Spoilers Is Lower Decks just a tad too episodic?

[eschaton]

I will say that...in general...I'm very happy we're not looking at a "grand plot arc" in Lower Decks, and it's a return to form when it comes to telling episodic stories.

That said, the last episode started to make be a bit concerned regarding a Voyager-style "reset button." Consider the following:

• Mariner is bumped back down to ensign at the end of the episode, meaning her (temporary) promotion had no long-term consequences.
• Tendi kissed the "ascension guy" this episode - suggesting that the hints of romantic interest between her and Rutherford in the first and especially the second episode meant nothing.
• The grudging respect built between Ransom and Mariner in the third episode are treated here as if it never happened, with Ransom actually the one suggesting that Captain Freeman give her "shit jobs" in an effort to get her to quit.

Basically, so far we are four episodes in, and there is no character continuity implied whatsoever. Episodes 2-4 could be rearranged in any particular order, and work just as well.

IMHO this is mildly disappointing, because it makes me concerned there will be zero forward movement for the characters in the show. I was presuming after the premier, for example, we would slowly see Mariner become a bit more responsible, and Boimler become a bit more laid back, while still remaining true to their characters, getting to watch them slowly "level up" through the series. But now I'm wondering if they plan to have largely static personalities through the show...something which could get tiresome heading into the second season.

 

[Jadeb]

Yeah, this was the first time I worried that Mariner might always default to obnoxious loudmouth. I hope not. But, at the same time, I won't be surprised if we end up measuring progress by season rather than episode. They can't have the characters all grow'd up by the end of this run -- there'd be no show for season two.

I've liked it well enough that I'll continue giving it the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Lord Garth]

Lower Decks is a series that could run for 20 seasons and it wouldn't have to worry about the characters aging. Being a cartoon, it's also not under any pressure to take itself seriously. So let's say it ran 200 episodes (I'm not saying I think it will, but just as an example), they want these characters recognizable and same-ish throughout. If there is any character development, you're not going to see it just four episodes in. More like 40.

This is not my preferred way of doing things, but I can see why they'd do it here. I think Strange New Worlds will be more of the middle-ground you're looking for.

 

[BillJ]

No. I am really enjoying the adventure of the week format.

 

[Hythlodeus]

Well, that happens with a TNG fan in charge, I guess.

That said, I've no problem with it in a cartoon show, but I'm glad this approach died an awful death for live action Star Trek aeons ago.

 

[tomalak301]

I'm liking the episodic format, but the whole Tendi/Rutherford thing confused me too.

 

[fireproof78]

No. I am really enjoying the adventure of the week format.

Same here. It's just fun and I'm OK with the short format and episodic style thus far. Could change down the road, since I usually prefer character consequences, but it's been a blast thus far.

 

[Crewman6]

I think that the stories should be almost entirely episodic, but, yeah, they should do a better job in charting the character arcs and having the characters grow and change over time and not just reset.

There isn't anything so far that has been too egregious. I buy Ransom trying to help the captain get rid of Mariner because, well, it's his job as first officer to help the captain with a problem she's having.

Tendi and Rutherford may have had a bit of a connection, but they were hardly dating, it's perfectly fine to become attracted to someone else. They're obviously going to revisit that pairing in the future.

That said, I do hope they don't keep going back to the exact same well with Mariner and Boimler. They need to be more careful and actual chart whatever progress is being made between them as individuals and with their growing friendship.

 

[Noname Given]

I think that the stories should be almost entirely episodic, but, yeah, they should do a better job in charting the character arcs and having the characters grow and change over time and not just reset.

Why? I swear TNG fans complain 'nu trek it TOO SERIALIZED - we want stand alone episodes....'; and when they GET such episodes in the exact same vein as from the B&B TNG era, it's 'well, dammit, it's TOO EPISODIC...what about more serialization??"

 

[fireproof78]

Why? I swear TNG fans complain 'nu trek it TOO SERIALIZED - we want stand alone episodes....'; and when they GET such episodes in the exact same vein as from the B&B TNG era, it's 'well, dammit, it's TOO EPISODIC...what about more serialization??"

