Ups & Downs From Star Trek: Lower Decks 4.8 - Caves

Delta Shift! Delta Shift! Delta Shift! It's Seán with all the Ups & Downs from this week's episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks, 'Caves'.
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#StarTrek #StarTrekLowerDecks #Vendorians

[@raphsere]

I like the idea that every time comms conveniently stop working in a cave it's actually Vendorians just messing with people.

[@Beyondthe5thPanel]

Even in Voyager Of course, it’s especially in Voyager

[@TheAtkey]

It would also explain why all the Trek caves look the same it's the Vendorian's prefered architectural style.

[@Donnagata1409]

​@@Beyondthe5thPanel Nobody remembers the cave episode in ENT? In fact, it's best forgotten... P.S. Lots of T'lyn in S5? Great news, all for it.

[@BuenoLaidley]

Rutherford having an alien baby made me remember when Trip Tucker (from Enterprise Episode 1x05) also had an alien baby. And Rutherford didn't even think to mention it before now

[@anorocamilac]

Hahahaha I was also thinking about that episode 😂😂

[@keithtate1241]

First thing I thought of 😂.

[@Brasc]

On one hand, Trip had it easier in that his baby was only growing on his upper chest and it got removed before it went full term, while poor Rutherford had to have a c-section. OTOH, Rutherford went through the full pregnancy in a cave with T'Ana as the only other crewmate who knew with doctor-patient confidentiality, while word of Trip's condition as the first recorded human male to get pregnant leaked to the rest of the crew of the NX-01, much to his chagrin.

[@RotalHenricsson]

I particularly appreciate that they kinda did the Tuvix-thing again, took the premise and did it right this time - instead of being a joke Rutherford is realistically, rightfully horrified.

[@tiffinylawrie]

​@Brasc and not just to the nx01 crew, the Klingon crew too 😂

[@DaellusKnights]

My favorite exchange of the whole episode: Rutherford - "There's a lot going on right now that I'm not comfortable with." T'ana - "HA! You're going to be saying that a lot more in just a moment." 😂😭🤣

[@rmdodsonbills]

A couple of things that I liked that weren't mentioned. When Mariner started aging, she got grey hair in the same pattern as her mom. That was a nice Easter Egg. This episode is a clip show. But it's not, because the "clips" are things we've never seen before. But it is, because we get a framing story that allows the group to reminisce about things that happened before. It worked.

[@Sully365]

i saw that resemblance and was like...Yep, mom. I'm now at the age where my friends are looking like their parents. it's interesting

[@christopheralthouse6378]

I consider this episode to be more of an “anthology” episode, in the fact that each little vignette plays out as its own mini-episode within the larger framing episode…and I feel this is a good thing, as it shows how the old “clip show” format could be effectively used within the context of modern television which, being primarily of the on-demand format inherent to streaming, has caused the traditional “clip show” to lose its relevance. Lower Decks, in its own unique way, has managed to not only poke a bit of fun with both the “cave episode” and “clip show” formats but also shown a way forward for the overall structure of a “clip show” style narrative in the form of the heretofore mentioned “anthology episode”, which can allow for scripts that may not have enough material to carry a full episode on their own to be presented in a vignette format within the space of a framing narrative and thus increase the number of unique stories presented in a given season through these vignettes, which can now tell their story with no need for padding as, again, each one need only take up the runtime of a small number of scenes, five minutes tops… If you ask me, it’s quite a fair bit of genius and I hope later Star Trek series will borrow this idea from Lower Decks in the future…👍🏻❤️

[@iowaclassic]

Thank you. It felt like a clip show to me too.

[@rmdodsonbills]

@@Sully365 It's weird to me to see my dad in the mirror from time to time. :)

[@bradheld7927]

Wait, you missed the mineral they needed in the cave was Pergeum? That’s the mineral that the miners were looking for in TOS ‘The Devil in the Dark’ and that the Horta’s eggs were made out of.

[@kchishol1970]

Actually, the eggs are largely pure silicon with a few trace elements.

