Spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks 1x02 - "Envoys"

[frankieteardrop]

I really like the idea of a Federation planet with cultural districts representing different Federation races ("Little Qo’noS," etc). Unless I'm mistaken, this is the first time we've seen something like that in Trek.

IMHO, Envoys is slightly better than the first episode. This is for several reasons:

1. They slowed the show down considerably. Aside from a few scenes, the show's pacing does not feel that different from the average Trek episode.
2. There were coherent character arcs in both the A plot and the B plot this week. Not only that, but they both actually shared a common theme - the sacrifices people will make for the sake of their friends.
3. There were notably less attempts to make jokes. I only really laughed at one thing this week - the "Janeway protocol" - but it was way, way funnier than anything in the first episode. Aside from that though the episode was lighthearted but not trying to make us bust a gut. Which was fine, because it had heart in spades.

I rated it 8 out of 10 - 1 point better than last week.

This pretty much sums up how I feel about the episode, though I laughed more than once.

and Ferengi that acted like early TNG Ferengi.

I was disappointed by this at first, since DS9 did such a fantastic job fleshing out the Ferengi and this one-dimensional depiction seemed like a step back, but the reveal that came later was a nice twist that I honestly didn't see coming.

 

[Cyrus]

I was disappointed by this at first, since DS9 did such a fantastic job fleshing out the Ferengi and this one-dimensional depiction seemed like a step back, but the reveal that came later was a nice twist that I honestly didn't see coming.

But it cannot be considered a step back because of the twist. This was not a natural Ferengi , it was someone play acting for Boimler's sake.

 

[frankieteardrop]

But it cannot be considered a step back because of the twist. This was not a natural Ferengi , it was someone play acting for Boimler's sake.

Yes, I agree. That's why I wrote that it seemed like a step back, until the reveal that came later. I wound up really liking how that Ferengi encounter wrapped up.

 

[Campe]

7/10. I actually laughed out loud a few times on this one. I'm liking these characters quite a bit. They're fun and relatable.

The shapeshifter was a Vendorian, a race that previously appeared in TAS "The Survivor." Deep cut.

 

[Tosk]

I still haven't laughed*, but I enjoyed parts of ep 2. I think I liked the B-story more than the A, but that may be due to a strong dislike of Mariner. (It will be hilarious for me to look back and see how much I didn't like her if they pull an Ahsoka on us and slowly turn her into the best character on the show.)

I assume that was the Klingon with the eyepatch who gave Mariner her bat-leth.

It's nice to see them continue to mine Trek lore all over the place. I don't give them extra points for having that stuff though, it's just what should already be there by virtue of being Trek. I'm at, "I see a Ferengi." rather than, "Holy cow, a Ferengi! Woah."

*There was a tiny bit with Boimler that almost made me smirk, but I've forgotten what it was.

 

[eschaton]

My one issue with the episode: If Rutherford is this hard working and beloved within engineering, I can't see how the series isn't going to promote him to lt. junior grade.

Of course, you could still be "Lower Decks" and not be an ensign I suppose.

 

[thribs]

It was alright. I liked the command training simulation. I assume the Janeway protocol is to get lost?

Having Boimler know about Section 31 was a bit silly. I expect better from this team than to make Discovery mistakes.

 

[Romulan_spy]

Section 31 was a bit silly. I expect better from this team than to make Discovery mistakes.

I totally missed the S31 reference. The show is so quick sometimes that it is easy to miss something.

 

[eschaton]

A couple other random thoughts.

• Why did the guy in sick bay say "thank god" at the end? He was Bajoran, shouldn't he thank the Prophets? One of the few slip ups.
• I think I saw a Lurian in the bar fight!

 

[eschaton]

It was alright. I liked the command training simulation. I assume the Janeway protocol is to get lost?

I presumed the joke was the Janeway protocol is to eject all the children to save the ship. Basically they are directly referencing the meme that Janeway is a ruthless psychopath.

 

[UssGlenn]

she gets to be in the show all the sources of the problems AND the solutions.

Another Burnham? XD
She was demoted, transferred around, breaks the rules, and saves all situations...

That briefly crossed my mind during the episode, except I find Mariner way more likeable than Burnham, so I don't have a problem with it.

 

[Romulan_spy]

I presumed the joke was the Janeway protocol is to eject all the children to save the ship. Basically they are directly referencing the meme that Janeway is a ruthless psychopath.

Yeah, I think that makes sense, especially in context when they referenced all the children that died when he failed the simulation. And then the commander offered to load a new simulation with 2x more children on board.

 

[starfleettanner]

A couple other random thoughts.

• Why did the guy in sick bay say "thank god" at the end? He was Bajoran, shouldn't he thank the Prophets? One of the few slip ups.

Maybe not all Bajorans have the same religious belief? I mean like here on earth there are multiple religions, why should we believe that the Bajorans have only ONE religion?

 

[thribs]

I presumed the joke was the Janeway protocol is to eject all the children to save the ship. Basically they are directly referencing the meme that Janeway is a ruthless psychopath.

I’m not familiar with that. When did she eject kids?
Janeway protocol could also be go back in time and redo it.

 

[Markonian]

My one issue with the episode: If Rutherford is this hard working and beloved within engineering, I can't see how the series isn't going to promote him to lt. junior grade.

Of course, you could still be "Lower Decks" and not be an ensign I suppose.

I’m hoping for character development like in Grey’s Anatomy: the “junior crew” bounces back but eventually moves up in rank, while newly introduced characters can take the ensign spots.

Plus, Rutherford is in a happy place right now. I could see him experiencing character drama á la “screw the rules, got to do what’s right”, affecting his career. Could make for a bonding experience with Mariner.

 

[Markonian]

Also, what’s new on the SHIPS front?

The trailer and photos show various small craft. One looks a bit like a Nenebek/Klingon shuttle.
Anything else new?

 

[thribs]

Also, what’s new on the SHIPS front?

The trailer and photos show various small craft. One looks a bit like a Nenebek/Klingon shuttle.
Anything else new?

There is a way better looking ship coming up. You see it in the “upcoming” teaser from episode one.

 

[eschaton]

Plus, Rutherford is in a happy place right now. I could see him experiencing character drama á la “screw the rules, got to do what’s right”, affecting his career. Could make for a bonding experience with Mariner.

Even a junior grade lieutenant has to order someone around right? It might be he just is an absolute zero in terms of management skills. Certainly that's what this episode suggests.

 

[thribs]

Yeah, they seem to treat ensigns as the lowest rank. They’ve forgotten about enlisted personnel

 

[Tuskin38]

I assume that was the Klingon with the eyepatch who gave Mariner her bat-leth.

She said that Klingon was bald.