off with an episode that has a bit of everything I love about the series.25 Oct 2024
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Here is an editorial on the occasion of the fifth and final season of Lower Decks, in which I try to explain why I love this series so much. I have also added the latest news from NYCC and a comment.21 Oct 2024
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01 Nov 2024
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15 Oct 2024
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15 Oct 2024
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03 Feb 2024While the Prometheus prototype spaceframe featured an experimental decentralized sickbay layout, deemed necessary due to the ship’s separation capabilities, Cerberus was equipped with a larger and more traditional medical complex. Due to the ship’s expected war-time role as an Admiral’s flagship, it was fully equipped with a large variety of medical equipment, redundant medical wards, and extra personnel to attend as efficiently as possible to the expected battle casualties.
The main ward featured four standard biobeds and an integrated surgical bay. A nurse station sat at the center of the room, in front of a large display which could showcase whatever medical information the staff required. The port side of the room had a small laboratory area, with two workstations with access to a variety of medical equipment. On the starboard side there was the office for the chief medical officer, which had a dedicated door connecting to other areas of the medical complex internally.
For several additional renders, please visit my portfolio.Software used:3D Modeling and rendering: Blender 4.0
LCARS panels and textures: Inkscape 1.3
OS: Ubuntu 22.04
Size of the Akira Class
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06 Dec 2024
#StarTrekLowerDecks "Fully Dilated" spoilers
Tendi's comment on those massive 80's/90's Romulan shoulder pads in #StarTrekLowerDecks' "Fully Dilated"↖️↗️ was hilarious, I mean, just look at this screenshot from #StarTrekTNG's "Face of the Enemy"⬇️ !! :-)
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06 Dec 2024
#StarTrekLowerDecks "Upper Decks" spoilers
I love that Rutherford carved V'ger into his pumpkin in #StarTrekLowerDecks' "Upper Decks"⬆️. We got a really good look at the massive V'ger structure only in the Director's Cut of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"⬇️. Makes me want to watch the film again, I love it! :-)
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06 Dec 2024
Notice the change in the black and white lines on the horseshoe panel behind the Captain's chair between #StarTrekTNG's "The Best of Both Worlds II"➡️ and "Clues"⬆️. There were no such tape lines in season 1 ("Encounter at Farpoint"↙️) and in "Generations", they were replaced by real 3-D panels ↘️.
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06 Dec 2024
#StarTrekLowerDecks "Upper Decks" spoilers
#StarTrekLowerDecks' "Upper Decks"↖️↗️ finally names the "console rocks" Cordry rocks (after Marian Cordry). They were put to really, really good use on #StarTrekTNG in "Yesterday's Enterprise"⬅️➡️↙️↘️ and many later episodes...
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06 Dec 2024
Here's Livingston in his (not much changed) fish tank in #StarTrekTNG's "Eye of the Beholder". Tomorrow will be Livingston's big day, trust me! -)
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06 Dec 2024
Ich habe festgestellt: ich mag keine süßlichen Stutenkerle, daher gab es drei Favoriten. 1/2 schmecken wie früher, die wird es in Zukunft geben. 👌👌
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06 Dec 2024
Verkostung! :-)
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06 Dec 2024
#StarTrekLowerDecks "Upper Decks" spoilers
#StarTrekLowerDecks' "Upper Decks"↖️ gives us another look at the location of the rubber ducky room ("First First Contact"↗️) on the USS Cerritos, sometimes also seen on the USS Enterprise-D MSD on #StarTrekTNG ("Brothers"↙️, "Galaxy's Child"↘️). 😊
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06 Dec 2024
Der Rest der Körper geht im Gegensatz dazu in Cold Storage... ;-)
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06 Dec 2024
Bei Oma und Opa wurden die Stutenkerle immer am 5.12. gekauft, direkt eingefroren und sie kamen dann am 6.12. auf die Heizung zum Auftauen, bevor mein Bruder und ich sie abholten...
