Mariner basically owes him, since they hang out with her when she's in there. Better is that Ransom is basically "I'm only doing this because I have to, but I'll get you a beer after".
They do it for Mariner, so it’s only fair. 😂 Seriously, though, it is nice seeing him explicitly acknowledged as part of the team and not just the stuffed shirt of the group everyone just puts up with.
Were gonna find out that starbase 80 is actually the dream assignment, but the currently assigned officers spread a rumour about how bad it is so no one wants to transfer there...
I do think the seeds are getting planted that we’re going to *have* to see Starbase 80 for ourselves sometime. Unless it’s going to become the new Cetacean Ops, where we’ll be theorizing about its existence for decades trying to figure out what its deal is.
Given that Rom was a different kind of Nagus it’s entirely likely he just didn’t care about it. The scepter is a symbol of all the aspects of Ferengi society Rom isn’t especially comfortable with or suited for so maybe he just didn’t want it. Or, maybe the scepter isn’t a unique item, and that there are really a bunch of them with the Nagus (or their designated agent, like when Sisko held it) being the only one allowed exclusive rights to their use since anyone holding ‘a’ scepter can effectively speak as the Nagus. That would certainly fit Ferengi culture, too. And may explain the hubbub over it. Even if it’s not a unique item, the staff’s status as a Stick of Truth/Sword of Destiny prestige-level item has status and political ramifications just in the act of physically holding it.
@@KentuckyKaiju I tend this direction myself. Scepters generally imply some kind of monarchy and the Ferengi and Rom were definitely trending toward something more democratic and enlightened. In that case, there's all kinds of reason to think this scepter would be in a museum, though I'm not sure why *this* museum specifically.
I noticed this way back at the end of Season 1. After violently and loudly beating up some packleds he very gently scoops up the unconscious freeman and carriers her to sickbay.
It fits what we know about Bajoran characters as well. Save a couple of examples (ahem Winn), they’ve all had that serious on the outside/squishy on the inside vibe. They’re a real ride-or-die, family-centric group of people once you build a relationship with them. No doubt some of this is probably from Occupation trauma but it seems a bit deeper grained than that, given what we’ve seen of their culture and spiritual practices beyond that.
Possibly the first Filipino main character in Trek. That's pretty huge 🇵🇭 Sure we've had Filipino actors in Trek, but it was never clear if the characters themselves were Filipino (like Isa's characters), or even if so, they weren't main characters (like Jon Jon Briones' guest appearances).
You did miss the Queen (Billups mother) on the Conspiracy board (with Shaxs and the Mugato) Also, I'm really feeling like Shaxs really is a Papa Bear- you come at his family, he'll tear you apart, but if you're part of his family, he cares, deeply. (If we wanted to get deep about it, he probably lost so much during the Occupation that any new family he gains is exceedingly precious to him.)
Best episode of the season so far. By far! Perfect mix between "funny", "having a story" and "Easter eggs". Boimler was hilarious this week. For 2 1/2 seasons he was the perfect ensign. Him blowing up like this now and ending up in the brig was so funny, because it was him. (If it had been Mariner, it would have been half the fun) And Rutherford's story is finally unfolding. I was getting impatient about it, since nothing happened since episode 2x10. Now they finally moved it forward a bit. I just hope it won't take another 5 episodes until we get the next part of the story. And I also love the attention to details. Who would have thought that "Rutherford loving pears" from episode 2x01 would be picked up again in the middle of season 3? Love it!
One small easter egg/reference you missed, Petra mentions to the guy who mentions about transporters about being stuck for seven years in a windowless room. Which is clearly a reference to the fact most of the Trek shows went for seven seasons/seven years.
I remember when Seán was just the new guy at TrekCulture. Amazing how quickly he became such a confident and consistently entertaining part of the crew back then. Don't get me wrong, there's nobody I don't love at TrekCulture, but Seán is just such a wonderful personality; born to be In front of the camera and absolutely magnetic to watch. Who's got a crush? Me? Why would you even say that. Don't be absurd.
Support has a Transformative Impact on People :) Bc, usually, people want to be as supportive as those around them. It is a Terrific Feedback Loop that can help everyone succeed.
Anyone notice the Horta with the Kirk and Spock photo op board? It was the silicon based life form that always reminded me of a messed up cheese pizza.
It was nice to see Ransom slowy grow into a more competent commander. He understands how to 'incentivise' Mariner into doing her job. He also takes his job seriously, puts Boimler in the brig but is completely chill with Boimler smashing up stuff ("Tell me the story later, will will you?"). Ransom and Boimler always had a good chemistry and quite a bit of a mentor-mentee relationship, especially when considering their difference in rank. But here we see how he motivates Boimler and bolsters his self-esteem - without crossing any potential rank boundaries or seeming to favour this one ensign over the others. Very subtly done.
Both Paramount properties- so of course Indy archeologists are Dr. Jones inspired archaeologists. Which means Dr. Henry Jones was a real person in the trek universe who inspired/informed archeological methods.
Ok. I wanna get really into the weeds about this race. Young Rutherford says that his engine his based off a vulcan design. According to designer interviews and beta canon, Vulcan warp engines are designed to be focused on acceleration at the expense of maneuverability while Federation warp engines are designed to have flat acceleration and high maneuverability. Obviously, these are impulse engines, but what do we see throughout the race? Young Rutherford takes the lead during straightaways, but OG Rutherford narrows the gap and even surpasses him on corners and more curvey parts of the race. EXACTLY mirroring the two race's warp engine design priorities.
Something I realized thinking on this episode is just how many evil twin/alternate identity style episodes there have been across the franchise. And that this actually stacks up pretty highly in that list in terms of how well it was executed. Dark Rutherford might have been a jerk, but he wasn’t evil, which is a complexity you don’t often see in these kind of episodes.
Off the top of my head, in TOS alone there was Kirk being split in two as well as a black/white guy mirrored my a white/black guy. That's just in three seasons.
