Star Trek: Lower Decks (animated series)

Greyjoy · 24-08-2020 04:50PM

Not a great episode for me. It's essentially an entire episode based off Scotty's advice to Geordi from "Relics". The 'most important person in Starfleet' was the only bit that gave me a genuine laugh.

TheValeyard · 24-08-2020 05:01PM

Greyjoy wrote: »

Not a great episode for me. It's essentially an entire episode based off Scotty's advice to Geordi from "Relics". The 'most important person in Starfleet' was the only bit that gave me a genuine laugh.

Well, he is the original Lower Deck member!

Stark · 24-08-2020 05:04PM

I know it's a tacky idea but I would love to see Harry Kim show up in an episode with the joke of the episode being how he's still an ensign.

Rawr · 24-08-2020 09:51PM

Stark wrote: »

I know it's a tacky idea but I would love to see Harry Kim show up in an episode with the joke of the episode being how he's still an ensign.

Kim: Now remember, work your ass off for a decade and brave the deepest darkest of space and you too could be where I am today.

Crewman: A Lieutenant, Junior Grade?

Kim: Damn right! And don't you forget it. (Impulsively begins to polish his "empty" rank pip)

Inviere · 25-08-2020 07:36AM

Caught up on these yesterday. Frantic, unfunny, and lazy are the word that come to mind.

It's possible to infuse a Star Trek type universe with humour....The Orville absolutely nailed the concept...but Lower Decks misses the point. The humour works in The Orville because it juxtaposes nicely with the more caring tone of the show. In Lower Decks, it's just wall to wall "spring break" bollox.

Another Kurtzman mess to add to the sadly growing list.

JayRoc · 25-08-2020 09:14AM

I probably enjoyed the third episode the least of them all so far (final scene gave me a chuckle but that was it)

Sonics2k · 25-08-2020 06:28PM

I don't know what's going on.
I don't know if I hate this, love this, or just a great big meh.

On the one hand, it's great to see a more light hearted and silly version of Star Trek, on the other hand, it's awful to see this quirky madness in Star Trek.

CastorTroy · 25-08-2020 11:33PM

Not sure if it was a reference to Henry Cavill in Mission Impossible or not but the way Ransom pumped his arms before fighting reminded me of him.

Spear · 26-08-2020 04:57PM

Am I just being overly cynical, or is there a trend of promoting racism in this?

In episode 2, Mariner exploits, encourages and rewards Boimlers racism towards Ferengi.

In episode 3, Shax eagerly spouts anti-tree lover racist slogans to the crystal guys, despite knowing they're also courting the tree guys to join the Federation.

Maybe it really does have Rick and Morty level cynicism deep down....

Goodshape · 26-08-2020 05:54PM

Spear wrote: »

Am I just being overly cynical, or is there a trend of promoting racism in this?

In episode 2, Mariner exploits, encourages and rewards Boimlers racism towards Ferengi.

In episode 3, Shax eagerly spouts anti-tree lover racist slogans to the crystal guys, despite knowing they're also courting the tree guys to join the Federation.

Maybe it really does have Rick and Morty level cynicism deep down....

Yeah, I picked up on both of those too; particularly the Ferengi. They revealed (although I'm not sure it was ever in doubt?) that Boimler was wrong and the "typical Ferengi" thing was an act, but he and the rest of the crew didn't know that and still had a big ol' chuckle at the entire race of people. Pretty sloppy. Nobody learned anything and, worse, Mariner chose to exploit Boimler's racism rather than teach him.

Wish I was enjoying this show more. I see loads of potential but it's mostly with the background characters and side-gags. If they evened out the screentime a bit and stopped focusing so much on Mariner and Boimler I think it could be a lot better.

Evade · 26-08-2020 06:03PM

Sounds like they still warn Starfleet officers about Ferengi at Starfleet Academy.

TheValeyard · 26-08-2020 08:42PM

Evade wrote: »

Sounds like they still warn Starfleet officers about Ferengi at Starfleet Academy.

JayRoc · 26-08-2020 09:01PM

Evade wrote: »

Sounds like they still warn Starfleet officers about Ferengi at Starfleet Academy.

I know I'm probably overthinking this. But it always struck me as a fascinating thought: you SHOULD be racist when it comes to the Ferengi.

The writers created an entire people that you'd be a fool to trust, unscrupulous, duplicitous toerags to a man. I love the idea: it doesn't sit right with our modern ideology, as a liberal society, but aren't there some groups, demographics, or populations we distrust by experience?

Evade · 26-08-2020 09:16PM

It seems like there are basic cross cultural classes to prevent faux pas in Starfleet Academy. In Coming of Age one of Wesley's exams was noticing a human looking Starfleet officer actually had webbed fingers and that in his culture it is rude to apologise and the way to de escalte a confrontation was to not back down.

