'Lower Decks' is the gateway drug to the 'Star Trek' universe

Live long and prosper.

Kirk. Spock. Picard. Pike the Boy Scout. Capt. Janeway's awesome hair. The mycelial network. The Terran Empire. Geordi's VISOR. Photon torpedoes. The Klingon bat'leth. Boimler screams. Saving the whales. The Prime Directive.

The Enterprise. Deep Space Nine. Voyager. Cerritos. Discovery. Starfleet. The legendary Gene Roddenberry.

If you know, you know.

And I never thought I would know or care to know, but thanks to a recent introduction to the animated series, "Star Trek: Lower Decks," I am all in on a sci-fi franchise I once snubbed.

"Star Trek" never really caught my attention when I was younger. I always knew what it was, of course, and caught clips of re-runs playing in the background but never really paid attention. I enjoyed the newer films with Chris Pine as Capt. James Tiberius Kirk, Karl Urban as Dr. Bones McCoy and Simon Pegg as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott — those three can do no wrong and elevate any project or film they appear in. 

I just never saw myself as a Trekkie. "Star Wars" was my jam for years and I felt I only had enough room for one expansive fantastical space saga in my life (except for "Space Balls," but that's a tale for another time).

I saw all of the "Star Wars" remasters in the theater with my mom when I was in middle school and was mocked for my nerdy "Star Wars" shirts. One of my favorite Weird Al songs and music videos to this day is "The Saga Begins," a clever adaptation of Don McLean's "American Pie" that brings me joy every time I hear it.

As the years went by, something I never thought possible began to take shape: "Star Wars" became mainstream. I'm just not into it anymore, especially since it's turned into a Disney cash cow.

I am now a huge supernatural and horror genre fan, but I happened to marry a sci-fi nerd. Did I ever think I would watch "Battlestar Galactica?" Um no. Then the husband gets into it, so I humor him and watch one episode. Then I was hooked. 

As is the case with my newfound galactic love affair with "Star Trek." Sure, the old '60s shows might seem a little hokey, and some of the different series can be so serious.

But "Lower Decks" is the gateway drug and now I can't get enough. 

Jack Quaid voices Ensign Brad Boimler and Tawny Newsome voices Ensign Beckett Mariner Freeman. Their chemistry, timing and delivery are impeccable and you can feel the actors' innate love of the franchise through just how amazing their performances are. And this show is not just funny, it's hilariously bonkers. I had to do some research because I couldn't believe it actually is "Star Trek" canon. It absolutely is. The show had a five-season run, but there are whisperings it could be revived. I'm all for it; as an animated show, the possibilities are endless, and in the "Star Trek" universe, those storylines could literally go anywhere.

We just finished "Discovery," which stars Sonequa Martin Green as Capt. Michael Burnham, who I loved as Sasha in "The Walking Dead," and Paul Stamets played by Anthony Rapp, who I have adored since I saw him in one of my very favorite childhood '80s films, "Adventures in Babysitting." I cried like a baby the final episode because it was so hard to say goodbye to characters I had become so attached to, especially considering how much they went through and how close they became to each other.

We're currently watching "Strange New Worlds," which has a new season coming out on Paramount+ in June. Absolutely cannot wait. It's quirky, colorful, charming and unpredictable, kind of like the handsome Capt. Christopher Pike, played by the equally handsome Anson Mount.

Never in my life did I think I would consider myself a "Star Trek" fan. I have a lot of catching up to do.

If only I had a time crystal to go back and tell my past self what I have been missing.

    This image released by Paramount+ shows Anson Mount as Pike, left, and Ethan Peck as Spock in a scene from the series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
  

    Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid participate in the "Star Trek: Lower Decks" portion of the Enter the "Star Trek" Universe panel on day three of Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego.