Movies

Star Trek needs to limit how much it uses the multiverse concept

BBG News

As a seasoned gamer and Star Trek enthusiast who’s witnessed the evolution of this iconic franchise across multiple decades, I must admit that I’m cautiously optimistic about the fifth and final season of Lower Decks. The multiverse theme is an intriguing one, but it’s a double-edged sword – it can either elevate the series to new heights or risk becoming a franchise-killer if not handled with finesse.

Star Trek: Lower Decks returns for its concluding fifth season, set to air this year. The aim is to provide a grand finale that leaves a lasting impact. Beginning with the premiere of the fifth and last season, viewers will join the team as they navigate through the complexities of the multiverse.

In his review, Brian T. Sullivan discussed the intricacies presented by having different versions of the same characters appear in the first episode. This plot device is a common feature in Star Trek, dating as far back as the original series where alternate character counterparts like those from the Mirror Universe were introduced.

It’s no wonder that we find ourselves revisiting the concept of Star Trek characters existing across different universes once more. Chances are, we might encounter additional multiverse versions of these characters throughout this season. In a sneak peek from the season five trailer, Garrett Wang returns as Harry Kim, but in an intriguing twist, he’s facing multiple versions of himself.

We need to tread carefully when exploring the multiverse in Star Trek, as this could potentially derail the franchise if not handled properly. Delving too deeply into various multiverse versions and the associated concepts might slow down the main storyline by making it less coherent when familiar characters behave unpredictably.

One only needs to really look at the MCU to see how the gimmick can wear thin pretty quickly. Heck, Star Trek to some degree thought the gimmick was pretty thin by the time Star Trek: Voyager came about, as they never did a Mirror Universe episode.

The trick might be effective in limited amounts, but if you’re not producing a series like “Sliders”, overusing it could swiftly become too much and even exhausting for the overall franchise. It’s similar to ending each episode on a suspenseful note, yet never delivering a satisfying resolution after a long wait. Initially, it might be engaging, but eventually, viewers may grow weary of this pattern.

It’s fine to casually delve into the subject every now and then, but when you overdo it, you might find yourself confused or losing track of things. Star Trek is all about journeying through the cosmos and examining human nature. The notion of a multiverse isn’t proven yet; it’s merely a theory. For Star Trek to fully embrace this theory could potentially be risky.

Particularly, if their main aim is reviving previous characters, yet with an added surprise element.

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2024-10-26 00:23

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