[@bradheld7927]

@@kchishol1970 Yeah you are right about the eggs.

[@InappropriateFab]

Thank you.

[@9-5-VictorVictor-2]

I forget that one.

[@WilliamHerrold]

Fun story for Wolf 359 being an inside job. I wore my "I survived the battle of Wolf 359" shirt to Halloween Horror Nights last week. Three people complimented the shirt. The last of those said "Wolf 359 was an inside job." I haven't had such a big smile on my face in years as I did at that moment.

[@theblackwidower]

Imagine that happening in real life though. Imagine Levy and Shaw crossing paths, and Levy spouting his BS. Pretty sure that wouldn't end well for Levy.

[@Shanghaimartin]

Rutherford liking caves due to their flat floors and natural stair rock formations made me chuckle.

[@grandpaladin1701]

The Mariner "caaaaves" starting on the Cerritos and ends on the planet after the transporter finishes is (to me) a clear callback to Star Trek IV - then Gillian gets transported up outside the HMS Bounty,, yells and then finishes the yell on the transporter pad.

[@keiyakins]

I think the reason T'ana works is that even when she's cracking wise, she's portrayed as very good at her job. Sure, her bedside manner is more tough love than most, but she gets shit done. So, when time comes to put more spotlight on her, you just play that side up a little more. (It also helps she's had several seeds planted over the series hinting at depths we don't see, like most of the senior staff. It's very believable she's there for a reason.)

[@Brasswatchman]

Absolutely. She's very much like Dr. Cox from Scrubs -- very cranky and prickly, but when push comes to shove, she's a great doctor.

[@Silverhawk100]

She's McCoy. It's the same kind of archetype. And since Dr. Pulaski was brought in to recreate the Spock-McCoy dynamic with Data, one can safely assume there's a whole wing of Starfleet Medical where they teach you how to be gruff with heart.

[@Brasswatchman]

@@Silverhawk100 Yeah, it's called an emergency room. 😁

[@Moxypony]

I loved the way Boimler described Levy as "just wanting everything to be special." That's such a perfect encapsulation of the conspiracy theorist mindset.

[@catherineelmore2004]

I do kinda love Boimler like actively working to, essentially, deescalate Levy from his conspiracy theorizing. Help him to get back to being the officer he has the potential to be. Boimler's doing well on command track!

[@jasonwalker9471]

It's actually a well documented psychological phenomenon. Conspiracy theorists are born from 1. having a detailed oriented mind (intelligence level doesn't influence this), and 2. thinking that all connections, real or imagined, are notable. In practice people who are prone to such "magical thinking" try to make the world a more special, less random place than it really is by failing to prune easily disprovable intercorrections between unconnected ideas from their internal mental picture of the world. It's extremely disconcerting to some people that no one is in charge of the world, that things just happen. Randomness is far more terrifying than believing in dark conspiracies. It's more comforting to believe that dark forces with unknowable objectives are controlling the world than to understand that the world is just a bunch randomness. A bunch of dominos knocking each other over, with humans setting up massive, complex systems and not understanding that a neighbouring system of seemingly unconnected dominos is knocking down some in our area of expertise too. The world is complex and scary, and no one is in charge. This also bleeds through into the outward personality of conspiracy theorists, causing them to feel more and more special the more they feel like they have "hidden knowledge" that others lack. This creates a sense of community for them that might be lacking in the rest of their lives. You'll also often note that the more conspiracy theories a person believes, the less developed their sense of internal logic is. Circular thinking, Post Hoc fallicies, and other non sequiturs are found throughout their thought processes in most cases. (You will occasionally find a conspiracy theory that is limited enough to be logically self consistent as long as you accept its easily disproven central False Premise, but these are rare.) Anyway, this lieutenant is a textbook case, like many people.

[@TheKrstff]

It was kinda gross that the episode decided to have the QAnnon guy right about stuff before trying to make him likeable. What does it say about Boimler that he likes spending time with someone like that?

