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LD: "Grounded" & "The Least Dangerous Game" (s3e1-2) with Katie Hampton
131 Plays1 month ago
PARK AND RECREATIONS. This month's animated spotlight judges the kickoff of Star Trek: Lower Decks' third season, which include a pair of episodes that pay homage to iconic moments from throughout the franchise. One *could* say that about every episode of Lower Decks -- do Bryan and Katie do that? You'll just have to listen.
The grades begin at (15:09). Jump right to "The Least Dangerous Game" at (41:27).
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Theme
00:00:00
Speaker
This month on Trek, Merry, Kill. Transporters, rides, hunting. Engage. Starfleet, get your Starfleet.
00:00:10
Speaker
Prepare yourself for Warp 10 excitement. Discover the undiscovered country. The USS Cerritos remains impounded while their captain stands trial. Have you lost your mind? Captain Carol Freeman stands against... I can't believe this.
00:00:24
Speaker
I wonder how Mariner's taking it. Oh, I'm taking it. Taking it to the limit. Did you time your entrance to say that? What? No. Oh, yeah, she did. Starfleet isn't all about being fed fruit by erotic aliens with slightly different nose ridges. i could get real used to this kind of treatment.
00:00:41
Speaker
Sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty. It's on. This is an unauthorized launch. So begins the craziest adventure of your lives.
00:00:52
Speaker
Yeah! Hooray! These broken rocks are reading our nightmares. But I don't like my nightmares. Behold! It's so magical. There's gonna be times when you need to make a mess of things before you can fix them. My cow, I'm gonna have to cut this guy's foot off so he can grow him a new one.
00:01:11
Speaker
Wait, what was that?
00:01:15
Speaker
Whatever happens, we're gonna be right beside you. We're in this together. Help! Woohoo!
00:01:25
Speaker
Let's go! My head. Or Starfleet!
Hosts Introduction and Series Focus
00:01:27
Speaker
Hell yeah!
00:01:38
Speaker
Trek, marry, kill.
00:01:44
Speaker
Hi, I'm Brian. Hi, I'm Katie. Welcome to Trick, Marry, Kill, a Star Trek podcast with as many rules as a game of Batlifts and Binox. This month's animated spotlight shines a light on the start Lower Decks' third season. And we're recording this right before Lower Decks' series finale. that I know.
00:02:02
Speaker
know. but We're it's just the weird timing that that's when we when I dragooned Katie into the show. And I'm glad you're here It was exactly. No, it was funny because watching these episodes, I was like, oh, this is when we started doing the Lower Decks stuff. And I was geeking out because this might be my favorite season, um at least the start to the season. um There's a lot of really good episodes in this one.
00:02:29
Speaker
So i kind of think that these two episodes, the the I would say this last week, I watched the penultimate episode of, of Lower Decks and, and big thing, maybe one day we'll discuss it, but big, you know, a lot, a lot happening in that episode that I liked and a lot of stuff where I'm like, this is a part of Lower Decks. I've always been, huh? About. And I think these two episodes perfectly capture,
00:02:54
Speaker
what what What Lord X has always been about, which we will talk about very soon here. um Let's see here.
Discussion on 'Grounded' Episode
00:03:00
Speaker
We're going start with Grounded, the season three premiere, which premiered, which debuted on Paramount Plus August 25th, 2022, written by Chris Kula, directed by Jason Zurich.
00:03:11
Speaker
Memory Alpha describes it. Mariner enlists her friends on a rogue mission to exonerate her mother as Captain Freeman faces a military tribunal for the destruction of Pakled Planet. This was the cliffhanger that ended last season.
00:03:25
Speaker
ah What Memory Alpha doesn't tell you is that this is basically Star Trek 3. yeah so Yeah, it is. but but Before we get into the grades, Katie, I got to ask you your question.
00:03:39
Speaker
Well, actually, did you have a Star Trek three thought? It sounds like. No, no. It's mostly just in the grades, but. Have you seen Star Trek three? that i actually I actually have. Yeah. No. When we saw this, that's when my husband, Mark, was like, okay, you need to watch this movie now. Yeah. I was like, oh, okay.
00:03:56
Speaker
And it's funny because the first time I saw this episode, I did not get the references. I did not get any of it. And then the second time watching it back again, well, guess second or third, and I can't remember how many times I watched this episode.
00:04:09
Speaker
um I was like, oh, I get it now. I get the jokes. I get the references. It's a 40th anniversary was last year, Star Trek three. And, ah you know, I think that movie, some people, some Star Trek fans love it. Some Star Trek fans don't like it.
00:04:27
Speaker
There's kind of in the middle ah where people kind of love what it represents. But, you know, whatever. I'm I'm probably somewhere in the middle. i think I am, too. I saw it right after Star Trek, too. And it was, i think, my second season.
00:04:40
Speaker
I'm not sure. It was probably my second Star Trek movie. So Star Trek two was my first one. Star Trek three was my second one. And, ah you know, it's it's a traumatic movie because the Enterprise dies and no one like no one likes that. It's not fun. No, no.
00:04:56
Speaker
No one likes it when the ship that they love and want to have a model of ah completely gets stripped. I think it's a great movie that really proves that when you see things as a kid, you think of them more fondly than if you initially see them as an adult. Because I think I agree with the fans that are either negative about it or middle about it, where it's sort of like, it's not a well-made movie.
00:05:17
Speaker
It's kind of whatever. I'm like, yeah, no it's I can see that now. It's definitely
Fandoms and Financial Investments
00:05:21
Speaker
chintzy. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. this This episode we're talking about, though, Grounded, also includes a lot of references to First Contact.
00:05:30
Speaker
has an entire sequence of First Contact. ah So kind of a mashup of those two things. But before we get into the grades and the meat of the episode, want to talk about a couple of fringy ideas pitched by the episode. And I'm going to start with this. I'm springing on Katie.
00:05:45
Speaker
Disney adults. I need your take on Disney adults. Are you a Disney adult? I am not a Disney adult. I have lived with Disney adults and to the extreme of just really wanting a new roommate, ah Disney adults. But I also respect and understand and love the fandom.
00:06:02
Speaker
i just feel like similarly to religion, if someone's not into it stop forcing it on people. But I love Disney adults and for their love and passion for those products.
00:06:15
Speaker
What I have never met is a Disney adult with self-awareness. And if that if they exist, please introduce yourself. I'd be happy to meet you. There are plenty of Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans with self-awareness.
00:06:29
Speaker
Yes. I feel like I'm one of them. You're like, I'm nearly one of them. I think there are a lot of comic book fans who are very much like that yes well. I think there are plenty of fandoms where there's a really good percentage.
00:06:43
Speaker
Most of the time, the majority percentage that they're aware, they're like, yeah, this is ridiculous. so I'm really and interested in this other stuff. But the Disney stuff, because it like...
00:06:54
Speaker
not only is the creative creative part, it's the business part of it. It's this weird mashup of like, well, I own stock, so it's very real to me. Right. right Or I have a season ticket pass and I go into debt every year to go to go there. It's like, anyway, so I just want to bring that up because I really feel like that was partly an inspiration for this episode. Oh, for sure. had some Disney adults on staff and that influenced the basically first contact land that they go to in Bosa, Montana.
00:07:23
Speaker
And the other one was Boimler. We find out his family also has a vineyard because nothing in first, nothing in Lower Decks cannot be a reference to something else. To something next gen or something. Yeah. Right. In this case, they, they have their vineyard for grapes to turn them into raisins.
00:07:41
Speaker
Oh God. And I have a very strong feeling about raisins, but I want to ask you, Katie, hit me with your grapes take or your raisins. Listen, I enjoy them a little bit more in the wine selection, but raisins can be nice when they're with a really good granola to make it a little bit sweeter as though you're having a sugary cereal, but you're not. And it's the sad truth of being an an adult when you're trying to be healthy, that raisins, nature's candy. Yeah. You can't see Katie's face, but she looks like she's being held hostage. I really am. Because I'm trying to be healthy lately and it sucks. Yeah, I put on weight. My weight fluctuates because sometimes I will get into sugar like cereal phases.
