Star Trek: Lower Decks Brings Back a Beloved Classic Scene from TNG

Overview of the Series Finale

The conclusion of Star Trek: Lower Decks highlights the experiences of junior officers within Starfleet.
In a heartfelt nod to TNG’s iconic “Lower Decks,”the finale features a recreated poker game scene.
This series successfully maintains a distinctive narrative voice while celebrating the enduring legacy of Star Trek.

After more than four years of delivering humor, clever references, thrilling adventures, and heartfelt narratives, Star Trek: Lower Decks has concluded its journey. The highly anticipated final episode, now available on Paramount+, offers fans a quintessential Star Trek experience, while seamlessly honoring the classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that inspired its creation.

Traditionally, Star Trek series have centered around the senior officers aboard different starships. However, Lower Decks breaks from this mold by granting viewers an insight into the lives and responsibilities of the lesser-known crew members on a Starfleet vessel. The most notable exception before this series was the TNG episode called “Lower Decks,”which followed four ensigns as they anxiously awaited their performance evaluations and potential promotions.

This pivotal TNG episode expertly juxtaposed the experiences of both the senior officers and the junior ensigns, providing a comprehensive view of life aboard the USS Enterprise-D. A particularly memorable moment involves a shift between the senior crew’s weekly poker game and the ensigns’ own experience of the same activity, underscoring the diverse perspectives on daily operations within Starfleet. The Lower Decks finale, titled “The New Next Generation,”prominently revisits this scene, bringing its own unique flair and paying homage to its predecessor.

The Iconic Poker Game Reimagined

TNG Lower Decks Poker Game — Still from *Star Trek: The Next Generation* episode “Lower Decks”

Following a rollercoaster of high-stakes events—ranging from thwarting the destruction of their quantum reality to intervening in a Klingon civil conflict and bidding farewell to Captain Carol Freeman—the Lower Deckers assemble at the bar for a well-deserved celebration. As they unwind, Lieutenant Junior Grade Beckett Mariner expresses her deep appreciation for the USS Cerritos, representing a significant character evolution from her introduction four years ago.

As Mariner praises the crew, the scene transitions to four ensigns engaged in a convivial poker game. Though brief, this moment carries significant weight for fans of the series.

Dedicated viewers instantly recognize the Delta shift players: Amadou, Asif, Karavitus, and Moxy. Karavitus sports a green poker visor, a playful homage to the visors seen throughout TNG’s senior poker games. The ensemble cleverly mirrors the original crew’s dynamic: Amadou as Geordi, Asif as the roguish Commander Riker, Karavitus as Counselor Troi, and red-haired Moxy embodying Dr. Crusher.

Nonetheless, the details subtly underscore the show’s distinctive identity. Unlike traditional uniforms seen in TNG, Karavitus showcases a relaxed style in a Chu-Chu t-shirt, nodding to a playful moment from the season one episode “Terminal Provocations.”

An Elegant Tribute and Farewell

Star Trek Lower Deckers Hugging — Paramount+

The connection between Lower Decks and TNG’s “Lower Decks”is well-established throughout the series, leaving room for the writers to explore these ties more deeply in the finale. They might have revisited beloved characters like Nurse Alyssa Ogawa or Ensign Sam Lavelle, or highlighted Mariner’s connection with Ensign Sito Jaxa, drawing on their shared Academy experiences, which were pivotal in earlier seasons.

Yet, instead of leaning heavily into these narratives, the finale encapsulates its tribute through one expertly crafted poker scene, replete with the Easter eggs that fans have come to love. This brief interaction embodies the essence of what Lower Decks excels at—melding thoughtful tributes to the Star Trek legacy with original storytelling that resonates with its audience.

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