I once addressed this question about Turkana IV on r/DaystromInstitute:
So do we have a reasonable explanation for why the Federation didn't intervene in the years leading up to Turkana IV breaking off? The time frame, coincidentally, points us to why the Federation might have been devoting resources elsewhere and therefore didn't pay attention until it was too late.
The late 2340s saw the start of the Cardassian Wars. Exactly when the Setlik III massacre took place is a matter of debate. Most date it to 2347 because of a line in TNG: "Realm of Fear" (2369) where O'Brien tells Barclay he's been a transporter operator for 22 years (he was a Tactical Officer during Setlik), but there's contradictory evidence from other episodes in DS9. We can discuss that another time.
But if Setlik III did take place in 2347, then by that time the Federation was embroiled in a war with Cardassia which lasted, in various iterations, until the early 2360s (POWs were released in 2362, DS9: "Tribunal").
It might not be a stretch to think that a colony world like Turkana IV slipped under the Federation's radar until it was too late. I get the impression that most colonies aren't directly governed by the Federation. They're given autonomy up to a point, and if they want to break off, then it's their right to do so.
So criminal gangs or not, there was a war going on and the Federation let it go. Not necessarily its finest hour, but I can see it happening.
Annotations for Star Trek: Section 31 up at: https://startrek.website/post/18738476
Annotations for Star Trek: Section 31 (SPOILERS)
To be honest, I found it a bit pedestrian and the continuity geek in me is a bit annoyed with some bits.
Sigh. Okay, here we go.
The opening Star Trek Universe sequence features the old scow used in this movie as well as a mirrored version of the Star Trek logo, referencing Philippa Georgiou’s Mirror Universe origins and the plot’s connections to the MU.
Aeschlyus was a playwright of Ancient Greece often considered the father of tragedy. The full quote is actually, “The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.”
The opening scene takes place in the Terran Empire, the Mirror Universe counterpart of the Federation, although exactly where (or when) is not specified.
San was first mentioned in the DIS novel Die Standing as a friend of the younger Giorgiou, and then subsequently seen in flashbacks in DIS’s third season. We know little about him except that Giorgiou saw herself standing over his body and she believed she was de
Annotations for *Star Trek: Section 31” (SPOILERS)
To be honest, I found it a bit pedestrian and the continuity geek in me is a bit annoyed with some bits.
Sigh. Okay, here we go.
The opening Star Trek Universe sequence features the old scow used in this movie as well as a mirrored version of the Star Trek logo, referencing Philippa Georgiou’s Mirror Universe origins and the plot’s connections to the MU.
Aeschlyus was a playwright of Ancient Greece often considered the father of tragedy. The full quote is actually, “The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.”
The opening scene takes place in the Terran Empire, the Mirror Universe counterpart of the Federation, although exactly where (or when) is not specified.
San was first mentioned in the DIS novel Die Standing as a friend of the younger Giorgiou, and then subsequently seen in flashbacks in DIS’s third season. We know little about him except that Giorgiou saw herself standing over his body and she believed she was de
But that still doesn't mean DIS is in an alternate reality.
Not any more than it's fair to assume that, by showing the Barge of the Dead, or the Miranda-class, or the Oberth-class, or the Galaxy-class, or the proto-Klingons, that VOY: "Barge of the Dead", ST II, ST III, TNG or TNG: "Genesis" took place in a reality with different class ships or people.
The Mirror Universe question is a separate one, to which there really is no good answer because we've only seen crossovers from the Prime Universe to its Mirror Universe counterpart. A bigger question is whether or not the Mirror Universe we saw in PRO: "Broken Mirror" is the same Mirror Universe we see in DS9 because there the Terran Empire seems to exist again.
Annotations for 5x10 up at: https://startrek.website/post/17452674
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x10: “The New Next Generation” (SPOILERS)
The title plays off Star Trek: The Next Generation, which succeeded TOS in 1987 - the last time that label was used being in PIC Season 3’s opener, “The Next Generation”, with its finale, “The Last Generation”, evoking that as well. Of course, by episode’s end, we see the aptness of the title as a torch is passed for a new frontier.
Relga’s lapdog is likely just a toy breed of targ. I originally thought it might be a variant of the Alfa 177 canine first seen in TOS: “The Enemy Within” as it appears to have the same unicorn horn but it's the wrong color and the Alfa 177 dog has antennae and no tusks.
As mentioned last episode, a soliton wave in Star Trek is a faster-than-light wave that was thought to have practical applications in warp propulsion or faster than light communications (TNG: “New Ground”), but was also potentially destructive.