00:08:26
Speaker
Yes. And they're cereals bad for you. And there's a Famous baseball player CeCe Sabathia for the New York Yankees. And he's like, oh, once I stopped eating ah and he's like this massive guy. yeah But he's like, I what really helped me start losing weight was obviously quitting drinking.
00:08:40
Speaker
But I would stop eating a whole box of Captain Crunch in one sitting. Or Cap'n Crunch as it's pronounced. Cap'n. Yeah. And so just losing your weight by cutting cereal out of the diet. Very important. So ah but to to the point about raisins, I always think about this because i remember suddenly not having raisins for a long time. And then in my 20s, eating a raisin and thinking, oh, this is awful.
00:09:05
Speaker
And I suddenly flashed to when I was in like fifth grade. I'm like, I used to fucking love raisins. Dude, I used to crush a little box of raisins
Personal Preferences in Food and Humor
00:09:13
Speaker
when I was a kid because it was it was nature's candy. But I feel like as an adult, raisins need to be paired with other things like nuts or oats or something to like. But now I can't i can't take them in any. I won't bridge them.
00:09:28
Speaker
The concept of raisins. I'm like anti raisins. It's very strange. I used to. I don't. But the thing is, I'm pro raisin, but I can't eat them. So I guess I'm anti raisin.
00:09:39
Speaker
Wait, you can't eat them as in like an allergy? I just don't want to touch. I don't want to be near them. What about chocolate covered raisins? Because I'm not going to lie Trader Joe's has some really good ones. And that's been my little sweet treat snack.
00:09:51
Speaker
That's a great treat snack for you, but I'm out. yeah Give me the chocolate covered almonds or the chocolate covered cashews or something like that. Fair enough. Fair enough. But also, weirdly, I can handle a cran raisin.
00:10:03
Speaker
The cranberries, yeah the dried cranberries, those types of things. those are Those are a different type of sweet because they've got a lot more punch and a lot more power. um Yeah, raisins themselves.
00:10:15
Speaker
You know what raisins really make me think of, Brian, is ah sexual intent. and Much like... the people on boimler's farm which i think is the funniest bit in this episode yes you have uh young nubile flesh women just throwing themselves at boimler and he's completely oblivious he's so focused on his work uh yeah that's that was cute that was adorable I thought it was so funny. I think it's so funny because they're just like, would you taste the sweetness of my bushel?
00:10:48
Speaker
ah So ridiculous. And the fact that Mariner doesn't even kind of comment on it, I thought it was wild. But it's hilarious to me that Borgler, who can't get...
00:10:59
Speaker
nary a a date that's right it's waiting for him at home right yeah it's just begging for him to say but like he even explains it that like we're just here to dry things out on earth for ages and ages and it's just like just withering away so i kind of understand the like oh yeah i'm back home in my hometown yes so that's exactly what it is yeah and absolutely I've definitely had those trips home where it's like people seem to like me more, but I don't want to be here. yeah yeah yeah yeah No offense, actually. yeah But anyway, um yeah, man Mariner's having a manic episode in this episode.
Character Development and Narrative Insights
00:11:40
Speaker
So that's why she's single fixated. A pretty common storyline with Mariner. Sure. You know, Mariner wants to do it. And actually, an example of twinning is that's basically what these two episodes kind of encompasses that Mariner does the exact same course of action both times around.
00:11:56
Speaker
but We'll get into that in a second. I want to before we get into the grades, also talk about This Mike McMahon interview ah that he did with TrekMovie.com after the premiere, he said, for the first episode back we wanted to feel like not only setting the stage for the season but we also wanted to pay some of the bills from last season and we wanted to celebrate episodes where you go back to earth so it has a little bit of all those flavors i really love the episode because i love first contact i love james cromwell and i love all the earth-based episodes of TNG g and Deep Space Nine.
00:12:24
Speaker
I like being there for that stuff. But yeah, I think it does set the stage for like, hey, this season is going to have a lot of heart in it. It's not just going to be goofing around. We're going to be goofing around, but also we're going to be doing some stuff with the characters that sets up more stages for the future.
00:12:39
Speaker
Then he was also asked, was getting James Cromwell back as Zephram Cochran, was that easy or complicated? And what was it like directing him? And he says, Mike McMahon, I was the voice director on that one.
00:12:50
Speaker
We have animation directors and voice directors. And this season, I got to direct Cromwell and I got to direct all these funny legacy folks. But it was really hard to get him because half the time, he is filming succession, which I love.
00:13:01
Speaker
And the other half of the time he is protesting, causing mischief, which I love. So we had to wait for him to not be gluing his hand to a Starbucks counter, but also not be filming succession. we We were able to record him at his house remotely, which was great.
00:13:15
Speaker
I love this story and it just feels so James Cromwell. I'm like, what a great story piece of the background behind the scenes. And yeah, so hilarious and so silly. And what a great thing to also be able to see him as like the Disney, like, and Hey, welcome to the ride. but also Don't forget to no food or drinks on the rides.
00:13:40
Speaker
So good. So good. ah But yeah, you you get exactly what Mike McMahon is saying from these episode this episode, especially all the different you know references and Earth-based stuff. I i do. i I occasionally love an Earth-based thing, but I feel like that's where we get a lot of our Star Trek tropes, which we'll talk about in a second, and I'm sure, oh of just what it means to be back on Earth and what kind of nefarious means it is to get off Yeah. I just wanted to mention one note from memory alpha because I thought it was pretty significant.
00:14:15
Speaker
So Grounded marks the first time five Star Trek series have aired in one calendar year. oh wow. Which is wild. So in 2022, got...
00:14:27
Speaker
Lower Decks, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Discovery, and probably Prodigy. Yeah, we're about to be Prodigy. Yeah. ah So that's pretty crazy. but That is really crazy. Wow.
00:14:39
Speaker
That was a good golden year for Star Trek. I think that's where I started getting back into Star Trek. is our that year Our cup for sure runneth over. Yes, it does.
Star Trek's Golden Year and Episode Highlights
00:14:49
Speaker
Yes, it does. It's still funny, though, if we were to like think about how many episodes...
00:14:53
Speaker
Actually aired with the number of episodes be the same or or greater than the 90s heyday. Oh, that's a great question. Orders are such are so low. I think Prodigy helps because those are like 20 episodes.
00:15:07
Speaker
Right. I'm not sure. Anyway, I point that out. Let's get into the grades for Grounded. We'll start with Great Moments. um the So starting off right in the um opening credits, we've got the crystalline entity finally entering into the opening credits for the big battle scene. know my feelings on that.
00:15:24
Speaker
I do know your feelings, but I love it. It's just like one thing. Seriously, I just want an artist to do all of the different enemies with the Cerritos turning around. That's all I want is like that image, um especially from the the final season. And I'm kind of hoping for the very last episode that we get a little bit something more. They'll probably just make that real.
00:15:49
Speaker
They'll make that text in the show. Yeah. Like just an actual battle. Yeah. they might um i also have um i i just i loved the fact that brad bradward is always getting hit on in his family's vineyard and he has no idea about it um hilarious uh cisco's dad's creole restaurant um the guy who played his dad um in the uh i can't remember if it was a show or whatnot, it was Alan Cartwright. Ooh, in the original Star Trek movies is, uh, yes. In the original Star Trek movies, uh, is Alan Cartwright and the same actor that played Boo Radley and to kill a mockingbird. That's really cool. Brock Peters. Rest in peace.
00:16:33
Speaker
I just liked the bit with chief Denny. So they, they need to use a transporter yeah get up to the ship. And instead it's this old man wearing like a sweater and he's acting all wise and elderly, but he's like, normally people just stop by to knock me out and steal my transporter. You're not planning to do that, are you? And they i just like the bit where they're like about to knock him out. And then he says something very sweet and they're like, we can't hurt him. He's like my grandfather. He's like everybody's grandfather.
00:17:00
Speaker
Yeah. so and You know, it's a bit. And they're basically aping Star Trek 3. So they're taking another trope from just comedy of like, you can't be cruel. And then the other one I had was Single Rider Gavin.
