http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/StarTrekLowerDecksOtherCharacters

Star Trek: Lower Decks Main Character Index
U.S.S. Cerritos (Main Characters, Beckett Mariner, Other Crewmates) | Other Starfleet Crews | Independent Characters

open/close all folders

Klingon Empire

Klingon Defense Force

Crew of the IKS Che'Ta'

Dorg

"The Empire used to choke the quadrant with fear, power, but now?! We've lost our way."

Voiced by: Colton Dunn

The captain of the Che'Ta', who has been pulling the Pakleds' strings to make them act against the Federation.

Department of Redundancy Department: He describes Ma'ah as "smaller, weaker, slower, and smaller" than his other officers.
Enraged by Idiocy: He's intensely frustrated by the Pakleds foolishly wasting the bomb that he gave them by "testing" it on an asteroid.
Dorg: IT WAS A BOMB! You can only use it once!
Hoist by His Own Petard: Twice:
- He's been supplying the Pakleds with weapons and technology to use them as Unwitting Pawns and destabilize the system. However, when he meets with them, he finds out they wasted the bomb that he gave them by "testing" it, and the resulting radiation lured the Cerritos and Sh'vhal to their location.
- He is impressed by Ma'ah's knowledge of Klingon history and strong sense of honor despite his young age, and decides to officially make him his new second-in-command. When Ma'ah learns of his dishonorable ways, though, including using the Pakleds to fight his battles for him and trying to start a war without the approval of the High Council, he turns on him and kills him.
Kick the Dog: Almost literally. Dorg, after revealing his plan of using the Pakleds to destabilize a system, punts his pet targ across the bridge. Said targ then bites back during his duel with Ma'ah, which provides enough of a distraction to get him killed.
Large and in Charge: Downplayed. While he's still within the normal range of sizes for Klingons, he's noticeably taller and more broadly built than his subordinates — something that particularly stands out against Ma'ah, who's decidedly on the short side.
The Man Behind the Man: He's manipulating the Pakleds into acting against the Federation, and is secretly the ultimate responsible figure for everything they've gotten up to in the past season and a half. This is what drives Ma'ah's mutiny, since Klingon culture condemns not fighting one's battles openly.
Unknown Rival: As the instigator of all the Pakled attacks on Federation space, he's this for Starfleet and the Cerritos in particular. Because he's been doing all it in secret, however, he's not honored or respected as an opponent by the Federation or his own government and dies in relative anonymity.

Ma'ah

"Klingon blood runs as reddish-pink as ever."

Voiced by: Jon Curry

A male Klingon crew member of the Bird of Prey IKS Che'Ta'. Later, its captain.

Action Survivor: Spends most of Season 4 dumped on a wild planet with no weapons or technology. Whereas the other survivors have banded together for protection, Ma'ah operates alone, surviving entirely on cunning and fighting prowess. The others are even laying traps specifically for Ma'ah, implying that the reason they started forming groups was to protect themselves from him.
Asskicking Leads to Leadership: A downplayed example. As a Klingon Captain, Ma'ah is expected to be a capable warrior and he did indeed get his rank in true Klingon fashion. But while he's still dangerous, his talents lie more in insight and cunning than outright brawn.
Back for the Dead: Subverted. He and his crew reappear at the end of "Twovix", only to be seemingly destroyed by an unknown ship; however, as revealed in "A Few Badgeys More", the ship didn't destroy the ship but disabled it and kidnapped its crew for its own purposes.
Blood Knight: Like pretty much most Klingons, he likes a good battle and the thought of dying an honorable death. Unlike most of his people, Ma'ah is not stupid enough to throw everything away for the sake of glorious battle, and is capable of thinking about the bigger picture.
Canine Companion: The targ he takes care of the entire episode at Captain Dorg's behest takes a real shine to him and saves him during the duel.
Combat Pragmatist:
- Takes advantage of the physical environment around him, unforeseen opportunities, as well as a feint in order to kill his captain in a duel. In a twist, Ma'ah's tactics are pragmatic but he never stoops to the level of using dishonorable tactics (stabbing in the back, using a ranged weapon against an enemy without one)... Which itself is a pragmatic choice, since it would invalidate the promotion he received after his victory.
- In season 4 he assesses an entire group of enemies, easily identifies the strongest opponent and plans to defeat her first so as to demoralize the others.
  Ma'ah: She is not to be underestimated. The other will scatter. They already fear me.
Dented Iron: Downplayed. A hug from Mariner, a human, shouldn't be enough to make him groan in pain after a mere fistfight. Even taking into account famously durable Klingon physiology, he's been fighting others on Sherbal V, alone, for some time.
Fantastic Racism: Averted. Ma'ah actually greatly respects the Federation, and regards them as honorable allies. The notion of his Captain betraying the Federation for his own gain is what causes Ma'ah to turn on and overthrow him.
Fire-Forged Friends: With Mariner, much to his chagrin. After he helped her sort out her issues, she quickly accepts him as a friend. The only problem is he wanted to continue their fight to the death.
Karmic Jackpot: Ma'ah's acts of kindness, loyalty and integrity end up paying off for him in major ways.
- His kind treatment of Dorg's targ is what helps him win the battle with his captain, letting him take over the entire ship.
- His kindness towards Mariner during their duel helped her work out her issues, leading her to consider him a friend and ally and allowing him to take part in the plan that rescued him from the planet he was stranded on.
- His refusal to betray the Federation meant that he was able to inadvertently save the lives of Mariner and the others, who in turn were crucial in uncovering the plot that got him stranded on the planet he was on as well as provide a means to get him off the planet.
Hidden Depths: Initially, Ma'ah appeared to be similar to the worst aspects of Boimler- a rank obsessed lower decker who'd debase himself for a chance of promotion. But Ma'ah quickly proved himself to be someone with great integrity and honor, and was willing to stand up for his beliefs even if it meant his own death. Ma'ah eventually showed himself to be someone who greatly respects the Federation, and possesses a more compassionate side that allows him to empathize with others and help them understand the root of their issues.
Honor Before Reason: In his first appearance, his bootlicking to Dorg gets a lot of positive attention from his captain. But when he learns Dorg is planning on betraying the Federation, who Ma'ah considers honorable allies, it almost gets him killed. Thankfully, his previous kind acts to Dorg's pet Targ allow him to save his life, kill his trecharous captain, and take control of the ship as the new captain.
Klingon Promotion:
- Justified. Having been promoted to first officer, he kills his old captain for dishonorable behavior, thus becoming the new captain. The Klingon System continuing to work as intended.
- In season 4 this trope is subverted. Rather than being removed from command by being defeated in honorable combat, one of his subordinates made a deal with Nick Locarno to have him beamed off and dumped on a remote planet. Then played straight again when Ma'ah kills said subordinate (now captain) with his bare hands (he's so furiously angry he rips the petaQ's throat out with his teeth) to get his rank back.
Mirror Character: He parallels Boimler in being ambitious in his career and an adherent to the rules, occasionally mocked by his peers for being so rigid. Because he is a Klingon, he's also more confrontational than Boimler ever would be, and has his ambition rewarded by winning an honor duel for the position of captain. Which ties in with the "Bold Boimler" character arc of Boimler becoming more comfortable with taking risks, leading to greater opportunities.
Non-Action Guy: Downplayed. As a Klingon, Ma'ah is more than willing to engage in combat, but it's clear it's not his strongest skill.
- After his time trapped on a Death World, his combat skills significantly improve to a clear strength, to the point he can easily kill an insubordinate officer in seconds.
Nice Guy: For a Klingon, yes. While he is focused on traditional Klingon values and shares his societies Blood Knight tendencies, he also has no problem showing compassion and kindness to others. His talk with Mariner after their fight helps her work through her issues and come to terms with what was bothering her.
Rank Up: Exaggerated. Goes from being a low-ranking officer to captain in the course of a single day. When he's mutinied against and stranded on an alien planet he beats his old record by taking back his captaincy in a matter of seconds.
Social Climber: Ma'ah is very eager to be promoted. He very quickly gets his wish.
The Paragon: Ma'ah is a firm believer in the rules and traditions of the Klingon Empire, and will not tolerate dishonorable behavior. More than that he's also a skilled combatant able to hold his own against much larger and stronger foes, and willing to put his own ambitions aside for the glory of the Empire.
Took a Level in Badass: In his first appearance, he's basically a Klingon version of Boimler; a suck-up and a social climber. After he kills Dorg for his treachery and takes over as Captain, he grows much tougher and tenacious. By the time the main characters meet him, he's become a more fearsome warrior while also gaining great personal wisdom.
Warrior Therapist: Reconstruction! Ma'ah came from a warrior culture and cherishes its values. That means he quickly spots when a fellow warrior is hurting and emotionally scarred from combat. Though he was too young to fight in the Dominion War, he quickly spots obvious signs of PTSD in a human Starfleet officer that did, and manages to set her on the path to healing with just one conversation.
Weak, but Skilled: What Ma'ah lacks in physical strength, he makes up for in cunning.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Despite having been a witness to the Pakled conspiracy, he is never called to exonerate Freeman when she is accused of high crimes. He later reappears in Season 4 with his ship becoming the first victim of the mysterious ship.

