Star Trek Lower Decks 5.07 "Fully Dilated" REVIEW

[@stefanmisch5272]

"That seems like missed opportunity when purple is an option." might be my latest favorite Star Trek quote. 💜

[@hellabisys]

I misread that as "least favourite" and feared for your humanity for a moment lmao

[@BecauseICantEdit]

As someone with the colour purple amoung my many hyperfixation it was the perfect line

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

The Covenant from Halo FULLY understand that.

[@bazbloodwolf]

I just have two words... SCIENCE BESTIES!!

[@Dalek97]

Ok but Data and Tendi are defo a pairing I need more of. Purple!Data could have been a big help in their universe to figure out what's causing all these rifts.

[@darongw]

I wish there would have been a moment with purple Data meeting Boimler and asking him "are you from my universe?" or just a passing comment from Data "I like your hair lieutenant junior grade Boimler."

[@kingofnonation5843]

Wonder what Boimler looks like in the Purpleverse

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

@@kingofnonation5843 Probably NOT actually purple.

[@Gabriel-zb9sr]

Missed opportunity to do the whole review with the purple filter on

[@enhydralutra]

I absolutely love T'lyn. But then, I've always criticized the more widely-accepted interpretation of what a Vulcan is. They may seem emotionless and distant, but they experience the full spectrum of emotions. They have attachments, they make friends, they show creativity. They just do it all in a highly managed way. I love the writers for T'lyn (and to a similar extent T'Rina from Discovery) aren't afraid to show those underlying emotions.

[@Soguwe]

A standard year is 52 weeks, meaning Rutherford and Boims were freaking out for a solid minute And that's just great

[@Cdr2002]

Linkara has the Q snap for Christmas decorations, Jessie has the Q snap for purple

[@AdamEspersona]

Mariner's hero worship of Data. That warmed my heart. She sounded so sincere. And also, her mentioning that she could have found "a friend, a husband, a wife" and so on... a nice reminder of her queerness. Maybe she should have been playing the PAN flute, in that case lol

[@noahstackhouse9818]

Am I the only one who wanted to reach through the screen and shave Boimler every time he appeared?! Rutherford's beard on the other hand looks great!

[@victorialucas9883]

I think i enjoyed this one little more than you, though i do agree that there were some little pacing issues around Mariner's storyline. I did tear up at Tendi and T'Lyn getting to share the role 1) because as you said just a lovely very Lower Decks solution but also 2) feels like a very definite "tying things up" moment that reminds me the show is coming to a close and I'm so very sad. I will say re emotional stakes that I've seen this quite a lot and done it myself a little where i think because it's the final season we are all wanting every episode to be higher emotional stakes than normal because we only have so long left with these characters (so now they say hopefully). I have had to step back a couple of times and remind myself this is normal for a lower decks season and that as you said most of the emotional stuff is usually weighted to the last 3 episodes.

[@diakritika]

Two words: fully functionable ;)

[@GSBarlev]

Happy Thanksgiving, Jessie! In this dark time, I'm thankful for folks like you providing humor and hope. And on this particular morning, I'm thankful for your "mad scientist" aesthetic-you pull it off!

[@Kyronea]

I think they missed a perfect opportunity to have Data say something like "Geordi is my husband" since he was from an alternate universe. Would've been funny to throw that kind of bone out there, IMO.

[@GSBarlev]

On the topic of the episode-and I only say this because I identify deeply with T'Lynn's neurodivergence, especially in the workplace-I actually agree with her self-assessment that she doesn't have the communication skills for the job (yet). Taken in isolation, you can say Tendi was at fault. But T'Lynn is repeating *her exact same pattern* she had with Rutherford and the Sequoia in Ep2. The sucky thing about communication skills is that _it doesn't matter_ if the other person is being difficult to work with or shutting you out-it's still on *you* to realize that there's a problem and figure out a way to fix it, whether that's: - adapting to the other person's style - confronting them directly - bringing in a third-party mediator - admitting you and the other person _simply don't click_ and getting one or both of you into a different role This hits me really personally-I've lost out on promotions and even _jobs_ because I lack[ed?] these "soft skills," and its episodes like this that make me wish I lived in the 24th century where the solution could be something as out-of-the-box as a shared role.

