‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Recap – ‘Second Contact’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’.
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​Over the course of its long and storied run, the Star Trek franchise as a whole has been praised for a great many storytelling accomplishments. For it has offered up powerful tales time and time again. The kind that are often relevant to some of the challenges we face in our modern world, or we’ve been treated to stories that outright task us to be better as a people. But what’s truly intriguing about this franchise, is that it tends to receive the most praise, when it is able to throw comedy into the mix and understandably so. Because often times, the challenges the various crews in this saga face, are epic and sweeping in nature, so a little lightheartedness is most certainly welcome and receives accolades because integrating that into an enlightened sci-fi series is no easy task. 

But what’s interesting about the comedy aspect of this franchise, is that it has often left us wondering as to whether or not a full-on comedy series is something that the franchise could actually pull off. Because it would be delightfully different to be able to tune into a Star Trek series and spend our time in stitches instead of pondering upon the nature of life and its greater meaning and well, after decades of pondering upon this possibility, CBS All Access has taken the time to make it a reality. For yesterday saw the premiere of Star Trek: Lower Decks. An animated series designed to offer up nothing but laughs for the audience, while still being set in the Star Trek universe and well, while all of that sounds quite delightful in principle; everyone is wondering as to whether or not this particular series is actually funny or if a grave mistake has been made on the franchise’s behalf.

Well as it turns out, this is actually quite the hilarious series and the first element that allows for the jokes to work so well, is the show’s premise. For time and time again in this franchise, we've been introduced to new races in the galaxy, in a manner that allows for the wonder and the majesty of the Federation and this new species, to be put on display during first contact. But ‘Second Contact’ allows for us to see the flip side of that by way of the voyages of the U.S.S. Cerritos, a ship that is tasked to do make second contact with a new species, in order to cement the relationship between this new world and the Federation, and that alone is a pretty hilarious concept. Because there’s something quirky and delightful about getting to see ‘the other guys’ step in and handle what comes next after guys like Picard and Kirk are off to their next mission and that setup lays the groundwork for some genuinely hilarious moments. 

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Such as the fact that first contact really doesn’t reveal everything that Starfleet needs to know about the new planet and species in question, a hard fact that is reinforced by an unfortunate surprise that comes aboard the Cerritos. For the new world in question in this tale, has mosquitos that can turn the being they suckle blood from, into a vomit spewing zombie. Which means we quickly find the ship in danger in this tale and that’s where the hilarity ensues. Since this zombie plague helps to ruin a magical first date for Ensign Rutherford, all while making Ensign Tendi’s first day aboard the ship taxing and in the end, it takes the bumbling mistakes of Ensigns Boimler and Mariner to save the day, since an awkward encounter with a spider-cow provides the ship’s doctor with the cure to this horrible plague. Which is a pretty wild way to kick off a new Star Trek series, but all of those elements work here.

But for those who might have concerns that this series abandons everything that the franchise stands for in exchange for a wider audience, have no fears. Because at its core, this is a story that is clearly going to explore the nature of Starfleet, and its importance to those who serve within it and to the galaxy as well. Something that is put on full display here by way of the characters, since we learn a lot about their views on Starfleet and what it means to them and it is quite nice to see this new series make such elements a part of its DNA, and it is likely no mistake that Ensign Mariner is something of a fallen hero in this tale and that Boimler is her heroic foil. Since that particular mix sets the stage for her redemption and ascension into something more, and it should be interesting to see how the series grows this plot thread as the season continues along. 

But all of that aside, this really was quite the delightful series premiere when all is said and done. Because it genuinely puts a smile on your face, and you definitely find yourself laughing aloud, and often. If anything, it is just wonderful to know that Star Trek has finally found the perfect balance of comedy and storytelling with this series, and that definitely leaves this reviewer quite excited for what’s to come. For Lower Decks really is quite unique in nature and the possibilities are endless in regard to what it can do storytelling wise. Since it’s clear now that it is going to feature the perfect balance of heart and comedy and truly, it is just exciting to know that once again, we are able to immerse ourselves into a brand-new tale in this storied franchise. One that offers excitement and fun and of course, plenty of laughs. Until next time.

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