There’s one thing in particular thatStar Trek: Lower Decksdoes better thanStar Trek: The Next Generation-eraTrek,and it’s exemplified by D’Vana Tendi (Noël Wells).Lower Deckspicks up about a year after the events ofStar Trek: Nemesis,and in many ways,the animated comedy feels like a successor toStar Trek: The Next Generation. Following the adventures of the USS Cerritos and its often zany crew,Star Trek: Lower Decks’charactersare among the franchise’s best current Starfleet heroes.The show acts as a love letter to the entireStar Trekfranchise, while also being pretty greatStar Trekin and of itself.
Since her introduction inStar Trek: Lower Decksseason 1,D’Vana Tendi has singlehandedly redefined the Orionsas a species. With her contagious enthusiasm and bubbly personality,Tendi truly embraces Starfleet’s mission of exploration, approaching every problem with curiosity.As more of her backstory was revealed, Tendi only became more interesting. InLower Decksseason 4, episode 4, “Something Borrowed, Something Green,” Tendi returns to her home planet of Orion for her sister’s wedding. Thanks toStar Trek:Lower Decksseason 5, D’Vana’s relationship with her sister, D’Erika (Ariel Winter) has become one ofStar Trek’sbest sibling relationships.
Lower Decks' D’Vana & D’Erika Tendi Are Star Trek’s Best Sister Relationship
D’Vana & D’Erika’s Relationship Is Realistic & Relatable
At theend ofStar Trek: Lower Decksseason 4, Tendi returned to Orion, and the first two episodes ofLower Decksseason 5 offer glimpses into her life as a pirate. Although D’Vana and D’Erika have had their differences,they seem to have grown closer since they have been together on Orion.They behave just like typical sisters — they hang out and share snacks and make jokes, but still occasionally argue. D’Vana and D’Erika have chosen very different paths in life, but they clearly love and respect one another.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 Review - The Best Season Yet Boasts Hilarity, Heart & Character Growth
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 fires on all cylinders (or phasers?) to deliver a solid conclusion to the adventures of the USS Cerritos and its crew.
InStar Trek: Lower Decksseason 5, episode 2, “Shades of Green,” Tendi learns that her sister is pregnant and she becomes very overprotective. As the two sisters participate in a race againstBlue Orions of House Azure,Tendi fusses over her younger sister and tries to prevent D’Erika from taking any risks.In the end, D’Erika reveals that she only concealed her pregnancy from Tendi because she did not want her older sister to feel obligated to stay on Orion. Both sisters continually look out for one another, and their dynamic makes both characters more likable and relatable.
Lower Decks Has Better Character Development Than TNG Era Star Trek
The Lower Deckers Have Grown A Lot Since Season 1
The episodic natures ofStar Trek’s TNG-era shows did not always allow for much character development, but modern streaming television shows typically tell more serialized stories. AlthoughStar Trek: Lower Deckstells mostly self-contained stories each week, it continues building on everything that came before. While mostTNGepisodes reset to the established status quo at the end,Lower Deckskeeps moving forward.Not only have lower deckers Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid), Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero), and Tendi been promoted from ensigns to lieutenants (junior grade) by the show’s fifth season, but they have also grown a lot as characters.
Star Trek: Lower Deckstruly excels at building its characters and their relationships.
Half-hour animated comedies may not be known for their character work, butStar Trek: Lower Deckstruly excels at building its characters and their relationships.Boimler has become more confident, for example,and is more determined than ever to chase hisdream of becoming a captain. Mariner has done a lot of self-reflection, discovering truths about herself that change how she interacts with the world. These characters are still figuring themselves out, andStar Trek: Lower Deckshas done an excellent job of exploring life as a young adult in Starfleet.