[@JayTemple]

I have nothing to add regarding the episode, but your comment resonates with me. I'm too old to have had the specific word "neurodivergent" applied, but it fits. It took me a while to recognize that I do have people skills, just not the ones that we usually associate with that phrase, and it absolutely kept me from some jobs. Thankfully, I now excel at a job where my actual skills are useful!

[@dimensionalpotential]

"You really are fully functional" 🤣

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

Why is everyone missing that the "hull matching the drapes" joke also references viewers' reactions to Boimler's hair at the start of the series?

[@robert_bbiii]

One little bit I liked and wish was given more time is how Mariner is not ok with Boimler taken other Boimler's traits. I think it is more she thinks Boimler is cool as he is and doesn't need to. She is very much everyone be themselves

[@andrewstephen2359]

Makes sense. In a way boimler has mostly been a much needed constant for her. She wouldn't like the thought of him becoming someone else.

[@Cdr2002]

Mad scientist Jessie!

[@spundley]

'Fully Dilated' - ah, the weekly post-GRS maintenence that we love so much! 😂⚧x

[@philopharynx7910]

You missed the opportunity to quip, "I'm trying something different with my hair. I have some new neighbors starting out a beauty supply business. Interesting people, but a bit standoffish."

[@argenieuwenhuijzen2557]

Maybe it’s a bit too wild, but could the “beauty product that doesn’t affect a civilization” be a little nod to Douglas Adams? He ‘invented’ the Javartravids of Viltvodle VI, whose civilization started with a cosmetic product (aerosol deodorant). A little glimpse into a future Star Trek/Doctor Who crossover, maybe? 😊

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

There is both a comic crossover and a mobile/phone game crossover (the second actually involving Lower Decks, specifically). Nothing other than that, as far as I know, though.

[@BrowncoatFairy]

Thanks for doing these! It's almost like having a friend to converse with about this show we mutually love. Anyway, I agree with your observations on the writing - one line offering just a tiny detail about the anomalies would have made it felt more like a progression rather than a reminder. Just something simple like "these readings seem to match Cardassian technology" or whatever would be relevant. Also agree that the passage of time was not really conveyed with any weight. But that's hard to do in 22 minutes of screen time! The Inner Light had twice as much room to establish emotional gravity. Overall still a B+ episode! Probably my favorite of the season so far.

[@poomar]

I also really liked this one. I agree somewhat with the episode having trouble depicting the passage of time, but I really only felt like we were missing it with Mariner's story. I felt like they pulled it off with Snell always lurking and demonstrated he had been lurking the whole time, but we did lose it with the development of Mariner's prison buddies. Still, I had a blast with this one. I'm still super mad that they're ending the show, I still want 6 seasons and a movie, and I'm still hoping that this is all a big fake out and they're not canceling it and instead we're getting Star Trek Middle Decks

[@GRIMEYtheFATMAN]

Nah, not Middle Decks. We're long overdue for another starbase-set series - the next series should be Star Trek: Starbase 80...

[@williammultini3469]

I need a Purple Star Trek Next Generation episode!! 💜

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

The one thing I'm disappointed at, is that I thought will be seeing Tasha Yar.

[@jeffjones4654]

Whoever voiced Snell was doing a great Wallace Shawn impression.

[@JayTemple]

Judging by the number of names in the closing credits, he must have played every villager!

[@generalilbis]

Apparently, Snell was voiced by Eric Bauza, who also voiced Beast in the recent X-Men '97 continuation of the 90s X-Men cartoon that was on Fox.

[@mulukh7]

Loved this episode of Jessie: TMD (That Mad Scientist)

[@nickatmacomb8965]

This was my favorite episode of the season. Loved this and Starbase 80. Great review!

[@thomaskalinowski8851]

A subtle touch is that all of the aliens (and the Cerritos crew blending in) are different shades of orange. Nobody ever remarks on it, but a lot of the alien species on Star Trek are multiracial: Klingons, Bajorans, Orions, etc. OTOH, it fits in perfectly with Cardassian culture that they're all the exact same shade of gray; a hint that there was a genocidal race war in their past that wiped out everyone that didn't fit a particular ideal type.

[@Cdr2002]

This episode really made me realize I kinda miss Data. He was great I really want more legacy characters in animation specifically, they always knock it out of the park

[@TheCastellan]

I still wonder what our lovable psycho, Badgey is up to. Same for Agimus.

[@-pancakes7205]

I hate that this is the last season.