@@recoil53 Depending on how you define it, you can also count ‘This Side of Paradise’ when Spock got affected by those spores and lost his emotional control (if I remember correctly, there was even a bit where Spock didn’t want to be restored). There’s ‘Mirror, Mirror’, ‘What a are Little Girls Made Of?’ (Android Kirk)… and I’m sure I could probably find more if I sat down at Memory Alpha for a few minutes. And that’s just TOS. And I suspect Voyager went to this creative well more than most other series as I can think of over half a dozen episodes of the top of my head on this theme.
@@recoil53 Bele and Lokai in "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" were entirely different characters, of two different races originating on the same planet.
I loved how the "outpost scientists" were saying they can wear whatever they wanted, yet they all wear the same thing, in slightly varying shades of green. Including the guy from episode 3-3.
The OBELISK from the ST: TOS episode "For I Have Touched the Sky and the World is Hollow" is in the archaeologist's booth behind her to the left, at 6:07 in the episode
I think you might have made a mistake in stating that the Tellurite was scared off by Aberdeen referencing the Borg in Cetacean Observations. That was the female alien who came up after the Tellurite. He got warned away by being told that he would be spending his seven years in a windowless room.
I just wish we got more than 10 episodes per season! Sean has absolutely exploded with charisma since his season 1 days, and I love seeing him every week!
It feels like we are getting the same number of episodes per year though. Are they doing a Spring and Fall season structure? 10 in the Spring, 10 in the Fall?
Agreed. They looked like they were from the Animated Series characters, which was a clever way to do the cutouts. Surprised this wasn’t mentioned in the video.
Regarding Rutherford’s age: keep in mind there’s a similarly open question regarding Mariner’s age. In fact, based on the clues so far, she and Rutherford might be around the same age. Boimler and Tendi might be the only fresh face ending in our cast. I do hope we get a better picture of the characters’ service history at some point. At least enough to make a rough timeline.
Mariner had been demoted, likely several ranks, while Rutherford I assumed was a new ensign, but you’re right he’d have to be closer to her age. Which makes me wonder if it was not only his memory which was modified but records about him… did he have a higher rank, did he leave Starfleet? I meant in the first season they say his implant is pretty new so I’m wondering if he had a whole different career. Maybe he’s been placed in deep cover?
@@FJF1085 Or maybe there were missions that "didn't exist" after the fact; it also makes me wonder how accurate his Starfleet record is, since I'm guessing him being an Ensign that long would be suspicious (especially to him).
Tendi had enough time to establish a reputation as "Mistress of the Winter Constellations" and then not be a pirate for nearly five years. And somehow have a complete personality difference than that past implies.
I noticed Dark Rutherford seemed to be wearing a cadets uniform in one scene. Perhaps his accident happened early on in his academy days. How long is the Starfleet Academy course does anyone know?
@@recoil53 True, but she could have done that as a teenager. Orion women have been shown to have quite a lot of agency and ambition. You could be right, though, and it was a similarly long time ago for her. I’d definitely a history I hope gets some more elaboration at some point, though!
Rutherford was acting as a go between for Sect. 31 (or just Starfleet Intelligence) and the Romulans while at the Academy. His racing trips into the Neutral Zone allowed him access to areas not observed by either government when the drops/hand-offs could take place.
This was one of the best episodes so far. Maybe third for me behind Crisis Point and No Small Parts. The whole Rutherford v. Rutherford thing with present day Rutherford winning because of all that being in Starfleet has given him, (especially friends) but also rescuing his past self because he doesn't want to to see him go. Just a one two punch of emotionally poignant storytelling. Pure Star Trek.
Plus with present Rutherford offering "maybe we could merge" and young Rutherford saying that'd just kill them both. Been a good long while for me, but isn't there a previous Trek episode (I THINK tng?) where that was a moral question brought up?
Boimler was like "Fear when good man goes to war" 😅 I loved this episode, all of it, all jokes and all stories. Rutterford war with himself is very good and other story is also good, that joke about Starfleet being actually a navy is Great, joke about uniforms also. Great episode
I feel the "we just want to study quasars" may have been a reference to SF Debris (Chuck Sonnenburg)'s review of First Contact where he raised the point that there's probably a lot of people aboard the Enterprise who only signed up to be scientists, voice acting one unlucky crew member saying, "I just wanted to study quasars!" :D
I would like an up for the animators of that romulan war bird tied with the sound design. I replayed that scene several times and just kept cranking the volume knob.
That's why I was confused when old Rutherford was portrayed as a jerk because Mariner was supposed to know him from before the implant. I guess they're retconning that or something.
It was Boimler who pointed out Sam was "as of a few weeks ago, cybernetically enhanced" Makes me wonder if he was more a jerk to himself than he was to other people- but yeah, the timelines aren't really adding up. (Unless he had a smaller implant first, possibly just an occular one ala Movie Geordi, since that eye seems a bit... unusable.)
So Boimler believes, but did they say if Rutherford had been on the Cerritos prior to that or did he just say the implant was new when he was assigned so that’s what everyone believes? After all, Rutherford lost a year’s worth of memories when the implant was ripped out, while Season 1 only covered six months (57436.2-58000). Interestingly, with this episode (58354.2) it’s barely been a full year since the show began, technically. That really puts the character development in a whole different context now that I think about it that way…
Great episode! Also I kinda felt like Boimler losing his sh*t from all the insults being hurled at Starfleet was kind of a sideways reference to Scotty going off on the Klingons when they insulted the Enterprise in "The Trouble With Tribbles." Fantastic stuff!
I really like the moment at the end, where Boimler is in the brig, and Mariner is walking away to do the mission report. Boimler says that's his favorite part and Mariner does a little laugh and affectionately says "Of course it is." It really does feel like they are friends that really deeply care for one another.
This episode is something I would never have expected after being so unhappy with the "antics" of the first season. This show has really grown into something amazing and worthy of the Star Trek identity
Regarding Petra, she could be a new love interest for Mariner but I think that she will more present a foil to Mariner, the road not taken as it were. Petra and Mariner actually showed very similar dispositions and even attitudes toward Starfleet (or more precisely Season 1 Mariner's attitudes,) she is what Mariner would've been (and even now, could be) if she left Starfleet.
