The Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 finale is the genesis for all kinds of new adventures. “Old Friends, New Planets” was written by May Darmon and directed by Bob Suarez.
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13 years ago, it’s a beautiful California afternoon at Starfleet Academy. Cadet Joshua Albert worries that the Starburst maneuver is too dangerous. But Cadet Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) reassures him that Nova Squadron will become legends for pulling it off. Cadet Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill) says Locarno is already a legend. But Locarno says Cadet Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) knows that on a starship, they’ll be “nobodies.”
However, Crusher is also concerned about the safety of the maneuver. Crusher asks Albert if he’s sure about taking part, and Albert sucks his teeth. They’re interrupted by the arrival of Cadet Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome). Locarno refers to Mariner as Sito’s fan club.
The inexperienced Mariner approaches and begins excitedly yammering about her Xenohistory seminar. Locarno razzes Mariner but Sito has clearly taken Mariner under her wing. Crusher says if they’re going to pull the maneuver off they need to log more hours in the simulator. Mariner asks what they’re planning but Nova Squad wants to keep it a surprise. Sito suggests only Locarno will gain notoriety for taking part. But Locarno insists they’ll remember the squadron.
“Old Friends, New Planets”
In the present, Mariner has been taken captive aboard Locarno’s vessel, the Nova One. Locarno wears a jacket that bears the symbols representing the fatal Starburst maneuver. Mariner asks why she was abducted. Locarno insists he saved her from the Romulans and Klingons on Sherbal V. Mariner says she didn’t need saving. Locarno says the timing of her arrival couldn’t be better. He continues that it’s just what they wanted back at the Academy.
Mariner says she barely knew Locarno then. Locarno insists she was practically a junior member of Nova Squadron. He says they’re back, but now they’re Nova Fleet. The Nova One arrives at its destination, revealing the season’s stolen ships.
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On the USS Cerritos, Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) speaks with Admiral Vassery (Fred Tatasciore) and Admiral Freeman (Phil LaMarr). Vassery says that Freeman’s reports have given them evidence that Locarno is behind the recent ship attacks. Freeman says if they move fast, they can rescue Mariner.
But Vassery says the fact that a dozen different species are involved makes it a complicated political matter. Vassery says they can’t be the first to open fire on the ships, since the coups have been bloodless.
Nova Fleet
Meanwhile, Locarno shows Nova Fleet off to Mariner. He says it’s a game-changer to have a Starfleet officer join their ranks. Mariner is forced to go along with his assumptions as she attempts to pump him for information. When they reach the bridge, Mariner greets the three binars. Locarno takes his seat in the center chair and opens a subspace channel, “All bands, quadrant-wide.”
On the Cerritos, Locarno’s transmission is put on the bridge viewscreen. Mariner stands awkwardly beside Locarno as Locarno introduces himself as an “independent captain.” Samanthan Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) says Locarno looks like Tom Paris. Bradward Boimler (Jack Quaid) doesn’t see it. Locarno says the ships they’d heard were destroyed over the past few months were actually being liberated. He continues that he’s constructed the “first totally independent unaligned Fleet in the Alpha Quadrant.” Boimler points out that this overlooks the Maquis.
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Locarno invites any disaffected Lower Deckers to join him in the Detrian System. He says the once-forgotten system is now protected by his trinar shield. D’Vana Tendi (Noël Wells) wonders why he’s so angry. Commander Jack Ransom (Jerry O’Connell) recounts the events of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The First Duty.” T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) notes “his emotional behavior conflicts with his culpability.” Doctor T’Ana (Gillian Vigman) agrees that he’s an ***hole.
But Locarno is concluding his transmission by showing off his black market Ferengi Genesis Device (previously seen in “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place”). Locarno says everyone must respect Nova Fleet. He turns to introduce Mariner as “an officer who knows how to speak truth to power.”
Locarno Sucks
Mariner directs her speech towards “all the lower deckers out there.” She declares Locarno sucks. Mariner says he’s “an idiot whose plan is stupid, and he’s going to get you all killed because he only cares about himself.” She seizes the G.D. and flees the bridge. Locarno ends the transmission.
