T’Lyn may have been added late but she is a vital member of the Lower Decks crew

T'Lyn may have been added late but she is a vital member of the Lower Decks crew

As a die-hard Star Trek: Lower Decks enthusiast who’s spent countless hours navigating the galaxy of wit and absurdity that this show provides, I can wholeheartedly say that T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) has become my favorite character in the series. Her introduction as a new member of the Lower Deckers in Season 4 was nothing short of a game-changer for me, enhancing the show’s structure and humor exponentially.


Let me make it clear from the start: Among all characters in Star Trek: Lower Decks, T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) stands out as my top pick. While she first appeared to be a temporary character in Season 2’s “wej Duj,” her entrance as a new member of the crew in Season 4 greatly enhanced the series’ overall structure and humor for me.

As a devoted fan, I find T’Lyn to be remarkably composed compared to other key characters who exhibit intense and eccentric traits in diverse manners. In keeping with the stereotype of Vulcans, T’Lyn is rational and logical, which makes for an intriguing contrast to Beckett Mariner without the overt hostility that we often witness between Mariner and senior officers like Commander Ransom or Captain Freeman.

Notably, Mike McMahan, the mastermind behind Star Trek: Lower Decks, mentioned during the special features of the Season 2 Blu-Ray edition that T’Lyn bears resemblance to Mariner, representing a Vulcan counterpart.

A Vulcan version of Mariner is like Mariner if you’ve turned the volume and the energy down by 90%.

Mike McMahan

It’s plausible, but it’s important to mention that this observation pertains to T’Lyn’s debut in the episode “wej Duj,” which explores the daily lives of crew members on Klingon and Vulcan starships. On a Vulcan vessel, T’Lyn exhibited unconventional behavior by acting independently and trusting her intuition, making her something of a wild card or rule-breaker. This is likely why she was reassigned to Starfleet.

Instead of maintaining a strictly logical demeanor as expected of a Vulcan, T’Lyn adapts to a more relaxed attitude among the lower deck crew on the USS Cerritos. This transformation makes her appear calm and rational in comparison, creating character dynamics reminiscent of the classic Spock/McCoy dynamic from The Original Series.

Having T’Lyn as a straight man among the Lower Deckers adds balance to their zany behavior, preventing the episodes from becoming too absurd and losing humor. Before T’Lyn, the antics were often over-the-top, veering towards inanity rather than being genuinely funny. With T’Lyn, the silliness remains, but there is now a character who offers a logical viewpoint without quashing the humor. While everyone’s sense of humor differs, I personally find that this approach enhances the comedy.

Apart from playing an essential role in the overall structure of the series, T’Lyn is also a character that viewers can easily connect with. Similar to other characters on Lower Decks, T’Lyn highlights the significance of discovering your identity and self-worth. Her story may emphasize the idea that it’s more beneficial to find somewhere you are appreciated rather than staying in a place where you believe you should be.

On my Vulcan ship, the Sh’vhal, my self-motivation and independent spirit were met with disapproval, if not outright scowls. But here on board the Starfleet vessel, the Cerritos, those same qualities are valued – even if Vulcans don’t show it much.

Introducing a Vulcan character in “Lower Decks” was a logical move, given their prominent role in Star Trek. However, it wasn’t until the third season that T’Lyn was introduced, which some might argue allowed the series to establish its unique tone and style beforehand. On one hand, this delay could be seen as beneficial for future adaptations. On the other hand, it may seem like the introduction came too late.

If Lower Decks were extended for three more seasons, introducing T’Lyn earlier in the series might feel less abrupt. Unfortunately, the final season is starting this week. Here’s hoping that we get to enjoy a wealth of intriguing character development for T’Lyn and the rest of the Lower Deckers during these remaining episodes.

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2024-10-23 17:23

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