@@chickadeestevenson5440 I don't contest that nor am I saying this storyline is exclusive with Petra being a LI. Merely that primarily, Petra will be a foil first (but can still be a LI.)
I think this episode has topped my list of favorites for all of Lower Decks, and that is saying something with the number of great episodes they have had. What I love about Lower Decks is that when you distill the stories, they are very true to the core of the messages of Star Trek. I think one of the things this episode showed is how close the crew has become, from the lower deckers up to the command crew. And I love the relationship of Shax/Rutherford and T'Ana/Tendi, you hit the nail on the head that it is very much parents and children. And it was jarring to hear Dr. T without any gruff and snark and be a worried Chief Medical Officer. And Seán, I am 1000% in your corner on the down for the slander against collecting!
Hey Sean, I love your ups and down series, but one thing you forgot in cetacean ops was the Horta! On the picture of Kirk and Spock in the Starfleet booth . The Horta was in between Kirk and Spock. Devil in the Dark TOS season 1 E 26. Let me know if I was mistaken.
I love that when Boimler is going ape shit crazy on the other stalls there is just a female klingon in the background in one scene smiling approvingly at Boimler like he is the most interesting thing that happened all day.
Have to wonder, when young Rutherford was fading and current Rutherford suggested they merge Young said, "Then we'd both die." Could this be a reference to Voyager and Tuvix?
Maybe. It’s also possible that the implant itself takes its own actions. I’m reminded of when Rutherford basically let the implant autopilot his body through taking down a bunch of holo-Borg. I’ve always assumed that was the case for his ‘blackout’ spells, but with this new context, who even knows, now? It does add a whole new context to Tendi’s fears about Synthetic Memory Degradation, though.
Love the channel! Great stuff. I think that there is a second reference for "how far those spots go down" in DS9 "Meridian" where the alien who lives on the phase shifting planet asks Jadzia "how far do your spots go down" and she replies "all the way down" which I think they were referencing when Bashir says it in the last episode.
I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but on the collectors table the red green blue statue thingy was from TOS it was commander Balok's controls for the Fesarius!
There’s a small model version of the preserver from TOS The Paradise Syndrome sitting on Aberdeen’s table as well. Easy to miss in among the sheer volume of references this week!
That cadet uniform looks like the kind the fake cadet wore in Allegiance, the third season episode where Captain Picard was abducted and replaced with a not quite accurate replacement who kissed Dr. Crusher and went to 10 Forward to sing and drink. This is important because the design for cadet uniforms appears to change by The First Duty, unless cadet uniforms are different for each year in the Academy. I've never looked into it, but worth keeping in mind. Side note, I got done rewatching Data's Day today. Data was talking about marriage ceremonies of other worlds, but was interrupted while talking about Andorians. Anybody got the full story on that? Might be good with regards to Jennifer. I'd also love to know how she ended up being named Jennifer.
Not sure, but in the books...Andorians have four sexes, and are arranged in genetically-viable marriage quads while still children. Wouldn't mind seeing *that* plot thread from the post-finale Novelverse finally make it to screen...
Just noticed in that picture of Boimler yelling at the Wadi you used, there are a couple of fake Ferengi ears like what Pel wore to look like a male Ferengi in the episode where Quark negotiates with those big red guys to learn about the Dominion.
For me, I watch a Star Trek episode, be it lower decks, Picard whatever, after its just dropped and then its straight to Trekculture which then just enhances the whole experience..... and this episode a brilliant example of that ... Thank you!
For Cetacean Observations may I suggest considering reversing the “picture in picture” situation? Make Sean the smaller screen & the screenshot from the episode the bigger screen. I find it somewhat difficult to see all the things being pointed out by Sean (especially when viewed on a phone screen!) & much as we all love Sean we don’t need to be able to see him as much as we need to be able to see the things being pointed out for maximum appreciation of the “Observations”
I didn't think of Bashir and Ezri with "how far do the spots go down," didn't Jeffrey Combs ask the same of Jadzia in the episode where he's trying to get a Kira holosuite program?
On the Collectors table, you missed a miniature version of Balok's Red/Green/Blue Light pod thingy from "The Corbomite Maneuver". So now ya gotta do a shot of tranya should we ever meet! :) Great episode!
Lower Decks is the first TV series that I think has the same quality of writing and character development as Buffy. Reflections was one of those landmark episodes that define a series
This was an excellent episode. Did you catch what appeared to be Aberdeen’s possession of the book obelisk from TOS “For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky?”
I thought so too, but that obelisk had neat lines and more-or-less polished surfaces... Aberdeen's artifact looks more "rough hewn", more consistent with the "ancient" artifacts from TNG "Masks" which is what Sean called out.
Wow for once Biomler is in big trouble as got very angry and went on the rampage but despite that Mariner was able to sign up more people to join Starfleet which made Commander Ransom very happy. I think there's a hint at the end of that episode that suspect that Mariner will be thinking about joining the theif that she just met today if Ransom did kick her out of Starfleet in Season 3 finale.
Sometimes LD brings the boom and this episode brought the boom. Fun on all fronts. Even the B plot ended up equalizing at the very end. I was very surprised how meta the episode ended being with the criticisms of Starfleet from fans on the show or the mmorpg with Boimler's defense of Starfleet in the end.
Dare I say this is not only one of the best episodes of the season, or Lower Decks, but of all Star Trek shows? simply amazing. Also, Sean quoting Professor Falken from WarGames? ;)
There's also an artifact at Petra's table from the TOS Third Season episode, "For The World Is Hollow, and I Have Touched the Sky." It was the stele(?) that held the Fabrini "Bible".
I found another easter egg: ... When you said "Are you sitting comfortably?" it was a reference to John Cleese's Bookshop sketch from Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album.
Regarding all of the collector things that were supposed to be lost or destroyed. That's easily explained by just being replicas rather than the originals. They could even be a situation where the collector didn't know they're fake.
