Yes, it's a perfect solution. Boimler is dropped back to ensign, but not by choice and not because being a JG was too much for him. So, of course, he can (and probably will) obsess over trying to get promoted the way he did before. It's a way to keep Boimler at status quo ante that makes sense.
"Absolutely. Replimat's over there. Have fun." "Hmm... do you have any starship experience or flight skills? There are plenty of salvageable shuttles in the fleet yards, but we need to make sure you have a valid Master's license and an organization to ensure access to supplies and assistance so you don't get stranded in space. Shuttle flight training will take a few years, but I can enroll you in one nearby if that is your goal." "Alright, well here's the communications relay to some of the nearest freighter depots and fleet yards who might work with your organization on requistioning a decommissioned starship, but you'll need a large crew and access to supplies and training, and I don't see any of that on your record. Probably won't get a good response from the quartermaster. "As for Risa... we get that alot, but they have a strict quota for non-native residencies. I could put you on a waiting list, but it's full up this century, I'm afraid. There are several colony worlds in need of able-bodied colonists. We could definitely work something out in exchange for repurposing your apartment here on Earth. In the meantime, here's a tourist visa for Risa. I'll give you three weeks, but fair warning, people tend to get exhausted after one."
I doubt shuttle flight training takes a couple of years. That's half the time a cadet would spend at the Academy. Nog was able to conduct combat situations in a holodeck Runabout after his summer school prep for the Academy entrance exam.
Yeah, but keeping him an ensign indefinitely wouldn't make sense. We don't want a repeat of Harry Kim now, do we? Maybe we will see the whole group being promoted at the same time. Mariner could also finally start being promoted too (if she decides to do so). Yes, but Starfleet Academy would give you proper pilot license with in-depth knowledge of the field (and more). We don't know if they need this to operate ANY kind of craft though (including a shuttlecraft). Still, most technology in the 24th century can be operated by a computer... so technically speaking, no prior experience is necessary... however, I would surmise the person in question would be asked to complete some short term courses so they can survive in space in case of unexpected problems. In that sense, I can see the courses lasting 6 months to a year (they would need to bring themselves up to par on shuttle systems and how to repair them in case the self-repair systems aren't working). But also... Boris Skrbic 'requests' (or at least the way he framed them) wouldn't be as 'demanding' of a typical UFP resident at all. His 'demands' point very much so in a greedy direction... most people in UFP wouldn't behave like that... in fact, very few people would likely go through the trouble of going down the personal ship route... they would simply have no need for a personal shuttle or a ship in the first place because they can just catch a ride on a transport ship or SF ship, and going for a full fledged ship would require a relatively large crew compliment as it was mentioned... or less depending on how automated the thing is and what the purpose of the ship is. Even if people want to go out into space themselves, they wouldn't make such audacious demands... they'd probably go through proper channels and would try to meet all the requirements (which would be accessible to everyone who chooses them) in the shortest time frame as possible. But usually, if people want to go into space, safest course would be to join SF and a starship crew... I suspect going on your own (while definitely doable) is wrought with some potential issues (mainly down to the individual lack of experience and knowledge).
Reducing one of him to ensign didn't make sense. He and "William" were both the same person moments before, so both had earned their JG pip. However, remember that "Lower Decks" is a parody show. It doesn't make sense. It's not meant to make sense. And because it's all about a group of lowly ensigns on one of Starfleet's second-rate vessels, we can expect that they will probably retain that status indefinitely. But really, who knows? It's been made clear that Lower Decks sets its own rules.
The only reason Boimler was promoted was because he was getting transferred to the Titan. With Billy Boimler now staying on the Titan, that means Brad Boimler goes back to the Cerritos, which has no vacancies for a Lt. JG. But they do have a vacancy for an ensign.. There was a similar situation with Will and Tom Riker. Will Riker was promoted to Lt. Commander immediately after the mission where he and Tom split. Yet, Tom had to stay a Lieutenant afterwards, and still held that rank when he showed up on DS9 two years later, rather then becoming a Lt Commander himself.
I have to agree that reducing original Boimler's rank to Ensign and sending him back to the Cerritos didn't make sense (furthermore, Riker's clone was never demoted - he was simply sent to a different ship with his existing rank). Boimler was promoted well before this transporter cloning, so maybe Riker could have sent him back to the Cerritos as a Lt. JG or onto another ship with that rank. Unless his rank was contingent on staying on Titan itself... in which case, that seems rather nasty of Riker (aka, you only get to keep the rank if you get to full LT on my ship - or something to that effect).
Well, like I said, I've done a fair amount of parody stories, so know the genre. If you try to protest that Will Riker doesn't smuggle Romulan ale or infuse jazz into every conversation, you're right. He doesn't. But in "Lower Decks", he does. If Harry Kim DID show up in LD, he'd probably be similarly incongruous: either he'd still be an ensign because Janeway ruined his career by not promoting him, or he'd be head of Starfleet because once he got out from under Janeway's boot, his career just went meteoric. Neither of these things are what would make the most sense. But, what does (Harry gets bumped up a couple of grades and heads off to his next assignment) isn't as funny.
Either "ale" is a misnomer, or Romulan whiskey is even worse. "Ale" should not have had the effect on Kirk and crew we saw in TUC. Unless it's their equivalent of Skol Super or Special Brew or some shite. But even those offences to the name "beer" are only 9% ABV. Wine would get Kirk and Co hammered more effectively. It's portrayed more like a spirit.
Well yes. On account of them having different names. What I was saying is that "ale" doesn't really cut it for the effects it has. Their "ale" hits like our whiskey, so their "whiskey" must hit like a quantum torpedo.
I thought the same. Surely it should be Misters Boimler (the same way as one might address two brothers), or Lieutenants boimler. Boimlers is probably more humourous. dJE