Perhaps surprisingly, Star Trek two biggest intersections wouldn't work without Star Trek: Lower Decks' Lieutenant Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Lieutenant Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome). Premiering in 2020, Star Trek: Lower Decks brought the world of adult animation to Star Trek with a series focusing on the lowest-ranking crew members aboard Starfleet's USS Cerritos. With its niche and classic references Walk stories, Lower decks acts as a love letter to the entire franchise, while also being good Star Trek by itself.
Like most Star Trek show, Star Trek: Lower Decks features a cast, in this case, made up of the various crew members of the USS Cerritos. Still, Boimler and Mariner serve as the series' main characters, and the pair have become two of the most essential in modern history. Star Trek. Through his voice performances, Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome bring so much personality to their Star Trek characters, making them appear larger than life and surprisingly realistic at the same time.
Why Star Trek's Two Biggest Crossovers Don't Work Without Jack Quaid's Boimler and Tawny Newsome's Mariner
Boimler and Mariner's friendship transcends universes and timelines
At the first major crossing to Star Trek: Lower Decks, Ensigns Boimler and Mariner made the jump to live action in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 7, “Those Old Scientists.” When the crew of the USS Cerritos encounters a portal on the planet Krulmuth, Boimler and later Mariner are pulled in and find themselves aboard Captain Christopher Pike's (Anson Mount) 23rd century USS Enterprise. Boimler can't hide his excitement at meeting so many of his heroes, and even Mariner can't help but marvel at the prospect of spending time with Starfleet greats.
Boimler and Mariner prove to be equally important in the Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, episode 9, “Fissure Quest”, which involves characters from various Star Trek timelines. Boimler and Mariner discover that their friendship transcends universes when an alternate universe Mariner (who is an engineer) helps Captain William Boimler discover the cause of quantum fissures that have been appearing throughout the galaxy. Boimler and Mariner make a great team in any universe, and they've helped save the galaxy together more than once.
Mariner and Boimler could be Star Trek on Paramount Plus' most important characters
Star Trek needs to find a way to continue Boimler & Mariner's story
Modern Star Trek made Brad Boimler and Beckett Mariner two of its most important characters. Not only have they both helped save the galaxy multiple times, but they have also made significant contributions to the Star Trek universe in other ways. Both Boimler and Mariner had incredibly strong character arcs all over Star Trek: Lower Decks five seasons, as they learn more about themselves and each other. Both embodied the ideals of Starfleet, and it would be a shame if their stories ended without seeing how far they can climb.
The Star Trek: Lower Decks crossover with Strange New Worlds has already proven that both actors can bring their characters to live action.
As Star Trek: Lower Decks comes to an end on Paramount+, fans can only hope this doesn't mean the end for Boimler and Mariner as characters. Star Trek: Lower Decks crossing with Strange new worlds has already proven that both actors can take their characters to live action, but another animated show or film could also continue their story. It remains to be seen how Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 will bring their story to a close, but we hope the franchise finds a way to ensure Boimler and Mariner live.