‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘In the Cradle of Vexilon’

9/15/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Gabrielle Ruiz and Jack Quaid as Lieutenant T’Lyn and Lieutenant Bradward Boimler in Epiode 403 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘In the Cradle of Vexilon’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the Season Four Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

There are a great many reasons that fans love the Star Trek Universe. For some, it’s about seeing a future where mankind has found real harmony and moved far beyond the nonsense that we currently surround ourselves with. For others, it is simply the chance to live vicariously through the show, and traverse the stars and explore strange new worlds and meet new life and new civilizations. Because fiction or no, space travel is pretty darn awesome, and seeing alien worlds and alien species is truly exciting. As for others, they drop by for the action and adventure, since the STU does feature some pretty epic battles to say the least, and some breathtaking and powerful adventures.

But of the many reasons that fans tune in, a big one that everyone shares in… is enjoying the realism that these stories offer. Because much like our world, the characters grow and move forward in life, and learn lessons along the way, the kind that we relate to and embrace and well… that level of growth is top of mind today, because it was put on full display in the next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+. For ‘In the Cradle of Vexilon’ saw the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos drop by a ringed structure that supported a species of humanoid, to check in on their newfound computer problems. For a supercomputer known as Vexilon ran the whole ‘planet’ and was suddenly glitching and bringing forth chaos for its residents’ weather wise.

Which prompted Captain Freeman to beam down and personally handle the computer issues, while newly promoted Lieutenant Bradward Boimler… led his first away mission as a commander. Which was everything that Boims has dreamed of for years on end, but alas… he was nervous. For he really did not want to be a poor commanding officer and he spent a great deal of time pondering upon how best to communicate with his crew and inspire them, only to make a bevy of mistakes when the work got underway. For Boimler was so worried about being a bad leader and offering poor directions to his team for his first mission out… he simply took all the work upon himself. A move that perplexed the entire away team and brought forth concerns… when trouble arose during the mission.

Tawny Newsome, Noël Wells, and Eugene Cordero as Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi, and Lieutenant Samanthan Rutherford in Epiode 403 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘In the Cradle of Vexilon’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Because the re-programming that Captain Freeman was taking part in, went haywire and just like that… severe weather and geologic changes were happening to this world, which meant… Boimler couldn’t complete his new directives on his own. He had to rely on his team, a reality that Lieutenant T’Lyn pointed out to him in a very direct manner when the pressure reached its apex and thankfully, Boimler listened. And he learned to trust his crew and give them every chance to thrive and succeed. But not before an explosion killed Boimler briefly again, giving rise to his first away team death and a quick encounter with the Great Koala. But what mattered more here, was that Boimler, received a career wish and learned on the fly how to be a better leader and became more before our eyes and that was just amazing.

However, while Boims’ journey would have been enough to carry this episode and its happy ending, since the computer did get fixed, what would it be without its trademark humor? Which was handled by way of Mariner, Tendi, and Rutherford. Who were tasked with some ensign-work, some horrible ensign work in fact. The kind that made Tendi believe that they were being hazed for their new rank. Which prompted a grand counteroffensive to teach their commanding officer a lesson. One that would have trapped him in the oft maligned Wadi Chula game and made use of one annoying Betazoid gift box. But alas, some gentle and worrisome words prompted the prank to be called off out of the belief that there was no hazing. Only for us to learn… they were being hazed, and they went the extra mile for nothing. Which really was… one hilarious storyline.

In the end however, this was just… good Star Trek through and through. The kind that reminded us that life goes on in the galaxy, and these characters will face new challenges as their careers begin to grow with them, and that made for some satisfying moments for certain, and some delightfully funny ones as well. Such as the fact that Boims is now making a nasty habit out of dying. Since he briefly died beating up that holodeck God, and now this. Not to mention, it was great to see those old school shout outs via the prank and well… now that we’ve reached the end of the mission, it is onto the next one. One that will hopefully provide us with more moments of growth and more incredible jokes. Until next time.

Also… hopefully we get more Moopsy. Because… Moopsy.

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