Ferengi Alliance

Government

Grand Nagus Rom

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rom_lower_decks.png

"Small print leads to large risk."

The Grand Nagus of Ferenginar, the brother of Quark, the husband of Finance Minister Leeta, and the father of Starfleet Officer Nog, who ascended from the humble position of being a bartender to the ruler of all of Ferengi society.

For tropes relating to his appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, see here.

Actor Allusion: He's a baseball nut, which he plays up deliberately to fool people during negations. His actor did play baseball professionally before deciding to go into acting.
Battle Couple: With his wife, Leeta, whom he works with in tandem to negotiate business contracts.
Call-Back: His love of baseball was no doubt picked up from "Take Me Out To The Holosuite" (which Grodénchik, having played professionally, had to play left handed).
Manchild: While he does employ some Obfuscating Stupidity in negotiations to get others to let their guard down, the obsession with baseball that he makes part of the act is genuine and can lead him to acting like this at times.
Obfuscating Stupidity: Exploited. People think he's a bit dense, so he uses it to pretend he's a baseball nut to get people to let their guard down during contract negotiations.
Secret Test of Character: He petitions for Ferenginar to join The Federation, but he's not sure if they'll be respectful of Ferengi culture. Knowing that Starfleet will assume he's going to be a cakewalk to negotiate with, he and Leeta test out the visiting dignitaries to see if one of them can pull a con on them. The Admiral in charge bends over backwards to try and get them to sign, but Captain Freeman tricks them into accepting their terms on the condition of annexing another planet — The Klingon Homeworld of Qo'Nos. Rom is impressed enough that he signs the treaty using the basic terms.
Took a Level in Badass: If there was any doubt that Zek made the right choice in picking Rom as his successor (sorry, Quark), then Rom instituting all of Zek's reforms and working in tandem with Leeta to be one of the best negotiators in the entire Quadrant puts those doubts to rest.

Finance Minister Leeta

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/leeta_lower_decks.jpg

Voiced by: Chase Masterson

The Finance Minister of Ferenginar, the wife of Grand Nagus Rom, the sister-in-law to Quark, and the step-mother of Nog, who was once a Dabo Girl at Quark's bar.

For tropes relating to her appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, see here.

Battle Couple: With her husband, Rom, whom she works in tandem with to negotiate business contracts. She usually handles the fine print while he pretends to be a baseball-loving idiot.
Secret Test of Character: Like Rom, she was eager to have Ferenginar join the Federation, but she wanted to make sure they would accept Ferengi Culture. Thanks to Freeman swindling them into only allowing membership if they annex the Klingon Empire, Starfleet passes with flying colors.
Took a Level in Badass: She was more savvy than Rom when it came to finances, but that savviness has since grown to being able to handle full-scale intergalactic negotiations.

Orion Syndicate

House of Tendi

D'Erika

Voiced by: Ariel Winter

The younger sister of D'vana Tendi.

