Star Trek: Lower Decks offers up a wickedly funny premiere

CBS All Access’ hyper-violent, edgy Star Trek: Lower Decks kicks off with “Second Contact,” a hilarious introduction to this animated series.

Star Trek: Lower Decks isn’t anything like the other entries in the iconic science-fiction franchise, and proves early on it isn’t afraid to boldly go where no other Trek series has gone before. The CBS All Access series delivers the same hilarity that shows like Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites give, resulting in a side-splitting good time for both Trekkies and any fan of out-of-this-world animated comedies.

Lower Decks kicks things off in true Star Trek fashion with a Captain’s Log expository update about the happenings of on board the USS Cerrito, but not from someone in the Captain’s chair. Ensign Boimler (Jack Quaid) is having a closet fantasy about being in charge when he’s interrupted by Ensign Mariner (Tawny Newsome), who mocks him relentlessly while drunk off of Romulun Whisky, one of the many contraband items she obtained on shore leave. Finally, Mariner slices Boimler’s leg with a bal’Teh Klingon weapon, and they both scream. Cue title sequence.

We pick up with Ensign Tendi (Nol Wells), a rookie Federation scientist who’s excited to be a member of the Lower Deck crew. Tendi reports to Boimler and Mariner, who give her a tour of the ship. She meets their friend Ensign Rutherford (Eugene Cordero), who just recently received cybernetic upgrades he’s still getting used to. They also show her the Holodeck, where Mariner immediately engages the male Olympic training facility scenario.

“Second Contact” — Pictured (L-R) Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner and Nol Wells as Ensign Tendi of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo Cr: Best Possible Screen Grab CBS 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Commander Ransom (Jerry O’Connell) is bitten by some kind of bug on a nearby planet where the crew is attempting to make Second Contact with the Galedorians, which basically means they’re double-checking the paperwork and making the promises made on First Contact are honored. Anyway, the commander ends up turning into a rabid flesh-eating zombie. He infects the entire ship but somehow doesn’t ruin Ensign Rutherford’s date; everyone on board is pretty used to this kind of thing.

On the planet, Boimler, who’s been asked by Captain Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) to watch the trouble-making Mariner, stumbles on her giving tools to farmers the Federation is slow to help. Boimler’s arrival startles the farmer’s livestock, and he ends up getting suckled for awhile by a giant spider.

After confessing to Mariner that he’s supposed to report her every move to the Captain, the two return to the ship to find it in chaos, and it turns out the spider goo Boimler is covered with is the cure. It’s dispersed throughout the ship, saving the day, yet only the higher-ups get the credit.

Meanwhile, Tendi had a blast during the horrifying ordeal because, during the chaos, she got to hold a human heart, and get some wild experience on her first day. And despite the date going well overall for Rutherford, he won’t be seeing his date again because of her lack of interest in a security protocol error.

Boimler doesn’t rat out Mariner, and we learn that her father is an Admiral and her mother is the Captain of the USS Cerrito. Ensign Mariner is so thankful she becomes Boimler’s mentor…against his wishes.

“Second Contact” — Pictured (L-R) Jack Quaid as Ensign Brad Boimler and Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Marine of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo Cr: Best Possible Screen Grab CBS 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There are so many great things to say about this series, and I’m not even that big of a Star Trek fan. I only enjoy The Next Generation films that star Patrick Stewart, but despite my lack of Trekkie cred, the CBS ALL Access series has quickly risen in the ranks on my watch priority list, right up there with the likes of heavy-hitters like Family Guy, Solar Opposites, South Park, and Rick and Morty.

The cast is excellent, with everyone bringing their own uniquely funny personality to the table. The Boys star Jack Quaid as Ensign Boimler, Eugen Cordero’s rookie cyborg Ensign Rutherford, and Noël Wells as Ensign Tendi all had priceless moments in the premiere.

“Second Contact” — Pictured (L-R) Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford, Tawny Newsome as Ensign Beckett Mariner, Nol Wells as Ensign Tendi and Jack Quaid as Ensign Brad Boimler of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo Cr: Best Possible Screen Grab CBS 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

And then there’s Tawny Newsome (Space Force, Brockmire), who plays Ensign Mariner. Newsome absolutely kills it, making Mariner drop-dead hilarious whenever she shows up onscreen. She is without a doubt the Rick to Ensign Boimler’s Morty, instantly becoming a fan favorite right out of the gate and is definitely going to be a gut-busting force to be reckoned with as the series progresses.

Lower Decks shows that more franchises could stand not to take themselves so seriously. This is a fun, edgy, no-holds-barred version of Star Trek fans can just sit back and enjoy. Compelling, emotionally engaging content is great, but sometimes it’s just nice to laugh. If you haven’t watched the premiere, do yourself a favor and make it so!

Episode Grade: A

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