When talking about Starbase 80 with Boimler on the way to the brig, I loved it when the Tamarian security officer said “Coltar, when he drowned in the swamp.” 😝😎
The only reference that I noticed that wasn't brought up was Mariner saying "We got new worlds, they're strange, and they need seeking out." Referring to the mission statement in TOS and TNG, and to the series Strange New Worlds!
17:47 those were the Limited Edition Commander Data bubble bath from the "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" episode that Mariner had to move. Seriously, has this guy NOT seen that episode? He miscalled the Doopler skeleton in the hydroponics bay last week and now this.
That is a definite contender for best episode of the series so far. I loved every minute of it. I've been waiting so long for them to explore Rutherford's memory and they did such a great job, as well as leaving us with more unanswered questions. I can't wait to find out more.
the Kirk Spock cutout has them standing in front of the living rock beast that was killing miners and Spock did a mind meld to discover that the beast was sentient and protecting its eggs
I laughed WAY more than I probably should have when towel guy let out that terrified shriek 🤣🤣 to the point I had to rewind as I missed the following few scenes. Fantastic episode, easily my favourite so far of S3. Good video.. Seán how many times did you have to pause for your note taking? 😁
![[กูเพิ่งซื้อมึงปิดหนี] 20 นาที ผมรีวิวเกมที่แย่ที่สุดในโลก CONCORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XhC-3q3Ii7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Boimler losing it and ripping into everyone was just fantastic.
Relatable, too :P
“Stop trapping people in games!”
"I failed the Kobayashi Maru 17 times motherf***er!" I don't care if its overused, it was still funny.
"The Doctor didn't spend seven years in the Delta Quadrant just for you to question his agency! _HE HAS RIGHTS!!!_ "
I want to keep seeing bold Boimler.
I love that Boimler is stuck in the Brig, so his friends OF COURSE are just hanging out there. So wholesome.
Honestly it’s really amazing to see him develop as a character.
Love the Brig graffiti.
Boimler's Guesthouse.
Mariner basically owes him, since they hang out with her when she's in there.
Better is that Ransom is basically "I'm only doing this because I have to, but I'll get you a beer after".
They do it for Mariner, so it’s only fair. 😂
Seriously, though, it is nice seeing him explicitly acknowledged as part of the team and not just the stuffed shirt of the group everyone just puts up with.
Sean has asked for more about Sisco, and here the Conspiracy fanatics say, "What REALLY happened to Sisco?" I thought he'd be all over that line.
WHERE IS THAT LATINUM UP!!!?? How are they going to think we are serious about sisko if we don't emphasize our need for him.
Agreed! I'm surprised he didn't mention it ... but there was so much in the episode his pen probably ran out of ink!
Were gonna find out that starbase 80 is actually the dream assignment, but the currently assigned officers spread a rumour about how bad it is so no one wants to transfer there...
LOL, oh gods yes, please let that be the case
@@andrewfarmer6126 That would absolutely fit the cartoon logic of LD
I do think the seeds are getting planted that we’re going to *have* to see Starbase 80 for ourselves sometime. Unless it’s going to become the new Cetacean Ops, where we’ll be theorizing about its existence for decades trying to figure out what its deal is.
I hesitated to Up this comment because it had 47 likes...
Like Transporter Chief Kyle in SNW. Seems like a nice guy but is used as a threat to get ensigns in line.
I love how the scepter being in that museum implies that Rom got robbed at some point after DS9
Honestly, are we surprised?
Or it was being rented...and that's assuming it's even his best one.
Given that Rom was a different kind of Nagus it’s entirely likely he just didn’t care about it. The scepter is a symbol of all the aspects of Ferengi society Rom isn’t especially comfortable with or suited for so maybe he just didn’t want it.
Or, maybe the scepter isn’t a unique item, and that there are really a bunch of them with the Nagus (or their designated agent, like when Sisko held it) being the only one allowed exclusive rights to their use since anyone holding ‘a’ scepter can effectively speak as the Nagus. That would certainly fit Ferengi culture, too. And may explain the hubbub over it. Even if it’s not a unique item, the staff’s status as a Stick of Truth/Sword of Destiny prestige-level item has status and political ramifications just in the act of physically holding it.
@@KentuckyKaiju he probably just donated it.
@@KentuckyKaiju I tend this direction myself. Scepters generally imply some kind of monarchy and the Ferengi and Rom were definitely trending toward something more democratic and enlightened. In that case, there's all kinds of reason to think this scepter would be in a museum, though I'm not sure why *this* museum specifically.
I love that Boimler was defending the Doctor from Voyager!
That was great!
The Doctor has to be my favourite character from Voyager, and maybe all of Star Trek. Any reference to him is an up in my book!
I don't particularly like Voyager.
But I absolutely adore the Doctor.
Second best character after Worf.
Shax really does care for Ruth and I love that he's very loud but when it's time to get serious and help the crew he's gentle and concerned
Shax is golden and precious. Just imagine they would have killed him much later and did not bring him back...
I noticed this way back at the end of Season 1. After violently and loudly beating up some packleds he very gently scoops up the unconscious freeman and carriers her to sickbay.
It fits what we know about Bajoran characters as well. Save a couple of examples (ahem Winn), they’ve all had that serious on the outside/squishy on the inside vibe. They’re a real ride-or-die, family-centric group of people once you build a relationship with them. No doubt some of this is probably from Occupation trauma but it seems a bit deeper grained than that, given what we’ve seen of their culture and spiritual practices beyond that.
When Shax died, the Baby Bear comment made me tear up just a bit, and to hear it agian, means that Rutherford is still special to Shax
@@KentuckyKaiju Yes -- all of this!🙂👍
Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines. I think this hints that Rutherford is at least partially pinoy.
Ah. Good catch. I was thinking of looking that up. I wonder if Sean noticed that the nacelles on it were from the Enterprise B (Excelsior refit) era.
Seeing as Eugene Cordero is, I would consider this all but canon.
@@KentuckyKaiju Or at least a nod to EC
Possibly the first Filipino main character in Trek. That's pretty huge 🇵🇭
Sure we've had Filipino actors in Trek, but it was never clear if the characters themselves were Filipino (like Isa's characters), or even if so, they weren't main characters (like Jon Jon Briones' guest appearances).
