‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘A Farewell to Farms’

11/8/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jon Curry, Sam Witwer, Tawny Newsome, and Jack Quaid as Ma’ah, Molor, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, and Lieutenant Bradward Boimler in Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘A Farewell to Farms’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we here at NTG have been admittedly wax nostalgic about the wonder of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+. For we’ve talked at length about the sheer wonder of this show and the joy it brings us, and we’ve talked a lot about how season five has done of phenomenal job of showcasing the best parts of the franchise, and its belief that we could be better. Which is likely related to the fact that we are barreling toward the show’s conclusion in a few weeks. But this week, spotlighting such wonders are worthwhile simply because the vibe calls for it, since we are all definitely struggling a bit with a vision of a better tomorrow. So, it’s wonderful to get lost in a story that gives us that.

In fact, this week’s episode took the time to remind us at length, the wonder of being there for one another, and the power of lifting one another up, and ‘A Farewell to Farms’ accomplished that in part, by taking us to Qo’noS for a bit. Wherein we were able to catch up with Ma’ah. The Klingon who was involved in a mutiny last season and here, we saw him at his lowest. For he was stripped of command and back on his family’s farm, working with his brother Malor and moving bloodwine about the planet, and he was… miserable. He wanted to pretend that he wasn’t, but he was. For he wanted to be a captain so badly, and well… Mariner and Boims gave him that opportunity once again.

Because they dropped by to check in on him and seeing him in this state, prompted them to step in and invoke an old ritual to get him his captaincy back. A move that went well since he passed all the stunning trials to make that happen, but he still struggled to return to a mental state where he could lead warriors and that was because… he would still answer to a petaQ, one that would make his life hell. So, the Lower Deckers helped him overcome that, in the most Klingon way possible and that led to a renewed sense of purpose for Ma’ah when he emerged from the fight victorious, and this made for a heartwarming story. One that really did showcase the central theme. But we will break that down a little further in a moment.

Noël Wells, Paul F. Tompkins, and Eugene Cordero as Lieutenant Tendi D’Vana, Dr. Migleemo, and Lieutenant Samanthan Rutherford in Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘A Farewell to Farms’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Because we also need to discuss what took place on the U.S.S. Cerritos. For while Mariner and Boims handled lifting someone up, and a secondary mission to scan those fissures, Tendi and Ruthy were offering up a different lesson on being there for people. Because Dr. Migleemo was about to meet two of his planet’s finest food critics, which his species was known for, and he was so excited to be near them and escort them home from a poor food journey. But… they were awful to deal with and critical of every morsel he prepared. Be it from the replicator or by hand and that brought forth shame for him and seemingly the end of his time in Starfleet. But all along, he had a hunch about their actions and used the return home to discover they had lost their palate and were blaming others for it, helping the good doctor regain his standing.

Which at first glance just seems like a series of events. But all the way, Ruthy and Tendi were there to support him as needed, which helped him find his way, because that’s what we can do sometimes to make the world a better place. Be there for others as needed, since that can help them think clearly and figure out how to fix their problem. And obviously Mariner and Boims’ mission spoke deeply to how much it means to be there for folks that really need it. Because that keeps them from giving up, from slipping into the darkness so they can find their way into the light and that really is a wonderful message to find this week. For at a time where it seems as though the world wants the opposite, this episode reminds us, we can be more like this crew and stand with folks that need support right now.

All of which made, for a lovely and timely episode. One that really did capture the true essence of Star Trek. For that is what it has always been about, being there for each other and working together to be a better species and toward a better tomorrow, and you cannot go wrong with having that reminder plop down right now. Not to mention, one cannot go wrong with the mystery brewing in the galaxy. Since now we know, those fissures aren’t some weird phenomena just happening in the stars. They’re being made by someone. Who, why, we simply don’t know. But it is safe to say that this show will reveal that truth in time before we bid goodbye to this fine crew, and this fine ship. Until next time.

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