Seitdem esse ich Stutenkerle immer "kross" von der Heizung, also auch heute für die Verkostung...😅😅
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45 years ago: world premiere of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". The movie set standards that are still valid today, and without which today's Star Trek couldn't possibly exist. 45 years ago: world premiere of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". The movie set standards that are still valid today, and without which today's Star Trek couldn't possibly exist.07 Dec 2024
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New Ranking: 10 Favorite Starfleet Ship Designs - Here is a new ranking list, with my 10 Favorite Starfleet Ship Designs. Let me know your favorites in the comments! The ten best Starfleet ship designs according to yours truly07 Dec 2024
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Review of LOW: "Upper Decks" - Here is my review of LOW: "Upper Decks". I am so sorry but the final season of Lower Decks is becoming the clearly weakest one. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews05 Dec 2024
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More New Starship Images - I have added some 40 new images, mostly of Various Federation Vessels and mostly from Eaglemoss publications, to the Starship Gallery. There are also updates and corrections in a couple of articles. Gallery of various non-Starfleet starships of all eras01 Dec 2024
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New Discoverse Shuttle Size Chart - There are a couple of updates with facts from recent episodes and a small new Discovery shuttle size chart. Size comparison charts of all Star Trek starships (except the uncertain ones)29 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "Fully Dilated" - My review of LOW: "Fully Dilated". This is among the most entertaining and memorable episodes of season. It could have been even better, it it were not for one particular caveat. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews28 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "Of Gods and Angels" - Here is my review of LOW: "Of Gods and Angels". Trigger warning: I think it's embarrassing and unfunny. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews21 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "Of Gods and Angels" - Here is my review of LOW: "Of Gods and Angels". Trigger warning: I think it's embarrassing and unfunny. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews21 Nov 2024
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More Enterprise-D Bridge Changes and New Renders - Tadeo D'Oria has expanded the list of changes to the Enterprise-D bridge in "Generations" and has provided new renders. More of his impressive work can be found at the Roddenberry Archive. There is also a new chapter on the size issues with the USS Cerritos. Keeping track of the history of the iconic Enterprise-D bridge set20 Nov 2024
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30th anniversary of "Star Trek Generations". I was very excited when I went to watch this movie. And I was shocked when my beloved Enterprise-D fell prey to an old BoP. It still bothers me today. But also in other regards the film is a bit depressive. Whereas the way Kirk dies is acceptable (although it would have been avoidable), killing Picard's family just for the sake of making him think about the meaning of his life is uncalled for in my opinion. Overall, the film tries to be edgy in a similar way as the Abrams movies over a decade later (like in "destroy a planet to evoke an emotion"). Still, it has many assets that modern Trek has abandoned, most importantly the charm and humor of the two old generations. In spite of everything - it was fun!18 Nov 2024
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More Updates in EAS Fleet Yards - Progress report: I have updated 32 of my old ship designs (follow the signs). All designs come with extra details and in much higher resolution, some were changed more extensively. There are also a few variations, such as the colorful civilian versions of the Trident-class cargo ship. Trident-class starship - designed by Bernd17 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "Starbase 80?!" - Mariner's much-anticipated return to Starbase 80 turned out differently than I would have expected. Read my review of LOW: "Starbase 80?!" if you dare. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews14 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "A Farewell to Farms" - Read my review of "A Farewell to Farms", an unusual episode about culture clashes in which the regular characters take a backseat (and not always to their advantage). Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews08 Nov 2024
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Update: EAS Fleet Yards - The EAS Fleet Yards section has been updated only occasionally since I stopped drawing non-canon starships some 20 years ago. I'm not going to create new designs, but I will gradually rework the old files and export much better orthographic views (as far as the existing level of detail allows it). Follow the "update" signs. There is one design, the Trident-class cargo ship, for which I have drawn all-new detailed views. I have also included some more refinements or 3D models by other people and revised several of the descriptions. Trident-class starship - designed by Bernd04 Nov 2024
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Review of LOW: "The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel" - The third episode of Lower Decks season 5, "The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel", has its merits. But it overall disappoints as it is about old issues that shouldn't have been revived in my view, giving the impression the series is running out of ideas. Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews31 Oct 2024
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New Article: The Changing Faces of Orions - More updates with facts from recent episodes, notably a whole new section on the changing faces of Orions. I have also created a small fleet chart for the Abramsverse shuttles, including a few newly drawn or updated side views. Make-up changes of Romulans, Andorians, Tellarites, Orions, Bolians, Bajorans and Jem'Hadar26 Oct 2024
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So sad to read this. Jeri Taylor's work brought me so much joy. The world of Star Trek lost one of its giants yesterday with the passing of writer-producer Jeri Taylor. Jeri became a supervising producer on Star Trek: TNG’s fourth season, eventually becoming co-executive producer. Along with Rick Berman and Michael Piller, she co-created Star Trek: Voyager, on which she served as executive producer. Jeri brought humanity and compassion to her work and to Star Trek. Her scripts include “The Drumhead” (TNG), which remains one of Star Trek’s most powerful hours. Working for Jeri Taylor was always a delight. She always welcomed ideas and suggestions, even from designers in the art department. She was thoughtful and warm, and she always made us feel like we were an important part of her team. Jeri Taylor passed away yesterday (Thursday, Oct 24) at the age of 88. She will be missed.25 Oct 2024
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Review of LOW: "Shades of Green" - And here is the review of LOW: "Shades of Green". I am also supplementing articles with facts from the latest episodes, such as Redresses of the Husnock Ship (new variant of a Collector ship). Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 episode guide and reviews25 Oct 2024
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