00:17:12
Speaker
At least the first part. I like when he's... They're about to steal the the ride, the Zephram Cochran Warp Ship Phoenix ride, and use it to get to the space dock.
00:17:22
Speaker
And they think they're the only people on board until they strap in. And there's one guy who's afraid of heights. That's basically me, who's like trying to psych himself up for this. this ride but i just like the comedic bent of like we got this mission and we're going be cool starfleet officers but then no you have a normal obnoxious everyday guy who's going solo on this ride and just needs to be the sixth of a party of five i liked that part i like none of the rest of it where he then takes the ship off into deep space and no thanks not into it uh i'm pretty sure that was neil casey uh for the voice as well and um hilarious bit feels like an improv bit um
00:18:01
Speaker
Yes, that's a great point. yeah Sometimes the the stuff where they bend or break the Star Trek reality, I appreciate is like, if you were doing the scene on stage, I can immediately picture someone coming in and adding that onto a scene and it's like, go with that.
00:18:17
Speaker
This is fun. This something... organic about it totally other ground I love that James Cromwell plays the Steppenwolf magic carpet ride song um especially because it harkens back to the first content that's what happens in the movie Katie yes it does but it is a clipped version it is a a highly edited version um ah and this is like the actual normal soundtrack of the song so I thought that was really interesting and cool um And then, of course, you know, reference to Star Trek 3 when they steal the Enterprise i and um the transporter ship being named. Oh, yeah. The transporter ship.
00:18:55
Speaker
I don't know if you caught it. It was named the Joshua Tree. um i think we've mentioned this before, but I just I love that little moment. But also we get an appearance from Morgan Bateson, who um this is that towards the very end. I know you're shaking your head.
00:19:11
Speaker
Morgan Bateson, who is the ah guest star appearance of ah Kelsey Grammer, is the character. And he was the one that basically does the under-cause and effect.
00:19:22
Speaker
Yep.
Character Pairing and Storytelling Elements
00:19:23
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. But he's on the strike team. That's right. He's on the strike team to help exonerate ah Captain Freeman. And then, of course, in the very end, I really do like the idea of pairing Ransom with Mariner. I thought that was um a brilliant move and also kind of just shows where that character's journey is finally going on to kind of end some of this bullshit that she does all the time
00:19:50
Speaker
Yeah, and that when they we first find her in the episode, she's throwing a temper tantrum. Yes. She's throwing and breaking things and screaming. She's being a gigantic baby. Yes. Best Trek tropes. um I love the Earth shenanigans. i You know, it always feels like you when you're on Earth with Star Trek, you got to escape. You got to get back for some reason. There's a bigger plot at hand.
00:20:11
Speaker
That's a great point. Like whenever whenever we see our characters on Earth, they're always itching to leave and get back. Into space. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like this isn't Star Trek. I need to get back into it. Which is why I love the Gavin bit because it's like, he's so scared of heights and then he finally gets into space and he's like, so no, no. That's amazing. That's a great call.
00:20:33
Speaker
Yeah. um I do love ah stealing a spaceship to prove somebody's innocent. And then all I think it's hilarious. I think i think it's very Star Trek. um But also using science as like sort of their underlying what they're actually doing, only to be to discover that it's just a giant orgy of aliens.
00:20:54
Speaker
that's right That's right. We've got these. um What are they called? Oh, it's like, ver I meant to write this down. The Verugament, these ah floating faceworm or snot bubbles. They're pink though. So I'm like a little, the Verugament. Yes. Yes, it is. Yeah. um That's good.
00:21:14
Speaker
That's good. Those are good. Any other best trick jokes? Um, that is what I have. Okay. So I was shaking my head at the captain Bateson's thing, but I've put it as a best trick trope, cultural vandalism as a, this is a lower deck's trope, but like nothing matters as long as you can have fun with it. Like just stealing the Cerritos.
00:21:35
Speaker
It, none of it, it doesn't make sense. It doesn't make any sense to, to wit. How does the ship get from the Leperian system back to earth without its outer hole?
00:21:48
Speaker
which Well, it gets carted back. It gets, i think. well Well, how does it get carted back under impulse? You know what I mean? Like it's still big. Did they extend the shields for the whole flight back? Okay, fine.
00:21:59
Speaker
But that's one thing. But the whole whole idea of like these ensigns are stealing the ship and they're not suffering any consequences or that they're even able to do it at all is like pretty ridiculous.
00:22:10
Speaker
Yeah. ah But again, we're having fun with it, right? Because there's an orgy on the ship and it's pretty pretty silly fun times. I kind of think the whole First Contact theme park is a ridiculous concept as well. It's like, again, the vandalism part, the cultural vandalism part.
00:22:27
Speaker
When Geordi reveals to Zephyr Cochran in the movie, there's a this whole area is a national park. with a statue of you with your hand out to the future. And here he's just like pointing like buddy Jesus.
00:22:39
Speaker
Yeah. It's just like, you know, and the whole thing is very commercial it's a commercialized because that's the only way our limited 21st century brains can comprehend anything like this anymore. Will there be no public good? good There'd be no education.
00:22:53
Speaker
Markedly different from how the human mind conceived of the future in 1996 when they wrote the movie. So I guess I'm putting it as we all had fun with it. it And the show's clearly having fun with it, but it is kind of vandalizing some really nice thoughts that, you know, Kirk stealing the Enterprise to rescue Spock is supposed to be massively transgressive, huge problem.
00:23:15
Speaker
Anytime they steal these ships now, or is is drafting off of that. and And what, does it work as well as it ever does in Star Trek III? No. it never does. Yeah. But they do it anyway because that's what happened in Star Trek 3 and fans are familiar with it.
00:23:31
Speaker
So I put by still put it as a best Trek trip. I just want to make it clear. understand. Obviously, without any of this, there would be no episode. They would have had no idea what to do. Really? Really?
00:23:42
Speaker
you sure? Anyway, any others? No. Worst Streck tropes? um Just the system working behind the scenes. The system never works behind the scenes, especially Starfleet. I feel like investigations rarely work behind the scenes. I was a little annoyed because I was like, oh, great. We're to have to go through Starfleet, you know, screwing up one thing or another.
00:24:08
Speaker
um But then it like it ends up working out kind of off screen and Captain Freeman's release. And it's like, yes yeah. listen There's a weird insidious idea through this one. It's like, trust the system, trust the process.
00:24:20
Speaker
Yeah. Which is... cool because i feel like it's a nice idea, but in 2022, this episode might've been written in 2021, but more likely 2020.
00:24:33
Speaker
So in the height of the George Floyd riots, you're going like, trust the system. yeah system work Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And like, I kind of do understand because it's also like election wise in America, it's a little bit like there's been some transitions and, ah you know,
00:24:52
Speaker
there's been a transfer of power but we never got justice so it's also like uh i don't know about that guys like i i don't feel like we can and especially with a lot of the other star trek series aka picard discovery like there's a lot where it's kind of teaching us not to trust right they're saying it's all rotten and garbage yeah and we're not going to make things better but if we stick together we might be able to survive it a little bit that's kind of the but I should say, no, we're screwed. We're not making it out of here.
00:25:25
Speaker
But if we stick together, we might suffer slightly less. yeah Yeah, I would love it if there was, i i don't know, a little bit more of like, why why are the Paklins convincing you? You know, like the fact that the Paklins are still sort of this notorious, nefarious entity that is swaying their opinions on Captain Freeman and everybody else.
00:25:53
Speaker
I will admit, this is a nice turning point for Captain Freeman's character because it feels like she's finally taking on the captain's role and being a little bit more captain. the last couple of spotlights where it's like all right freeman she's got her act together she's captain yeah yeah it's it's just strange to see her right and right off screen yeah no uh so i put the golden gate bridge as a worst trick choice Not because I think it normally is because the tropes can be best or worse depending on what how they're used in the episode.
00:26:27
Speaker
I can't believe I'm saying this. I'm from the Bay Area, the Golden Gate Bridge. ma Chef's kiss, wonderful, all that stuff. and But you know Mariner's line, people don't even drive anymore. This planet is whack.