[@metacob]

It really explains why conspiracy theorists completely lose interest in proven conspiracies, even if these conspiracies continue as if nothing ever happened. Example: I remember a time when "the NSA has secret server rooms at major internet exchanges" was treated like it was as likely as bigfoot or chemtrails. Then Snowden happened, and now nobody cares anymore, least of all conspiracy theorists. They only care about things that make them feel like they are smarter than everybody and part of an exclusive little club. That thing being true is actually bad for them since it can be proven and thus made irrelevant. So the more outrageous a claim, the safer it is.

[@Moxypony]

@@TheKrstff To pretend there are no real conspiracies is as foolish as to pretend all conspiracy theories are true. Fact is, most conspiracy theorists aren't bad people. They're just ill-informed. But hey, the best way to deprogram someone who has been badly misled is to just encourage them to continue exclusively associating with people who believe the same crazy shit as them, right? That's a terrible mindset which is in part responsible for the rash of nonsensical conspiracy theories which have been allowed to fester in our society. You don't fix a problem by ignoring it.

[@bigboy4006]

I found this episode an especially heartwarming one. All four characters bonding by telling each other stories from their pasts worked well.

[@TheKrstff]

I found this one to be infuriating because it was just a bait and switch. The episode promised to be about the main four before turning into more boring isolated shorts like every other episode this season.

[@benjaminolson7206]

Rutherford not even mentioning his alien baby to his friends seems like a reference to all the times people have gone through giant, should-be-life-changing events in Star Trek (including several alien babies) and then it is never mentioned after that episode.

[@marhawkman303]

It happened to Deanna Troi!

[@danshive4017]

Thank you for confirming season 5 T’Lyn. T’Lyn’s future on the show was the one thing I was worried about with the next couple episodes.

[@Nergalsama01]

Especially considering she's been absent for three episodes in a row. >_>

[@AddMoreQuarters]

Too bad it made it this far. Hopefully it never sees a 6th season.

[@danshive4017]

@@AddMoreQuarters Why even open this video and look at the comments if you dislike it so much? It’s fine if you do, but there are so many better ways to spend your time than on something you dislike.

[@DeamonChocobo]

I would have given an up to the fact all 4 of the Caves we see in the episode look like they were recolord and slightly redressed versions of the same cave, they all have the same layout including the stair-like path to a second level.

[@Silverhawk100]

And the layout is relatively similar to the two-level cave set seen so often in DS9 and Voyager.

[@cherrybeoc3683]

Let us not overlook that the planets that each of the 4 caves are on are also recolored the same fashion.

[@DeamonChocobo]

@@cherrybeoc3683 can't believe I forgot that part.

[@cherrybeoc3683]

We've been conditioned to overlook it.@@DeamonChocobo

[@MrMac1138]

100%. This was such a fun episode. Playful while focusing on the importance of friendship at the end. Gentle Star Trek ribbing, which Lower Decks is so good at. We got to get the Core Four and even had a sweet turbolift story that took us back to the beginning of the show and the formation of friendship. I agree with Seán that there just isn't anything to really be a negative here unless you get really picky. Not Lower Decks best episode, but a fun one

[@SouthernSouthAsian]

The simple human stories tend to be some of my favorites, ex "The Inner Light", so I really loved this episode.

[@Choalith_Ikanthe]

Especially ones with earnest character exploration. Most people would call "Best of Both Worlds" the pinnacle of TNG, but for me, it was when "Family" stopped and actually looked at the emotional consequences that followed. Picard and Robert always gets me to tear up.