On the Cerritos, Freeman says “atta girl” in reaction to Mariner’s actions. Freeman opens a shipwide channel and announces to the crew that she’s about to disobey her orders and rescue Mariner from Locarno. While a court martial is guaranteed, and Freeman can’t require anyone to take part, she says she “will be damned if she waits for politicians to decide her fate.”
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Andy Billups (Paul Scheer) expresses his support, as do Rutherford, Shax (Tatasciore), T’Ana, Boimler, T’Ana and D’Vana. Boimler reports that every other crew member has pledged to rescue Mariner, too. Freeman says they just need to figure out a way past the shield. Tendi says she may have an idea.
At the Nova Fleet base, Mariner carries the G.D. as she flees from Locarno. Locarno says she made him look foolish. Mariner says this was her entire plan. As she flees, several Ferengi join the pursuit. Mariner makes it onto the bridge of a Starfleet ship, the USS Passaro, and buckles the G.D. in as her “first officer.” She adds, “Yay, my little buddy. Please, no exploding.” Mariner uses Freeman’s command crew to activate the ship. She transfers system controls to the command panel. The Passaro heads towards open space.
Pursuit
Two Romulans working with Locarno suggest firing upon the Passaro. However, Locarno says they need the G.D. for their plan. Otherwise, the captains they betrayed will find a way to locate them. “But that’s okay,” says Locarno. “Romulans are famously forgiving, right?” The Romulans declare they have to stop her and run off. Soon they’re pursuing her in a ship, alongside the Ferengi and Nova One.
The Cerritos orbits Orion. On the planet, D’Erika Tendi (Ariel Winter) lounges on a throne. D’Erika states D’Vana has shamed their house by bringing Starfleet. Freeman begins to address D’Erika. However, D’Vana steps forward and takes command of the situation. She tells her sister she’s giving her the opportunity to embarrass Starfleet with a feat of strength. D’Vana points out they’re on Orion against orders. She suggests helping them would make Starfleet look weak.
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D’Erika announces this sounds enticing. However, she says she’s never heard of a trinar shield. She suggests they simply destroy it. Rutherford explains the Cerritos doesn’t have the weapons for that. D’Vana asks to borrow an Orion ship capable of punching a hole through the shield. D’Erika says, “Um, it’s a warship, not a used copy of Sword and Scabbard.” D’Vana admits it’s a “big ask” but says she wouldn’t have come for anything short of an emergency.
But D’Erika says she can’t collude with the Federation as she’s overseeing the integration of two massive criminal empires. Freeman demures. But D’Vana demands “barter by combat.” Shax grins eagerly in response.
Trinar Shield
Aboard the Passaro, Mariner prepares to jump to warp. However, she’s stymied by the trinar shield. Locarno explains the shield keeps ships in as well as keeping them out. Mariner suggests it slipped her mind because of the stupid name. Then she realizes its named for the three binars, and wonders if you can have three binars. Locarno insists he’s offering her the chance of a lifetime. Mariner ends the transmission and begins firing phasers at the shield. However, there’s no effect, and she’s forced to fly back the other way.
On Orion, the action has moved to an arena. D’Erika explains that the rules for barter by combat are simple. Each side picks a champion. If the Cerritos crew wins, D’Erika will surrender her warship. However, if the Cerritos crew wins, Freeman has to transfer the Cerritos to D’Erika. Freeman agrees. D’Erika selects B’Eth, whom Boimler describes as “like a Shax and a half.” However, D’Vana remains confident. She passes over Ransom, Kayshon (Carl Tart), and Shax to select Doctor Migleemo (Paul F. Tompkins). Migleemo chokes on his snack. The assembled Orions laugh.
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In the Detrion System, more ships have joined the pursuit of the Passaro. Mariner navigates into a field of space debris. One pursuer crashes and explodes. The Passaro gets into position behind the Ferengi ship and locks on her weapons.
Mariner opens a channel and asks why the Ferengi are following someone who doesn’t care about profit at all. The Ferengi say this leaves all the profit for them. But Mariner cites Rule of Acquisition #91: “Your boss is only worth what he pays you.”
Barter by Combat
However, one of the Ferengi counters with Rule of Acquisition #238: “Shoot first and count profits later.” They fire at the Passaro and force it in front of them, where they fire at it again. Mariner vents coolant vapor and causes the Ferengi ship to be covered in ice, forcing it to pull away. She docks the Passaro as the Ferengi give up and leave.