Beneath the Mask: In public, D'Erika seems confident and self-assured in her skill. In private, however, she's actually terrified that everyone will realize she's a pale comparison to how great her sister could've been in the same role.
Big Brother Worship: In a twisted way, D'Erika thinks very highly of Tendi, to the point of feeling like an Inadequate Inheritor to her position in the family after she left. It's also why she leaps on the opportunity to have Tendi rejoin the Syndicate at her side.
Cain and Abel: The Cain to Tendi's Abel. While Tendi is sweet, D'Erika is devious.
Exact Words: After agreeing to provide the Cerritos with an Orion battleship, they find it's completely stripped down.
D'Erika: I said I would lend you the Retribution. We never discussed its condition.
The Glorious War of Sisterly Rivalry: As Tendi's younger sister with more traditional Orion values and goals, she holds great resentment towards Tendi for rejecting their way of life. But she's also bitter at her for leaving behind the family Syndicate to join Starfleet and forcing her to take on Tendi's former responsibilities.
D'Erika: You forced this on me without asking. Running to Starfleet was your choice, but it meant all your duties fell on me. I had to train! I had to be the Mistress! I had to drop my whole life to become the new Prime!
Strong Family Resemblance: She looks just like her sister but with longer hair.

Others

Cosmic Koala

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_5161_4.jpeg

A cosmic being with an unknown purpose.

Animalistic Abomination: O'Connor said that the entire universe is balanced on the koala's back as he was ascending.
Cheshire Cat Grin: When O'Connor got a glimpse of the koala, it was smiling in a way that only freaked him out further.
O'Connor: WHY IS HE SMILING? WHAT DOES HE KNOW?!
Running Gag:
- After nearly drowning in "First First Contact", Boimler says that he saw a koala, which Tendi says he should keep to himself. In "Mining The Mind's Mines," Steve Stevens becomes brain dead after getting turned to stone, and he mentions he saw the koala. When Boimler dies temporarily in season 4, the koala appears to him and sends him back.
- The koala appears as a nebula formation in the Star Trek bumper for each episode starting with Season 3. It even appears as a constellation in the animated opening of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for the crossover episode.
Sdrawkcab Speech: Boimler meets it after briefly dying in "In The Cradle Of Vexilon." The koala speaks backwards, saying "It is not your time, Bradward Boimler."
Shout-Out: Him appearing to Boimler in an ethereal waiting room while speaking in Sdrawkcab Speech is a likely reference to the (in)famously surreal dream sequences from Twin Peaks featuring The Man From Another Place, who would often speak backwards when carrying on Cryptic Conversations with Dale Cooper.

Vindicta

Voiced by: Tawny Newsome

A hologram character created and played by Mariner, who hijacks Boimler's attempt at sucking up to the captain when she randomly attacks the Cerritos in the name of revenge. Mariner gets way too into the role, but is defeated by a hologram of her "real" self, proving deep down she loves the ship and everyone on it.

Ax-Crazy: Murderously insane and violent. Not even her own loyal underlings are safe from being killed.
Back from the Dead: Subverted. After being destroyed by the Cerritos warp core exploding, she inexplicably resurrects from a torpedo casing, vowing revenge... and then is shot dead by Leonardo da Vinci. This one was probably a hologram since Real Mariner wasn't shot.
Bad Boss: Murders Shempo, her loyal underling who just moments ago said he loved her, simply because he gave her coffee instead of tea. Even the Cerritos crew are appalled on his behalf.
Cape Snag: Initially starts off in a cape, but she discards it shortly after beginning her attack when it gets caught in a door.
Deflector Shields: Courtesy of a Borg drone's head she has, which also doubles as a grenade.
EmPHAsis On The Wrong SylLAble: Tends to address Captain Freeman as "Free Man".
Evil Is Hammy: Between the plummy (if inconsistent) Evil Brit accent and the occasional Trrrilling Rrrs, Vindicta is a very hammy villain.
For the Evulz: Despite stating her motivation is revenge, when asked why she's attacking she suddenly declares "because I do what I want!"
Generic Doomsday Villain: Wants to kill Captain Freeman for no readily apparent reason, even though they've never met. Freeman even points out Vindicta's motivation is all over the place.
Her Codename Was Mary Sue: Mariner didn't bother to write a backstory for Vindicta, instead using her as a transparent self-insert to work out her frustrations with the crew.
Hero Killer: She carves a swathe through the Cerritos crew, including killing Ransom and Shax.
Human Aliens: Vindicta looks exactly like a regular human. Whether she is human or not is unclear, since she never says.
Laughing Mad: She cackles like a maniac when she blows up her own ship, sending the Cerritos plummeting into the atmosphere of a nearby planet.
Mysterious Past: Claims to be "vengeance personified", and attacks the Cerritos because she insists Captain Freeman's been getting on her case since she was a child, despite their also supposedly never having met.
Psychopathic Manchild: On occasion, she slips from pompous ham to acting like a child throwing a tantrum, with Freeman being the inexplicable target of her fury.
Vindicta: You always treat me like the bad guy!
Freeman: You are the bad guy!
Vindicta: No, I'm not!
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Lays one out to Mariner as they fight, calling her out on her numerous failings and flaws (and also that she secretly loves the warp core).
Taking You with Me: On the receiving end, as Mariner distracts her long enough for everyone else to get to safety, then blows up the Cerritos saucer.
Trash Talk: Ransom's assumption she cannot both talk the talk and walk the walk at the same time are proven wrong. Vindicta can do both.
Wicked Cultured: Before attacking, she takes a moment to quote The Tempest, much to Ransom's confusion.

Ferengi Poachers

Voiced by: Tom Kenny (leader)

A band of Ferengi that has set up a poaching operation to hunt the mugatos living on Rylon IV.