00:26:38
Speaker
It's wrong. Did people to Mike McMahon not pay attention? On one of the new shows, I think, they put transit tubes in there. Or I think in the emotion picture, there's transit tubes in there yeah because there's public transportation. Or do they think that people just beam everywhere?
00:26:55
Speaker
I think they're assuming that people just beam everywhere. That's stupid. I'm sorry. That's a stupid so the her So Mariner dissing the Golden Gate Bridge, I'm like, wow, if they really wanted to make an episode where I don't like Mariner at the end of it, this episode's really, it's off to a running start. Oh, man. Oh, man. Wow. Just well just by dissing the Golden Gate. Starting off with that and then just she's in a manic state the whole episode. Everyone's just going with it.
00:27:21
Speaker
And she's making a mess. But ah so I just thought the worst Trek trope of like calling out the Golden Gate Bridge and in this case for for no other reason than she doesn't like being on Earth and i'm being there as a symbol.
00:27:33
Speaker
think huddled around it it's Think about the last couple episodes that Mariner had with her mom. We had a lot of growth there. She actually was excited to work with her mom. She actually it almost felt like she finally solidified that she wants to be on the Cerritos. She doesn't want to be moved or transferred to anywhere else else. She doesn't want her mom to move or be transferred anywhere else. This backslide is like, oh, I've come so far and now I'm going to lose.
00:27:56
Speaker
That's her big fear, right? It's always like, i've I've made all these friends and now I could lose them. So I'm going to cause ah an intergalactic incident. Yes. yes certainly Every Mariner storyline. Yes. That's right.
00:28:08
Speaker
Worst Trek trope. Yeah. I did. You liked all this. I liked your best Trek trope quite a lot about like people when they're back on earth are always itching to leave and go back. But I still put as a worst Trek trope, just vineyards.
00:28:21
Speaker
Like it's,
00:28:24
Speaker
It's over. It's done. the The reason why Cisco's works is because it was his dad's restaurant. And so the idea of like, I'm going to take a leave of absence and go back to my dad's restaurant and wash some dishes. I'm like, human, relatable. would have retired to my family's estate, the vineyard, and worked that. I'm like, get off your high horse. You high blue Classes MF-er.
00:28:46
Speaker
ah But anyway, and just was, you know, it's it's somehow it's hackneyed and it's only Picard who started this trend of vineyards and then Lower Decks picks up on it. Any other worst trick tropes?
00:28:57
Speaker
I mean, Bormler just really wants to be Picard, you know? That's right. That's fair. oh No, but i I do love that in his logs that we finally get to realize that Bormler does not actually have naturally purple hair.
00:29:12
Speaker
He dyes it. uh i put easter egg overload just to i think you it's a worse stretch joke we have to acknowledge sometimes it could be a good one i can't think of a situation where there's been so many easter eggs i've been happy there was an episode of star trek picard season three which famously was like we only have half a story but what if the other half was only all easter eggs yep And some people love that episode and I didn't and know, whatever.
00:29:38
Speaker
But, and I think of this one though, it's not the volume so much as the value of them. So they go to Cisco's, they're eating hot sauce. The hot sauce is Ketracel white hot sauce. Now,
00:29:49
Speaker
The comedy bit is that Mariner is just cranking it. She's dumping on there and it's not bothering her. And Boimler is losing it. Off of one spritz. A perfectly funny comedic bit that it's taking place at Cisco's.
00:30:03
Speaker
Great. Whatever. But catch or sell white. Okay, so what is Ketracil white to those who don't know? That is the narcotic that the Dominion created to make sure that the Jem'Hadar were loyal to them.
00:30:15
Speaker
It was the drug they gave their soldiers to make them fight and kill. So it is basically as culturally sensitive as like morally and ethically right as calling something kamikaze hot sauce.
00:30:27
Speaker
yeah Like it is. yeah Yeah. So it's like, yep. It's your, the funny bit is simply the hot sauce bit. You add this Ketracel white thing on there and you're basically, you think it's a little bad tasting. I think it's bad taste in a way that does not make you,
00:30:44
Speaker
I say like I can accept it because it's bad taste because it's it's funny enough on its own the hot sauce you can make jokes and bad taste I think we've talked about some on this show yes but isn't like this one seems in an episode that's just kind of doing everything feels kind of empty And then the other thing was, ah for some reason, the Captain Bateson reference kind of hit me as like, all right, you're doing. Sure, I understand. But you you have in that same speech that she's giving, you've got a Bateson reference and a Tuvok reference. And Tuvok is doing enhanced and interrogation techniques. Otherwise, not.
00:31:18
Speaker
torturing someone for information so what it ah boils down to is like we have this crazy ridiculous paclid plot and in the background it's been handled by a bunch of legacy character references and that's what made fall flat to me of like all right you didn't have much leg to stand on with the story but if you throw enough references out there that might satisfy people so that's all And then my other worst Trek trope is a lower deck Trek trope, which I've already touched on kind of this false underdog narrative.
00:31:49
Speaker
o Mariner is upset that they won't believe her mom because she's the captain of a Cali class ship. And, you know, this whole thing is like, we've got to rescue the captain. We can't trust Starfleet. It's all the stuff you're saying, but it's kind of like, I get it. Lower decks. You have to create these stakes of whatever of a false underdog narrative.
00:32:06
Speaker
But the problem is, is like, you have to ah design your show, your concepts to actually play to what you have to, Design the mechanism of your show to fit your concept. The concept is not about the upper decks. If you're more fascinated by that, then change the bent of the show. But otherwise, isn't it just enough to be like, like to me, the concept is you have to tell a story about what they do on earth while they're waiting for the verdict.
00:32:31
Speaker
yeah That is what Lower Decks the concept is. Not like, what if Mariner shoved her nose into it and and made that made her part of the story? That's what I'm saying. I'm saying it's it's too much. Sometimes they push it too Okay, it's hat on the hat, as we say. Hat on the hat. that That's what all the, yes.
00:32:49
Speaker
lord Lower Decks would never deny never deny the charges. but like We're constantly looking for a second hat. to We're a two hat minimum writer's room. Well, because it but it's also it feels a little like almost like Bob's Burgery when they like they throw in all of their like punny restaurant names.
00:33:07
Speaker
It feels like submissions of jokes that they could figure how to put that into basically a monologue at the end and then montage the comedy lists are funny. Yeah, they really are. can set up the right.
00:33:20
Speaker
It's all about setup, right? You can always set it up. So like, what is the Lower Decks version of this episode? But then you miss, you know i mean? Like, you understand why they're doing the story this way. But again, it's kind of betrays your concept of like, the the captain of your ship is involved in this intergalactic incident where a planet was blown up, right? Right. Okay. And then now you have to get involved in something that's intergalactic. But the premise of your show is like, what if the office, but in Star Trek, you know what I mean? Like that's, so that's what I'm saying. Like sometimes you do this underdog narrative to make your show get at a bigger storyline to make it seem more important. But your starting point was no, it's the mundanity of what they're doing.
00:34:01
Speaker
And I think that's sometimes that can be a great track trope. Like in the finale, we spotlighted. They came to a ship's rescue and then roped them into a bigger responsibility. They got to make first contact. Right. right That wasn't and that's fine. I'm fine with that. They deserved it.
00:34:18
Speaker
What else is going to happen there? Fine. this Anyway, that's my worst joke. The underdog narrative. Double edged sword. Most cosplayable character or moment? ah Everyone in their earth clothing, um their asymmetrical 90s-esque.
00:34:32
Speaker
That's always funny when they do that. Yes. I love it much. Absolutely, Rutherford. I love that Rutherford even makes a comment on his asymmetrical shirt. He's like, I don't know if it's asymmetrical enough.
00:34:47
Speaker
Yeah, that's a great one. um I think there's been plenty of Zefram Cochran cosplayers. Oh, yeah. Now you can throw a Gavin in there and see if anyone will catch it. Oh, that'd amazing. Now that's a deep cut lore. All right, now it's time for the line must be drawn. yeah Great lines.
00:35:02
Speaker
um Screens can be turned off, you know. um That is when Mariner is throwing plants. lot of plants her dad has that's right at the screens. He likes us to create a serenity garden. He does, yeah. That are now being ruined his daughter.
