Review: Star Trek Lower Decks “An Embarrassment of Dooplers”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

As the Cerritos escorts a guest who is both emotionally and molecularly unstable, Boimler and Mariner sneak onto a Federation ball while Tendi and Rutherford try and finish a model ship.

OUR TAKE

This was definitely a step up from last week, which was probably one of the weaker episodes of the series. In fact, I’d say this is probably the strongest episode we’ve had since the first season finale, as it actually works as sort of a check in for the main characters in terms of their emotional arcs. That can be hard to make clear on an episodic comedy show, but here, we have Boimler and Mariner still dealing with their unique friendship and the unresolved feelings regarding Boimler’s temporary reassignment to the Titan, Tendi and Rutherford still trying to adapt to Rutherford missing a year’s worth of friendship between them, and even Captain Freeman still learning how to be a good captain while still being looked down upon for not being a high class ship. To some, it may seem like we’re just pulling from the same well that we started from with these characters, but to me, it really feels like we’re showing just how far each of them come in these fifteen episodes thus far. Character development wasn’t exactly scarce on the show anyway, but I can’t help but be a sucker for moments that demonstrate where characters are in their respective journeys. Might also be a harbinger of the status quo about to be shaken up, but honestly I’d embrace that at this point.

Now, onto the references. Thankfully not a ton that were all that intrusive! Definitely still some instances of “I understood that reference” being the joke, which is never not going to be annoying to me, even if I somehow make it through all of Trek television and movies, but most incorporation of it this time felt natural to the situation. I’m watching the 1970’s animated series alongside this one, so some of the species from that show stood out here, but they felt right at home in the environment they were in. Hopefully this a sign of things improving on that front. I imagine that me bringing this up in pretty much every episode is probably annoying for the five of you who read these reviews, but it’s something that has legitimately bugged me. I’m honestly a bit iffy about how they used Kirk and Spock references here…but it’s for the character development that I liked, so I’ll allow it. We’ve still got five more episodes to go (and then a whole other animated Star Trek starts in October!) so let’s hope things stay this strong.