[@sanguine_miniaturist]

Loved the background detail that the general structure of the caves they get stuck in are the same (curved sloped ramp at the back)

[@axel132]

The old repeated set from the tng era

[@Scuzzlebutt142]

Yes, that was great. It was as if it was the set from TNG/TOS, slightly recolored/re-lit, and whatever feature this episode needed in the middle. Maybe it was a Vendronian Holodeck? :)

[@mybrainisshortcake]

​@@axel132my favorite use of it was in Captain's Holiday on Risa

[@markzutkoff1800]

I almost wish they'd named this episode "Shades of Caves". It was like a clip show without being a clip show (except, perhaps, for those second season bits you mentioned). I'm not the biggest Lower Decks fan, and frequently I like (and laugh at) the Ups & Downs more than the actual episode. But this one was heartwarming and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two points about the Ups & Downs themselves this week: (1) I ADORED the bit where Sean awarded HIMSELF an Up, and as he continued talking, the counter gradually went below screen and came back with that Up subtracted - BRAVO! (Don't tell Sean.) (2) Did something odd happen to the the last bar of opening music for the Cetacean Observations, where it went down a whole step? It was fine in the closing music.

[@Seal0626]

Ohhhh that would have been SUCH a good title!

[@markabele8794]

I thought that was a glitch, but it's also funny now that I realize the connection.

[@micahnewby7964]

Thank you. I know as a phrase it's almost become a trope, but scrolling this comment section I was really starting to think I was the only one that noticed the change in the Cetecean Observations music, like something happened to the player to interrupt them like they got clapped on the back mid-note or something

[@ryersonfitzpatrick7955]

Caves of Grey?

[@shattered_helix]

@@micahnewby7964 I too noticed it and was shocked at how few people commented on it.

[@ericcrichardson]

Lower Decks this season -- just fantastic

[@Riceball01]

What the Delta shifters said about being seen and recognized is true to the real military. I've heard from people serving in the Navy, particularly as junior officers, that the best ships to serve on are the smaller ones because with fewer crew, it's easier to stand out. But if you're on a massive ship like a carrier it's much hard to stand out because there's so many people aboard and likely also because you're responsible for a lot less too. You look much better if you're doing a good job handling your primary responsibilities and t3 others as opposed to just one set of duties. On a different note, Sean missed in cetacean observations is the sound that Rutherford's light make when he turns it on and off. I don't remember where it's from exactly, but it's definitely a classic Trek sound effect that's been used before.

[@willadeefriesland5107]

One of my favorite cave stories in classic Trek was McCoy, Spock, and Zarabeth in Sarpeidon's ice age past. It was so good they even allowed a Star Trek novel sequel... Yesterday's Son.

[@jpwphoenix1701]

I know other comments noted the whole Trip Tucker pregnancy homage, but I’m also like to add the double Easter-egg of the cave that either rapidly ages you or rapidly de-ages you. No doubt references to episodes like “Rascals”, “Unnatural Selection”, “The Deadly Years” and many more.

[@raulp8191]

I cannot believe you didn’t give an up to the leg falling off. I laughed for like 20 seconds straight

[@thematris24]

😂😂😂😂 thats thruth

[@theapostatejack8648]

I loved this episode, it may not be as wild as other Lower Decks offerings but it is pure Trek.

[@EddieCochrane]

One of the things I love about this episode is that in one of the live action shows, this is the point in the season we'd be getting a bottle episode, and this is in a way what this was, a bottle episode.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

This was a great episode. It was like 4-5 short treks rolled into one & it was just delightful.

[@Seal0626]

This is a calm, enjoyable episode. Like the calm before the storm.

[@hammerman199374]

The "hundreds of years of technological advancement is stopped by a few rocks" reminded me of the running gag in Doctor Who with the Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver. As Donna Noble so eloquently stated: "Wha? It doesn't do wood?!?"

[@tiacho2893]

The Delta Shift is to The Beta Shift as the California class is to the Galaxy or Constitution class. My mind is blown.

[@magor137]

Wait. Is there an Alpha Shift?

[@tiacho2893]

@@magor137 We ignore those dumb suck ups as if they didn't exist.

[@terryt.1643]

I really love UPS & Downs. It adds so much to the programs, looking back at each video. Then I go back and rewatch and it’s so much more fun. 🥰💕❤️👍👍

[@rojoeditor]

Yes, I prefer it to FedEx and Downs.

