Samantha Coley

While Big Mistakes isn’t always the most comfortable watch, especially as it holds up a mirror to some of life’s most awkward moments, there’s a sense of hope and humor threaded throughout that reminds us why we keep going. Levy and Sennott have crafted a story that feels real and relatable, even as the circumstances spiral into situations most people can only imagine themselves in.

While the core tenets of the franchise are ever-present, the series breaks the mold in all the best ways. For fans who loved Star Trek's recent animated offerings for their bold willingness to do something different, Starfleet Academy is once again pushing the boundaries of this universe for the better and building a world worth returning to.

Strange New Worlds has the potential to deliver the kinds of episodes that Gene Roddenberry and company could only dream of in the 1960s, which makes it frustrating to see the show pull back on some of the elements that make Star Trek such a powerful franchise.

The real highlight of “The Robot Revolution” is Sethu’s performance. .... “The Robot Revolution” ends up not really saying anything meaningful about either of these real-world antagonists [AI and incels].

All in all, Star Trek: Lower Decks is going out at the very top of its game. While it's devastating to see this series come to an end, it is, at the very least, satisfying to see the series coming to a close on a high note, leaving the audience wanting more.

The ensemble cast is as strong as ever, and with episodes like the highly anticipated It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover on the horizon, it seems as though Brunson and co. have adopted a "go big or go home" mantra for the new season — and it's paying off big time.

With love as its guiding principle, the new season isn’t afraid of getting silly, scary, and a little bit serious — all within the space of a single episode. Davies also returns at the top of his game, with a Doctor and companion that we just can’t help but fall head over heels for and an overarching mystery that will have fans eagerly awaiting every new episode.

On top of a compelling treasure hunt-style story and its complex characters, Discovery Season 5 also delivers some incredible action sequences and truly breathtaking visuals.

Season 4 broaches, (and in some cases reintroduces) some of Star Trek's biggest moral quandaries, and faces them head-on with bold and unabashed honesty. Amid drunken adventures, spicy language, and horny co-workers, lessons about trusting yourself and your crew, seeing the best in each other, and embracing life to the fullest are what really make Lower Decks sing.

The first half of the season has breathed new life into the show and the new team dynamics have an appeal that would certainly outlast the final eight episodes.