@@Cyke101 If we are counting Sulu, second. Some Beta Canon material states that he is Filipino-Japanese.
You did miss the Queen (Billups mother) on the Conspiracy board (with Shaxs and the Mugato)
Also, I'm really feeling like Shaxs really is a Papa Bear- you come at his family, he'll tear you apart, but if you're part of his family, he cares, deeply. (If we wanted to get deep about it, he probably lost so much during the Occupation that any new family he gains is exceedingly precious to him.)
Best episode of the season so far. By far! Perfect mix between "funny", "having a story" and "Easter eggs".
Boimler was hilarious this week. For 2 1/2 seasons he was the perfect ensign. Him blowing up like this now and ending up in the brig was so funny, because it was him. (If it had been Mariner, it would have been half the fun)
And Rutherford's story is finally unfolding. I was getting impatient about it, since nothing happened since episode 2x10. Now they finally moved it forward a bit. I just hope it won't take another 5 episodes until we get the next part of the story.
And I also love the attention to details. Who would have thought that "Rutherford loving pears" from episode 2x01 would be picked up again in the middle of season 3?
Love it!
Loved Boims mini-rant about the Doctor. “He has rights!” Latinum up from me.
One small easter egg/reference you missed, Petra mentions to the guy who mentions about transporters about being stuck for seven years in a windowless room. Which is clearly a reference to the fact most of the Trek shows went for seven seasons/seven years.
I remember when Seán was just the new guy at TrekCulture.
Amazing how quickly he became such a confident and consistently entertaining part of the crew back then.
Don't get me wrong, there's nobody I don't love at TrekCulture, but Seán is just such a wonderful personality; born to be In front of the camera and absolutely magnetic to watch.
Who's got a crush? Me? Why would you even say that. Don't be absurd.
Don't forget how awesome that shirt is.
Support has a Transformative Impact on People :)
Bc, usually, people want to be as supportive as those around them.
It is a Terrific Feedback Loop that can help everyone succeed.
We are in the same boat, and YES, impeccable shirts!
@Jonny F they could be working on other things.
Success can cause people to become in demand...esp on a TH-cam Channel Network like WhatCulture.
@@bearnaff9387 I noticed the shirt. Loved it!
This was by far my most favorite episode of Lower Decks to date of all the seasons. I hope we soon find out who did that stuff to Rutherford.
I bet the butt bugs did it.
@@Heymrk that’s what happens when you let the butt bugs bite.
@@Heymrk I honestly hope that that turns out to be the case. We really need to see more of those guys.
Rutherford possibly taking the title of longest serving ensign?
Man, Harry Kim just can't catch a break; even that's being taken away from him.
Anyone notice the Horta with the Kirk and Spock photo op board? It was the silicon based life form that always reminded me of a messed up cheese pizza.
How does a rock resemble a pizza?
It was nice to see Ransom slowy grow into a more competent commander. He understands how to 'incentivise' Mariner into doing her job. He also takes his job seriously, puts Boimler in the brig but is completely chill with Boimler smashing up stuff ("Tell me the story later, will will you?"). Ransom and Boimler always had a good chemistry and quite a bit of a mentor-mentee relationship, especially when considering their difference in rank. But here we see how he motivates Boimler and bolsters his self-esteem - without crossing any potential rank boundaries or seeming to favour this one ensign over the others. Very subtly done.
At one point the Independent Archaeologist Guild was called out as the INDY Archaeologist Guild.
Was that an Indiana Jones reference?
Wouldn't be surprised, they got the drip, might as well get the title
Yep!
Not sure
Also, of course it was
Both Paramount properties- so of course Indy archeologists are Dr. Jones inspired archaeologists. Which means Dr. Henry Jones was a real person in the trek universe who inspired/informed archeological methods.
Likely. I think it was also there to play "Independent" and "Guild" off of each other as a contradiction.
I figured the white void that the Rutherfords were in was a reference to tapestry.
Tapestry...or the Celestial Temple of the Bajoran Prophets.
Shout out to the musical scoring on this show, especially the race sequence- wonderfully cinematic.
Ok. I wanna get really into the weeds about this race. Young Rutherford says that his engine his based off a vulcan design. According to designer interviews and beta canon, Vulcan warp engines are designed to be focused on acceleration at the expense of maneuverability while Federation warp engines are designed to have flat acceleration and high maneuverability. Obviously, these are impulse engines, but what do we see throughout the race? Young Rutherford takes the lead during straightaways, but OG Rutherford narrows the gap and even surpasses him on corners and more curvey parts of the race. EXACTLY mirroring the two race's warp engine design priorities.
That's such a nice touch!!!
Something I realized thinking on this episode is just how many evil twin/alternate identity style episodes there have been across the franchise. And that this actually stacks up pretty highly in that list in terms of how well it was executed. Dark Rutherford might have been a jerk, but he wasn’t evil, which is a complexity you don’t often see in these kind of episodes.
Like Jellico
Off the top of my head, in TOS alone there was Kirk being split in two as well as a black/white guy mirrored my a white/black guy.
That's just in three seasons.
@@recoil53 Depending on how you define it, you can also count ‘This Side of Paradise’ when Spock got affected by those spores and lost his emotional control (if I remember correctly, there was even a bit where Spock didn’t want to be restored). There’s ‘Mirror, Mirror’, ‘What a are Little Girls Made Of?’ (Android Kirk)… and I’m sure I could probably find more if I sat down at Memory Alpha for a few minutes. And that’s just TOS. And I suspect Voyager went to this creative well more than most other series as I can think of over half a dozen episodes of the top of my head on this theme.
@@KentuckyKaiju The spores brought out the flower child side of Spock. It's more a drug.
But yes, it was over used from the beginning.
@@recoil53 Bele and Lokai in "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" were entirely different characters, of two different races originating on the same planet.
Missed Easter egg, Mariner says, "there are new worlds that are strange and need exploring".
Made me laugh out loud!!
Plot twist, that Nagus scepter is probably the one Neelix used in False Profits, and is probably worth very little.