As the wave hits the ships, a Klingon is transformed into a DIS-style Klingon, specifically the alien design and white costume of L’Rell in
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x10: “The New Next Generation” (SPOILERS)
The title plays off Star Trek: The Next Generation, which succeeded TOS in 1987 - the last time that label was used being in PIC Season 3’s opener, “The Next Generation”, with its finale, “The Last Generation”, evoking that as well. Of course, by episode’s end, we see the aptness of the title as a torch is passed for a new frontier.
Relga’s lapdog is likely just a toy breed of targ. I originally thought it might be a variant of the Alfa 177 canine first seen in TOS: “The Enemy Within” as it appears to have the same unicorn horn but it's the wrong color and the Alfa 177 dog has antennae and no tusks.
As mentioned last episode, a soliton wave in Star Trek is a faster-than-light wave that was thought to have practical applications in warp propulsion or faster than light communications (TNG: “New Ground”), but was also potentially destructive.
As the wave hits the ships, a Klingon is transformed into a DIS-style Klingon, specifically the alien design and white costume of L’Rell in
Thank you for noticing the typo!
Yes, the XCV-330 was an early Matt Jeffries concept for the Enterprise back in 1964. That’s why it turned up in TMP as a painting.
Annotations for 5x09 up at: https://startrek.website/post/17237470
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x09: “Fissure Quest” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the transdimensional fissures that Cerritos has been dealing with in this season.
Raktajino is “Klingon Coffee”, although in truth its history is a bit more complicated. In short, raktajino is a Federation version of ra’taj (Klingon coffee with liquor) with added nutlike flavoring (making it raktaj) and cream, creating a portmanteau of “raktaj” and “cappuccino”: raktajino. A fuller explanation can be found here. As a side note, the Klingons got coffee from raiding human ships, and both developed a taste for it and started growing it themselves on Qo’noS.
Mariner and Boimler are drinking from Highwave Hotjo 14 oz. travel mugs, which were used as props on DS9. Boimler’s full beard has finally grown in, mutton chops and all.
Boimler was transporter cloned by accident in LD: “Kayshon, His Eyes Open”, with the clone taking the name William Boimler, tak
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x09: “Fissure Quest” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the transdimensional fissures that Cerritos has been dealing with in this season.
Raktajino is “Klingon Coffee”, although in truth its history is a bit more complicated. In short, raktajino is a Federation version of ra’taj (Klingon coffee with liquor) with added nutlike flavoring (making it raktaj) and cream, creating a portmanteau of “raktaj” and “cappuccino”: raktajino. A fuller explanation can be found here. As a side note, the Klingons got coffee from raiding human ships, and both developed a taste for it and started growing it themselves on Qo’noS.
Mariner and Boimler are drinking from Highwave Hotjo 14 oz. travel mugs, which were used as props on DS9. Boimler’s full beard has finally grown in, mutton chops and all.
Boimler was transporter cloned by accident in LD: “Kayshon, His Eyes Open”, with the clone taking the name William Boimler, tak
Adding those, thanks.
Annotations for 5x08 up at: https://startrek.website/post/17025741
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x08: “Upper Decks” (SPOILERS)
The title, an inversion of the series’ name, indicates the focus in this episode on the bridge crew. It is the flip side of and a play on TNG: “Lower Decks”, an episode focused on the lower deckers when the series is mainly about the bridge crew.
Whatever Stardate it is, it’s Halloween on Cerritos. Although Picard seemed to be unfamiliar with the holiday in TNG: “The Big Goodbye”, McCoy makes reference to it in TOS: “Catspaw”. Mariner used to dress as Toby the Targ for Halloween (LD: “Crisis Point”) and Boimler dressed once as Christopher Pike (SNW: “Those Old Scientists”). As a bit of trivia, the registry number for the USS Discovery, NCC-1031, was allegedly chosen by Bryan Fuller because he loved Halloween.
V’Ger is the antagonist in TMP, and Mariner quotes the Ilia probe from the movie’s climax. This season, V’Ger joined the ever crowded starship battle in the opening credits.
Boimler’s mustache has finally joined up with his goatee, although his muttonchops have yet to. Hi
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x08: “Upper Decks” (SPOILERS)
The title, an inversion of the series’ name, indicates the focus in this episode on the bridge crew. It is the flip side of and a play on TNG: “Lower Decks”, an episode focused on the lower deckers when the series is mainly about the bridge crew.
