Why Star Trek: Lower Decks Chose the USS Cerritos Over Established Ship Designs

When creating Star Trek: Lower Decks, the writers made the decision to introduce a brand new starship design, the USS Cerritos. But why did they opt for a fresh design rather than using existing ship classes such as the Cheyenne, Akira, or Springfield-class? Let's delve into the creative and narrative reasons behind this choice.

Fresh Perspective

by Introducing a New Ship Design, the Creators Offered a Unique Perspective on the Star Trek universe. The Cerritos represents a less prominent and more specialized class of starship, which aligns with the show’s focus on the lower-ranking crew members and their daily experiences. This fresh perspective enables the series to explore a wider range of scenarios and themes.

Character Development

The unique design of the Cerritos is integral to the show's character development. The ship's layout and features can be tailored to highlight the comedic and often chaotic situations faced by the lower deck crew. By creating a distinct ship, the writers have the freedom to develop characters in ways that would not be possible with existing classes of ships.

World-Building

Creating new designs for starships broadens the Star Trek lore. It introduces audiences to new classes of ships and their roles within the fleet, which supports the show's theme of exploration and adventure. By exploring different aspects of Starfleet operations, the writers can showcase a more diverse and nuanced universe.

Visual Identity

The USS Cerritos helps establish a unique visual identity for Star Trek: Lower Decks within the broader Star Trek franchise. This is especially important for an animated series, which may want to differentiate itself from live-action shows. Having its own distinct look and feel enhances the show's appeal and makes it stand out.

Creative Freedom

By designing a new starship, the writers and artists have more creative freedom. They can incorporate elements that support the show’s comedic tone and storylines without being constrained by the established characteristics of older designs. This flexibility allows for a more dynamic and entertaining viewing experience.

The Preferences of Writers and Showrunners

A deeper look into the specific preferences of the writers and showrunners for Star Trek: Lower Decks reveals their desire for a ship that serves as a workhorse for the United Federation of Planets, rather than a warship like the Akira-class. The Akira-class and other frontline vessels, such as the Defiant-class, were designed for combat, making them unsuitable for the show's more comedic and lighthearted tone.

The Cheyenne-class and Springfield-class starships are not part of the official Star Trek canon because they were not given an official name on-screen. In "The Best of Both Worlds, Part 2," the ships that appeared as on-screen wreckage in a graveyard sequence were unnamed, drifters, and thus do not have a canon status. Assigning random names to these unspecified vessels would not align with the official lore of the Star Trek universe.

Furthermore, the California-class ships, which were designed to be workhorses, meet the criteria that fit the show's needs perfectly. These ships were specifically crafted to support the daily operations and missions of Starfleet in a capacity that aligns with the show's themes and character arcs.