But would ROM figure that out before paying the reward (IN FULL, like a chump)
If you look in the brig scene you can see "Mariner's HQ" on the castle and next to it "Boimler's guesthouse"
I loved how the "outpost scientists" were saying they can wear whatever they wanted, yet they all wear the same thing, in slightly varying shades of green. Including the guy from episode 3-3.
The OBELISK from the ST: TOS episode "For I Have Touched the Sky and the World is Hollow" is in the archaeologist's booth behind her to the left, at 6:07 in the episode
I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who recognized it! A great Easter egg, for sure.
I was going to comment but you had it first!
Any one notice that Rutherford was not actually a reflection? It was like he was on other side of glass looking in. Hmmmmmm.
I think you might have made a mistake in stating that the Tellurite was scared off by Aberdeen referencing the Borg in Cetacean Observations. That was the female alien who came up after the Tellurite. He got warned away by being told that he would be spending his seven years in a windowless room.
Which was a reference to O'Brian being stuck in the transporter room in TNG.....
@@nemesis1588 Poor O'Brien at Work...
OF COURSE, he did take the con and even the center chair on rare occasion.
@@Sephiroth144 I was really hoping there would be a reference to his appearance on the bridge in Farpoint.
I loved it when Petra Aberdeen referred to herself as an Indy, just like everybody's favourite whip-toting archeologist.
I just wish we got more than 10 episodes per season! Sean has absolutely exploded with charisma since his season 1 days, and I love seeing him every week!
It feels like we are getting the same number of episodes per year though.
Are they doing a Spring and Fall season structure? 10 in the Spring, 10 in the Fall?
If I’m not mistaken, the first shot of the “job fair” shows a structure from the phony star base in “Encounter at Farpoint”
The Kirk and Spock cutouts look very much like The Animated Series style to me.
Also, that is the Horta in that scene. Nice.
Agreed. They looked like they were from the Animated Series characters, which was a clever way to do the cutouts. Surprised this wasn’t mentioned in the video.
Pointed that out, too.
Regarding Rutherford’s age: keep in mind there’s a similarly open question regarding Mariner’s age. In fact, based on the clues so far, she and Rutherford might be around the same age. Boimler and Tendi might be the only fresh face ending in our cast.
I do hope we get a better picture of the characters’ service history at some point. At least enough to make a rough timeline.
Mariner had been demoted, likely several ranks, while Rutherford I assumed was a new ensign, but you’re right he’d have to be closer to her age. Which makes me wonder if it was not only his memory which was modified but records about him… did he have a higher rank, did he leave Starfleet? I meant in the first season they say his implant is pretty new so I’m wondering if he had a whole different career. Maybe he’s been placed in deep cover?
@@FJF1085 Or maybe there were missions that "didn't exist" after the fact; it also makes me wonder how accurate his Starfleet record is, since I'm guessing him being an Ensign that long would be suspicious (especially to him).
Tendi had enough time to establish a reputation as "Mistress of the Winter Constellations" and then not be a pirate for nearly five years.
And somehow have a complete personality difference than that past implies.
I noticed Dark Rutherford seemed to be wearing a cadets uniform in one scene. Perhaps his accident happened early on in his academy days. How long is the Starfleet Academy course does anyone know?
@@recoil53 True, but she could have done that as a teenager. Orion women have been shown to have quite a lot of agency and ambition.
You could be right, though, and it was a similarly long time ago for her. I’d definitely a history I hope gets some more elaboration at some point, though!
Rutherford was acting as a go between for Sect. 31 (or just Starfleet Intelligence) and the Romulans while at the Academy.
His racing trips into the Neutral Zone allowed him access to areas not observed by either government when the drops/hand-offs could take place.
I like it, I like it. They could have exploited his frustration and rouge energy and gone: hey, want to make this interesting?
Sorry but there's only 30 in Sect as well as Aprilt, Junet, and Novemt
This was one of the best episodes so far. Maybe third for me behind Crisis Point and No Small Parts. The whole Rutherford v. Rutherford thing with present day Rutherford winning because of all that being in Starfleet has given him, (especially friends) but also rescuing his past self because he doesn't want to to see him go. Just a one two punch of emotionally poignant storytelling. Pure Star Trek.
Plus with present Rutherford offering "maybe we could merge" and young Rutherford saying that'd just kill them both. Been a good long while for me, but isn't there a previous Trek episode (I THINK tng?) where that was a moral question brought up?
@@chrisc1140 Hmm... Yeah I dunno!
@@adamlytle2615 saw another mention it elsewhere! It was a Voyager episode
Boimler was like "Fear when good man goes to war" 😅
I loved this episode, all of it, all jokes and all stories.
Rutterford war with himself is very good and other story is also good, that joke about Starfleet being actually a navy is Great, joke about uniforms also.
Great episode
I feel the "we just want to study quasars" may have been a reference to SF Debris (Chuck Sonnenburg)'s review of First Contact where he raised the point that there's probably a lot of people aboard the Enterprise who only signed up to be scientists, voice acting one unlucky crew member saying, "I just wanted to study quasars!" :D
Greetings, fellow SFDebris fan!
The Borg Drone/Federation Drone is a reference to what Eddington said to Sisko about how the Federation is like the Borg only more insidious
I would like an up for the animators of that romulan war bird tied with the sound design. I replayed that scene several times and just kept cranking the volume knob.
Was touched by Shaxs sadness before he stunned Rutherford, there was a lot of pain in his voice.
Might not be the first time he's had to shoot a friend...possibly a hint to his Bajoran Resistance days?
In the first episode of Lower Decks Mariner states that Rutheford had been a cyborg for a couple of weeks.
Yes! From episode one I've wanted to know why Rutherford was a cyborg!
That's why I was confused when old Rutherford was portrayed as a jerk because Mariner was supposed to know him from before the implant. I guess they're retconning that or something.
It was Boimler who pointed out Sam was "as of a few weeks ago, cybernetically enhanced"
Makes me wonder if he was more a jerk to himself than he was to other people- but yeah, the timelines aren't really adding up. (Unless he had a smaller implant first, possibly just an occular one ala Movie Geordi, since that eye seems a bit... unusable.)
