‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Star Tawny Newsome on Her New ‘Trek’ Comedy and Whether the Series Finale Is Really the End: ‘None of Us Are Done’

As a diehard Star Trek fan, I can wholeheartedly say that Tawney Pepper, the voice behind Ensign Boimler on Lower Decks, has truly embraced her role as a creator within the Star Trek universe. Her deep-rooted passion for the franchise is evident in her work, and it’s fascinating to witness her contributions to expanding the canon.

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! The narrative that follows discloses significant events from the final episode of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” now available on Paramount+.

When “Star Trek: Lower Decks” debuted in August 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, it was considered an innovative approach for several reasons. It was the first animated “Trek” series since the 1970s, marking a departure from live-action. It also introduced humor to the Star Trek universe, making it the franchise’s first comedy. Furthermore, instead of focusing on high-ranking officers or captains, the show centered around the crew of junior officers onboard the Starfleet vessel U.S.S. Cerritos. This included characters like Tawny Newsome as ne’er-do-well genius Beckett Mariner, Jack Quaid as anxious tryhard Brad Boimler, Noël Wells as Orion science officer D’Vana Tendi, and Eugene Cordero as cybernetically enhanced engineer Sam Rutherford.

Over a span of five seasons, the show “Lower Decks” has solidified its place as an exceptional addition to the expansive universe of “Star Trek.” By skillfully blending quick-witted satire with the artistic liberty of animation, it has faithfully paid tribute to every preceding version of “Trek,” even featuring a live-action crossover episode with “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” where Newsome and Quaid portrayed their characters. In the last season, the main four characters, all now promoted to lieutenant junior grade, encounter temporal distortions that connect to alternate realities, offering the writers, headed by executive producer and showrunner Mike McMahan, an opportunity to delve deeper into the various paths these characters could have followed.

In the final episode, titled “The New Next Generation,” they shatter the idea of multiple universes by creating a massive tear that could potentially destroy their primary universe. The crew of Cerritos, including Mariner and Boimler, work tirelessly to fix this rift, turning it into a stable door between realities, thus opening up a whole new dimension for investigation. Captain Freeman (Dawnn Lewis), who is also Mariner’s mother, gets reassigned to manage the multiverse exploration at Starbase 80. Jack Ransom (Jerry O’Connell), her first officer, gets promoted to captain and immediately makes things difficult for Mariner and Boimler by appointing them as his temporary co-first officers.

Newsome explains to EbMaster about the finale, “It’s beautifully fitting that they both occupy this role,” he says. “We are an authentic duo, and assigning us a joint position at the end – one that Boimer has long desired and one that Mariner has steadfastly refused for so long – feels like a very significant choice.

In this reviewer’s perspective, the finale was nothing short of monumental – yet it leaves a tantalizing question mark about whether these captivating characters will grace our screens again. During an enlightening conversation with EbMaster, I delved into the evolution of the episode, unearthed my personal favorites among previous “Lower Decks” episodes, received updates on the development of the live-action “Star Trek” comedy, and pondered if this isn’t just a farewell to the series.

How did it feel to record the series finale?

The process of creating that episode was particularly engaging, as it seemed almost surreal – like maybe it wasn’t truly wrapping up because we kept re-filming and rewriting it, especially the final scene at the bar. I recall the initial recording, around 13 months ago or so, the bar scene hadn’t been included. During that session, I expressed, “If this is the conclusion, it shouldn’t be a grand farewell.” It felt more like the end of a season. There was a sense of uncertainty – perhaps we wouldn’t actually end it that way. As revisions came in, they seemed to reflect everyone’s struggle with the reality of the situation. Finally, Mike penned a heartfelt speech for Mariner, which felt like an appropriate pause in the story, a closing of a chapter. It could continue, but I was glad he provided a ‘closing line’, just in case this is the last we see of them.

My overall read of “Lower Decks” — and the final episodes really reinforced it for me — is that this was a show about what it means to be a “Star Trek” fan. Was that your experience of making it?

Absolutely, I agree with your perspective. While I haven’t phrased it exactly like this before, the series seems to delve into and celebrate fandom culture, which I believe can also be referred to as a “community.” It appears to investigate what it entails to fully embrace the ethos of such a community, particularly when you are deeply passionate about it.

When you think back, what storylines really rise to the top for you?

In the penultimate episode, titled “Fissure Quest,” we were treated to a captivating multiverse adventure that featured many cherished characters from various alternate realities. This didn’t interfere much with the show’s continuity, allowing for some intriguing developments, like the romantic pairing of Garrick and Bashir, a notion long-discussed among fans. However, it’s important to note that this relationship doesn’t contradict their established bond from earlier seasons. This alternate reality allows us to enjoy them as a couple while still appreciating their deep friendship as it was portrayed for years. As one of my favorite characters in the “Trek” universe, I was overjoyed to see and hear these two again, with their voices remaining as familiar as they were back in 1995.

You know, I’ve always enjoyed that the show never tried to make Mariner and Boimler a couple; they’ve always remained totally platonic.