Evil Poacher: They're systematically hunting the mugato for their horns, even though Mariner points out that they could just replicate them, and attempt to imprison anyone who suspects them.
Lightning Lash: They use the traditional Ferengi energy whip to corral the mugatos and attack the Cerritos crew.
Pragmatic Villainy:
- In classic Ferengi fashion, they're ultimately convinced to give up their brutal, mugato-killing enterprise through negotiation. When Rutherford and Boimler explain how they could make far greater profits in the long run by running a preserve that cares for the mugato and allows visitors, they eagerly drop their reservations and adopt this new plan, with only a brief mention that it will involve more work.
- Additionally, while the lead poacher is reluctant to just let their Starfleet captives go, he relents when it's pointed out that it would normally be upon Starfleet to pursue him for attacking Starfleet officers. It's easier for everyone if he just lets them go and everyone puts this behind them.
Stop Being Stereotypical: Mariner accuses them of playing into Ferengi stereotypes in their villainy, even calling them "Last Outpost"-style throwbacks.

The Doopler Emissary

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/doopler_emissary.jpg

Voiced by: Richard Kind

A diplomat being ferried by the Cerritos to Starbase 25. He's a bit of a nervous wreck — which, given his species' tendency to uncontrollably duplicate when stressed, is a bit of a problem for the ship.

"Ass" in Ambassador: A surprisingly rare aversion for Star Trek; this guy is terrified of the notion of being a bad guest or insulting others. Unfortunately it's that very neurosis that gets on everyone's nerves.
Emotional Powers: His species involuntarily duplicates in response to emotional stress, usually embarrassment. Inversely, his duplicates merge together when they're offended.
Freeze-Frame Bonus: One of the ambassador's duplicates failed to reintegrate with himself and then subsequently got lost and perished deep within the bowels of the Cerritos. Mariner, Boimler and Tendi inadvertently pass by his remains in a later episode as they make their way through the ship's inner workings.
Me's a Crowd: He involuntarily duplicates in response to emotional stress. That includes being stressed by duplicating. Naturally, the duplication quickly snowballs. Freeman eventually snaps and starts insulting him/them, which turns out to be the key to making the duplicates recombine.
Nervous Wreck: He's extremely paranoid and self-conscious, and is easily sent into a spiral of panic by the thought of being rude or a bad guest.
Freeman: There's no need to feel embarrassed!
Emissary: Thank you, you're very kind— wait! That's what someone says when there is a reason to be embarrassed!
Freeman: Okay, I'm just not gonna say anything. We can just be silent.
Emissary: ... she's giving us the silent treatment! THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"
Right Behind Me: Freeman complains to the Admiral about him being a hassle and emotionally fragile, not realizing that he just exited the turbolift and heard everything she said.

AGIMUS

"AGIMUS reigns!"

Voiced by: Jeffrey Combs

Your run-of-the-mill evil computer that took over a planet until Starfleet's intervention. While en-route to the Daystrom Institute, Boimler and Mariner hit a gravimetric shear and crash onto a deserted planet. AGIMUS attempts to take advantage of this situation by manipulating the ensigns into helping him for their own survival.