[@alfredla2009]

Glad You are a Trekkie Jessie! Always Looking Forward to a Better Future. Take Us Out Jessie!💙

[@ya-boyrookus7516]

This was such a fun episode. Great humor, felt classic asf, and pure entertaining.

[@MalzraAirwynn]

I wonder with all the parallel universe stuff going on this season if we'll get a full on classic mirror universe episode. (The one first seen in TOS then expanded upon in DS9 and Discovery.)

[@murrvvmurr]

If someone goes in that house they have everything to figure out electricity

[@BravoOneCharlie]

I found my dream universe. Can I please just open a space fissure and go to Purple Star Trek universe? Maybe I am the one behind the anomalies trying to get there?

[@ryderlynch2281]

I liked this episode, but my one issue is something you touched on in your review and has more to do with the season as a whole. In past seasons, there has been more time devoted to building up the overall season arc in each episode and this season hasn't had that. This season feels more like an episode of the week season and with this being the seventh episode already in a ten episode season I don't feel like I've received enough information for the season arc to matter to me. Besides that though the episode was entertaining with its call backs to episodes in previous Star Trek incarnations. We had Time's Arrow and Inner Light from TNG, Blink of an Eye from VOY, and even The Wraith of Khan with the launch of Purple!Data's head in the torpedo casing at the end.

[@BigWired]

I think part of the pacing with regards to the heavier emotional moments is possibly due to when the writing was done. As in, they thought they had more time and maybe were banking on the 6th season? Regardless, I love it when we get more of T'Lynn. She's easily one of my favourite new characters introduced to the series. I feel like I can relate to her because she attempts to connect to people like I do, but in different ways. I end up getting nervous and blabbing a lot while T'Lynn does so with actions. Of course, I also loved hearing Brent Spiner once more. There's just something so magical about seeing/hearing an actor take on a role they had for years and hearing the wisdom in their voice. It's like seeing someone put on their favourite comfiest clothes. Plus, Brent didn't have to go through hours of makeup, which he was not a fan of.

[@claudiadarling9441]

This is the first time I watched an episode twice in one day. I have no notes for this episode. I want to live with my girlfriends in farm house on the outskirts of town, while engaging in science for fun and profit.

[@anvalisok]

Stubbleford is really out bearding Boimler.

[@Dracattack]

Starfleet uniforms are not ideal rags it seems

[@jayphailey]

I think they did, indeed, call it the "Purple-D"

[@carlosvergara4132]

"There's something about Jessie". I'M SORRY!! 🤭

[@adrianrobertoruizmartinez9325]

I WOULD WATCH A MAD SCIENTIST JESSIE VIDEO!!!

[@KentuckyKaiju]

The one thing I'm disappointed by here is that they chose now to finally address the Tendi/T'Lyn conflict of them both basically being in training for the same role. I like everything about Tendi's insecurity and feeling of competition in this episode, but I feel like this element is something that should have been present the entire time as a character arc, and not just properly introduced now as a one episode one-off. Or at least addressed in an earlier episode, since Tendi's maladaptive and pathologically insecure behavior slots perfectly with what we've seen from her in earlier seasons.

[@CT_Phipps]

I am so disappointed this series is ending.

[@seanwolslau-holdren6731]

You and me both.

[@GSBarlev]

I'm at the point rn where I hope that the rift thing is setting up a _She Hulk_ style finale, completely shattering the fourth wall with a raised middle finger to Paramount.

[@RizzoF21344]

Was Snell played by Armin Shimmerman?

[@kumaken]

I like your hair.

[@michaelturner2806]

While I think it's probably more coincidence than reference, I remember Brent Spiner being the voice actor for The Purple Man in a couple episodes of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon. This was long before David Tennant played the character in the Jessica Jones series.

[@ImBigDave79]

I liked this episode, it was great fun. But I am a bit concerned that the season long arc of the alternate universe has been sidelined to a minor plot and they're going to rush the conclusion in the last episode

[@LRGCarter]

Having just re-watched the episode, I think the emotional heart of the Mariner plot is not that she found a prison family, but that she *wanted* to have a classic TNG Star Trek plot. We don't need to see her find a family, because we've seen her do that plot before with the rest of the crew. What we do see is part of the tail end of her arc that has been running since the first ever episode. Between the moment in the house where she realises she can have an adventure, and the bit where she's squeeing over Data, we are shown that she is no longer someone who won't even admit to enjoying the warp core. She's star fleet, and she's happy being star fleet.