I concur with your sentiments. There’s a predilection for romantic stories on television, and often we find ourselves rooting for two characters of different genders at the end of a series. However, I don’t want to undermine those who support that pairing, particularly in their creative works. It’s adorable, and I can see an alternative universe romance developing between them. But in this reality, I appreciate the platonic bond. I cherish many profound, affectionate friendships, including Jack Quaid’s, which hold immense significance for me. As a woman without children and no plans to have any, I place great value on community. The distinction between romantic relationships and friendships is often blurred, but it’s crucial we recognize the full range of love. I believe this diversity will provide comfort in my later years, and I strive to be such a friend to everyone, regardless of their gender. We need more instances like these to foster understanding and empathy.

Was there a Beckett episode that you’ve especially enjoyed?

I found Episode 301 particularly captivating as it paid tribute to “First Contact,” my favorite “Trek” film. Following the suspenseful finale of Season 2, where Carol was taken away to prison, we saw Beckett vowing to clear her name due to his mistrust in Starfleet leadership. In an audacious move, they commandeered a vessel and journeyed to Bozeman, Montana, where they encountered Zephram Cochrane’s hologram. This adventure was filled with intrigue, and surprisingly, it turned out that Starfleet had conducted a fair trial and Carol was acquitted. I appreciated this touching detour in Carol’s journey towards overcoming her savior complex. Episode 409, where we delved into her past connection with Sito Jaxa, has always resonated deeply. It seemed like an effective means to explain why she struggles with authority and ambition.

At Comic-Con last July, you announced that you were developing a live-action “Star Trek” comedy series with Justin Simien. What can you tell me about where the show is now?

I’m about to meet Justin for a work meeting shortly after I finish with you. It’s amusing because as an actor, if I accidentally reveal secrets, someone contacts my manager and reprimands me. But when it comes to writing, I feel like I might get fired and nothing will be approved if I make mistakes. However, we’re constantly evolving, which has been a great development experience due to the support from Secret Hideout and the studio encouraging us to take “Trek” in a new direction. One of the challenges is creating “Trek” in a workplace comedy-style tone – something we’ve already proven with “Lower Decks.” We can make it big, fun, and funny while maintaining the feel of “Trek.” Animation provides some unique tonal freedoms that we’re still exploring for live action. Justin and I are both huge Trekkies, but we’re not trying to alter the essence of “Trek,” yet we’re also dedicated comedy writers. Preserving the integrity of the workplace comedy is equally important to me, so ensuring both elements can coexist effectively is my main focus. Therefore, the initial concept presented at Comic-Con might undergo some minor adjustments.

The logline — “Federation outsiders serving a gleaming resort planet find out their day-to-day exploits are being broadcast to the entire quadrant” — made many fans think it was set on the hedonistic planet of Risa. Was that correct?

We’ve never encountered Risa, but instead, we’re dealing with a world outside the Federation. This should help us understand more about what non-Federation worlds might be like, which is a topic we don’t know much about in canon. Right now, it’s like a piece of clay being shaped, implying that it’s still in development.

I know you were a “Star Trek” fan well before you were cast on “Lower Decks,” and along with your new show, you’ve also written on the upcoming “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” What has it meant for you to pass through that threshold into creating the thing that you’ve loved?

Working on “Lower Decks” in 2019 significantly expanded my passion for Star Trek. Initially, I considered myself a dedicated fan, but there were gaps in my knowledge. The job required me to grasp every reference, which led me to re-watch series and delve deeper. This comprehensive viewing experience has filled those gaps and elevated my fandom to an almost encyclopedic level. It’s not just that I know a lot; I can quickly find answers when I need them because of my extensive network within the franchise. This knowledge empowers me to contribute more to this universe.

Getting to create canon must be fun — the “Lower Decks” finale even ends with a major new creation of the permanent inter-dimensional rift.

I appreciate the groundwork it lays for future exciting explorations. Yes, Mike has certainly been bold, introducing new aspects of Ferengi and Orion cultures. He, along with the writers, have broadened the scope of the series in numerous ways. It’s fascinating that a 22-minute animated show is tackling such complex themes. As someone attempting to capture all that “Star Trek” encompasses within 25 pages, it’s quite a challenge to fit so much story, emotion, character development, science, and humor into limited space, and yet we manage to do so with half the page count as others. So, kudos to Mike for his impressive work.

You said earlier that you saw the finale as a “pause” for the story, and Alex Kurtzman, who oversees all of “Star Trek” on TV, has said that he would like to make more TV movies like the upcoming “Star Trek: Section 31.” Would that be possible for “Lower Decks”?

Everyone involved in the project is eager to continue creating it. However, I’m unsure who signs off on that decision, so I can’t say for certain if they share our enthusiasm. But Mike has plenty of ideas for these characters and could easily create more seasons. He’s not running out of ideas yet, and neither are the rest of us – Jack, Eugene, Noël, as well as the rest of our crew and recurring characters. We’re all ready to jump back in whenever the opportunity arises. A movie would be fantastic, especially a live-action one. It would be intriguing to see Noël, Jerry, and Eugene portrayed in human (or humanoid) form.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2024-12-20 03:17