00:35:19
Speaker
um Oh my god, Boimler, that is so nerdy and so clutch right now. That is funny to me because they animate her so she does like a cheering fist, but she does like an uppercut punch on him and it throws him in the bushes. And I was like, okay, that's funny. They needed a joke there and it was like, what if she uppercut punched him into the bushes by accident?
00:35:41
Speaker
Yes, yes. Which, as we know, animation, always funny with a little bit of violence. That's right. Just spray off with a hose, Leanne! Boimler to one of the... ah ah So many meanings in that. So hilarious. um yeah Did you time your entrance to say that? And that is when Mariner is coming into the Cisco's restaurant and at totally admitting that she totally did.
00:36:11
Speaker
um Don't let the door hit you where the big bang splits you. We say that in our household now.
00:36:21
Speaker
It's now entered Hampton lore. It is now a Hampton lore. Don't let the door hit you where the big bang splits you. I find that hilarious and amazing. um And I can't remember who voiced that character, but um I do believe that we get a couple of like Troy Bakers and ah such, which a voiceover artists who are very big in the video game community.
00:36:46
Speaker
So this is, this is chock full of like really interesting references and stuff, but let's see. Oh, and then my last one, Gavin the pilot and I'm going to explore the galaxy.
00:36:58
Speaker
Idiot. You're right, though. Once you got a taste of space, he's like, I'm in it. the mountain yeah Now it's time for the line must be drawn here. Great lines. i eat Listen, I understand your Disney ah point of view.
00:37:14
Speaker
i do think the Montana bit is hilarious. You know, anytime they corporatize like a moment in Star Trek history or something like that. i I agree with you. I put that as well. I'm just saying that to me is not an an original idea.
00:37:30
Speaker
Sure. Like, what if this beloved thing was corporatized? Yeah, that's what we're living right now. no I know. And I think that's where it's. I think this is where the humor really is, where it's just like, yeah, we're so used to seeing corporatization interesting moments, and especially when it's like first contact, of all things.
00:37:49
Speaker
ah Oh, I didn't see you there. I was just in my workshop. the little The video that's happening. Yes. So good. While he's like also mixed in with all the parts and stuff as they're waiting in line. um ah so I, I also, i I still think that like the Cerritos being stripped is like a really cool image. I think it's really great. I agree with you. I'm just wondering how did I get back to earth? I know.
00:38:12
Speaker
I know. I know. I understand. i like the logic of it doesn't quite make sense, but just like the image of it, like traveling in space, totally stripped is like really cool. Um, yeah, I feel like you married First Contact. I'm on board with that mission.
00:38:28
Speaker
yeah Then um I thought the alien lifeforms orgy was actually kind of cool to look at. Good call. And also, this is the only show where they could call it that. Yep.
00:38:45
Speaker
yeahp I think there's been episodes where where there have been like someone, an alien. Some overtly sexual stuff. yeah Yeah. But they've never been able to call it exactly that. Yeah. Yeah. Would this be, have been a fun hollow novel to play out, Katie? i he said yes, especially with rewiring the coaster ride and having Gavin in the back.
00:39:02
Speaker
Yeah, I totally agree. ah What part of this will they teach at Starfleet Academy? How nefariously far Packlet shenanigans will go and not be taken seriously. ah That's a good one. put the Verugament as part of space-dwelling life-form studies.
00:39:18
Speaker
Because there's been some many space-dwelling life-forms. Star Trek history. All right. So Trek, Marry, or Kill Grounded, kitie Okay, so I feel like you've actually swayed me quite a bit.
00:39:30
Speaker
i Like, I love this episode. i will always rewatch this episode. I think it's a fun episode. But I think this is a solid Trek and not necessarily a Mary. Yeah, I'll join you on Trek. Again, you just have to overlook...
00:39:43
Speaker
i know Thinking about the integrity of it. I just didn't buy the premise. You talk about hat on a hat, but it's almost schmuck bait. Like there's no person, there's no real person that we could possibly meet who actually thought that Captain Freeman was under any sort of jeopardy.
00:39:57
Speaker
You know, the testimony of the Archimedes crew, they like there's so much evidence against that this ridiculous concept. And it was never revealed like that Starfleet was doing this to catch the Paklids.
00:40:11
Speaker
Right. Right. It was it was presented as no, they honestly believe this. And then they were doing an investigation and then it was revealed. And i'm like, that's absurd. yeah in In a matter of perspective on TNG, g not a great Rashomon episode where they use the holodeck to recreate a crime.
00:40:28
Speaker
It's absurd to think that Riker would have murdered a scientist. right But in that episode, but they explore it because in that episode, it's very clear that something happened between Riker and the dude's wife.
00:40:40
Speaker
Yeah, and you don't know because he's always such a, like, yeah he's monster. That's right. But this is, like, completely out of left field. And we're so it's a cartoonish plot. And so, but yes. And so, you know. it It's a B slash C story that doesn't feel like it should be a B slash C story because there's so much emphasis on Mariner trying to free her mom and, you know, clear her name.
00:41:04
Speaker
I think I agree with that. But yeah, I mean, yeah. beautifully done. you know, they obviously wanted to really do an episode like this. So yeah, it was fun. And also been trying to be like, well, we gave Sub Rosa a trek. So I have to make sure I'm keeping an open mind about what the treks are as well as the Marys and the kills. So that was good.
00:41:23
Speaker
We'll be right back with the least dangerous game. The Least Dangerous Game is the second episode of Lower Decks third season. It premiered on P-Plus September 1st, 2022, written by Garrick Bernard, directed by Michael Mullen.
00:41:37
Speaker
Memory Alpha describes it. On a tropical paradise planet, Mariner questions Commander Ransom on how he structures his away team. Boimler makes a bold career decision. Okay, what Memory Alpha is not telling us is that Boimler basically pulls a George Costanza.
00:41:52
Speaker
which is do the opposite of what he ever always says, but it kind of turns into like, always say yes to things. Yes. And or whatever. yeah And that gets him ultimately gets him into the situation where he's the prey or this an enormous, disgusting, scary looking creature called cranch.
00:42:08
Speaker
And, um and then basically predator. That's right. That's right. The great, great call. And meanwhile, ah while Mariner and ransom are on this, ah space elevator trying to make repairs you've got Billups and Rutherford down on on basically the episode Justice from TNG g with a bunch of scantily clad orange people and they offend them and at the end Ransom has to come save the day and this is another episode where Mariner has to learn how to work in a team follow orders but i this is also the first time she actually successfully tries to get back on track yes
00:42:47
Speaker
it's a big moment for her it's a big moment for her character to switch it up and like I mean she does take credit for stuff that where she was going rogue she was going to try and be rogue and save the day but then she's like no let me go back and you know kind of follow and you know she pays for it and it's nice to see her paying for something like that you know even though it's just like her trekking up like a hundred flights of stairs just to get to where she's supposed to be in the first place she gets bailed out yeah it's because ransom calls her back and and she she's like oh i don't want to get in trouble for leave okay all right but that that that thought process of her saying i don't want to get in trouble for this because she knows she's gonna have to do more with ransom and in the future i feel like is a huge moment for mariner's character because she would not have cared in any previous episodes she would just kept going she kept diving uh you're probably right
00:43:46
Speaker
a couple Questions before we get into the grades though. Are you a D&D head? Because this episode sets up Batless and Bainox, basically the Ferengi version that they're foisting on nerdy humans about Klingon honor, swords and cowards is what it means.
00:44:00
Speaker
And it's basically Dungeons and Dragons. That is my first great moment and ah that I wanted to mention because i I am a D&D. i'm but like i'm I'm a peripheral D&D nerd. I will play. i will be ridiculous characters and whatnot.
00:44:15
Speaker
I think it's hysterical that they did Batless and Benox. ah It's so good. um But yeah, no, it's ah especially the way that their DM is basically a hologram. It's so good. Oh, well, it's Martok. Yeah, it's Martok.
00:44:32
Speaker
ah So I'm not a D&D head. i have friends who are, but that's it's kind of like anything fantasy related. I'm not into, but there are certain fantasy franchises or whatever that I'm like, i I respect people's nerdishness or geekness into it because they have a sense of humor about it. And they're like, and they also apply it to their lives in funny ways.