Pilot episode are often way off from the rest of the continuity.
So Boimler believes, but did they say if Rutherford had been on the Cerritos prior to that or did he just say the implant was new when he was assigned so that’s what everyone believes?
After all, Rutherford lost a year’s worth of memories when the implant was ripped out, while Season 1 only covered six months (57436.2-58000).
Interestingly, with this episode (58354.2) it’s barely been a full year since the show began, technically. That really puts the character development in a whole different context now that I think about it that way…
Great episode! Also I kinda felt like Boimler losing his sh*t from all the insults being hurled at Starfleet was kind of a sideways reference to Scotty going off on the Klingons when they insulted the Enterprise in "The Trouble With Tribbles." Fantastic stuff!
I really like the moment at the end, where Boimler is in the brig, and Mariner is walking away to do the mission report. Boimler says that's his favorite part and Mariner does a little laugh and affectionately says "Of course it is." It really does feel like they are friends that really deeply care for one another.
Has anyone kept track of everything Kayshon has been saying to see if there is a red thread somewhere in there? :)
I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who got a big laugh out of Rutherford scaring the crap out of 'Towel Guy"!
This episode is something I would never have expected after being so unhappy with the "antics" of the first season. This show has really grown into something amazing and worthy of the Star Trek identity
Well put. This episode was what I was expecting (13-year old me would agree) from the show and this season has been really enjoyable thus far.
Regarding Petra, she could be a new love interest for Mariner but I think that she will more present a foil to Mariner, the road not taken as it were. Petra and Mariner actually showed very similar dispositions and even attitudes toward Starfleet (or more precisely Season 1 Mariner's attitudes,) she is what Mariner would've been (and even now, could be) if she left Starfleet.
I'd think the ending - Petra making a job offer and Mariner obviously thinking about it - leads to that conclusion.
Mariner is pretty polyam, she does *not* want to be exclusive.
@@chickadeestevenson5440 I don't contest that nor am I saying this storyline is exclusive with Petra being a LI. Merely that primarily, Petra will be a foil first (but can still be a LI.)
I think this episode has topped my list of favorites for all of Lower Decks, and that is saying something with the number of great episodes they have had.
What I love about Lower Decks is that when you distill the stories, they are very true to the core of the messages of Star Trek. I think one of the things this episode showed is how close the crew has become, from the lower deckers up to the command crew.
And I love the relationship of Shax/Rutherford and T'Ana/Tendi, you hit the nail on the head that it is very much parents and children. And it was jarring to hear Dr. T without any gruff and snark and be a worried Chief Medical Officer.
And Seán, I am 1000% in your corner on the down for the slander against collecting!
Hey Sean, I love your ups and down series, but one thing you forgot in cetacean ops was the Horta! On the picture of Kirk and Spock in the Starfleet booth . The Horta was in between Kirk and Spock. Devil in the Dark TOS season 1 E 26. Let me know if I was mistaken.
I agree Chris! but I am not Sean.
I was looking for this comment! Sean & the TrekCulture team are fantastic! High quality work!
I love that when Boimler is going ape shit crazy on the other stalls there is just a female klingon in the background in one scene smiling approvingly at Boimler like he is the most interesting thing that happened all day.
Have to wonder, when young Rutherford was fading and current Rutherford suggested they merge Young said, "Then we'd both die." Could this be a reference to Voyager and Tuvix?
Wait so does this mean Red Rutherford was in charge during those times Blue Rutherford was rebooting and had holes in his memory?
Quite possibly.
Maybe. It’s also possible that the implant itself takes its own actions. I’m reminded of when Rutherford basically let the implant autopilot his body through taking down a bunch of holo-Borg. I’ve always assumed that was the case for his ‘blackout’ spells, but with this new context, who even knows, now?
It does add a whole new context to Tendi’s fears about Synthetic Memory Degradation, though.
OH MY FOUNDERS
@@trektumblrian2369 😂😂😂😂😂
I had the same thought.
Love the channel! Great stuff. I think that there is a second reference for "how far those spots go down" in DS9 "Meridian" where the alien who lives on the phase shifting planet asks Jadzia "how far do your spots go down" and she replies "all the way down" which I think they were referencing when Bashir says it in the last episode.
I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but on the collectors table the red green blue statue thingy was from TOS it was commander Balok's controls for the Fesarius!
I thought that was Balok's control module that sat next to him. Good eye!
Have you noticed the random Drawings in the ship this season? Little kids on the shuttle, castle in the brig etc
All season long every episode is a throw back, it's fun to watch as many as possible before next episode.
Surprised there wasn't a down for yet again teasing Sisko without a Sisko return. The conspiracy people all "What really happened to Sisko?"
There’s a small model version of the preserver from TOS The Paradise Syndrome sitting on Aberdeen’s table as well. Easy to miss in among the sheer volume of references this week!
That cadet uniform looks like the kind the fake cadet wore in Allegiance, the third season episode where Captain Picard was abducted and replaced with a not quite accurate replacement who kissed Dr. Crusher and went to 10 Forward to sing and drink. This is important because the design for cadet uniforms appears to change by The First Duty, unless cadet uniforms are different for each year in the Academy. I've never looked into it, but worth keeping in mind.
Side note, I got done rewatching Data's Day today. Data was talking about marriage ceremonies of other worlds, but was interrupted while talking about Andorians. Anybody got the full story on that? Might be good with regards to Jennifer. I'd also love to know how she ended up being named Jennifer.
Not sure, but in the books...Andorians have four sexes, and are arranged in genetically-viable marriage quads while still children. Wouldn't mind seeing *that* plot thread from the post-finale Novelverse finally make it to screen...
Up for the towel guy because it's a callback to the previous episode at the very beginning of this episode which gives a feeling of continuity.
Loved this episode. The Rutherford story was excellent. The booth story was good, but when Boimler went off and what came after, *chef's kiss*
THE VOICE ACTING WAS FANTASTIC WITH RUTHERFORD.
I've got that shirt and it's stunning. Also the Kirk/Spock cut outs are from the animated series which should be an up all by itself!