A God Am I: It's indicated the inhabitants of his planet were tricked by him into thinking he was a god.
Freeman: A lot of civilizations blame it on the supernatural. At least you didn't fall for that.
Alien: (Chuckles nervously while side-eyeing a mural of his people bowing before AGIMUS) Yeah... that would have been crazy.
A.I. Is a Crapshoot: Yet another evil computer that developed a god complex and took over a planet. The Starfleeters are used to it by this point.
Bad Liar: His efforts to manipulate people into giving him access to a computer are foiled by the fact he's a terrible liar who makes it obvious he's plotting something evil.
Blatant Lies: Most of his attempted manipulations are pretty lousy. Once he's out-thought by Boimler and Mariner, he tries claiming he's turned over a new leaf. Really, honest! Heck, he even wants to join Starfleet! No-one buys it for a second.
Blue Is Heroic: AGIMUS changes his normally red lighting to blue in order to fake a change of heart and con his way out of Daystrom's confines, and then reverts to red after the ruse has run its course. He later changes it to blue for real after his heart-to-heart with Peanut Hamper and deciding to change his ways for real.
Buried Alive: When he won't stop bringing up the food Boimler and Mariner could make with a replicator if they just hooked him up to their ship's computer system, they wind up burying him underground to get him to shut up. Since he's a robot, he's fine, though he complains anyway.
AGIMUS: You can't do this! I HAVE RIGHTS!
Deconstructed Character Archetype: Of the Obviously Evil Manipulative Bastard. AGIMUS is sinister in both his demeanor and appearance, and is very good at preying on people's insecurities. Unfortunately for him, he's dealing with Starfleet officers who know he's evil from a mile away and thus his attempts to manipulate people tend to fall flat.
Evil Is Hammy: It's Jeffrey Combs, would you expect anything else?
Evil vs. Evil: When he's deposited in the Daystrom Institute, he immediately begins making plans and boasting that he'll be getting his revenge on Starfleet and conquering the galaxy. This soon sets off an argument between him and all the other A.I.s stuck in there as they all want to do the same.
Evil Is Petty: He takes the time to insult Mariner's weight and call her fat in-between trying to manipulate her and Boimler. Later, when he realizes Boimler has outwitted him and secretly connected him to the dimmer switch, AGIMUS throws a tantrum and starts flicking the lights on and off to blind them.
Falsely Reformed Villain: Parodied. He claims that The Power of Friendship has shown him the errors of the way and made him want to join Starfleet, but nobody buys it for a second.
AGIMUS: Well, this has been quite an adventure. You two have shown me that trust and friendship are better than manipulation. I'm ready to try being good for a change. (Beeps) There. I just deleted all my manipulative subroutines. I want to be a Starfleet officer like you! Just drop me off at the academy. I can be the next Seven of Nine, AGIMUS of One!
[Cut to AGIMUS being locked in a cell in the Daystrom Institute]
AGIMUS: You'll regret this! I WILL CONQUER THIS LAB! AND THEN I'LL TAKE OVER THE FEDERATION! 'I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!
Flat "What": His only response when he realizes Boimler Out-Gambitted him is a stunned "What?", before throwing a temper tantrum once he realizes he's only connected to the ship's dimmer switch.
Harmless Villain: While he was decidedly not harmless before being taken out of the computer system he was hooked up to, he's unable to do anything without it and his increasingly blatant efforts to get people to hook him up to one make him more ineffectual than anything else.
Heel–Face Turn: Decides to genuinely become a better intelligence so he can be released and live with his best friend Peanut Hamper.
Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: AGIMUS is undoubtedly dangerous if he's connected to a computer system, but he's pitiful without it and he's easily outplayed by Boimler. His pathetic Villainous Breakdown where he tries to blind him and Mariner by turning the lights on and off is downright pitiful.
Karmic Butt-Monkey: He's repeatedly insulted by Mariner, manhandled by Boimler, and buried alive when he won't stop trying to persuade them to plug him into a computer system. Still, he's an evil AI who tricked a planet into a centuries-long war and ruled it as a god, so a lot of it is karma catching up to him.
Large Ham: He's very prone to grandiose declarations of superiority and is just generally over-the-top about his villainy.
Laughably Evil: He's undeniably evil, but his blatant efforts to trick people into plugging him in to the nearest computer system, status as an Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain and general cattiness makes him an utter blast to watch.
Let's You and Him Fight: His primary strategy is to encourage people to fight each other by preying on their hidden resentment and insecurities. It seemingly works with Boimler and Mariner, but it turns out he was just tricking AGIMUS as part of a plan to send a distress signal.
Manipulative Bastard: He attempts to play Boimler and Mariner against each other for his benefit. It turns out that Boimler was only playing along so he could use AGIMUS as a battery for a distress signal.
Motive Rant: He goes on a particularly hammy one after Boimler seemingly plugs him into a derelict starship's computer about his plans to take over the galaxy with an army of murder drones, only for Boimler to take the pass out of it when he reveals he only plugged AGIMUS into the light switch.
Obviously Evil: He's Red and Black and Evil All Over, he's prone to megalomaniacal boasts, and he's very insistent on people letting him near a computer system for absolutely no reason whatsoever. It winds up hindering him, since Boimler and Mariner are experienced enough to say everything he says is in bad faith.
Offstage Villainy: His crimes prior to his first appearance are never shown, though it's mentioned he tricked the inhabitants of his planet into fighting a centuries-long war and thinking he's a god. Now, though, he's harmless unless he's hooked up to a computer system.
Red and Black and Evil All Over: An evil, megalomaniacal computer with a dark gray casing and blood-red lights.
Reverse Psychology: Tries using it on Ransom. It almost works.
Shout-Out: Nodding to another comically petty supercomputer core who's desperate to be plugged back into a network port, his final claim to have "just deleted all my manipulative subroutines" is almost a direct quote of GLaDOS.
Strange Minds Think Alike: When he meets Peanut Hamper, he likes how her name is mathematically perfect.
Take Over the World: AGIMUS's most consistent goal is his desire to do this. After being captured by the Federation, it expands to wanting tot make over the galaxy and then the Federation itself.
This Cannot Be!: His reaction to realizing Boimler thoroughly played him is sheer disbelief and denial.
AGIMUS: You fool! You trusted me!
Boimler: Nah. I used you.
AGIMUS: …What?
Boimler: I've been using your power cell to send a distress signal. You were too busy scheming to notice. You've been Boimed.
AGIMUS: But-but no! You put me into the navigation console! I control this ship!
Boimler: We're not even near the nav console! All you control is the dimmer switch.
AGIMUS: But I-I…
Villain Team-Up: When Peanut Hamper gets imprisoned in the Daystrom Institute, they both begin to make plans to take revenge on Starfleet.
Villainous Breakdown: He has a hilarious one when Boimler reveals he actually connected him to the dimmer switch instead of the starship's navigation console, flicking the lights on and off in a petty tantrum.
AGIMUS: You dare mock AGIMUS?! I SHALL- I SHALL BLIND YOU!
What Measure Is a Non-Human?: Defied. Boimler turns down Mariner's suggestion to abandon him on the grounds that AGIMUS is a sentient being, if an evil one, and takes him with them. It doesn't stop the two from burying him alive at one point to shut him up, though given that he's a robot he isn't too inconvenienced by it.

Queen Paolana

Voiced by: June Diane Raphael

The Queen of Hysperia, and Billups' mother, who is determined to make him ascend to the throne, regardless of whether he wants to or not.

Faking Engine Trouble: The Monaveen, her personal ship, always seems to "mysteriously" suffer engine trouble whenever it happens to be near the Cerritos and it happens to be the only ship in the sector they could call for help.
Faking the Dead: In "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie", she stages a massive explosion on her own ship that makes it look like she's dead, solely so Billups will have no choice but to have sex and become king. According to Billups, this is low even by her standards.
God Save Us from the Queen!: Played with in that she's an awful person, but her subjects do seem to adore her and will entirely support her latest plan.
Lack of Empathy: When called out on trying to ruin her son's career, even when he loves it and is loved by his staff, she just dismisses it with "I don't care what he wants."
My Beloved Smother: To Billups, even when she's not trying to manipulate him into doing what she wants, she rambles on at him about every thing she disagrees about him, including how he looks thin and his mustache isn't looking well...
Retired Badass: One of the many portraits that she has adorned her ship depicts her in her youth decked out in armor.◊ In keeping with her planets fantasy theme it naturally has cleavage.
Sitcom Archnemesis: To her own son. Apparently the Cerritos crew, and the engineering staff in particular, are very accustomed to her showing up to ruin Billups's career.
Why Couldn't You Be Different?: Is outright disgusted that her son wants to be an engineer, and is gleeful at the thought of him giving it up.

K'ranch

K'Ranch

Voiced by: Nolan North

A Kromsapiod, a powerful alien hunter driven by a biological urge to hunt, who sets his sights on Boimler when the latter shortsightedly agrees to be K'ranch's prey.