00:44:56
Speaker
yeah like everyone i know who's in a dnd and has a sense of humor about it they have a sense of humor about it ah and it can be applied to many things i also think like without dnd heads having a sense of humor about it we don't get the amazing community episode the dungeons and dragons exactly oh that was such an amazing such a good tv yeah yeah um so you know same with lord of the rings heads i'm i'm i love them all because they're just so into lord of most of them are pretty cool about it. And it's like, it's fine.
00:45:25
Speaker
um And then my other question to you was I had a suspicion, you know, if I had to guess what you were into D and D would be in the top three. So, you know, it it it was actually something that I didn't really get into until i was an adult. um And I i literally have i have a set of dice right by my computer screen right now because I've mostly played via Zoom. And for ah so the person who introduced it to me was ah my good friend Charlotte, who is actually one of my bridesmaids.
00:45:56
Speaker
And when I came and visited her out in Kansas City, Missouri, ah the first time I went and visited her, ah She had me play as ah just like a one off character. um i think I was a bard that just told jokes to, I don't know, ah deter or like shame opponents.
00:46:16
Speaker
um And it was very fun. You were a heckler? I was essentially a professional heckler in their campaign. were roasting people, yeah. i i ah so I was cracking jokes and it was very fun.
00:46:29
Speaker
And then um she invited me onto a campaign later. And that was my first campaign. I think it was edition. Actually, I think that was a fifth edition. Yeah. um So I started around like fourth, fifth edition. So I'm not the most in-depth D&D nerd, but I do understand it. I love it. And i think it creates really cool moments.
00:46:51
Speaker
I would, uh, and also the Dungeons and Dragons movie with Chris Pine, I thought was great. I did see the original one with Jeremy Irons and I can't remember who else, but the Chris Pine one, that's definitely a solid, solid Trek.
00:47:03
Speaker
Oh yeah. No, that's, that's one of our Thanksgiving movies and it's, it's, oh, it's solid Trek for that movie. Solid. Oh, Jonathan. Yes. My favorite character. Yeah.
00:47:17
Speaker
And then the other question I have for you, Katie, are you a practitioner of if you're on time, you're late? Okay, so it was drilled into me that if you're on time, you're late. If you're early, you're on time.
00:47:29
Speaker
And so much to the point that I, it's not that I like it. It's that it's just one of those moral things that I have to be there at least 15 minutes early, or I will feel late.
00:47:42
Speaker
And then the anxiety creeps up in me. So... This an element in the episode when Ransom's asking Mariner to report and she's like, it's not for another hour. And he's like, that means you're late. I know. And then they're late to being early. And then Rutherford's like, I'm just going to be normal on time. And I was like, Ooh, I, I always wanted to be like the Rutherfords was just like, just be on time. But I had so much anxiety and agita about not being early. Yeah.
00:48:11
Speaker
Now with like call times and stuff like that, I've gotten, I started to get more understanding like of my life of like at least five minutes. Oh yeah. You got it. But for, you know, it wasn't until I was like 20 or 21 that that concept was introduced to me or it's like,
00:48:27
Speaker
The van leaves at eight o'clock and I'm like, it's seven 59. I'm here. Let's go. And it's eight o'clock. And they're like, you're late. And I'm like, no, it's the van. I'm right here on time. So just want thought interesting to know what you thought about that. I mean, on a ship with buffer time, I feel like right this whole on time thing is whatever, but I liked the expansion of ransom saying what he thought it actually meant was an interesting concept.
00:48:52
Speaker
Which is an interesting dichotomy for how he works. Just putting that out there. so that's a great point because it's like, does he Does he he comes off as like a bro, but does that not mean a a bro with no rules? You know what i mean? Like maybe he surfs or whatever. He's a douche or whatever.
00:49:12
Speaker
But then he's still on time. He still does all of his reports. But instead of enter, he says, yoy yo, yo. You know, i mean, he still puts a little stupid spin on it. But he still is able to make the minimum requirements that are needed for the position.
00:49:25
Speaker
just as it' not that i think they're going for yeah i think it's a bit of posturing, you know, and especially in this episode, which we do end up like, I like the fact that he admits that he was posturing. And we have a taste of that in the last ah former episodes, especially when he's with Boimler and he admits that he was trying to look cool for his own COs or whatever.
00:49:47
Speaker
ah by saying that he was from Hawaii but he wasn't I feel like there there is a little bit within Ransom that is all about the image of being perfect not necessarily of ah being accountable for perfect and I feel like this is also a nice moment in this episode where he actually admits all right I was trying to posture to you but I want you to be better essentially Right.
00:50:13
Speaker
And also he respects his captain and she's given him this task and he's like, well, I i don't want to let myself down because of my own performance. I think I can train this officer up, but also I don't want to let this captain, my captain down, even though it's her daughter, but she's entrusted me with this. um Let's get into the grades. We'll start with great moments.
00:50:32
Speaker
I love Batleth Sinbinux. I thought that was hilarious. um So great. Such a fun opener. i can't remember. are you a Deep Space Ninehead or not? you're I'm not. No, I'm not. But like I, i i but again, my husband also helps fill in some of the blanks that I didn't have the ah full time to explore.
00:50:53
Speaker
um but yeah, i I really like that. Martok wasn't there. I put the entire sequence. Well, every moment where Boimler is once he's decided, I'm going to say yes to things. Yes. But they're all short and sweet.
00:51:10
Speaker
You've got the racquetball game. It's a great rule of three buildup. Yes. The racquetball game where Shaxx runs him over. Chief Lundy, who creepily asks him to be their skeletal boy for the drawing class.
00:51:22
Speaker
And then the entire end sequence with the Kranch hunting him, yeah including the bit where Captain, where he gets Captain in Freeman to help. And she's like, oh, he's quite a charmer, that Kranch. Oh my God. Yes, I had brunch with him this morning.
00:51:38
Speaker
So I thought all that worked. I thought it was funny. was silly. Which is great because each one of those moments has a Boimler scream in it. That's true. But I save where, which one there's one in particular, I think works as the best Trek joke, but did you have any other great moments?
00:51:55
Speaker
Boimler scream was definitely one of mine. um ah You know, Chax is just crushing it these days. um Ransom using essentially a YouTube video to help fix the, I thought that was hilarious.
00:52:09
Speaker
I call because my dad's dead. So I don't have like someone asked for advice for home stuff, but I have called YouTube my digital dad. Yeah. Yeah. Especially the, like we've all been there where we're like, what does that even mean? How am I supposed to, what?
00:52:26
Speaker
That's right. that's um i did like the the reference to the jj abrams movie with the diving um and then we get our first appearance of bold boimler which is one of my favorite um new kind of sub characters that we've got going on here which is basically boimler just saying yes to things that would normally make him scream Best trick tropes.
00:52:48
Speaker
I said the in the ensigns working to be better Starfleet officers. um I know that we don't necessarily get that directly in the beginning, but just Mariner trying to be better, Boimler trying to be a little bit more courageous. And I feel like these two are, especially with Mariner and Boimler, we get some really good pivotal moments that change their characters for the better throughout the the rest of the seasons. And then also Mariner making that switch of um going rogue to going back to trusting in her commanding officers.
00:53:25
Speaker
I put different social mores reminding us that this is the 24th century. i think there is something not provocative, something transgressive almost about Tendi being in her towel, the entire scene where she's talking to Boimler and he's trying to be like, he can't believe that this Vendome guy has become captain and she's trying to like help him out.
00:53:46
Speaker
And she's doing the whole scene in her towel and she gets very close to him and whatever. It's Star Trek. You know, and other than the time where Mariner and Manhaver were in the shower naked and talking, and it was like no big deal.
00:53:58
Speaker
It's very rare that we get that. We do get overtly sexual stuff in Lower Decks, unlike the other shows. But I think we forget that they are supposed to be different. And Enterprise gave us the stupid decon chamber, of course. but Like in none of the other shows, do we get any, I don't know. I, so I appreciate that. They just reminded us star Trek, by the way, people are a lot more comfortable with sexual ah in the future.
