‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘A Few Badgeys More’

10/13/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Tawny Newsome, Eugene Cordero, and Jack McBrayer as Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, Lieutenant Samanthan Rutherford, and Badgey in Episode 407 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘A Few More Badgeys’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 407 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

There was a time in the world of television, where follow-up regarding guest characters and certain storylines was simply non-existent. For the creative brain trusts out there believed they had told a story and closed out that arc accordingly, so revisiting that was nothing short of silly. But that all changed about fifty years ago. Because there was curiosity as to what a story would look like if those elements were revisited… if consequences came forth because of someone’s actions and well… that gave life to a whole new era of storytelling. Where sequels, and follow ups and causality became staples of the industry and that’s allowed for rich stories and universes to come to life and it just so happens, that the Star Trek Universe now leads the way in such matters.

For its rich history is often on display in the various shows that now populate the STU, and villains and heroes from past and present find ways to come together to tell incredible stories that have positive and negative consequences and well… the wonder of follow-up and causality in storytelling is top of mind today, simply because it was put on full display in the next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+. For ‘A Few More Badgeys’ was filled to the brim with follow-up for heroes and villains alike and it brought all of that forth, courtesy of another attack from that mysterious ship that is terrifying the galaxy. For the Bynars from The Next Generation came under fire from that mystery vessel and that prompted the U.S.S. Cerritos to respond. Mainly because they were the closest to the action.

In fact, the crew was actually given quite the robust set of missions this go round, because Boims and Tendi were also tasked with heading back to Earth to handle some loose threads. Specifically, being present for Peanut Hamper’s parole hearing and Agimus claimed to have information regarding this ship that he would only share with Boimler and well… that brought about all kinds of shenanigans. Since Boims and Tendi were clueless to the fact that they were about to face villains that seemingly still had nefarious thoughts in mind. For while our heroes headed back toward Sector 001, Agimus planned to string Boimler along to conquer the galaxy and Peanut Hamper was ready to just B.S. her way into freedom as only she has in the past, and they had a master plan of course, and to double up on the follow-up… the Cerritos ran into quite the surprise when they arrived to investigate the wreckage of that doomed Bynar vessel.

Nöel Wells, Jack Quaid, and Jeffrey Combs as Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi, Lieutenant Bradward Boimler, and Agimus in Episode 407 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘A Few More Badgeys’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

In that, a Drookmani vessel was working to scavenge the remains of that ship and on board was a special captain. One that came forth courtesy of Rutherford’s original implant, and well, Captain Badgey wanted the revenge he craved and that brought forth quite the harrowing away mission for Rutherford and Mariner. For they both went aboard that ship to stop Badgey from causing harm and well… failed. Because he was drunk with power at this point and eager to infect the Federation subspace network to wreak havoc on all of the member worlds. But eventually having access to everything… changed his perspective upon his brand of evil and taught him perhaps he should search for meaning in this life, so he did, and hung out with the Great Koala and well, at the very least… some good came out of this. In the form of the offshoot of his own self, Goodsey.

Meanwhile, Tendi and Boimler arrived back on Earth, they quickly came to learn of the master plan at hand. Which was for Peanut Hamper to join Agimus in conquering the universe, after he used Boims and Tendi to escape, since she was going to be released from Daystrom for good behavior. But PH never showed up to rule the galaxy with her bestie, and that prompted Agimus to find her and learn that she had in fact, found value and reform during her time at Daystrom, and that there was life beyond villainy and that prompted Agimus to listen to his own rehab suggestions when he returned to Daystrom. So perhaps he could live a better, and simpler life akin to what Peanut Hamper was doing, and well… that brought about quite the ending to this tale.

Where villains found growth and a future forward, which speaks to how well the Federation actually works as a concept, and where… we learned more about the mystery vessel. Because Agimus did deliver there and it turns out that this vessel isn’t murdering with impunity, it’s stealing ships and crews. Leaving us to wonder if by chance… this is the return of V’Ger perhaps? Since that being loved to collect things, in a digital manner, or if this is something new. A villain that has been using V’Ger and Whale Probe technology to garner a fleet for reasons that are not clear yet. But while we wait to learn more about this surprise… we can revel in an amazing follow up tale. One that really did bring some journeys around full circle while acknowledging that this is a universe of storytelling, where the past does have weight and does return often and well, that really did make for a delightful and funny episode, one that closes out some old paths so the crew of the Cerritos can face the threat ahead with clear minds. Until next time.

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