And it makes sense to know that if you pick a fight with a Klingon he is within his rights, as far as he is concerned, to kill you or in the Ferengi's case, before Zek's reformations that probably won't be brought up, their almost holy book of rules states that they will swindle you if they can. Rule of Acqusition 17: A contract is a contract is a contract... but only between Ferengi. Does it apply universally? No. In most cases? Yes

Justin Credible Darts · 26-08-2020 09:48PM

like it being illogical to tell a vulcan a joke ?

_Kaiser_ · 27-08-2020 09:25AM

S01E04 now out in the usual places...

Goodshape · 27-08-2020 09:29AM

Evade wrote: »

Sounds like they still warn Starfleet officers about Ferengi at Starfleet Academy.

Fair point but that was, what, 15 years ago? Attitudes seem to have regressed.

StevenToast · 27-08-2020 09:43AM

JayRoc wrote: »

I know I'm probably overthinking this. But it always struck me as a fascinating thought: you SHOULD be racist when it comes to the Ferengi.

The writers created an entire people that you'd be a fool to trust, unscrupulous, duplicitous toerags to a man. I love the idea: it doesn't sit right with our modern ideology, as a liberal society, but aren't there some groups, demographics, or populations we distrust by experience?

It has been said that the ferengi were based on the Jews...

Evade · 27-08-2020 10:14AM

Goodshape wrote: »

Fair point but that was, what, 15 years ago? Attitudes seem to have regressed.

About 9 years in universe or 25 out of it. I haven't seen the episode yet.

Evade · 27-08-2020 10:21AM

StevenToast wrote: »

It has been said that the ferengi were based on the Jews...

Citation needed. If you (rhetorical you) look at Ferengi and think"t "they're clearly Jews" I don't think it's the creators of the Ferengi that are the racists. Just like Alien, Predator, and Orcs aren't black people.

Spear · 27-08-2020 11:02AM

I thought episode 4 was decent. It had a proper science fiction concept at the core of the story, Mariner wasn't as over the top, and there was less heavy handed callbacks.

Samuel T. Cogley · 27-08-2020 02:45PM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

S01E04 now out in the usual places...

There's a lot of celebrities telling me I can be financially independent by working 5 hours a week at my computer. In fairness when I'm working from home I'm not sure I'm even doing 5!

TheValeyard · 27-08-2020 04:37PM

Evade wrote: »

Citation needed. If you (rhetorical you) look at Ferengi and think"t "they're clearly Jews" I don't think it's the creators of the Ferengi that are the racists. Just like Alien, Predator, and Orcs aren't black people.

Well Combs played the Andorians as if they were Irish and the Vulcan were English

Goodshape · 27-08-2020 04:40PM

Spear wrote: »

I thought episode 4 was decent. It had a proper science fiction concept at the core of the story, Mariner wasn't as over the top, and there was less heavy handed callbacks.

Exactly that.

Enjoyable episode! Nice bit of Star Trek sci-fi. A few light chuckles. Mariner was less annoying that usual.

FutureGuy · 27-08-2020 08:40PM

Another really great episode.

AMKC · 27-08-2020 09:17PM

That was a decent episode. I found the last bit the funniest do between Marineer and the guy she gave the chip to. What the hell was up with the other Captain do. Everything was going grand and he decides to mess it up idiot. There was a few times in this Marineer was annoying like the yawning part. I just wanted to hit her there but when her and the mother were getting along that was good.

FutureGuy · 28-08-2020 08:52AM

AMKC wrote: »

That was a decent episode. I found the last bit the funniest do between Marineer and the guy she gave the chip to. What the hell was up with the other Captain do. Everything was going grand and he decides to mess it up idiot. There was a few times in this Marineer was annoying like the yawning part. I just wanted to hit her there but when her and the mother were getting along that was good.

You can definitely see there is a Starfleet officer in Mariner when she is engaged in what she is doing.

Slydice · 29-08-2020 01:13AM

4: Enjoyed this episode. Kept wondering if Genesis wasn't mentioned cos it's still a secret.

squonk · 30-08-2020 11:02AM

I’m just up to episode three but it definitely seems to be getting better. Yes, it’s still a bit silly and very lightweight but as trek goes Episode three was probably some of the best trek I’ve seen in a long time. I feel kind of sad saying that.

It seems to be settling down into a watchable show. Episode three was very TOS, early TNG. I have tried me that that’s the kind of track I want back. There is a lot to be said for episodic TV with maybe a season wide arc.

As a 20 minute sure it’s just long enough, and yes the main character is annoying but I think she’s toning it down a bit now. After the first episode I really expected to hate the rest of the show however it’s definitely trying to improve so I will keep watching.

GSPfan · 30-08-2020 01:41PM

I don’t know if I’ll stick with this show long term if I’m honest. I don’t think it takes itself serious enough and I don’t think it’s funny for a show that tries to be. It’s got some funny moments but my primary emotion is annoyance.

I’m also not really understanding why they would call the show Lower Decks when every episode has heavy involvement with the senior officers. Surely it’d be better to base the show on the day to day mundane duties of the ensigns and sprinkle in some senior officer interaction.

Star Trek: Lower Decks (animated series)

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