00:54:22
Speaker
And the point where scream that I put as the best trick trope, not that I dislike it ever, but ah because it becomes a plot point is when Shax pulls him over and he's like, I love that scream. And he invites them to join. are soprano but jordanur choir Yeah.
00:54:37
Speaker
the The fact that Bajoran music is so haunting and emotional, also a good best Trek trope, a nice reminder of that. ah Of course, who can forget Ensign Rowe hearing that they're going to perform the death the Bajoran death chant? She goes, not the death chant.
00:54:54
Speaker
yes I also, Boimler calling Captain Freeman cappin. Cappin. Can't forget that. Gotta get that cappin dude. They're really good about just doing it attach sometimes.
00:55:06
Speaker
Just in the left. It's great. And then Ransom working out, I think is... no I put it as the best Trek trope, even though I caught it as in in the animation that I don't think that they animated his squat properly.
00:55:19
Speaker
It is an improper squat. You gotta go glutes first, man. You gotta to really sit in that. The way to think of a squat is a is a butt dip. Yep. Because what you're actually trying to do is get your hips equal with your knees. Okay. Brian's been working out. Okay. well Squats, at least. That was how I got back in shape many years ago. But ah so, you know, he's there animal yeah as ah as um it's always sunny in Philadelphia goes. He's working on his glamour muscles.
00:55:46
Speaker
Yes. work on your core. Yeah. Right. Right. Right. and I actually liked him doing that just because I liked him saying like, could an engineer do this? Yeah. It's like, yes. With a stool.
00:55:57
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. but Hilarious joke. I actually kind of, well, sorry. He's kind of like put them up on that elevator to take them out of the action. Yeah.
00:56:08
Speaker
So he's kind not farting around, but he's kind of like doing like what, He's kind of doing this on purpose. He's doing what Ransom does best, which is basically working out in order to avoid work.
00:56:19
Speaker
And that's why I have it as his worst Trek trope, because it is one of the things about his character that drives me bonkers. And it's not the first time he's done this, and it won't be the last time he's done It pays off at the end, though. It does. It does pay off at the end. It really does pay off at the end. And i agree, and I understand that. But it's also, it's just, it's annoying, because I'm just like, Ransom, come on, man. Just do the right thing. Well, I'll, I'll join you then in putting it a worse. Cause they do animate the squat incorrectly. Incorrectly.
00:56:49
Speaker
Oh, he's doing the squats wrong. So maybe they did that purpose and they're like, maybe he's not good at squats. Maybe he's just that kind of gym bro. That's just really working on his lower back. The vanity muscles. Yeah.
00:57:00
Speaker
What else do you have? I also have for the but worst Trek tropes, I have a sentient computer. ah How dare you? I'm sorry. It just... I appreciated it because of the way Rutherford phrased it, where they weren't sure what was controlling the planet. And we actually find out there's a third being.
00:57:20
Speaker
They're kind of mocking Star Trek in that regard. But okay, I'm fine with... You can put it as a worst Trek trope. Thank you very much. I appreciate the past. yeah What other worst Trek trope you have?
00:57:31
Speaker
Cultural vandalism. So here I put it in the worst trope. ah It's twinning though, because what if first contact was commercialized here? It's the Ferengi. They use the cloak of the Ferengi to like excuse that they put together this Dungeons and Dragons game.
00:57:47
Speaker
And it's like Martok in Deep Space Nine already, Katie, is this close to being a cartoon character in deep space nine. It's the tech.
00:57:59
Speaker
And so here it is just being pushed over to the edge. And then they dress it up with this Frankie stuff and it's dungeons and dragons. And i don't know. Martok is a deeper character than that. And so basically rounding him up into this buffoonish, you know, wadding, it's kind of also mocking the, it's the capitalism that we, the TNG VHS game from the nineties. That's right. Like that's another deep lore cut.
00:58:24
Speaker
And it's ah kind of like, it's over the top. It's Klingon. So everything's over the top, but like Mark, and just to give you a perspective, Martok is the chancellor of the Klingon empire and the Ferengi put, they're saying the Ferengi put him in this game to it. And that's why they said there's a Gowron expansion because he was also a chancellor.
00:58:44
Speaker
uh you know whatever i mean i i like jg herzler as martoc and whatever i just think in this case i also didn't think that the space jump being traced from star trek 2009 like it's the same music it's the same shot selection i don't know that necessarily worked but i think that you softened me like i kind of softened you on the other one you kind of softened me of like this what because she could have just kept going right she could have been like i'm already here and i'm gonna or ignored him or something like that Yeah, or told him the truth about what she was doing. and like Four episodes ago, Mariner mightn't might have done that.
00:59:17
Speaker
And it ah hundred percent it was kind of funny watching her work her way back up. It was great because it it was finally it was it was finally a um a consequence for her roguelike actions. And i feel like we haven't seen a lot of consequences other than her being thrown into the brig or being yelled at by the captain, you know, like she has, it's still, it's like, but it's, it it's finally taking that, that consequence and making it immediate because like that, that's the reason why she usually goes rogue. So she doesn't have to face those kinds of very practical. i agree. It's just the show's asking us to,
00:59:54
Speaker
get on board with the liar. Like it's always as sure. But at the same time, at the end of the day, what did she truly lie about? I mean, she did her work. She, she helped. She lied about where she was to her your officer. Okay. But did that affect anything?
01:00:10
Speaker
Like, did that affect them saving Rutherford? Like, that like it didn't affect anything. And it's one of those that's like ransom comes on ransom comes clean. He admits what, like maybe he was being too difficult in the moment.
01:00:23
Speaker
she hit me on board with him She didn't say I did not trust you, but then I changed my mind. Like she doesn't have the the confession moment. Really not not. She's not ready for it. she Her character's not there yet. I'm saying the show's asking us to just go with it. That's all right.
01:00:39
Speaker
It's fine. It's fine. Sure. ah Where are we here? Most cosplayable character a moment. Oh, obviously, Batless and Binocs. Like, i I love just like the Starfleet officer outfit with like the the Klingon. being And the Klingon fake paper. Yeah, yeah.
01:00:58
Speaker
That's a good one. That's a good one. Can I offer another one? Please. If you don't think it's better than what we're going with yours, but... specifically Rutherford in his torn uniform, exposing his midriff with the flower tattoo around his navel. He's also got the lei and the flower ah crown on.
01:01:15
Speaker
Yes, yes. i Because you've got the also the Rutherford, um the cyborg implant as well. So that'd be like a pretty involved costume. That's good one. Okay, all right. Yours is complicated. You take a Boimler and then you add the Klingon stuff on. That would also be fun.
01:01:31
Speaker
I mean, it it seems a little bit simpler, but I love the idea of just kind of going around with like, I don't know, a volcano at your feet. And maybe you have a baby but you say is the psychic baby. This is what we need to talk about because i I'm with you. I'm like a computer controlling a planet, but they're making fun of that. And the fact that they go or a psychic baby. And then we find out, oh, there's also a third thing, the so volcano. okcano And then the center volcano goes, it's a system of checks and balances.
01:02:01
Speaker
so good it's such a good joke so i appreciated that well it was it was funny too because especially when we see the computer the sentient computer is like oh great are they gonna have to do this again it you know it's the end of the episode they don't have to do it it's the fact that i mean it's just rutherford's setup of it as of like fine this is funny i think that's it's but it's always like because they're being unclear about it 100
01:02:27
Speaker
All right. Now it's time for the line, Mr. Joel. Yeah. Great lines. Kapla, you rolled an 18.
01:02:35
Speaker
just I find that so silly. and like I want this game. I want this game so hard. I hope you text me when you start getting the Deep Sea sign, you hear regular Bartok. OK. And I want to know how it influences your feelings.
01:02:47
Speaker
You're like, it's just the same character. Interesting. Okay. Good to know. Good to know. um he's ah He's a deep character. Like he's an emotional character, but for the most part, whenever he's in a scene, it's like Sisko's dour. Cause it's like Federation lives are dying in this war.
