Written by John Edward Betancourt Tawny Newsome, Gabrielle Ruiz, and Noël Wells as Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, Lieutenant T’Lyn, and Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi in Episode 507 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘Full Dilated’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 507 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One particular belief that we all hold to in this life, is that there are individuals that are immune from the ravages of doubt and fear. Such as those who serve the public trust and those who serve in our military. Because these are the folks that make hard decisions about the future of everyday folks and stand on the front lines of danger, so it stands to reason, there will be no fear in their minds and no doubt as to who they are and what they do. For they are to represent the best of us and would never succumb to the simple stuff we deal with on a regular basis, and well… we eventually learn in this life that this belief is silly at best. Because while those folks do indeed make tough calls and face tough moments and decisions, they are still human beings. Which means, they are scared of the calls they make, and they doubt if they made the right one and hold their breath to see if it pans out, and they even… don’t think they belong there. Because imposter syndrome is a very real thing and a very shared trait amongst all of us, and perhaps the species of the galaxy as well. In fact, the universal nature of such doubts is top of mind today since it was featured in a fascinating and beautiful manner in the next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+. A feat that ‘Fully Dilated’ accomplished by way of a special away team mission. One where the Cerritos was brought to a faraway, pre-warp world because a giant Purple Enterprise-D from another universe accidentally dropped some technology off on said pre-warp world, and well, the crew knew it had to be retrieved and it was up to T’Lyn, Mariner, and Tendi to head down there and find it bring it back. But it would not be a milk run. Since it required cosmetic surgery and a race against time. Since time dilation would make seconds seem like weeks down there and at first, the mission went off without a hitch. For this trio found the technology, which turned out to be the head of an alternate universe Lieutenant Commander Data, and they raised no suspicion.  Brent Spiner and Noël Wells as Lieutenant Commander Data and Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi in Episode 507 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘Full Dilated’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)
But alas, they were supposed to receive a signal to return to a well-hidden beam out location and did not, for reasons we will get to in a moment. Which meant, they had time, lots of time, on this planet to just sit and think and well, since Tendi and T’Lyn were up for promotion to senior science officer on the bridge of the Cerritos, Tendi felt some pressure upon her. Because she was convinced that T’Lyn would win the promotion, since she was a Vulcan and scienced the hell out of this mission to make everyone rich and comfortable while they waited for that signal and that, put her into a tizzy. Where she felt she wasn’t worthy of the promotion or much of what she did.
Which showcased that even the heartiest of individuals in this kind of field, and no matter how well trained or brave… will have doubt creep in and wonder if they belong and this episode made sure to not only teach us that truth, but how we escape it. Which involves taking a moment to breathe, to look at what we have accomplished and what we do right the vast majority of the time. To find peace and understanding we are right where we need to be. Which Tendi eventually received, through the help of her friends and that Purple Data. Since she figured out how to power his matrix with pre-warp tech no less. All while other shenanigans took place. Such as Mariner’s quest to have her own ‘The Inner Light’ moment. Thankfully though, eventually the away team was brought back to the ship, since Ruthy and Boims finally cleaned up the food related mess that kept them down there for so long, and Data was sent home by way of a beautiful Wrath of Khan homage no less, and both T’Lyn and Tendi got the promotion, since Captain Freeman knew that they both would do the job right. All of which brought about, a wondrous episode. One that was in the spirit of the franchise, and it did indeed harken back to some classic episodes, and you can also never go wrong with a Brent Spiner cameo. Because the man is just a legend in this saga and well, this episode just leaves us ready for more adventures with this fine crew. As we inch toward the end of the journey and all the wonder and emotion, it will send our way. Until next time. Watch ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’
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