Whatever Stardate it is, it’s Halloween on Cerritos. Although Picard seemed to be unfamiliar with the holiday in TNG: “The Big Goodbye”, McCoy makes reference to it in TOS: “Catspaw”. Mariner used to dress as Toby the Targ for Halloween (LD: “Crisis Point”) and Boimler dressed once as Christopher Pike (SNW: “Those Old Scientists”). As a bit of trivia, the registry number for the USS Discovery, NCC-1031, was allegedly chosen by Bryan Fuller because he loved Halloween.
V’Ger is the antagonist in TMP, and Mariner quotes the Ilia probe from the movie’s climax. This season, V’Ger joined the ever crowded starship battle in the opening credits.
Boimler’s mustache has finally joined up with his goatee, although his muttonchops have yet to. Hi
Annotations for 5x07 up at: https://startrek.website/post/16832667
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x07: “Fully Dilated” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the time dilation effect on Dilmer III, and is a pun on either fully dilated pupils in drug use or fully dilated cervixes in labor, or both.
The stardate is 59499.6. The dimensional fissures leading to parallel dimensions have been a recurring thing this season, starting with LD: “Dos Cerritos”.
The purple Enterprise is a Galaxy-class, meaning Enterprise-D. In the Prime Universe, by 2381 the 1701-D had already crashed on Veridian III and the Sovereign-class Enterprise-E had been in service for about a decade. Tashar Yar was the original security chief of Enterprise-D, but was killed in TNG: “Skin of Evil”. No, I’m not getting into TNG: “Yesterday’s Enterprise” and Sela now, so don’t ask. Mariner talks about the carpets on Enterprise-D, a running joke that was even echoed in PIC’s 3rd season when the reconstructed ship was reactivated (PIC: “Võx”).
T’Lyn says her home was an outcopping of jagged rocks in the Viltan Flats. That location originally comes
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x07: “Fully Dilated” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the time dilation effect on Dilmer III, and is a pun on either fully dilated pupils in drug use or fully dilated cervixes in labor, or both.
The stardate is 59499.6. The dimensional fissures leading to parallel dimensions have been a recurring thing this season, starting with LD: “Dos Cerritos”.
The purple Enterprise is a Galaxy-class, meaning Enterprise-D. In the Prime Universe, by 2381 the 1701-D had already crashed on Veridian III and the Sovereign-class Enterprise-E had been in service for about a decade. Tashar Yar was the original security chief of Enterprise-D, but was killed in TNG: “Skin of Evil”. No, I’m not getting into TNG: “Yesterday’s Enterprise” and Sela now, so don’t ask. Mariner talks about the carpets on Enterprise-D, a running joke that was even echoed in PIC’s 3rd season when the reconstructed ship was reactivated (PIC: “Võx”).
T’Lyn says her home was an outcopping of jagged rocks in the Viltan Flats. That location originally comes
Annotations for 5x06 up at: https://startrek.website/post/16607130
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x06: “Of Gods and Angles” (SPOILERS)
The title alludes to the Robert Burns’ 1785 poem To A Mouse (“The best laid schemes of o’mice and men / Gang aft agley”), which was used as the title to John Steinbeck’s 1937 Novella Of Mice and Men. It also plays on the association of angels, messengers of God, with the “typo that is not a typo” angles, referring to the geometric shapes of the Orbs and Cubes. Additionally, “Of Gods and Men” is an entry in the fan film series Star Trek Continues and VOY: “Heroes and Demons” dealt with photonic life forms.
The stardate is 59482.3. The Veraflex Nebula is new, as are its inhabitants the Orbs and the Cubes.
The Orbs and Cubes are photonic species, of which as noted VOY encountered one in Heroes and Demons” and another in VOY: “Bride of Chaotica”. VOY also suffered from an infestation of photonic fleas in VOY: “The Voyager Conspiracy”. Artificial photonic lifeforms might include sentient holograms like the Doctor (VOY), Moriarty (TNG: “Elementary, Dear Data” and “Ship in a Bo
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x06: “Of Gods and Angles” (SPOILERS)
The title alludes to the Robert Burns’ 1785 poem To A Mouse (“The best laid schemes of o’mice and men / Gang aft agley”), which was used as the title to John Steinbeck’s 1937 Novella Of Mice and Men. It also plays on the association of angels, messengers of God, with the “typo that is not a typo” angles, referring to the geometric shapes of the Orbs and Cubes. Additionally, “Of Gods and Men” is an entry in the fan film series Star Trek Continues and VOY: “Heroes and Demons” dealt with photonic life forms.
The stardate is 59482.3. The Veraflex Nebula is new, as are its inhabitants the Orbs and the Cubes.