Alien Blood: His blood is bright green.
Black Eyes of Crazy: He begins the hunt by inhaling incense that turns his eyeballs black.
Creepy Good: Ultimately, he's this. He needs to hunt stuff due to a biological impulse, but it's just catch and release and he's respectful of his targets (although poor Boimler gets a spear through the shoulder for trying to fight back).
Hunting the Most Dangerous Game: He needs to hunt challenging prey as an innate drive, and when he starts getting antsy because the broken space elevator means he can't get down to Dulaine for his hunt he starts asking the crew and passengers of the Cerritos if any are willing to be his prey.
Meaningful Background Event: In the mess hall, you can see K'ranch approaching various people and them shaking their head to him. It's a Five-Second Foreshadowing of him wanting someone to hunt.
Mercy Lead: He gives Boimler an hour to prepare after he agrees to be hunted. Boimler ends up wasting it by visiting K'ranch to ask for details, by which point his hour is up and the hunt begins.
Predator Pastiche: He's heavily based on the Yautja — he's an intimidating eight-foot-tall animalistic alien whose species' culture revolves around finding prey to hunt using advanced harpoons and boomerangs, changed just enough to avoid copyright.^note The main joke is that he's actually a Friend to All Living Things, the hunt is "catch and release" complete with taking selfies, and the injury he inflicted on Boimler is easily mended with Starfleet medical technology.
The Tooth Hurts: He christens the hunt by ripping out one of his teeth and using it to draw a line of green blood on Boimler's forehead.
Tron Lines: His armour features numerous glowing red bands, as shown on the above image.

Petra Aberdeen

Voiced by: Georgia King

A former Starfleet officer who left to become an archaeologist, who encountered Mariner and Boimler at a recruitment booth on Tulgana IV. She struck up a rapport with Mariner, who later briefly joined her crew.

Conveniently Timed Distraction: When she first meets the Cerritos crew, she tries to incite Mariner into causing one to allow her to sneak into the Tulgana IV Museum of Antiquities to emancipate an artifact that was stolen from the Ferengi Grand Nagus. She ends up getting it when Boimler loses his temper and goes ballistic instead.
Karmic Thief: Petra Aberdeen steals the Grand Nagus' staff from the museum on Tulgana IV, as it had itself been stolen from the Ferengi, who will pay her handsomely for its safe return.
Sheep in Sheep's Clothing: Mariner suspects that she's funded by a nefarious source (hypothesising a Romulan and a Xindi), but after digging around discovers that she's completely above board, and her funding source is instead Jean-Luc Picard. After she finds out and confronts her, Mariner admits to have been looking for an excuse to go back to Starfleet rather than finding her having done anything suspicious.

The Moopsy

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/moopsey.png

Very cute, but very deadly.

Voiced by: Roan K Lai^note

A cute but very dangerous lifeform held within Narj's Miraculous Menagerarium.

Black-Hole Belly: Can drink several creatures yet never seems to gain any weight.
Cruel and Unusual Death: As evidenced by Narj and the Swamp Gobblers, having the ossified parts of your body being forcibly broken and liquified is a pretty horrifying way to die.
Cute Creature, Creepy Mouth: It's repeatedly shown to have fangs that look far too big for the size of its head, but when it's not showing these fangs, it's no less adorable than before.
The Dreaded: Even the other animals in Narj's menagerie are terrified of it, as seen by the Swamp Gobblers physically trembling & cowering as soon as they spot the Moopsy.
Fluffy the Terrible: Cute as a button and has an adorable name that it was given because of the sounds it makes, but do not let it get on you because if it does, it will absolutely drink your bones.
Killer Rabbit: A tiny adorable little marshmallow of a lifeform that can kill you instantly and drink your bones. All the other creatures in the Menagerie, including the Swamp Gobblers, are rightfully terrified of it.
Ransom: Can't be worse than the Swamp Gobblers.
Narj: Of course it's worse! They only gobble you. The moopsy drinks your bones!
Lightning Bruiser: While it mostly just waddles around at an adorable crawl, the Moopsy can pounce on its prey and ruthlessly drink their bones within a matter of seconds.
Non-Malicious Monster: The Moopsy is ultimately just a hungry predatory animal, and is not genuinely malicious (in contrast to, say, the human menagerie members who set it free in the first place).
Ridiculously Cute Critter: The Moopsy itself looks like an adorable plush marshmallow sculpted to resemble an overweight pug dog.
Pokémon Speak: The only thing it ever says is its own name. "Moopsy!"
Shout-Out:
- Word of God has said that its bone-based diet was inspired by the evil Kaiju sea monster in Deep Rising. The way it attacks people by biting into their sides is more reminiscent of the Bone Vampires from Futurama, however.
- The visual design of the Moopsy more or less resembles a mix of Kirby (which is befitting Kirby's status as an Extreme Omnivore) and the baby Adipose from Doctor Who.

Vexilon

Voiced by: Oscar Montoya

The planet-wide AI for the Federation colony Corazonia.

A.I. Is a Crapshoot: Unlike other AI on the show, he's sincerely helpful and kind. But since his original creators Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence, his OS hasn't been updated a millennia and cracks are starting to show. Even when Captain Freeman tries to provide a normal update, unforeseen complications have a serious affect on Corazonia's environment.
Apologizes a Lot: His only real negative quality. In fairness, he's worked perfectly fine for millions of years and is rightfully frustrated when he suddenly isn't.
Benevolent A.I.: The most benevolent AI seen so far in Lower Decks, and quite possibly the entire franchise. His presence allows the inhabitants of Corazonia to live very comfortably and pursue more creative endeavors like art and poetry.
Corrupted Character Copy: Inverted; Vexilon is basically the Good Counterpart to 343 Guilty Spark from the Halo franchise. Both characters are the A.I. managers of highly-advanced ringworlds left behind by Precursors who also gradually Grew Beyond Their Programming, but while Spark was a delusional Bitch in Sheep's Clothing tasked with managing a galactic superweapon, Vexilon is a completely sincere Nice Guy who has converted his ringworld into a safe haven for artists and poets.
Meaningful Name: "Corazon" is Spanish for "heart", and Vexilon is a genuinely polite, helpful A.I. for the people of Corazonia.
Nice Guy: Aside from his annoying habit of constantly apologizing, Vexilon is incredibly friendly and kind, even turning his ringworld into a functional utopia where artists can live out their lives in peace without having to worry about dangerous weather or a lack of resources.
Restart the World: Attempts to update his operating system come dangerously close to restoring him to factory settings, which means restoring all of Corazonia to its original, uncultivated state. The colony was almost overrun with floods and erupting volcanos before the Cerritos crew return him to normal.
Time Abyss: To the level of near-absurdity, with his software having been last updated over 6 million years ago.
Universally Beloved Leader: The other Corazonians absolutely love Vexilon, with them getting visibly angry and defending him when the Federation initially assumes they need to shut him down for oppressing them.