Just noticed in that picture of Boimler yelling at the Wadi you used, there are a couple of fake Ferengi ears like what Pel wore to look like a male Ferengi in the episode where Quark negotiates with those big red guys to learn about the Dominion.
For me, I watch a Star Trek episode, be it lower decks, Picard whatever, after its just dropped and then its straight to Trekculture which then just enhances the whole experience..... and this episode a brilliant example of that ... Thank you!
For Cetacean Observations may I suggest considering reversing the “picture in picture” situation? Make Sean the smaller screen & the screenshot from the episode the bigger screen. I find it somewhat difficult to see all the things being pointed out by Sean (especially when viewed on a phone screen!) & much as we all love Sean we don’t need to be able to see him as much as we need to be able to see the things being pointed out for maximum appreciation of the “Observations”
I didn't think of Bashir and Ezri with "how far do the spots go down," didn't Jeffrey Combs ask the same of Jadzia in the episode where he's trying to get a Kira holosuite program?
On the Collectors table, you missed a miniature version of Balok's Red/Green/Blue Light pod thingy from "The Corbomite Maneuver". So now ya gotta do a shot of tranya should we ever meet! :) Great episode!
I knew that thing looked familiar, just couldn't place it!
At the truth booth, there was a picture of Billop's Mother.
When Boimler snaps, he SNAPS! Really had me floored
Lower Decks is the first TV series that I think has the same quality of writing and character development as Buffy. Reflections was one of those landmark episodes that define a series
This was my fav ep in a good while, of the season so far, for sure.
This was an excellent episode. Did you catch what appeared to be Aberdeen’s possession of the book obelisk from TOS “For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky?”
And a small version of the obelisk from The Paradise Syndrome
I thought so too, but that obelisk had neat lines and more-or-less polished surfaces... Aberdeen's artifact looks more "rough hewn", more consistent with the "ancient" artifacts from TNG "Masks" which is what Sean called out.
Wow for once Biomler is in big trouble as got very angry and went on the rampage but despite that Mariner was able to sign up more people to join Starfleet which made Commander Ransom very happy. I think there's a hint at the end of that episode that suspect that Mariner will be thinking about joining the theif that she just met today if Ransom did kick her out of Starfleet in Season 3 finale.
Ransom was also glad Boimler stood up for Starfleet.
Favourite episode of the season so far, big fan of every part
They haven't disappointed me yet. There mediocre is better than a lot of other animated shows.
I love that this episode singlehandedly brought together almost all of star trek!! 🤣😂
Sometimes LD brings the boom and this episode brought the boom. Fun on all fronts. Even the B plot ended up equalizing at the very end. I was very surprised how meta the episode ended being with the criticisms of Starfleet from fans on the show or the mmorpg with Boimler's defense of Starfleet in the end.
Had to pause I was laughing so hard at your tragic photos about Boimler dissing collecting. I share your grief, brother! 😀🪐
Dare I say this is not only one of the best episodes of the season, or Lower Decks, but of all Star Trek shows? simply amazing.
Also, Sean quoting Professor Falken from WarGames? ;)
Loved this week's ups and downs.
There's also an artifact at Petra's table from the TOS Third Season episode, "For The World Is Hollow, and I Have Touched the Sky." It was the stele(?) that held the Fabrini "Bible".
Absolutely loved this episode!! The previous episodes have been ok, not bad but kinda forgettable. This one was FANTASTIC!
I found another easter egg:
...
When you said "Are you sitting comfortably?" it was a reference to John Cleese's Bookshop sketch from Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album.
I don't like gannets.......they wet their nests!.
@@undercoverasiant696 "I can't buy that, it's torn."
"Sampaguita", Red Rutherfod's ship, is I believe the Spanish name for the Jasmine flower. It is the national flower of the Philippines
The voice of Rutherford is Filipino
Regarding all of the collector things that were supposed to be lost or destroyed. That's easily explained by just being replicas rather than the originals. They could even be a situation where the collector didn't know they're fake.
When talking about Starbase 80 with Boimler on the way to the brig, I loved it when the Tamarian security officer said “Coltar, when he drowned in the swamp.” 😝😎
The only reference that I noticed that wasn't brought up was Mariner saying "We got new worlds, they're strange, and they need seeking out." Referring to the mission statement in TOS and TNG, and to the series Strange New Worlds!
17:47 those were the Limited Edition Commander Data bubble bath from the "An Embarrassment of Dooplers" episode that Mariner had to move. Seriously, has this guy NOT seen that episode? He miscalled the Doopler skeleton in the hydroponics bay last week and now this.
That is a definite contender for best episode of the series so far. I loved every minute of it. I've been waiting so long for them to explore Rutherford's memory and they did such a great job, as well as leaving us with more unanswered questions. I can't wait to find out more.
Also, the cardboard standup with Kirk and Spock were clearly drawings from The Animated Series, not just Lower Decks-ized representations of them.
the Kirk Spock cutout has them standing in front of the living rock beast that was killing miners and Spock did a mind meld to discover that the beast was sentient and protecting its eggs
The Horta- in front of the Horta.
If you want a Stargazer model, STO has their 3D printing of ships from the game and the stargazer class is available in game.
Link, por favor...
(Also, are they colored, or slate grey?)
I laughed WAY more than I probably should have when towel guy let out that terrified shriek 🤣🤣 to the point I had to rewind as I missed the following few scenes. Fantastic episode, easily my favourite so far of S3. Good video.. Seán how many times did you have to pause for your note taking? 😁
"He was mean to Barnes and he pushed Tendy! DOWN!!!". Love it!
i'm so glad that this episode was an episode
Holy shit Sean, I was just gonna say it was an amazing episode but then you went and shouted us out. Love you from Iran, Live long and prosper! ❤🤍💚
Great episode. I love this show, so I am biased. And will continue to be so , as long as they keep giving us this quality material.
Omg, I loved Rutherford behind the "CRITICAL" sign at FNN. Excellent review! A LATINUM thumbs up!
A cuddle would be most welcome these days. Thanks.