The Orbs and Cubes are photonic species, of which as noted VOY encountered one in Heroes and Demons” and another in VOY: “Bride of Chaotica”. VOY also suffered from an infestation of photonic fleas in VOY: “The Voyager Conspiracy”. Artificial photonic lifeforms might include sentient holograms like the Doctor (VOY), Moriarty (TNG: “Elementary, Dear Data” and “Ship in a Bo
Annotations for the Roddenbery Archive short film “765874: Unification” (SPOILERS)
The title is the same as the famous two-part TNG episode that brought Leonard Nimoy as Spock back to our screens and possibly an allusion to bringing several parts of Star Trek together. It is being released on the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek: Generations.
The opening epigraph, “How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life,” is from ST II, when Kirk is flippantly answering Saavik’s queries about the unfairness of the Kobayashi Maru no-win scenario.
The figure floating in space is Gary Mitchell, the former navigator of the USS Enterprise and Kirk’s former student and best friend, who gained god-like powers after the ship went through the barrier at the edge of the Galaxy in TOS: “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, developed megalomania and was eventually killed. Commander Jack Ransom, XO of the USS Cerritos went through something similar but survived in LD: “Strange Energies”. Gary Lockwood, Mitchell’s original actor, is credited, as he came back
Annotations for the Roddenbery Archive short film “765874: Unification” (SPOILERS)
The title is the same as the famous two-part TNG episode that brought Leonard Nimoy as Spock back to our screens and possibly an allusion to bringing several parts of Star Trek together. It is being released on the 30th Anniversary of Star Trek: Generations.
The opening epigraph, “How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life,” is from ST II, when Kirk is flippantly answering Saavik’s queries about the unfairness of the Kobayashi Maru no-win scenario.
The figure floating in space is Gary Mitchell, the former navigator of the USS Enterprise and Kirk’s former student and best friend, who gained god-like powers after the ship went through the barrier at the edge of the Galaxy in TOS: “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, developed megalomania and was eventually killed. Commander Jack Ransom, XO of the USS Cerritos went through something similar but survived in LD: “Strange Energies”. Gary Lockwood, Mitchell’s original actor, is credited, as he came back
I heard Trek Central suggest this, but I'm not so sure.
If we're looking at a Prime Directive violation, we're looking at the interference with the social development part, or on a more granular level, interfering with the internal affairs of a civilization.
Sure, Bragh was a high ranking Klingon being part of the Oversight Council, but the death of Bragh was between Ma'ah and Bragh. Boims and Mariner participated in the Rite of J'ethurgh, but that wasn't interfering in Klingon affairs, no more than Picard participating as Worf's cha'DIch was. Technically, Ma'ah accepted them as part of his quv beq, so they were invited in.
And at the end, as far as Boims and Mariner is concerned, the Rite was over and completed - Bragh being a sore loser and the subsequent fight had nothing to do with them and they didn't participate in it - only witnessed it. Nor was the fight a foreseeable consequence of Mariner trying to get Ma'ah reinstated so she could get a Klingon Captain to assist in her mission, and especially not Bragh's death, which was only because he literally stabbed Ma'ah in the back after yielding (by granting Ma'ah his captaincy back).
So I really don't see the problem here. At worst they were bystanders to the death.
Good catch!
Thanks! Adding some.
Oops. Will correct.
Annotations for 5x05 up at: https://startrek.website/post/16388966
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x05: “Starbase 80?!” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the titular starbase which is considered the worst posting in Starfleet (LD: “Terminal Provocations”). Mariner herself was posted there after the events of LD: “Trusted Sources”, although she resigned her commission soon after. It was recently mentioned in the season opener LD: “Dos Cerritos”, when it was said that the parallel universe Carol Freeman had been posted there, allowing parallel Mariner to take over Cerritos’s captaincy.
The water planet they just went to is named Piskes IX, continuing the tradition of science fiction planetary names which are just too on the nose, Piscis being Latin for "fish".
Boimler’s beard now has a goatee, although it hasn’t joined with his mustache yet. Boimler talks about “tenth contact”. As we saw back in LD: “Second Contact”, there are follow up missions after First Contact which are dealt with by support ships like Cerritos to formally establish relations, set up infrastructure, etc. for newly contacted civilizations wh
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x05: “Starbase 80?!” (SPOILERS)
The title refers to the titular starbase which is considered the worst posting in Starfleet (LD: “Terminal Provocations”). Mariner herself was posted there after the events of LD: “Trusted Sources”, although she resigned her commission soon after. It was recently mentioned in the season opener LD: “Dos Cerritos”, when it was said that the parallel universe Carol Freeman had been posted there, allowing parallel Mariner to take over Cerritos’s captaincy.
