LD Season 2

Real world article

(written from a production point of view)

LD Season 2 poster — Poster for Season 2

This page contains information specifically pertaining to the second season of Star Trek: Lower Decks. The season premiered in North-America on Paramount+, whereas Prime Video was responsible for its worldwide release.

Episodes[]

Title	Episode	Production number	Stardate	US release date
"Strange Energies"	2x01	LD-2001	Unknown	2021-08-12
"Kayshon, His Eyes Open"	2x02	LD-2002	58001.2	2021-08-19
"We'll Always Have Tom Paris"	2x03	LD-2003	Unknown	2021-08-26
"Mugato, Gumato"	2x04	LD-2004	58036.4	2021-09-02
"An Embarrassment Of Dooplers"	2x05	LD-2005	58053.9	2021-09-09
"The Spy Humongous"	2x06	LD-2006	58105.1	2021-09-16
"Where Pleasant Fountains Lie"	2x07	LD-2007	Unknown	2021-09-23
"I, Excretus"	2x08	LD-2008	Unknown	2021-09-30
"wej Duj"	2x09	LD-2009	Unknown	2021-10-07
"First First Contact"	2x10	LD-2010	58130.6	2021-10-14

Summary[]

In Season 2 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the crew of the USS Cerritos continues their journey through space, facing new challenges and growing as both individuals and a team. The season opens with Ensign Beckett Mariner, Ensign Brad Boimler, Ensign D'Vana Tendi, and Ensign Sam Rutherford settling back into life aboard the Cerritos after Boimler's brief assignment to the USS Titan. While the lower deckers continue their antics and unconventional approaches to Starfleet duties, they also confront deeper issues of trust, loyalty, and personal growth.

Captain Carol Freeman, determined to prove the worth of California-class starships, leads the Cerritos on various missions that test the limits of her crew’s abilities. From battling evil computers and dealing with rogue AI to engaging in high-stakes simulations that swap roles between junior and senior officers, the Cerritos faces a range of unpredictable and often comedic situations. The season explores the tension between the lower deckers and senior officers, particularly highlighting Mariner’s complex relationship with her mother, Captain Freeman, and her struggle to balance her rebellious nature with her duties as a Starfleet officer.

As the season progresses, the Cerritos becomes embroiled in the escalating conflict with the Pakleds, who have become a serious threat to the Federation due to their newfound alliances and weapons acquisitions. This ongoing conflict forces the Cerritos and her crew to confront the broader political landscape of the galaxy, leading to dangerous encounters and strategic dilemmas.

Throughout the season, character development is a central theme. Rutherford grapples with the lingering effects of his implant malfunction, discovering hidden memories that hint at a more sinister backstory. Tendi faces her insecurities about her place in Starfleet, ultimately earning a promotion to a senior science officer training program. Boimler, ever eager to prove himself, pushes his limits, whether by striving for perfect scores in training drills or making daring decisions during missions. His desire to find a mentor among the senior officers leads to unexpected outcomes, deepening his understanding of leadership and teamwork.

The season builds towards a dramatic climax when the Cerritos is tasked with assisting in a first contact mission. A sudden catastrophe puts the crew in a race against time to save a fellow Starfleet vessel, showcasing their ingenuity and determination. Just as it seems the Cerritos and her crew will be celebrated for their heroics, a shocking twist occurs: Captain Freeman is arrested for allegedly orchestrating a catastrophic attack on Pakled Planet. The season ends on a cliffhanger, with the future of the Cerritos and its crew hanging in the balance, setting the stage for further adventures and revelations.

Background information[]

On 8 October 2020, Jonathan Frakes revealed that he would reprise his role as William T. Riker.
Mike McMahan commented that other series like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would be brought into the series. [1]
In the opening title sequence, the battle between the Borg and Romulans has been changed to include two Pakled Clumpships and several Klingon Birds-of-Prey.
A series of "Star Trek Logs" began being released on Instagram throughout the season. These short videos consist of in-universe personal log recordings from the main cast, posted after each new episode. [2]

Reception[]

Awards[]

The series picked up its second and third industry award nominations for its second season in 2022. A prestigious science fiction and fantasy Hugo Award nomination was picked up for the episode "wej Duj". The franchise had not picked up a Hugo Award since 1995 (for TNG: "All Good Things..."), and it would not do so in 2022 either. [3]

2021-2022 Star Trek: Lower Decks Season Two awards and honors
Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Golden Reel Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Animation Series or Short ("Strange Energies")	James Lucero (supervising sound editor), James Singleton (sound effects editor), Mak Kellerman (sound effects editor), Michael LaFerla (dialogue editor), Michael Britt (foley artist)	nominated
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards	Best Streaming Animated Series or Television Movie	Paramount+/CBS Studios
Hugo Awards	Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form ("wej Duj")	Kathryn Lyn (Writer), and Bob Suarez (Director)
OFTA Awards	Best Animated Program	Paramount+/CBS Studios
OFTA Awards	Best Sound Editing in a Series
Saturn Awards	Best Animated Series on Television (LD Season 2)