[@tmmle7]

How did T’Lynn get the idea to market cosmetics. Does she have interest in cosmetology and fashion, or did she listened in on the locals asking bout fashion tips?

[@gabrielrussell5531]

Can someone do an edit of just the spill shenanigans cut together so we can actually see how long it was?

[@gabrielrussell5531]

Preferably with a timer-overaly.

[@jeffr.1681]

Mariner missed the opportunity to drop an O'Brian in Hard Time reference and hit the second Franchise quadrifecta.

[@trekie140]

I think the beauty products could’ve been a reference to Ascendence of a Bookworm, an isekai that features the protagonist making and selling shampoo in a medieval society.

[@Donnagata1409]

It's a bit...wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey episode, right??? 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@Mei-Ling-Li]

While it's nowhere near my favorite episode, I felt like this one was a higher calibre than the last two. I didn't hate the last two, but I felt they were more jokes than any of the excellent development I've come to expect of Lower Decks. Even though Tendi got the bulk of the character development, I still felt there was more character development in this episode than the last two. I was also hyped to see Data because, even though we did see him in Picard, I felt like that was a very different Data. This felt more like TNG Data. It might have been my imagination, but I felt this even sounded more like TNG Data, like Spiner was doing an impression of himself from the past. I know he's great at impressions, so this seems very possible. Also loved them mentioning Carbon Creek. That's one of my favorite Star Trek episodes of all time.

[@LowbrowDeluxe]

It's not a subtle instrument.

[@silmarian]

This season has consistently felt oddly paced to me. I think nearly every episode could have used another 5-10 minutes. It’s not like they have to fit into a broadcast slot, and while limitations can often lead to a better end product I’m not sure it has this season.

[@briham86]

Anyone else think Snell looked kinda like Shrek?

[@ThymeLost]

I'm calling it now. The Red Pad from a different reality is somehow causing the rifts.

[@lillith3159]

For a second i was really worried that purple Data was actually purple Lore

[@nebulous432]

It felt kinda rushed for the amount of time they were there. This should've been a 40 minute episode so they'd have more time to show their lives on the planet.

[@bryanabbott6169]

There's a strong difference between the way Strange New Worlds handles altering the character to fit in with alien species and the way it was handled in TOS (such as when Kirk infiltrated the Romulan ship to steal their cloaking device), TNG era, and Lower Decks. In other shows, it was more of a surface level plastic surgery. What was shown in the preview for the next Season of SNW wasn't the first time that there was 'behavioural/societal' changes due to their method of altering characters' appearances. Remember when Spock behaved in an emotional state due to the 'DNA level alterations' through gene therapy in the first episode of SNW?

[@spanimator22]

Hi Jessie! I'd love to hear you're thoughts on the Unification special if you get a chance to talk about it. Have a good rest of your day!

[@TheCastellan]

8:11 On a boring planet, I don't blame him for lurking and checkout stuff. It's like Tatooine with trees. 9:15 Wonder if Mariner got a boy friend, girl friend or both, whilst in jail. 11:25 Who CARES if it alters? IF T'lyn breaks the Prime Directive....GOOD FOR HER. Remember what both Mariner and Pike said, "SCREW THE PRIME DIRECTIVE!" One of the reasons I adore Mariner so much. 14:10 Yep, Hollywood and stupidity go hand in hand.

[@LinguaPhiliax]

This is a niche reference only certain Australians will get, but I'm not sure how I like the entire world being blandished like that in the intro.

[@Jogproof]

I know they have no choice because it's their job but god I wouldn't ever go to a time dilated place even with some perfect exit with all of the risks.

[@charleshockenbury353]

I appreciated Tendi being slightly out of character by being jealous of T’lynn. Tendi is always such a relentlessly positive and optimistic character (which I love) but it gives weight to how much she wants this job that she would behave like this. I think their explanation that “Oh, being back on Orion messed with my head,” is a bit of a cop out. Tendi’s allow to be a 3-Dimensional character with flaws and this isn’t *that* much ooc.

[@MichaelHaneline]

I liked the episode and understand Tendi's insecurity, but it did seem odd to me (and bum me out) that after having wanted to befriend T'Lynn so badly, Tendi spent a whole YEAR living in the same house as her and avoiding her as T'Lynn sought her companionship.

[@lakegroce685]

Maybe I’m biased because purple is my favorite color but I think all universes in Trek should be purple. With the Mirror one having the most evilest shade of purple.

