rating: ****
the story: A holodeck program version of Lower Decks: The Movie!
review: For a series that literally a few episodes ago dithered with a “holodeck malfunction” episode, it’s all the more rewarding that doing another holodeck episode lands so successfully. For whatever reason, when a Star Trek series decides to base a whole episode on an actual holodeck adventure (“The Big Goodbye” in Next Generation, “Our Man Bashir” in Deep Space Nine, “Bride of Chaotica!” in Voyager), it’s always a highlight. And now “Crisis Point” in Lower Decks.
The whole episode technically hinges on Mariner and Freeman’s relationship (which leads directly into the season finale), but Mariner chooses to “make a movie” to work out her issues. This allows riffs and hilarious comments on the differences between a Star Trek episode and movie (and a repeated gag involving movie credits). It’s good standout material, which also works in exploring Mariner’s issues.
We also get another standout Tendi subplot, when she finds herself cast as a stereotypical Orion pirate in Mariner’s program. Eventually she stands up for herself in what might amount to the closest we get to the kind of societal examination of the Orions that we got for the Cardassians, the Bajorans, the Trill, and especially the Ferengi in Deep Space Nine.
criteria analysis:
>franchise - Surprisingly, the closest we get to a full-blown Star Trek (movie) spoof we get all season.
>series - Literally only Lower Decks could get away with this.
>character - Mariner finally addresses her biggest problem. And Tendi! In her best spotlight this season.
>essential - Yeah, absolutely. I think this one’s easy to love.
notable guest-stars:
Gary Cole
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