[@jmg5878]

I thought it was great. Fun uplifting and when they were in the cave with coms going out and the entrance collapsing and the unsurprised yet annoyed look on Mariner’s face…priceless. The animation team doesn’t get enough credit. That look set the tone lol

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Anthology episodes are an interesting way to help develop characters when you feel that they have so much mystery to them. But before the finale of season 4? I find the placement of this episode a bit suspect. But, can we all agree that this has been the season of Tendy? We have learned so much of her character from these past several episodes.

[@MrJamiesilaban]

It's a satire to star trek tng clip shows.

[@muche6321]

Episode 8 of most previous seasons has been an anthology - S1 Veritas (alien trial), S2 I Excretus (holodeck drills), S4 Caves.

[@TheKrstff]

@@muche6321But those seasons weren't just isolated shorts already. Caves is just more of what made season four suck.

[@admcleo]

I actually quite liked T'ana in this episode. She still felt like herself but in a much more professional environment. Like we finally get to see Dr. T'ana when she isn't wired on 5 cups of coffee early into her third shift of triage where she has dropped all pretense.

[@greatpix]

Agree 100% with all your ''Ups'. Not the best episode of the series but very well crafted and enjoyable. I just wish the seasons were normal 22-24 episodes.

[@amehak1922]

Loved the episode, cuteness overload squared and cubed concentrated. Elderly Beckett is so cute 🥰

[@WiredKnight-fq3xp]

His reactions to so many things and then a straight face look in the camera, pause, and "up" gets me every time I watch these ups and downs lmao!

[@steve_dinn]

You missed my favourite line from the episode: when they just start drinking before they get stuck in the turbo lift, Mariner drunkenly says, "You're gonna be my cha'DIch from now on, baybeee!"

[@brianchristyb]

I like the subtle detail that Mariner's hair start to grey in a stripe like her mom.

[@TrevorJNagy]

I found this episode to be really sweet and nice to see them outside of the core group.

[@fwl3504]

Mariner in S1E1 Second Contact: "I have served on five ships, man. I have seen stuff. One time, I got trapped in a sentient cave for weeks. You ever been trapped in a sentient cave? That's a dark place that knows things." 🤣🤣🤣

[@Calvin.of.Martin.Street]

Rutherford mentioning he loves "the flat floors" when they first beam in cracked me up, because ain't nothin' flat in a cave!

[@bradg2735]

I liked the line about maybe there should be a shift in between ours…. (Gamma shift, anyone?) Reminds me of the 3 shift/4 shift disagreement between Riker and Jellico. Also, I liked how this had the feel of a clip episode (Shades of Grey-style) but the twist being all the flashbacks were new animation.

[@ubiratamuniz]

Is it just me or are T´Ana facial expressions inspired by the (late) Grumpy Cat (meme) ? BTW , cave creature protecting its offspring because they were being collected as "harvestable material" gave me Horta (Devil in the Dark) feelings.

[@JeanLucPicard85]

One of my favorite eps tbh. Great way to bring everyone together and flesh out various characters.

[@TheKrstff]

But they weren't together. The vast majority of the screen time was taken up by filler stories staring only one of the main characters. We're just told they are together, but we only get a couple minutes of the four of them. It felt like a bait and switch.

[@AsahelFrost]

Strong Sinclair C5 vibes from that buggy!

[@OwentheKingofDudes]

This episode, especially Rutherford's & Mariner's segments, really felt like they could have been in other Star Trek series. I liked it.

[@wearwolf2500]

I really liked that all the caves had the same shape.

[@CutieHoney]

I loved right at the beginning Mariner mentions that she and Boimler haven't been paired up this season.

[@8xpdhpckkg]

I didn't mind that it was a rather simple episode because it was just so wholesome.