In the Orion arena, B’Eth has the upper hand in battle against Migleemo. Boimler laments that he’s going to have to start over with a new therapist. D’Vana shouts that Migleemo should fluff his down. Migleemo protests that this is embarrassing. D’Vana insists. Migleemo complies. This causes a cloud of dust and feathers to blow in B’Eth’s face. She sneezes. D’Vana explains she used to train with B’Eth, and she has really bad allergies. Migleemo begins punching the distracted B’Eth. She sneezes in his face before collapsing on top of him. D’Erika declares B’Eth the winner.
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D’Erika tells Freeman to transfer the Cerritos. Freeman says a deal is a deal. However, she says Locarno is only out for himself and points out he has attacked her kind as well. D’Erika says she’ll deal with him in her own time. Freeman begins the ship transfer.
But D’Vana interrupts. She says she has something D’Erika wants more than the Cerritos. D’Erika says she’s a pirate queen and asks what she could want more than a ship. D’Vana offers herself. Everyone gasps. D’Vana says D’Erika has wanted the Mistress of the Winter Constellations working for her for years. She continues that if she allows them use of the battleship, she’ll come back. D’Erika agrees but says the deal stands regardless of the rescue’s success.
The Retribution
Aboard the Passaro, Mariner tells the G.D. she may have to set it off before anyone catches up. The ship’s computer reports that Detrion 9 is incapable of supporting life. Mariner plots a course. However, the cloaked Romulan ship continues pursuit.
Above Orion, the Cerritos approaches an enormous warship. But Ransom reports they have a problem. D’Erika appears on the viewscreen. Freeman asserts the warship is inoperable. She says D’Erika said she was going to help them. D’Erika clarifies that she agreed to lend them the Retribution, but never discussed its condition. D’Vana says it’s unfair. D’Erika says it’s “extremely Orion” before telling D’Vana she’ll see her soon.
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Freeman contacts Billups aboard the Retribution. Billups reports it could take months to have the vessel operational. But he assures her he has his best team working on it. This includes Rutherford and Livik (Nolan North), who work side by side. However, they are still at odds with one another (see: “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee”). T’Lyn says she can facilitate cooperation. Billups asks if she means a mind meld. But T’Lyn suggests, “Something less invasive.”
Soon, Rutherford and Livik are dressed as Mark Twain on the holodeck (see: “Something Borrowed, Something Green”). The pair promptly settles on a compromise. Freeman wonders why this strategy works. T’Lyn states, “Illogical tactics can sometimes lead to logical solutions.” Boimler says it’s beautiful.
Level 7 Ion Storm
On the Passaro, Mariner encounters a level 7 ion storm, forcing her to choose a different route. The Romulans seize the opportunity to attack. Mariner says she never thought she’d see Romulans taking orders from a human. But her attempt to subvert Locarno’s authority is stymied when several additional ships surround the Passaro. Locarno says they’re “a coalition of equals.” Mariner sweats.
With no other option, Mariner navigates the Passaro into the storm. The Romulans are fine with letting Mariner die. But Locarno orders them to retrieve the G.D. When they refuse, Locarno resolves to do it himself. He navigates the Nova One into the ion storm. Locarno contacts Mariner and demands the G.D. Mariner responds that his motivation is simply anger at having been booted from the Academy. Locarno says he’s read Mariner’s log and knows they both hate command structure. He brings up Sita and says she died for nothing. But Mariner counters that she gave her life for what she believed in. Locarno says he thought Mariner was “smarter than everyone else,” but it sounds like she’s “just another apologist for a broken system.”
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Mariner admits Starfleet isn’t perfect, but she says they’re trying. She brings up Sito. Locarno gets defensive. Then he gets a transmission from a Ferengi lackey. The Retribution has been detected outside the system.
On the Cerritos, Acting Captain Boimler has the con. He tells Freeman he wants her back aboard as soon as possible. Vassery appears on screen and asks Boimler who he is. Boimler introduces himself. Vassery orders him to turn the ship around. Boimler says he will, once he’s rescued Mariner. Vassery says the Cerritos can’t make it through the shield and Boimler agrees before ending the transmission.
