A New Starfleet Commander Takes on Guinan in Star Trek
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5, Episode 5 – “Starbase 80?!”
Star Trek: Lower Decks has introduced a fascinating new character from Guinan’s (Whoopi Goldberg) species, who is now serving in Starfleet. Guinan, known for her role as the bartender at the USS Enterprise-D’s Ten Forward lounge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has a mysterious background that was gradually revealed throughout the series. Notably, as an El-Aurian, Guinan belongs to a race known for their exceptional listening skills and remarkably long lifespans. Her deep friendship with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) showcases her wisdom, as he often turns to her for guidance during critical moments.
In Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, episode 5, titled “Starbase 80?!,” the crew of the USS Cerritos arrives at the notorious Starbase 80 to locate a malfunctioning navigational computer. Upon their arrival, they meet Commander Kassia Nox (Nicole Byer), who is eager for the Cerritos crew’s assistance with various repairs at the station. This starbase has been somewhat isolated and neglected by Starfleet due to its remote location, leading to many outdated and malfunctioning systems. Yet, despite the dilapidated state of the base, Commander Nox’s friendly demeanor and enthusiasm shine through, and she eventually discloses her identity as an El-Aurian, similar to Guinan.
Discover the Connection: Commander Kassia Nox Is El-Aurian Like Guinan in Star Trek: Lower Decks
Meet Kassia Nox: Voiced by the Talented Actress & Comedian Nicole Byer
As Lieutenant Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and her companions assist Commander Nox with the repairs, they encounter several crew members from the Cerritos exhibiting zombie-like behavior. When Mariner questions Nox’s involvement in the strange occurrences, a brief scuffle ensues between the two women. Impressed by Nox’s impressive fighting skills, Mariner inquires about her background, leading Nox to confidently declare: “I’m El-Aurian. I think I know how to fight.”. When Mariner jokingly asks if Nox is “like, 400 years old,” Nox clarifies that she is only in her 30s, making her Star Trek’s youngest El-Aurian and the first character of her kind showcased in Starfleet.
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With her remarkable combination of competence, intelligence, and charm, Kassia Nox is a delightful new character in the Star Trek universe, brought to life by the talented comedian Nicole Byer. Byer first gained recognition during her stint on MTV and has since made her mark on numerous popular television shows, both in live-action and animated formats. She is widely recognized as the host of the Netflix hit reality baking competition series Nailed It!, which has garnered her four Emmy nominations due to its popularity. Additionally, Byer has co-hosted various other reality series, including the current version of Wipeout, alongside John Cena, and she hosts four different podcasts that explore a range of topics.
Unveiling the Mysteries: Understanding Star Trek’s El-Aurian Aliens
Commander Nox: The Fourth El-Aurian Character to Appear Onscreen
Star Trek: The Next Generation only hinted at the existence of the El-Aurians through the character Guinan before other series like Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek: Picard delved deeper into this enigmatic species. While the precise lifespan of an El-Aurian remains a mystery, they are known to live for many centuries, often appearing to age very little throughout their lives. This unique race of listeners possesses heightened perceptiveness and an acute awareness of the intricacies of time and space. Guinan’s extraordinary insight proved invaluable during her time on the USS Enterprise-D, where her wisdom assisted in averting several crises.
The term El-Aurian was officially coined in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, introduced through an El-Aurian con artist named Martus Mazur (Chris Sarandon) who made an appearance on the space station.
The El-Aurians have a rich history of interactions with the Q Continuum, with Guinan holding a particularly negative view of Q (John de Lancie). By the time of Star Trek Generations, the El-Aurian population faced devastation at the hands of the Borg, leading to the USS Enterprise-B rescuing a group of refugees trapped in the Nexus. Among these refugees was Guinan herself, alongside Dr. Tolian Soran (Malcolm McDowell), who became obsessed with finding a method to return to the Nexus realm. Very few El-Aurians have made appearances on-screen, and Star Trek: Lower Decks has now introduced the franchise’s first El-Aurian officer within Starfleet.
- Release Date
- August 6, 2020
- Seasons
- 5
- Number of Episodes
- 50
