Cordrey Ryan Ancheta

UPDATE BECAUSE GOOGLE JUST INFORMED ME THAT MY REVIEW WAS JUST PUBLISHED (…and I’d forgotten all about it given that it’s literally been years): Look… Lower Decks isn’t, nor will it become, my absolute favorite Star Trek show… but I’ve warmed up to it over time, and strongly feel that, much like the Orville, as the series has progressed it’s toned down the comedy and absurdity just enough to rightly belong among its predecessors as a Star Trek series, rather than just a parody. It’s never going to be my absolute favorite (SNW might dethrone DS9/TNG for me though), and I don’t rush home or wake up early on Thursdays to catch the most-recent episode, but it certainly has its place. Also (and going off subject): For what it’s worth here… Yes, please give us Star Trek Legacy. Much like LWD, I warmed up to the Neo-Constitution, and while I’m not crazy about the name change (the original was fine), I’d love to see the “Next” Next Generation do it’s thing (preferably formatted more like SNW and less like PIC), particularly given that the setup for the 25th century grants ample opportunity to challenge the themes, messages, and ideals of the UFP using the best parts of both TNG and DS9 (and VOY too, I guess). ORIGINAL REVIEW FROM SEASON ONE (note: I had originally given this 2/5 stars) I’ve just finished the first episode. Based on the description, teaser, and preview, I expected to have mixed feelings... and I do. First things first: I appreciate the fact that we’re getting new Star Trek content, and I appreciate the concept of focusing on junior officers (the TNG episode that inspired this was among the best episodes of its season)... but otherwise, it seemed to me as though all of the dialogue throughout this first episode was shouted rather than spoken, and honestly... was borderline annoying. I seriously hope this isn't the case going forward, but imagine it will be. As for the plot of the first episode itself... I mean, it’s only 26 minutes or so, meaning there wasn’t a lot of time to do more with it, but overall the whole thing felt rushed and rather shallow. Star Trek, in any form, should have at least some depth and room for character growth and development... While this may come in future episodes, the first impression left upon me of today's first episode did no service to the Star Trek legacy in my opinion, and I fear that the absurdity and parody nature of Lower Decks will diminish the modern appetite for future Star Trek content like Picard and Discovery. With all that said, I do believe this would've been more palatable had episodes been released following each new episode of Picard or Discovery's third season, or maybe released between those episodes. Otherwise, as a stand-alone show, I'm thus-far finding it undeserving of the name "Star Trek" and would've liked something more akin to Orville in terms of Star Trek parody than what we've seen of this so far.