Captain’s Yacht
Boimler orders the Cerritos to full impulse. It’s pulling the Retribution behind it using a tractor beam. Just before the Cerritos crashes into the shield, it pulls away. The Retribution smashes into the shield and explodes. Part of the shield is momentarily disabled. Aboard the Captain’s Yacht, Freeman and her command crew sneak through the shield before it can come back online.
On Nova One, Locarno defends against complaints by his people about the integrity of the shield. Locarno says they must follow their orders, as its his plan and his system. The 3 binars beam off the bridge. On the viewscreen, a Romulan says Locarno can stay there on his own. The rest of the ships abandon Nova One. Locarno locates the Passaro and begins to fire. One of the Passaro’s nacelles explodes.
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On the Passaro bridge, Mariner begins taking the G.D. off the field. In a Ferengi voice, a five minute countdown begins. Locarno beams in and demands the G.D. Mariner says it’s too late. The G.D. has been activated and they have to get clear. Locarno says he graduated top of his class and can disarm a bomb. Mariner counters that he didn’t graduate. She punches him and adds that the G.D. is too dangerous for anyone.
Locarno says he could have been the best pilot in Starfleet. Mariner says not to let that anger define his life. She points out that he didn’t kill any of the crews because he’s not a murderer. Locarno asserts that he really is. Mariner refuses to cede the G.D. to Locarno. But just before Locarno fires at her, she is beamed off the ship.
Planet Locarno
Mariner appears on the bridge of the Captain’s Yacht. Freeman says to get them out of there. But Mariner says they have to rescue Locarno. Shax reports he’s reactivated shields, so they can’t get a lock. Mariner pleads with Locarno to come with them. But Locarno ignores her. The Captain’s Yacht evacuates the area. On the Passaro bridge, the G.D. is tentatively deactivated. However, it requires two bars of latinum to stop the explosion. Locarno shouts, “They put a paywall on a bomb?” The G.D. activates, pulling in the ion storm before exploding and creating a new planet.
Later aboard the Cerritos, Freeman communicates with Vassery. The admiral states she willingly disobeyed orders. Freeman says she’ll take full responsibility for her actions. While Vassery says he should charge her with insubordination, she’s opened up diplomatic relations with the Orion for the first time. “Everyone at command is pleased with your work,” says Vassery.
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Freeman asks what happened to the alien officers who aligned themselves with Locarno. Vassery imagines they’re in hiding. With no shots fired, Starfleet has avoided repercussions. But Vassery says they now have to deal with the new M-Class planet. It seems stable. They’re calling it “Locarno.” Vassery continues that they hope to use the planet as a home for refugees someday. However, Vassery says there is one more matter regarding her lieutenant.
Mistress of the Winter Constellations
In a Cerritos’ hallway, Mariner reunites with D’Vana, Boimler, Rutherford and T’Lyn. Mariner says she’s been all over the place the past few months. She apologizes for taking it out on everyone else. But D’Vana says no apology is necessary as they’ll always be there for her. Mariner considers trying not self-sabotaging for once.
They arrive in the Cerritos bar. Rutherford and Livik growl at each other. D’Vana says she thought they had become friendly. Rutherford explains that’s only when they’re Twaining. Boimler further utilizes his “captain voice.” T’Lyn ignores an incoming transmission on her PADD from Commander Sokel. D’Vana asks if Sokel wants her to return to the Vulcan fleet. T’Lyn is sure he does. However, she prefers to focus her time on becoming D’Vana’s “science bestie.”
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Boimler convinces everyone to take part in a “lower decks” chant. But then an Orion vessel arrives. Freeman approaches the table. She tells D’Vana that her return to Orion has been requested. D’Erika sent the ship. T’Lyn suggests refusing to go, “in the spirit of being a pirate.” But D’Vana says it’s something she has to do for herself.
In the transporter room, D’Vana hugs Rutherford goodbye. She tells him to keep the plasma conduits clean while she’s gone. Then she waves as she beams away. The four remaining lower deckers cheer each other up as they head to their next briefing. On the Orion ship, D’Vana watches the Cerritos as the vessel jumps to warp. “You’ve got this,” she says to herself. She smiles as she walks out of frame.
All 10 Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+ now.
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