Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x08 "Caves"
Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 4x08 "Caves"
Logline
The Lower Deckers go on a classic cave mission.
Written by: Ben Rodgers
Directed by: Megan Lloyd
As someone whose dissertation is on conspiracy theories, I gotta say: The writers did a great job at essentially summarizing the current literature:
“I thought you were just a paranoid anxiety made up by people who needed an imagined enemy to simulate order on unrelated disasters so life doesn't feel so random and chaotic!” (Boimler, S04E08)
That was good and wholesome... they're going to hurt us in the next episode aren't they?
ETA: also, no ships were stolen this time. Thoughts?
Never turn your back on a Breen, or a writer after they've given you a sweet, wholesome episode.
Yes.
Interview with Mike McMahan
“There’s one line I cut at the end of this episode when the Vendorians show up and they’re like, ‘Give them a little minute.’ Originally, they said ‘… after this, it gets a lot harder for them.”’ The Vendorians kind of know where it goes and I cut it in the edit because it was such a beautiful friendship moment at the end of the episode. I didn’t want to fly in the ointment at the end, it just felt wrong. It felt right on the page, but people are only going to have to wait a week to find out for themselves to see it… It’s better to end on a happy note.”
This episode gave me such joy. I feel like Lower Decks leans a lot into the outrageous stories, like last week’s Evil Computer and Peanut Hamper thing. Those episodes are fun, but they lean pretty hard into that Rick and Morty humor.
This episode felt like a Star Trek episode. Mocking the over reliance on cave sets was a great premise, but from there we had a good episode showcasing several minor characters interacting with our main cast. It was a great way to allow them to branch out while sticking to the core relationship between the characters.
On top of that, the jokes were funny. I almost didn’t stop laughing at the subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at cave episodes throughout the years.
Personally, I’d like more episodes like this. It really showcases what is great about this show.
It was nice to see a somewhat T’Ana centered story. Assuming she appears at all, she’s either making out with Shaxs or doing cat things.
Surprised it took so long to meet Levy. It played out as one might expect.
Glad we got some quality time with Delta Shift. We’ve had a few episodes featuring them, but they’re mostly off screen or limited to short exchanges.
As a whole package, I don’t think this episode worked as well as Veritas. There wasn’t a central story tying the four tales together. You could probably cut the hub tale, and possibly Tendi’s turbo lift tale, and not lose anything of value.
Caves really are the worst, though.
I really liked this and found it sweet.
As others have said, we haven’t seen many of these kind of recounting experiences episodes, but in this transition season it feels like we’re owed one.
While we could have just seen more of the main four leading others in B & C plots, this allowed them and us to take stock of their progress as leaders - except Tendi, but I think we saw a different angle on leadership from her on Orion.
Where the devil has T'Lyn been for the past 2 eps? I'm actually totally fine without her being in the show in every episode. Makes the world feel more lived in knowing people have other responsibilities, and the like. After all, they probably have a life off screen.
Anyway, fantastic episode. The idea of parodying a clipshow episode but with original content, I love it. Almost wish they lampshaded Shades of Gray which was the Season 2 clipshow which didn't make a lot of sense as there wasn't enough show to clip from.
The episode could've been called Shades of Cave(s)
This was a nice wholesome episode.
Tendi's bit was wholesome, but this was a weaker episode overall IMO. I get what they were going for, the jokes just didn't really land for me.
For me it was funny, but only because it kept subverting my expectations. Everytime they gave the "2 hours later" board, I expected it to me chaos, but it was just sweet. And they got me every time.
Annotations up at: https://startrek.website/post/2829352
Those flat floors...