‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘Of Gods and Angles’

11/22/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Gabrielle Ruiz, Tawny Newsome and Saba Omayoon as Lieutenant T’Lyn, Lieutenant Beckett Mariner, and Ensign Olly in Episode 506 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘Of Gods and Angles’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 506 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.

For the most part, Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+, has shied away from looking at an overall, overreaching theme for a respective season. It’s opted instead of offer up encapsulated lessons within its episodes, a la the golden era of the series when TNG, and DS9, and Voyager, did something similar. And if by chance it has done something serialized, it’s made sure to pepper in just enough of that plot thread, so it never overtakes the week’s central themes and ideas. But the fifth and final season of the show is doing something quite different for certain. For it really is working toward something greater for the Lower Deckers this year.

In that, it really wants to explore what growth looks like for people. Starfleet officers to be specific here, but growth none the less, and how we do it, and how we get there, via a serialized thread, and that was put on display in a unique manner in ‘Of Gods and Angles’. For this week’s episode featured a diplomatic mission for the crew of the Cerritos, wherein they were to facilitate peace talks between two species composed of energy, that were each shaped differently. For one was cubed, one was spherical, and they of course, could not get along and consistently battled over appearance. Which, let’s not mince words, was a direct shot at our current divides in the world, and a reminder that we have more in common than we know and should stop the fighting. Because Trek never shies away from a beautiful lesson.

But in between that, were those growth themed plotlines. One of which involved Boims. Who was trying to live up to Bearded Boimler’s standing, and that prompted him to try and replicate what happened to ol’ Beardy Boims in the alternate universe during this mission. Which was, to befriend Dr. T’ana and join her book club, so he could start to rise through the ranks and become the great leader the other Boimy-boi turned out to be. Which was a disaster for the most part, since he pissed off the good doctor more often than not and faced her wrath often. But… a golden bolt in his butt, was enough to please the doctor since it meant she could write about it and find recognition, and that was enough for him to be happy with the end result, since it was his ‘in’ at last. But that… made for a sour lesson on growth, which we will break down in a moment.

Eugene Cordero, Jack Quaid and Noël Wells as Lieutenant Samanthan Rutherford, Lieutenant Bradward Boimler, and Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi in Episode 506 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ – ‘Of Gods and Angles’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Mainly because, Mariner handled the positive one. For in the midst of all this diplomatic madness, a new ensign on the ship, Olly, was causing all kinds of trouble. For she was boisterous and annoying and rarely followed protocol, and she was about to get booted off the ship and likely out of Starfleet. But Mariner thought… she could help, and she could turn this ensign’s career around. Because everyone deserved a second chance, like the one she received, and while it was tough going… because Olly was very headstrong and very closed off, Mariner eventually helped her become a hero. One that harbored some demigod powers as well, since she was a descendant of Zeus, the demigod James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 encountered, and well… her powers are how that bolt of energy made its way into Boims’ bum.

But what mattered more here, was that Mariner’s journey was a perfect examination of how we grow as individuals. Because there comes a day where we are no longer struggling and no longer fighting to get ahead because we got better, we became an expert and accomplish wonders now, and it is only right to pay it forward to those struggling. Because that’s what people who step into new chapters do, and it was wonderful to see that here, and realize now that the show is going to explore in this more detail as the season goes on. Plus it was delight to reflect on Mariner’s journey, and it wonderfully balanced out Boims’ journey. Which showcased that we have to forge our own path and cannot try to live up to the standards of others if we truly want to grow. Because then we are living in a shadow and not for ourselves.

Hopefully, he learns that soon and shaves off that hideous beard before it gets any weirder. But that aside, this was… a lovely episode. One that let us know that these Lower Deckers are indeed becoming more and are growing before our eyes and learning about life and how to make it worthwhile and that’s lovely and bittersweet. Since it also hints, at the ending that awaits, and that perhaps new chapters await young officers that are finally coming into their own. Which is hard speculation, but the clues cannot be denied and well, while we wait to see, we can just settle in and enjoy more majesty from this wondrous final season of storytelling, one that is clearly going to continue to explore, the wonder of growth. Until next time.

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