Just saw an interesting bit on his Bluesky, Mike McMahan's story in this issue is the idea he had for how a season 6 of Lower Decks would have kicked off.

Here's another one to ponder.

I commented on social media that even though the press reports say the question is open, his "farewell" letter in the reports read to me like someone on the way out talking to his successor. And Brian Tatosky (one of the VFX team) replied:

Yes, SFA being cancelled is part of ending his tenure of Trek once we finish the work we have.

So it sure seems like the end of the road.

Here's the first (big FWIW/grain of salt/etc) thing on the decision that's I've seen (besides the TrekMovie article note that 'it's no secret that the show didn't Nielsen chart'). From author Mike Chen on Bluesky.

From the few insiders I know, viewership was actually above expectations and this was more of a "future of the franchise" corporate decision. I'm expecting Trek to be in flux as there are SO MANY variables. Everything from tech stocks to Iran to midterms is impacting Paramount.

Leaving the link to his post here for reference but he has his posts hidden unless you're logged into Bluesky.

If so, I’m wondering if someone leaked the specific detail of the termination of Starfleet Academy with the hope of a fan campaign to save it…

Having a "goodbye letter" from Kurtzman etc released with the announcement doesn't really scream "stealth leak" to me. IMHO.

Random reactions:

• Disappointed but not surprised.
• Even though the article leaves this an open question, I will be surprised if Kurtzman returns after this.
• At least they didn't memory hole S2 as a tax write off.
• I wonder if they will attempt (and be allowed to attempt) to rework the S2 'cliffhanger-ish/lite' ending into something else, or if it's just impractical to rework a "part 1 of 2" episode into a 1 episode contained story.

Oh shit, that was fun. I hate having to wait now. Also, the end credits are sublime and must be paused and read in their entirely. This is non-negotiable.

Quieter episode but I enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting a Genesis story this season from what's been said, but I was glad to get one.

I hadn't heard that, other than they got his blessing basically (and the licensing) and he was given a copy of the script to read. Cirroc Lofton seems to be the one that was as close to hands-on involved as you can get when you're not a writer of the script.

Presumably it's a combination of "thank you for what you contributed to Star Trek" and maybe a way to acknowledge him letting them license the final scene narration off of an album he did some 20 years ago.

I'm just replaying the last 30 seconds over and over again and punching my feels into oblivion.

If you haven't been, at least try this episode (or everything up to this episode if you want to go all-in). If this episode doesn't move you in some way, then I don't know. Maybe it's not actually a show for you.

Loved the episode, no notes.