In season four, an unknown force is destroying starships and threatening galactic peace. Luckily, the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos isn’t important enough for stuff like that! Instead, Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Tendi, Rutherford and Provisional Ensign T’Lyn are keeping up with their Starfleet duties, avoiding malevolent computers and getting stuck in a couple caves — all while encountering new and classic aliens! This 2-disc set includes every episode and over 35 minutes of special features.

For previous thoughts on Star Trek: Lower Decks, check out our reviews of Season One, Season Two and Season Three.

For in-depth thoughts on Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season Four, please see my colleague Ben Belcher’s review from its original streaming release here.

Video Quality

Star Trek: Lower Decks – The Complete Fourth Season comes to Blu-Ray with a stunning transfer that brings this series to life perfectly throughout these ten episodes. Fine lines and details are crisp and expertly maintained without any bleeding. We did not spot any stumbling blocks with banding or crush in the deep blacks. Colors are vibrant and bold with some terrific variety from episode to episode as we continue to explore new locales. The series has always been a visual standout, and this season only solidifies that notion. This presentation is clear of any digital anomalies or debris. The series looks great on streaming, but owning this on Blu-Ray eliminates any minor streaming compression and ensures the series won’t be taken away on a whim.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray comes with a formidable DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio lossless soundtrack that executes things flawlessly. The show implements a varied array of environmental effects that are directionally precise within the mix. Many sound effects and various intensive moments provide a welcome texture to the low end. Dialogue is prominent in the track with a consistent presence in the center speaker which spreads into the surrounds during appropriate moments. The score settles you into the journey with certain classic cues in the side and rear channels. We could not ask for better from this audio presentation. This release comes with optional English SDH subtitles.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries

- Twovix: Jack Quaid, Mike McMahan, and Brad Winters

- Something Borrowed, Something Green: Tawny Newsome, Noel Wells, and Gabrielle Ruiz

- Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place: Noel Wells, Eugene Cordero, Chase Masterson, and Mike McMahan

- The Inner Fight: Dawnn Lewis, Tawny Newsome, and Mike McMahan

- Old Friends, New Planets: Robert Duncan McNeill and Mike McMahan

Old Friends: A nearly 29-minute piece in which the creative team discusses the mysterious alien vessel, the fun of exploring some classic characters, key episodes from the season, and more.

Lower Decktionary – Setting Up Season 4: A nearly nine-minute featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the direction of the story in season four, how this season switched up some of the processes, and more.

Final Thoughts

Star Trek: Lower Decks is one of the most consistent series that Trek fans have going right now. Some may look at it and feel it could be too silly, but the level of respect it has for the franchise is undeniable. The series can be hilarious much of the time, but it also is not afraid to take the time to explore some rich thematic material. The fourth season continues to build upon the foundation provided by the previous seasons, and the results are out of this world. The series appears to be nearing the end, but we are loving every minute until it is gone. CBS Home Entertainment has provided a Blu-Ray for this season that sports a grand A/V presentation and some worthwhile special features. This is worth a spot in the collection of any Star Trek fan. Highly Recommended

Star Trek: Lower Decks – The Complete Fourth Season can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: CBS Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.