The Season Four Mastermind (MAJOR SPOILERS)

Nicholas Locarno

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/76a36db5_bef7_41b1_8878_2aa69317206e.jpeg

"My perfect life was taken from me, and now I'm getting it back."

Voiced by: Robert Duncan McNeill

Nick Locarno was the leader of Starfleet Academy's prestigious Nova Squadron until his attempt of the Kolvoord Starburst cost him the life of squadmate Joshua Albert. He tried to cover up the truth and nearly succeeded until fellow member Wesley Crusher, guilt-tripped by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and unable to continue hiding the truth, revealed everything. Disgraced and long since expelled from the Academy, Locarno is now a pilot for hire with evil plans...

To see tropes from his prior appearance, see here.

Actor Allusion: Is played by Robert Duncan McNell who went on to play Tom Paris in Voyager. When he's broadcasting a message, Boimler and Rutherford briefly debate whether or not he looks like Tom Paris (in-universe he was given Divergent Character Evolution to cut down on the similarity).
Alas, Poor Villain: Locarno repeatedly refuses opportunities to redeem himself and is ultimately killed by his own bomb, but his death is treated rather somberly. Mariner in particular is saddened she couldn't get through to him before he died, recognizing she could have easily turned out like he did.
Be Careful What You Wish For: Wanted to be a legend and for everyone to remember his name. In the end he winds up with a planet named after him, after being killed by the Genesis Device used to make it.
Big Bad: Of Season 4.
The Bully: Of the "makes himself seem like your best friend" variety. Flashbacks to when he was at the Academy show him bossing around and needling his subordinates to make sure they go along with whatever he says, even when he has to play dirty. He clearly undercuts Wesley's self-confidence by claiming he was a nobody on the Enterprise and then plays to his love of impressing others and cuts off Josh before he can express reluctance. He pulls the same thing with Mariner and the various lower deckers under his command in the present. While it may seem nice he's clearly doing all of this to shore up his own fragile ego.
Cosmic Motifs: Star-motifs are all over the place in a space-based franchise like Star Trek but Locarno is notable in that he sticks to a motif of exploding stars. He headed Nova Squadron in the Academy, was kicked out when he attempts to perform a manuever that would've looked like an exploding star, dubbed his private army the "Nova Fleet" and eventually died by way of an explosion in deep space.
Didn't Think This Through: Even thirteen years after the Kolvoord Starburst fiasco, he continues to not be very good at long-term planning. He used a Ferengi-made Genesis Device as a bargaining chip without learning its intricacies, resulting in him being caught off guard by a Cash Gate. He also saw Mariner's reputation as a Military Maverick and decided to recruit her and use her as an anti-Starfleet symbol on that basis, but didn't consider that her file might not say why, nor does he pay attention to her demeanor and therefore notice that she is not acting like someone who wants any part of Nova Fleet, resulting in her derailing his plans.
Divergent Character Evolution: He initially looked identical to Tom Paris (given that they are played by the same actor and were originally supposed to be the same person), but here he's gained a five o'clock shadow and scar while also going grey. Meanwhile, Tom is just an animated version of his appearance during Voyager. The actor even gives him a slightly deeper, more gravelly voice to help differentiate the character a little bit more.
The Dog Was the Mastermind: Locarno being the mastermind of the season was probably the last person anyone would have thought of. Indeed, when the list of four targets come up, probably the closest one would think to be the villain would be Thomas Riker, who infamously quit Starfleet to join the Maquis, briefly hijacking the Defiant.
Egopolis: Postumous example. After he's killed in the detonation of his stolen Genesis device, the planet that forms is named Locarno.
Evil Counterpart: To Tom Paris, naturally given that they are played by the same actor. Both Tom and Nick got another person killed due to their reckless behavior. But while Tom was able to take responsiblity for what he did, accept he was in the wrong and learn to be a better person, Nick let himself be corrupted by rage and bitterness, concocting a plan where he could reclaim the glory stolen from him.
Evil Is Petty: He's motivated by the belief that, by expelling him for causing the death of another student due to a reckless stunt he pulled, Starfleet personally wronged him by denying him the fame and recognition that he feels entitled to.
Evil Makes You Ugly: Locarno is at most a couple of years older than Mariner, as they were at the Academy at the same time, and yet by the time they meet again 13 years later Locarno looks visibly and significantly older and more worn down than she, implying his lifestyle away from the Federation and Starfleet has taken a toll on his looks.
Faux Affably Evil: He's friendly and charismatic to a quite convincing degree, but ultimately Locarno is only concerned with his own ego and the mask quickly drops once things start going wrong for him.
From Nobody to Nightmare: Locarno was just a reckless cadet who wound up expelled for getting a classmate killed, a man so forgettable that even the savvy lower deckers of the Cerritos had no idea who he is. Over the course of thirteen years, Locarno went from a civilian pilot to running a small fleet of stolen ships. Though short-lived, it's quite a rise for a guy who started with nothing.
Hazy-Feel Turn: Locarno was never a good guy and quite an amoral figure, but he was willing to sacrifice his own career for his teammates and was at worst guilty of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy. By the time of Lower Decks, he's a villainous megalomaniac willing to commit murder
Hoist by His Own Petard: He gets destroyed by the Genesis Device that he stole, courtesy of Mariner, who he tried to recruit into Nova Fleet.
Horrible Judge of Character:
- In a flashback, he goads Wesley into doing the starburst maneuver by telling him how proud Captain Picard will be once they pull it off. This shows a terrible assessment of Picard, who very rarely breaks rules and only when some Godzilla Threshold is crossed, and is later furious that Wesley let Locarno talk him into doing something so stupid.
- He was aware of Mariner's reputation as a Military Maverick, and figured she was just another ambitious lower decker. She's actually a Shell-Shocked Veteran who spent the last six years deliberately stalling her career because the one-two punch of Sito's death and the Dominion War left her terrified of sending people to their deaths; she saw Locarno torpedo Sito's reputation and get one of his squad killed, meaning she's especially unlikely to go along with his schemes. The result is a stolen Genesis Device and Nova Fleet ditching him when he decides to pursue her into an ion storm because she's spent half the chase warning them that he isn't trustworthy.
