Star Trek: Lower Decks review: “The Least Dangerous Game”

After jumping the gun and conducting a messy rescue plan, Ensign Mariner is running out of chances, and any more disobedience will end her service aboard the USS Cerritos. But disobedience proves a tough habit to kick, especially with Commander Ransom and his illogical decision-making. Meanwhile, Boimler’s efforts to try new things brings him close to the ecstasy of death. All this in this week’s episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks, “The Least Dangerous Game.”

Let’s begin the dissection, starting with the story. In the A plot, we have Mariner’s conflict with Ransom, who is keeping a close watch on her for any slip ups. This is put to the test when the crew is tasked with repairing an Orbital Lift. Seemingly to spite reason, Ransom sends the engineers down on the away team to meet the locals while he and Mariner busy themselves with repairs.

My main complaint with this storyline is that there isn’t much of a journey to it. Mariner is the clear protagonist; she has to overcome her rebellious streak. However, because this plot has to contain itself within this shuttle, the scenes feel stagnant. The story gets a little more exciting when Mariner finally does decide to take matters into her own hands, and there is a clever joke about her having to loop back after taking off. However, the ending was anticlimactic; the problem gets resolved with a gag, basically.

Boimler says yes to life (and death)

In the B plotline, Boimler starts to doubt himself when he learns a former fellow ensign has been promoted to captain, all by saying yes to new experiences. Eager to replicate this success, Boimler jumps head first into every invitation that comes his way.

This story is also on the boring side for me. It’s a wish-come-true type story, with the first half involving Boimler saying yes to everything and it working well, but then inevitably going too far. In The turn of luck comes when Boimler agrees to be the prey for an alien hunter with a biological imperative to stack and catch. This is the only development in the whole episode where I felt some semblance of stakes, with life on the line. However, just like with the A story, it ends anticlimactically: with a joke. The problem is resolved through no special action of the character, though admittedly an arc is still completed.

It’s just a lame development that I’ve seen hundreds of times in cartoons. Oh, the exaggeratedly threatening guy turns out to be a real softie with no lethal intent, what a twist.

That’s all I’ve got on this episode of Lower Decks. Not too rousing. Let’s get some steaks on the plate next time.

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