[@jallennial]

Rutherford and T'Ana having a baby in a cave has to be a reference to the Voyager episode "Parturition". The episode where Tom and Neelix, after having an argument related to Kes, (of course) have to go on an away mission together. They get stuck on a poisonous planet, and seek shelter in a cave. Inside the cave, they come across some eggs, one has hatched, and they decide to look after the baby alien together. The two of them looking after the baby together causes them to form a bond, and when they get back to the ship, they've begun to build a friendship. Like how Rutherford and T'Ana got closer after caring for a baby

[@Mad-Bassist]

Great review! As a graveyard shift worker, I can relate. My predecessor said I would be like a mysterious shoemaker: "No one quite knows what you do... until you forget to do something."

[@zqxzqxzqx1]

I didn't see the Vendorians coming back at the very end. A surprise twist for me. Loved it.

[@JoeSiegler]

At 16:39 of the episode, there's an Ultimate Computer reference you missed. "Shuttle's salvageable, but power's dunsel unless we can scrounge up some pergium." referencing when they called Kirk Capt. Dunsel in that episode.

[@kelvington4182]

The UP that was denied cracked me up!

[@danieljfrancis]

PLEASE make the podcast a video. I can't just listen that easily to podcasts but would gladly watch every week.

[@MalachiBurke]

Rutherford casually noticing this cave has totally walkable flat floors was pretty funny. Also Leevee (sp?) chowing down on that huge bug was nasty.... and funny

[@Plueschfuchs]

I really loved the low budget vibe of the episode. You always have that one episode, where the crew "remembers" stuff that happens before and you see a ton of clips from previous episodes and you know that this was a very cheap episode to produce. That's kind of the whole vibe. But instead of using footage of previous episodes, they really did completely new callbacks. That's really cool :3

[@princephrog]

Tendi's look though when Rutherford said he had a baby with Ta'ana. Mariner and Boimler looked shocked but Tendi looked sad.

[@markgeiger8739]

Great Episode. Simple Episodes are often the BEST Episodes.

[@simmyjester]

2:40 Hard agree. The genre-savviness of Lower Decks is a big part of what makes it so delightfully nerdy and *Trek*.

[@patrickhaley1312]

definitely my favorite episode so far this season

[@countluke2334]

I love how the automated subtitles go "boogie" when Sean says "buggy". Go Ireland. 🤣

[@MultiMackD]

When I first heard Rutherford say he had a baby with T'Ana, I legit thought "Baby Bear betrayed papa bear" and "How did Shaxs let him live?" Lol. Because my mind immediately thought somehow Rutherford knocked up T'Ana lol Also, can we just acknowledge how hilarious Shaxs is when he's so aggressively caring lol

[@DoctorSquirtle]

Well, we've seen how he's managed Security such that it is not just about tactical and combat proficiency, but also maintaining the necessary mental health balance to maintain focus in a crisis. He's a great character.

[@Brasswatchman]

@@DoctorSquirtle I feel like Shaxs mellowed out a lot when he came back from the dead. Which makes sense. Guess the Black Mountain changes a man.

[@christopheralthouse6378]

@@BrasswatchmanMust perhaps explain why Boimler seems to have truly come into his own as a Command Officer… Remember that he has also now seen…the Black Mountain…😳😵‍💫😅

[@Brasswatchman]

@@christopheralthouse6378 Eh, but he hasn't fought the three faceless apparitions of his father yet. He hasn't really had the Black Mountain *experience* yet, you know?

[@jacksmithy3708]

no up for Rutherford's "I love caves! The smooth floors..." ?

[@heatherstarling1653]

This was a bitter sweet episode as we see their everlasting bond, but we are getting glimpses at them going solo. One day the group will be away on different ships, doing different missions, seeing each other less frequently, and moving on in all areas of their lives. Even how they didn’t disclose certain info to each other. Something that happens the less time you spend with close ones. The bond will always be there, but realistically they won’t. We saw it with them moving from the hallway and to separate away missions, and now in Caves. I love their friendship, and bond but it is sad to see them not spend so much time together. This episode makes you understand why Mariner hates change and promotions. But as a story, and real life, that’s not growing, and our friends need to grow. The ending of this episode is particularly sad, when the aliens give them extra time, something we all wish for when looking back. However, they didn’t name their club shuttle Sequoia for nothing, they will be just fine as a strong friendship no matter where they go.

