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Well, Trekkies, I guess it is finally time for the Bridge Crew to get their own episode, considering there are only two episodes left of Lower Decks.
Wait, there’s a Command Crew?!
Obviously, we know there is, as they, too, have been integral to the show over the past five years. Luckily this show never focused much on an entire bridge crew so with 22 minutes its was a lot easier to follow four smaller storylines. Technically, five because the ship, once again, is under siege.
Starting off with a Morning briefing, we get set up for all the hijinks and plot devices for the episode. Interestingly, we finally get another technobabble as to why there are rocks inside the ship’s bulkheads. The same ones we have seen blown all over the ships during battle for the past 30+ years.
The Unsung Hero of The Episode
Lt Cmdr Stevens, the captain’s Yeoman (Secretary), has done his best to keep the captain on schedule for the day. It also happens to be her Anniversary. When all was said and done with the incursion by the “villain” of the week, he had already set a holodeck date for the Captain and had her husband, Admiral Freeman, brought out for them to spend time together.
From the Captian’s Chair
Again, after Brent Spiner’s amazing cameo last week, this one fell a bit flat, particularly given that we have two episodes left.
Given that the show is called Lower Decks, this episode would have been a great filler in the third or fourth season. But just on the precipice of the finale? Yea, not so much.
I’m not knocking Billings’s use of questionable engineering tactics to keep the almost decommissioned California Class ship together. Looking back at all our Chief Engineers in the franchise, I think they would have done the same. Dr. T’vana’s subplot about her lack of Pain Tolerance and projection of such onto the crew was unneeded. Perhaps a storyline about her bedside manner or a remorseful story about how she couldn’t get a flashier post because of her attitude would have been better.
Shadix, while it is great to see a Bajorian practice his religion. He could have come to terms with the fact HE DIED more than the occupation. As far as Ransom is concerned, he is the epitome of “failing upwards,” and the only way we really get to see his leadership style is IF he ever gets a command of his own.
One military-related point I’d like to make is using a Lt Cmdr as the Captain’s Yeoman. Typically, this is an enlisted position, usually a Second—or first-class Petty Officer. But we know the complicated history with enlisted personnel, right, Miles?!
Star Terk Lower Decks “Upper Decks” get a 6.5 out of 10
As I said, this episode could have been dropped in as a filler at any point during the majority of the show’s run. This whole semi-arching-season subplot about these dimensional fissures is again taking a back seat. I can only hope these last two episodes live up to the titles already released.
Make sure to come back to Nerd Initiative for all your Trek Reviews! Live Long and Prosper, Peace and Long Life 🖖!
