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Don’t tell Mariner! Excitement happens in “Upper Decks”; Star Trek: Lower Decks S5E8

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Don't tell Mariner! Excitement happens in "Upper Decks"; Star Trek: Lower Decks S5E8

As a seasoned gamer and Star Trek enthusiast who’s logged countless hours in the galaxy of the final frontier, I can confidently say that “Upper Decks” was a delightful addition to the already stellar Star Trek: Lower Decks series. This episode, while not packed with action-packed space battles or high-stakes diplomacy, provided a unique blend of humor, horror, and heartwarming moments that resonated deeply with me.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve got a feeling that the episode titled “Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5″ that we saw recently might have been planned as a Halloween special originally. Even though it wasn’t released on Halloween this year (it was “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel” that aired then), there’s something about its spooky vibe and holiday-appropriate themes that makes me think so. Regardless, it was still a blast watching it in early December!

Episode summary

The episode opens with our Lower Deck crew gathered, busily crafting jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins. There are a sprinkle of amusing gags here and there, such as Rutherford fashioning one to resemble V’Ger, and Mariner jokingly stating that all the commotion aboard the Cerritos occurs when she and her fellow Lower Deckers are present, finding this unusual compared to usual ship dynamics.

Following this pivotal moment, I find myself delving into a staff meeting with Captain Freeman and her bridge crew, where we strategize and discuss matters at hand. As the day unfolds, I accompany various members of the bridge team as they navigate their respective roles. Captain Freeman is immersed in attending numerous social events across the ship, while Commander Ransom grapples with coordinating officers to work harmoniously. Security Chief Shaxs embarks on a personal journey, confronting his internal struggles, and so on.

Initially appearing ordinary, it’s later discovered that the ship, the Cerritos, has been invaded by Clickets – a species of insectoids introduced in Season 1’s “Veritas”. Captain Freeman and the crew must defend against them, a task they manage to accomplish. Later on, Captain Freeman enjoys a special anniversary date with her husband, Admiral Freeman, who had secretly arranged it aboard the Cerritos.

After wrapping up their Halloween pumpkin-carving soiree, the Lower Deckers seem blissfully unaware of the thrilling events unfolding on the ship. Mariner remains skeptical about any exciting occurrences taking place, as it contradicts her perspective on life.

A few references

In typical fashion for an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks, it was filled with adorable nods to other versions of the series. Among many, here are some that particularly stood out to me:

  1. V’Ger jack-o’-lantern. Considering this episode was released shortly before the 45th anniversary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, it was fun to see that movie get some love.
  2. Rocks on the bridge! There is a common joke among Star Trek fans about the fact rocks are often seen falling from ceilings and bulkheads when ships are damaged. Well, according to Chief Engineer Billups in this episode, those are Cordry rocks, and help with the main deflector.

Thoughts on the episode

From the outset, it seems as though this particular episode was designed specifically for Halloween viewing. Certain scenes evoke a sense of grotesque body horror that’s typically not present in Lower Decks anymore. Moreover, the plot revolving around pumpkin carving adds to this suspicion. It leaves us pondering if the release schedule may have originally planned for this episode to drop in October.

Without the frightening elements, the episode shares everyday moments similar to the “Data’s Day” Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. However, a more direct comparison can be drawn with it being essentially the opposite of the episode “Lower Decks,” which spotlighted ensigns on the Enterprise-D and served as the basis for the Lower Decks series. In this sense, the episode is effectively done, and it’s an intelligent way to pay tribute to its origins.

Acknowledging this fact also lessens some of the sadness I feel about not seeing more of Mariner, Boimler, and other crew members from Lower Decks, especially since it’s their final season. In me, there’s a part that cherishes every second of each episode, as I want to savor every moment because there isn’t much left before it ends.

In summary, this particular episode is quite enjoyable and wraps up nicely, leaving viewers satisfied rather than eager for more. Although it may not be the strongest Lower Decks installment, it effectively employs its concept in a clever manner.

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2024-12-08 01:23

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