Spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks 2x10 - "First First Contact"

Captain Hotpanks Riker can take temporary command!

Well, that was more like a 100 out of 10 with the twist at the end, and just how damn awesome that whole episode was. Poor Pakled planet. They probably forgot to put the Red Alarm on.

T'Ana hugging Tendi really made my day.

Lots of great gags to help soften the drama. I loved seeing Cetacean op, and the randy whales.

 

The ship being stripped of its hull reminded me of that fog that turned the Simpsons inside-out.

 

Mike said the reason she wasn't in this season was because they just didn't write her in. Couldn't think of anything for her. Considering the Titan was only in 2 episodes, yeah.

At least in DS9, I believe the different uniforms were intended to show different assignments it seemed. For example, when Sisko first arrived at DS9, he was wearing the TNG series uniform, and when he was reassigned to Earth he switched back to that uniform.

It wasn't consistent, but most of the time the non-DS9 starfleet officers in the series (before switching to the FC uniform) wore the TNG series uniform.

 

There is an appearance of a TNG uniform late in the Dominion War. A single officer in a room full of gray shoulders. This tells us that the TNG lasted until it was replaced by the Lower Decks style.

 

that was the idea, yes. Then generations arrived and everyone started wearing the DS9 uniform.

 

I would be very disappointed if the Q+ characters were limited to cis women and background characters. On some level, the show has a feel of Gen X cynicism. For me, that goes hand-in-hand with straight male fantasy. When I was coming of age, as a late Gen X/early millennial and deeply closeted, I had to pretend to be skeeved out by male intimacy but super turned on by anything hinting at lesbian.

I really like Billups as ace.

And Tendi did kiss the evolving guy, for what that's worth.

 

I think LD has cemented itself as a worthy continuation of the Berman Trek era, while surpassing that era's storytelling sensibility. The comedic aspect is what allows it to semi-ironically "dress up" as that era of Trek, commenting on its flaws and inherent silliness (think of some episodes of all shows from that era. Some of the scripts and overall presentation/aesthetic is pretty dated and even lovably dumb!), but preserving its inherent optimism and positive spirit in a genuine way.

The Berman era eventually exhausted itself as was readily apparent during VOY, ENT, and the substandard TNG movies, but very early in his involvement with the franchise there were real high points: the arguably elite TNG seasons 3-6 and DS9's later seasons (I know Moore and Behr are responsible for those too). LD is able to recall the high points of the Trek universe from the best parts of that era. It's a really tough needle to thread but somehow they do it. The show has really surpassed my expectations.

 

But then they still could have had her sit at her station without saying anything, instead of putting that alien there.
And well, the timeline with Picard works out, she's either pregnant with Thad or has recently given birth to him.

And yeah, it's not like we got all that Much Titan, and what we got was very "blah". Not that I complain, I was glad they returned Boimler to the Cerritos as quickly as they did.

And then Voyager came and destroyed that idea.

 

even better…perfect opportunity for Captain Worf.

 

What, no Riker cameo?

I really enjoyed this one. Looks like Rutherford has a bunch of repressed Robocop-style memories.

 

I just hope they're not from a Section 31 medical procedure.

 

Romulans. Duh.

 

If it's Romulans working for Section 31 I'm boycotting the show.

 

Do it!

 

That was wonderful. Not only a great episode of Lower Decks but a great episode of Star Trek full stop. Everything that makes Trek, well Trek. Optimism, teamwork, and nobody died (they did have me worried for a minute there with Boimler, Mariner, Jennifer and Ransom)

The Cetacean officers were a hoot. Interesting to see Tendi get a promotion and as for Rutherford's repressed memory

Also given she was one of my favourite minor Next Gen characters it was fab to see Sonia Gomez make captain!

For me this is the best Trek show since DS9

 

This is so sad. Now we have to wait nearly a year for more LDs...

 

Yeah, the schedule for streaming series or even cable series was painful even before COVID hit. I'm no fan of a one-year wait between new episodes and I'd gladly sacrifice a little quality to get more episodes like we did in the 1987-2005 period, but it is what it is. We're stuck waiting and being patient.

 

I hate being patient!

 

Well, what skills can we practice while being patient?

 

If Ransom isn't acting captain, my vote for temporary captain is Harry Kim. I know that would mean having him outrank his bf Tom Paris, but he deserves it after being stuck as an ensign for 7 years and making him the temp captain would be right up LD's alley as being a reverent, yet ironic reference and in-joke.