[@christopheralthouse6378]

If anything, I hope Boimler and Mariner get to stick together when it’s all said and done…they may not make the most obvious pairing but they’ve clearly rubbed off on each other and really do make a good team together…🥰

[@heatherstarling1653]

@@christopheralthouse6378 agreed.

[@benrujo]

13:36 Lmao Sean giving himself an up and the editor taking it away off screen

[@chrishankey3396]

Completely overlooked the briefing for the mission. Very TNG feel, and great back and forward in that scene.

[@cg1704]

Love those weird flat floors

[@keithblanke1243]

Loved this episode. Loved Shawn's ending.

[@Tallacus]

The T'ana and Rutherford story was just too cute!

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

I like Mariner and Tendi cave stories. And no downs, that's a great 👍Up👍.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

"I hate caaaaaaaaves" moment lifted straight off Wrath Of Khan when Savik is cut mid transport rambling to Kirk.

[@jgkloosterman]

I love how the up you gave yourself was taken back. 😂

[@chrisrobinson2766]

Honestly, same. I can't think of anything that would be a down. It was a solid , enjoyable episode. I loved it.

[@davido.1233]

FINALLY A NO DOWN EPISODE OF UPS AND DOWNS! THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@AddMoreQuarters]

There is a down to it. It is that this trash exists at all. Hopefully it won't make it past season 5 and dissappear into obscurity.

[@Heymrk]

​@@AddMoreQuartersShow me on the doll where the bad man touched you.

[@robgoffroad]

This week was way better than last week. Last week was so bad I shut it off before I was ten minutes in.

[@jamesblood6035]

Oh Sean I LOVE it! "He says Wolf 359 was an inside job. Which if you wanna get technical about it..." I LOVE IT

[@wilomica]

Your ups and down always bring a smile to my face!

[@RealElMaximo]

You had a baby with Simon Miller in the canteen?! Golden up. Makes me warm and fuzzy in my tum-tum.

[@keiranbroida2945]

No mention that in Mariner's vignette, she crashes the shuttle pod CANYON (as she makes a new canyon in the cave she crashes into?) Possibly also a reference to Bronson Canyon as another heavily used and reused Star Trek location Feels cetacean observation worthy at least

[@generalilbis]

Or it was the shuttle "Laurel Canyon, but I don't think there is a state park around Laurel Canyon.

[@johnsieverssr8288]

Great show...Love "Lower Decks"

[@djkittycat]

The TARG part was a reference to the game HORSE which is played with a basketball.

[@historybuff7491]

I think it is funny that this came after a few week of the Writer's Strike ending. Often, shows will do flash back shows/compilation shows/etc... just after a writer or actor strike. That way, they don't need much from the actors or writers, just into and out of acting and writing of the re-used film. I know that didn't happen here, but it is a fun coincidence.

[@Riceball01]

That's seldom if ever the reason for clip episodes since production on show typically take place well before a show actually airs. By the time a show his the air, they're already well into the production cycle with many, to most of the episodes either already written or being written. Filming would have already began with a good chunk of the season havin already been shot before the season premier even airs. Or, in the case of these streaming shows, by the time the first episode has aired they've already long since finished shooting every episodes and are, at most, dong the post work. An example of this was Stargate SG-1, they found out that they were being canceled sometime after wrapping the shooting of their 100tth episode but by that time it was too late to change the show's final episode because everything was already locked down for the rest of the season; scripts had all been written and approved, sets were being built, locations scouted, and so on. By the time that 100th episode actually aired, SG-1 had already been long since canceled by SyFy. The main reason behind these clip episodes is money. They're cheap to produce. You don't need many, if any guest stars, few extras, and the writer has less work to do too. They allow the production to save money so that they have plenty left for the rest of the season.

[@historybuff7491]

@@Riceball01 OK, it just seems to happen that way.