[@meander112]

Nice for the nice god!

[@frankm.2850]

BRENT SPINER!

[@mirrormarvel5751]

Since this was my first time experiencing Star Trek series I thought data was interesting in this episode

[@moopsy2]

Snell is my new favorite derivative of an antisemitic caricature

[@gearandalthefirst7027]

I understand that he physically cannot sound exactly the same as he did like 30 years ago, but it was a bit jarring to hear Data Classic (!Purple Edition!) sound like 2024 Brent Spiner instead of TNG Brent. Tbf I also don't really care when they do cameos in the first place I guess :P Great review tho, yeah this episode was pretty good but I feel like they could've put in a little more effort for the 4th to last LD episode EVER :/

[@evelynstarshine8561]

I dont love that we're 5 season in and tendi is still driven by insecurity? I feel this episode could have been an opportunity to show how she's grown not repeating the same episode character arc she's had acouple times now. I love this episode it's just so much time was spent on her being jealous and insecure

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

Well, these things aren't really as linear as people seem to think.

[@evelynstarshine8561]

@@MatthewJamesKalasky it's three episodes from the end of the show, very likely the last episode that will ever involve character focus on her and it was treading water on her series character arc instead of being a resolution to it or a show of growth to capstone it, there isn't a linear here as 99% this is the end of the line.

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

@@evelynstarshine8561 Yeah, but they didn't really know that when they started on it. They likely expected a 6th season, which would have likely been used to SHOW OFF more growth. (Obviously the main reason why it should be saved from cancelation in some form or another)

[@Alfwin]

Imma be real, all through the episode, I just kept thinking, "nooo, why is Tendi fighting with T'lyn when they could be _kissing_ instead?" I mean, I _know_ why. It's because of Tendi's character and her being the way that she is. I still think they should kiss. I gotta agree with your criticism here - and also, I felt that the animation for Data's facial expressions was a bit... _off._ But for the most part, I liked this episode, and it was neat to have Brent Spiner as a guest star!

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

Well, Tendi and Rutherford seem to be more of a thing, right?

[@Alfwin]

@@MatthewJamesKalasky Did you not see s4e6? A major subplot of that episode was driving home that Tendi and Rutherford's relationship is in no way romantic, and they are in fact deeply uncomfortable with that idea. tbh throughout the show I've _always_ gotten the impression that while Tendi and Rutherford clearly love each other very much, there's no romantic attraction between them whatsoever. That's honestly one of the things I've liked most about their relationship - that it's representing love outside of the context of romance or family. (and even if Tendi and Rutherford _were_ a thing in that way... I still think Tendi and T'lyn should kiss. It'd be fun.)

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

@@Alfwin You mean how they awkwardly complemented/flirted with each other and the episode ended with them CLAIMING to have "no chemistry", only to do the exact polar opposite of that by sharing common interests, Rutherford carrying Tendi, and they then got into an intimate position with each other?

[@Alfwin]

@@MatthewJamesKalasky They never claimed to have no chemistry. The whole point of that episode is that they have _incredible_ chemistry, and a very deep, intimate relationship... which only works _outside_ a romantic context.

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

@@Alfwin kzbin.info9L-2YDs3iZ0

[@Marrianne415]

With all the advanced tech, they haven't figured out water proof consoles?

[@ExcretumTaurum]

TNG hadn’t even figured out fuses and surge protectors

[@gwensdad2003]

With all the double entendres...My brain made a theory that is out there but almost makes sense. So...We have the purple universe. We have the Enterprise D. The Big D. The Big Purple D. We have a plot involving an Yar clone trying to destroy the Enterprise. Which weirdly happened in a "fan production" a few years back. By fan production I mean a TNG porn. So what if...that universe was the Star Trek porn verse? But the only being interacted with is Data who is behaving because logically he in a different universe with different rules so he behaves but he really does know how to use his mouth and the "fully functional" comment? That's really pointing at something. So out there theory? yes but not 100% impossible.

[@mikkokoivunalho7952]

This was a good episode and a good story. However, the story is too long and too nuanced to tell it in such a short time. Especially Mariner's part in it. Mariner had a good time in the town jail because, let's remember, "she loves the brig". I think, maybe she put out the (holy?) altar fire on purpose, not out of stupidity (or poor script writing), because she knew that for her time passes faster in the brig.