“Mariner” reveal in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 debut; “Dos Cerritos”

As a long-time Trekkie who’s spent countless hours lost among the stars of the Starfleet universe, I must say that “Dos Cerritos” has left me utterly captivated! The intricate weaving of two parallel storylines was nothing short of masterful, and it’s a testament to the writers’ ability to maintain the perfect balance between humor and substance.

It turns out that “Mariner” is not just Beckett’s last name but rather her middle name. She has chosen to go by this name as a means of separating herself from her mother. This mystery surrounding her name has finally been resolved (for those who have been wondering for the past 4 seasons). Let’s delve into the rest of the episode now!

Episode summary

“Dos Cerritos” marks the beginning of the final season in Star Trek: Lower Decks, seamlessly weaving together two parallel narratives. One plot revolves around D’Vana Tendi completing a final mission for her pirate kin, while the other follows the USS Cerritos as they navigate their journey back home from an alternate universe.

In essence, the narrative of the Orion pirate tale primarily revolves around Tendi’s discomfort towards piracy and her preference for carrying out missions without causing injury or death to anyone. Over time, she discovers that the three women under her command share her sentiments about piracy. Together, they embark on a mission to secure an ancient Orion spacecraft (which had crashed) without inflicting harm upon their Blue Orion adversaries.

In the meantime, the starship Cerritos has found itself in an alternate reality, where it faces another Cerritos, led by Captain Becky Freeman. It turns out that this alternative universe’s version of Boimler, Beckett Mariner, rules with a firm hand. The ship, according to the crew’s accounts, is mostly cells or brigs.

A dispute arises among several members of the Prime and AU crews, and farewell proves anything but pleasant. As the Prime vessel, the Cerritos, prepares to depart, Rebecca Freeman attempts to seize Beckett Mariner and trade places with her. The switch is detected at the last possible moment, leading to Rebecca’s confinement in her ship’s jail, while Beckett returns safely to her crew on the Prime Cerritos.

At the close of the episode, the Lower Deckers (excluding Tendi) are seen laughing it up in the Cerritos lounge, while Mariner becomes increasingly certain that she can guide a team of ensigns who have been placed under her command. Meanwhile, on Orion, Tendi receives news that the Blue Orions have decided to wage war against her kin due to her actions being uncharacteristic of a pirate. This development leaves Tendi with no choice but to remain with her family to assist them in battle.

Interesting details

A significant part of the pleasure derived from watching Lower Decks lies in its subtle nods to other Star Trek series, along with intricate details that viewers are often expected to discover themselves. Some instances that particularly caught my attention include:

1. The uniforms for the AU were all slightly darker. This was a subtle, clever way to tell versions of characters apart visually—especially those who lacked other design variations.
2. The Blue Orions say “Or-ee-on,” instead of “Or-aye-on.” This is like how the word is pronounced in the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “The Pirates of Orion,” which also features Blue Orion pirates.
3. The “Lower Decks” title in the opening credits now has the blue streaking tail, as seen for the title text in Season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Seeing as this is Season 5 of Lower Decks, it seems apt.
4. The AU Boimler (who has a beard and seems more successful and at-ease than Prime Boimler) did a reverse-Riker Maneuver out of a chair.
5. AU T’Lyn raises her left eyebrow, whereas Prime T’Lyn raises her right. Both Leonard Nimoy and Ethan Peck raise their right eyebrows as Spock, but Zachary Quinto raises his left. Was this an intentional reference to an alternate universe, or just a coincidence?
6. If Becky Freeman was able to be a captain, just how long has Prime Beckett Mariner been staying a Lower Decker?

Thoughts on the episode

In summary, I personally found the Cerritos storyline to be more engaging and captivating than Tendi’s Orion adventure. Consistent with the show’s style, the humor was more adorable and amusing than roaringly funny. Additionally, the censored profanity, a common element in Lower Decks, was present throughout this episode, but it felt quite bothersome.

In summary, it was quite enjoyable observing how the characters mixed with their alternate versions. This interaction brought out the key traits of the main group, both their virtues and weaknesses. Additionally, it could spark fresh motives and ideas for several characters throughout this season.

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2024-10-25 23:23