[@bollywoodgirl21]

I would just like to thank you for all the hard work you do sean. I recently had the time to catch up on all of your ups and down for lower decks, strange new worlds and prodigy and must say it was a blast. I'm so glad you took over this show from the other guy, you are much more likable and funny then him. In my humble opinion at least 😅 I welcome anybody who has a diffrent opinion and will not argue them😅. That beeing said I'm glad there has been no "canon watch" lately it has been a bit much in opinion. Lastly I wanted to point out how much I appreciate to see a felow Voyager and DS 9 fan since I made the experience that we are rare.😊

[@kanebravo953]

I really feel like this was the calm before the storm of a massive two part finale.

[@mikes-qk1sh]

I love the way you ended the video simply wishing for peace in the Middle East and not taking sides because taking sides is what got us into this mess in the first place

[@timesthree5757]

Hope Israel wins.

[@LJ-vo3xe]

​@@timesthree5757hope they lose

[@timesthree5757]

@@LJ-vo3xe anti-Semitic

[@explorinjenkins349]

Both militant sides suck. Whoever wins, civilians lose.

[@gingerjester2606]

Really loved this one in a cosy way

[@ThirdChildFilms]

Yessss a perfect episode score! Thanks Seán!

[@BigJeremyBeyer]

How can a male human accidentally getting pregnant by an alien that he didn't have sex with not result in you mentioning Trip?

[@StormyTea]

Probably changed physiology and biology with that hand and energy, what's more crazy is how that fetus grew so fast

[@BigJeremyBeyer]

@@StormyTea how is this relevant to my comment??

[@marhawkman303]

@@StormyTea Yeah it was more like a parasite growing in a cyst than a real pregnancy.

[@AddMoreQuarters]

​@@StormyTeano, it's just garbage writing for a garbage show that is mislabeled "Star Trek."

[@StormyTea]

man idfk anymore why yall trek fans so worked up over whats bassically nothing all the time

[@ismannen567]

Yay! Shawn is feeling better again. 💪🖖😁😁 Awesome episode

[@ChrisTian-ed8ol]

The episode was great, not the best, but great and I've been missing T'Lin these last couple episodes. I'm looking forward to next week and the season finale to make up for it, also, as much as I don't like Kurtzman's idea of Star Trek, I love how he did Lower Decks. It's a brilliant comedic play on Star Trek, it was immediately advertised as a comedy, and I love the characters in the show. Also, I can't help but wonder if Rutherford's tale is an Easter egg for Shack's and the Dr. having a baby later on.

[@GeoffreySorensen]

I appreciate the quiet removal of Sean's self-up.

[@bobosmith8012]

Rutherford's quip about the Flat Floors!

[@The0mega79]

I think this is a breather episode before the final two episodes. These last two episodes might do something very crazy.

[@das_harti8128]

Besides T'Lyn, i wish there'll be also more of Jennifer and Ensign Barnes in season five. I would like to know what happend to Jennifer and Mariner after Mariner returned to te Cerritos. And i'd love to see the crew member with the Hijab (it was a Hijab? Please correct me if i am wrong).

[@VictorReynolds]

I can relate with T’ana in phasering the dirty diaper!

[@DougVanDorn]

I see only one comment that approaches what occurred to me, and doesn't clarify it. So, here goes -- Sean, you missed an item in Cetacean Observations. In "Second Contact," the premiere episode of Lower Decks, when Mariner and Boimler were getting to know each other while trying to avoid the big slime cow, Mariner told Boimler that she was once "trapped in a sentient cave -- that KNEW THINGS!" This entire episode seems to be a callback to that seed of an idea. I swear, these writers never forget any seeds they may have sewn, and love to see them grow into mature jokes. 🙂

[@BernardManansala]

LOVE THIS EPISODE!!! Reminds me of the "Clip Episode" on TNG, Shades of Gray.

[@Beyondthe5thPanel]

A perfect score?! Insanity!

[@GavoneGuido]

One of the best episodes