It's All About Me: Locarno is an egotist. It's quite telling that he wanted to go out on a bang despite Joshua's uncertainty and Wesley pointing out they need more training. He talked about how all of Nova Squadron would be remembered for the feat, but when he was talking them into doing the Kolvoord Starburst, Sito correctly suspected he was doing it so he would be remembered. He created Nova Fleet as a means to do what others are unable to do, but it's quite clear he's doing it to soothe his ego.
Just the First Citizen: Attempts to pull this off. He claims that Nova Fleet is an organization of equals and sets up a lateral structural arrangement instead of the top down command structure seen in Starfleet. He's still clearly the one in charge, but does a decent job giving orders that sound like they're in the best interest of whoever he's commanding, to the point that his minions won't listen to warnings about how bad he is. Eventually between his Sanity Slippage trying to capture the Genesis Device and the shield he erected to protect them from Starfleet collapsing, his fleet abandon him.
My Greatest Failure: The Kolvoord Starburst ruined his life and cost him everything. He clearly never forgot it, as he made the visual representation of the maneuver into the emblem of his burgeoning criminal empire.
Never My Fault: In contrast to 13 years prior, when he took full responsibility for the accident that got him expelled from Starfleet, Locarno has since fallen to the point where he now refuses to admit that it was his fault. Instead, he's doubled down on the claim that he was blameless and is instead blaming the Academy faculty for not letting Nova Squadron practice a stunt none of them should have been attempting anyway. When he tells Mariner this, she bluntly, and quite rightly, points out that it was his own ego that drove him to attempt a Kolvoord Starburst, and that it going wrong the way it did was all on him. Even when he's about to die, he curses out the Ferengi for putting a paywall on a bomb, rather than himself for getting into that situation in the first place (or at least not becoming familiar with the controls and quirks of a weapon of mass destruction he might have to disarm).
Not-So-Well-Intentioned Extremist: He positions Nova Fleet as being an improved alternative to Starfleet where the lower deckers won't have to pointlessly risk their lives. It becomes very clear that it's ultimately a vanity project for Locarno, who simply wants to feel like he's accomplished something after ruining his own career.
Old Friend: Of Beckett Mariner's, it turns out. Given that Mariner was a friend and classmate of Sito Jaxa, a member of Nova Squadron, it stands to reason that Mariner would also be acquainted with fellow Nova Squadron cadet Nick Locarno. However, the term "friend" is used very loosely here; Mariner points out that she only vaguely knew Locarno by proxy because they were both close to Sito, he's shown to have been rather dismissive of her, and she's incredibly wary of him by the time they interact in the present day because of the Kolvoord Starburst fiasco and the fact he just kidnapped her.
Pet the Dog: Mariner notes that he chose to maroon Ma'ah and the other starship crews on Sherbal V rather than murder them, and tries to convince Locarno that this proves he's not irredeemable. Locarno rejects this, and then tries to murder her.
Redemption Rejection: Mariner offers him multiple chances to back down and stop his evil plans, but Locarno rejects all of them. He even refuses to allow Mariner to save him from the Genesis Device, arrogantly believing he can disarm it on his own.
Locarno: I could've been the best pilot in Starfleet.
Mariner: Don't let that anger define your life. You stunned those crews, you didn't kill them, because deep down, you're not a murderer.
Locarno: I'm sorry, but I really am.
Self-Serving Memory: Nick's fall from grace has caused him to rewrite the events of his past to frame himself in a more favorable light. He boasts that he graduated at the top of his class when in reality he never graduated at all. He angrily claims that Starfleet denied him his honor when he got kicked out for getting another student killed by engaging in a reckless stunt for personal glory. Locarno even claims that he and Mariner were close friends when Mariner only vaguely knew him through Sito. All going to show that Nick has lost any sense of stability due to his inability to take responsibility for his actions.
Shadow Archetype: He's quickly established as one for Mariner once he appears; both hate Starfleet's red tape and prefer to just be explorers rather than warriors, and don't hesitate to call both things out. Thing is, Mariner still loves Starfleet and has respect for what it truly stands for, while Nick essentially decided to form his own fleet in response. Also, while Mariner has a lot of issues, she never got anyone killed because of her ego like Nick did in "The First Duty". In fact, the nature of Mariner's issues means she would never knowingly endanger anyone other than herself, whereas Nick went ahead with the fatal trial run knowing full well Joshua Albert didn't feel confident and later alienates his followers by trying to make them follow Mariner into an ion storm. A flashback to him convincing Nova Squadron to attempt the maneuver sounds eerily similar to all the times Mariner leads her friends into misbehaving.
Start My Own: This is what his plan ultimately amounts to. He wants his Nova Fleet to be an independent fleet and an alternative to state-run navies by gathering up the people who felt ignored and unappreciated in a traditional top-down command structure—in other words, lower deckers.
Sudden Sequel Heel Syndrome: Downplayed. He was already a selfish Jerkass in The Next Generation, but Locarno wasn't an outright villain and he willingly sacrificed his career so his friends would get a lighter sentence. Here, he's become a straightforwardly villainous figure and despite Mariner attempting to reason with him, he tries to kill her in cold blood.
Undignified Death: He dies alone on the Passaro, abandoned by Nova Fleet, grousing about the Ferengi putting a paywall on a bomb.
You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Dies while attempting to disarm a bomb constructed by Ferengi engineers. His last words are expressing sheer disbelief that Ferengi would install a paywall to disarm their own warhead.
"They put a paywall on a bomb? Stupid Feren—"
You Look Familiar: In-Universe. Both were played in live-action by Robert Duncan McNeill, and in animation they are still drawn very similarly. Rutherford points out that they look identical, but Boimler doesn't see it.
Younger Than They Look: The timeline of events suggests that he'd be somewhere in his early/mid thirties, yet he's shown to already be going grey.

Characters / Star Trek: Lower Decks - Other Characters

Edit Locked