Preview the return of Star Trek: Lower Decks with new photos

Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford, Noël Wells as Ensign Tendi, Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner, and Jack Quaid as Ensign Brad Boimler of the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo: PARAMOUNT+

Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford, Noël Wells as Ensign Tendi, Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner, and Jack Quaid as Ensign Brad Boimler of the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo: PARAMOUNT+

AUGUST 22, 2022 - Previously on Star Trek: Lower Decks, Pakled Planet went KABOOM! and Captain Freeman was taken away in handcuffs, accused of destroying the planet. And so Seasoj 2 of the animated Trek series came to a close.

Ten months later, LD season 3 picks up where season 2 left off. According to Paramount, “Mariner enlists her friends on a rogue mission to exonerate her mother, as Captain Freeman faces a military tribunal for the destruction of Pakled Planet.”

The original teaser trailer and key art for the season, like the first two seasons, give off a classic Trek film vibe, this time aping Star Trek III: The Search For Spock vibe. It’s clear there will be an homage to that film, with the lower deckers stealing the Cerritos, just as Kirk and co. heisted the Enterprise a century earlier. Kirk was demoted from Admiral to Captain for his actions, but how much lower can a lower decker go?

You can find out by tuning in to Star Trek: Lower Decks season 3, episode 1, “Grounded,” on Thursday, August 25, exclusively on Paramount+. And check out my review for the entirety of season 3 at Heavy.com.

T is the Managing Editor for Daily Star Trek News and a contributing writer for Sherlock Holmes Magazine. He may have been the last professional Stage Manager to work with Leonard Nimoy, has worked Off-Broadway and regionally, and is currently the union Stage Manager for Legacy Theatre, where he is currently working with Julie Andrews.