Oh, yeah. We all knew this day was coming.

 

[The Wormhole]

Hell, I can't wait until SNW airs. At the moment the peanut gallery is lapping up the stuff from Kurtzman and whoever proclaiming that series will be more episodic and less serialized than Disco and Picard as being "exactly what the franchise needs." But rest assured, once it does, those same fans will be bitching and moaning about it being "too episodic" and "it needs to be more serialized."

Then again, I'm sure the "I hate prequels but I want a Pike spin-off" crowd will then complain that SNW focuses too much on Pike, Number One and Spock and not enough on new characters.

The ever contradictory world of being a Star Trek fan.

 

[Lord Garth]

At the moment the peanut gallery is lapping up the stuff from Kurtzman and whoever proclaiming that series will be more episodic and less serialized than Disco and Picard as being "exactly what the franchise needs." But rest assured, once it does, those same fans will be bitching and moaning about it being "too episodic" and "it needs to be more serialized."

They're lying to themselves about Strange New Worlds in general. That's what they're doing. Most of the crowd you're talking about are ex-fans. So they're not going to suddenly become fans again of something they don't consider themselves fans of anymore.

 

[eschaton]

Dudes, I've rated every episode of LDS so far at least a 7 (most an 8) and I am genuinely enjoying the series more than Discovery or Picard. So please don't put words in my mouth.

It's just that with the last episode I'm starting to worry that...this is all it's going to be. I was hoping that it would deepen a tiny bit in terms of characterization, but I'm starting to get hints of Voyager and it's a bit concerning.

 

[BillJ]

It's just that with the last episode I'm starting to worry that...this is all it's going to be. I was hoping that it would deepen a tiny bit in terms of characterization, but I'm starting to get hints of Voyager and it's a bit concerning.

I’m finding the show very entertaining, and Mariner isn’t the first Starfleet officer to have their rank reduced, and I don’t see it as a reset. Same with her relationship with Captain Freeman. These things don’t often evolve in a straight line.

To (mis)quote Spock’s feelings on his relationship with Sarek, “in the end, the arguments were all we had.”

 

[fireproof78]

It's just that with the last episode I'm starting to worry that...this is all it's going to be. I was hoping that it would deepen a tiny bit in terms of characterization, but I'm starting to get hints of Voyager and it's a bit concerning.

It's already deeper than VOY in the first four episodes. If there is a VOY connection I'm not seeing it.

 

[Noname Given]

It's already deeper than VOY in the first four episodes. If there is a VOY connection I'm not seeing it.

Yeah it's already different than Voyager in that it hasn't abandoned one of its core premises within the first three episodes (I'm looking at you Starfleet Federation/Maquis crew conflict.)

 

[dupersuper]

Nah, the other two series have the serialization covered: leave us this and the short treks for our episodic fix please.

 

[Cyrus]

Being episodic but with character arcs is something Kurtzman said about SNW. Was the same thing said about LDS? Maybe it is supposed to be fully episodic.

 

[Campe]

Honestly? I'm not expecting a lot of deep character development and overarching stories to be a part of Lower Decks. It just doesn't seem like that kind of a show. If they surprise me and do some, that's awesome. However...

Spoiler: Plot Twist?

In NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour episode on LDS, they received four episodes to review for the show and the hosts indicated there was some sort of a big reveal that changes some things at the end of Episode 4. I don't really recall any world-altering event in "Moist Vessel," but if anyone can prove me wrong...

My thought is maybe they received a different episode.

 

[BillJ]

Honestly? I'm not expecting a lot of deep character development and overarching stories to be a part of Lower Decks. It just doesn't seem like that kind of a show. If they surprise me and do some, that's awesome. However...

Everyone can crucify me later, but I thought the same thing about The Orville. Then they pulled out the "Identity" two-parter. So it is something we'll have to wait and see how it develops.