01:03:05
Speaker
And he's like, well, or we got to figure something out. And then Admiral Ross is there. It's like Sisko. I don't think you have the right idea here. And then Martok comes in. but We will kill them all. he's almost always playing the same beat he's like wolf i need you to come and fight this battle for me he's like it's not honorable or something like ah but it's like it's always the same beat but it's like that's why martok's energy was good and then sometimes he would be serious and it's like you were with him for the crazy side and then when he's normal you're like well martok's being serious look then we all need to be serious we need to button up okay interesting right all right uh maybe that'll be my homework over the holidays
01:03:44
Speaker
uh i love this is still the the bat lesson binocs i love this so much you live out your days not as a warrior but as a dentist when he rolls low don't want to die in a what is don't want a cave die or die in i don't want i don't want to die in a cave yeah like i have a cave death yeah
01:04:04
Speaker
um ah You need to learn to trust your superiors, which is the lesson. I love that I already wrote this and expecting your response to some of this.
01:04:15
Speaker
um ah You need to learn how to trust your superiors, which is the lesson she needs to learn. But of course, Lower Decks is the lowest common denominator of pairings with the highest ranking scenarios um to give it fuel.
01:04:30
Speaker
Oh, you just took what I was rambling through in the previous episode and you made it clear. Yes, that's exactly what it is. It's like, do we need that every episode? We don't necessarily need that every episode, but I do love it because it's a nice transition, especially to start the transition of a character.
01:04:46
Speaker
um i i do love the ah the preator predator moment with Cranch and especially when he comes in and sees Captain Freeman and just goes, thanks again for the mimosas. Yes.
01:04:59
Speaker
I had that. But right before that, he goes, there are only three types of prey. You are the first type immobilized by your fear. The second type scurries away to hide, delaying the inevitable.
01:05:11
Speaker
ah What's the third kind? The third is a winged lizard type creature. That doesn't really apply to you. Okay. I'm just going to scurry away while I think about it.
01:05:22
Speaker
So good. So good. That's a good one. um I also have um maybe just one more for the boys back home. when He's taking a selfie. yes um And then after seeing his cut body, you are a wise star fleet. We will hear you out from the psychic baby. The volcano says, wow, your lava tubes are perfect. like Yes. Yes.
01:05:47
Speaker
but Ransom ripping off his shirt to be the solution to the problem is great. that's peak pe This is a cartoon in a sitcom and it's, yeah, it's Peak Lord X. There we go. um Shaxx, good game, Ensign. I'm impressed.
01:06:02
Speaker
Boimler, by my athletic up ability. By that sustained scream when I bowled you over, you were really wailing. it So good. ah Rutherford. Right. Okay. Also, their leader is either an ancient god or a telepathic baby. They're kind of dancing around it. Ransom goes, sounds like you're narrowing it down. You've got this.
01:06:23
Speaker
And then I think this is this is the Martok line. It's like the whole episode is wearing me down on this comedic concept of Martok being the Batless and Binocs. And then his last line is, or second last line is, you eat breakfast gain plus three sabata!
01:06:40
Speaker
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
01:06:45
Speaker
Oh, God. That was great. Do you have any other lines? No, that's it. Okay. Now it's time for the line must be drawn here. Great art. um obviously, Batless and Badogs. I just thought that was really fun.
01:06:57
Speaker
um i also love that they it's like it's like a tangible game. They're not in the holodeck. It's just like they have the squares that they're moving their characters on. They all have Batless and they're all crying.
01:07:08
Speaker
um I love that. i This is a weird one. i don't know why, but I just love the idea of the of Cranch pulling out what seems to be his final weapon to finish off Bormler, but then it's a selfie stick.
01:07:21
Speaker
And I think that's hysterical. And i I just thought that was like really great art. I thought it was pretty creepy when he pulls the like guitar pick of green slime and he, he puts it over Poimler's head. He goes, you are my, oh, his tooth. He goes, you are my tray now. Yeah. Gross.
01:07:40
Speaker
That was pretty creepy. It was pretty intense. ah Would this be a fun hollow novel to play out? Hmm. Would it? I said, especially the hunt.
01:07:52
Speaker
It would be terrifying. If you just got to play Batless and Benox. I would love to play Batless and Benox. I really would. Like, honestly, if somebody actually has created that, please let me know. don't want to take a spear through the chest. I actually really liked...
01:08:06
Speaker
I mean, I can't, I'm ignoring the reality of like, I don't think they'd let them do that, run through the ship like that. But, you know, i like the idea of like, you can ah agree to participate in it. And the intention is not to kill you.
01:08:20
Speaker
And it's basically laser tag. It's just this. It's just really extreme laser tag. You're really leaning into the fact, yeah, you're leaning into the fact that you have like laser scalpels and sutures. Right. Dermal regenerators and all that crap. Right. A hundred percent.
01:08:33
Speaker
And I do love that, like, Boyle-Reebeth says, is it'll never feel the same, but it's all right. And I was like, oh, that feels exactly how my knee feels when I went through ACL surgery. Oh, my gosh. Yeah.
01:08:45
Speaker
um I would say probably yes, too. I mean, if especially if you're someone that doesn't say yes to a lot of stuff. That's a hard thing. That is a hard lesson when they teach you in improv to yes and. It's actually a surprisingly difficult thing to break. is very It's a very hard thing to break. ah But it's also like an interesting notion in order to get you into more interesting scenarios.
01:09:05
Speaker
But that's when i feel like at least the UCB training of improv is like you are allowed to say no. if it puts you in danger.
01:09:17
Speaker
What part of this way teach at Starfleet Academy? so I said um exactly what cranch is and what a hunt entails. Oh yeah, that's true. That's a good one.
01:09:30
Speaker
um I really love, again, really love um Freeman. I'm with you. I really liked Freeman being like, that's an honor. Yeah. Yeah. That's a good one. I would think they would teach this three god planet. it Yes. is yeah guess it's like a three party system.
01:09:52
Speaker
ah Is that your judicial? you're sorry That's right. Oh, I just love that the baby looks like Quado. Yes, it does. Yeah. So that was pretty cool.
01:10:05
Speaker
All right. So Trek, Marry or Kill, the least dangerous game. a Marryer. Oh, you're a Marryer. I'm a Marryer. I love it. i We're going to put it to ah vote. I put as a Trek. I enjoyed it a lot. I think i you actually made a really strong argument about Marryer, but that's what brings it from a kill to a Trek.
Critique on Star Trek's Reuse and Commercialization
01:10:26
Speaker
ah Oh, man. When you watch these back to back, sometimes I can't. Sometimes the twinning works against it. Sometimes it's positive because I'm like, oh, well, actually, they did it better in that last one or they're doing it better in this one.
01:10:39
Speaker
And this one was like, I just saw them commercialize. So a part of Star Trek, i just saw them trace over sequences from other movies. You know what i mean? Like, why why are we doing capitalism and Batless and Binocs? Right, right, right. And it's like, OK, you took stealing the Enterprise. Now you're doing the orbital jump from 09. And it's like, OK, I got it. I got it.
01:10:59
Speaker
So we'll leave up to the listeners because, you know, maybe listeners are like, what? let me Let me get this straight, Brian. You don't like an episode of Star Trek that references other great Star Trek? What what are you doing?
01:11:11
Speaker
That makes perfect sense.
Podcast Promotion and Listener Engagement
01:11:12
Speaker
ah If you don't want to hit listen to me anymore, you can go listen to Katie. Katie, where can people listen to you? You can always listen to me on the Napping Through Happy Hour podcast where we talk real life, real drama, all in real time. We just had a really great guest on named Jason June.
01:11:25
Speaker
I highly recommend that episode. We have a lot of other really great guests on. Please go take a look um at that podcast. It's a lot of fun and we have a lot of fun with it. and Katie is like this all the time. So if if you don't want to just wait for next month's animated spotlight, go check it out.
01:11:43
Speaker
ah If you want to vote in this poll, if you want to get your friends to crush this poll and in favor of a Mary or a Trek, Trek Mary K-Pod on social media, trekmerrykillpod.com.
01:11:55
Speaker
You can also vote right there in your Spotify app. And so until next week and next month for animated spotlight, TMK out.