TV Show review
Review basis: 5 seasons, 50 episodes · through December 19, 2024
August 6, 2020 · 27 min · TV-14 · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Star Trek: Lower Decks follows the everyday lives of four low-ranking ensigns on a minor Starfleet ship in the 24th century. The animated comedy mixes space adventures and jokes about rules with stories of friendship and growing up. Mariner, a skilled Black woman ensign, is one of the main characters, and the show shows her dating men, women, and non-binary people.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent Black female lead Mariner as a central competent ensign and Black female captain. Two women among the four main ensigns with diverse voice actors. Future setting fits, but the pattern is visible to audiences.
Woke political dialogue
Mariner casually mentions dating people of various genders including women and non-binary. Otherwise standard Trek ethics mixed with workplace comedy jokes.
Identity-driven story themes
Main stories focus on friendships, duty, and personal growth. Mariner's bisexual relationships appear as subplots in later seasons.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Jokes about Starfleet rules and bureaucracy. The Federation is shown as a positive force overall. Classic Trek style without modern activist framing.
Woke character or canon changes
Production
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some online comments call out diverse leads or Mariner's sexuality. Complaints are limited compared to other Star Trek series.
Creator track record context
Mike McMahan has a low activist record from comedy work. Alex Kurtzman has pushed diversity as central to the franchise. Roddenberry family producers carry forward classic humanist themes.