The water planet they just went to is named Piskes IX, continuing the tradition of science fiction planetary names which are just too on the nose, Piscis being Latin for "fish".
Boimler’s beard now has a goatee, although it hasn’t joined with his mustache yet. Boimler talks about “tenth contact”. As we saw back in LD: “Second Contact”, there are follow up missions after First Contact which are dealt with by support ships like Cerritos to formally establish relations, set up infrastructure, etc. for newly contacted civilizations wh
Thanks. Adding some of these.
A closer look at the uniform shows it isn't the TNG uniform or any one we've seen previously. It has the TNG combadge, but there are highlights on the shoulders and cuffs at the end of the sleeves.
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x04: “A Farewell to Farms” (SPOILERS)
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x04: “A Farewell to Farms”
The episode title is a play on Ernest Hemingway's 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms, a romance between an American ambulance driver in the Italian Army and an English nurse, set against the backdrop of World War I, and has as one of its themes the idea of an end to, or retirement from war.
Qo'noS is the Klingon Homeworld, last seen in DIS: "Point of Light" or, chronologically in-universe in DS9: "The House of Quark".
Ma'ah first appeared in LD: "wej Duj", and was last seen in LD: "The Inner Fight". The targ may be the pet he inherited from his previous captain, Dorg, whom he killed and then attained his own rank and the IKS Che’Ta’. The farming outfit Ma'ah wears echoes the one the older Picard wore in TNG: "All Good Things..." and he is sipping from a Klingon bloodwine mug. We also see how bloodwine is made - apparently harvested from worms grown in the soil.
The usual title sequence is replaced by cinematic-s
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x04: “A Farewell to Farms” (SPOILERS)
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x04: “A Farewell to Farms”
The episode title is a play on Ernest Hemingway's 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms, a romance between an American ambulance driver in the Italian Army and an English nurse, set against the backdrop of World War I, and has as one of its themes the idea of an end to, or retirement from war.
Qo'noS is the Klingon Homeworld, last seen in DIS: "Point of Light" or, chronologically in-universe in DS9: "The House of Quark".
Ma'ah first appeared in LD: "wej Duj", and was last seen in LD: "The Inner Fight". The targ may be the pet he inherited from his previous captain, Dorg, whom he killed and then attained his own rank and the IKS Che’Ta’. The farming outfit Ma'ah wears echoes the one the older Picard wore in TNG: "All Good Things..." and he is sipping from a Klingon bloodwine mug. We also see how bloodwine is made - apparently harvested from worms grown in the soil.
The usual title sequence is replaced by cinematic-s
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x03: “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel” (SPOILERS)
The title of the episode is a play on the 2011 film (and its sequel) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, about a group of retirees who purchase a hotel in India. Nanites are of course microsopic nanotechnological robots which were first introduced into the Star Trek universe in the TNG episode "Evolution", although chronologically they have existed as far back as DIS: "Perpetual Infinity".
The Stardate is 59393.7. Cerritos is at the Cosmic Duchess, an interstellar cruise ship with multiple domed biomes which is undergoing a nanite cluster infestation. Boimler's facial hair is increasing, now with stubble on his chin and cheeks. He notes that one of the casinos has Dixon Hill slot machines, Dixon Hill being a 20th-Century hard boiled detective character Picard was a fan of (TNG: "The Big Goodbye"). Mariner's shocked reaction to Jennifer's kiss is understandable, since we were led to understand they broke up in LD: "Trusted Sources".
Jet Manhaver is a background character who was las
Annotations for Star Trek: Lower Decks 5x03: “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel” (SPOILERS)
The title of the episode is a play on the 2011 film (and its sequel) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, about a group of retirees who purchase a hotel in India. Nanites are of course microsopic nanotechnological robots which were first introduced into the Star Trek universe in the TNG episode "Evolution", although chronologically they have existed as far back as DIS: "Perpetual Infinity".
The Stardate is 59393.7. Cerritos is at the Cosmic Duchess, an interstellar cruise ship with multiple domed biomes which is undergoing a nanite cluster infestation. Boimler's facial hair is increasing, now with stubble on his chin and cheeks. He notes that one of the casinos has Dixon Hill slot machines, Dixon Hill being a 20th-Century hard boiled detective character Picard was a fan of (TNG: "The Big Goodbye"). Mariner's shocked reaction to Jennifer's kiss is understandable, since we were led to understand they broke up in LD: "Trusted Sources".
Jet Manhaver is a background character who was las