I enjoy the exploration of Ferengi society under Grand Nagus Rom, and visiting some of Ferenginar's hot spots. I also enjoy seeing Rom and Leeta again. I love the subversion of Rom's doofiness, and how well Leeta adapted to Ferengi society. First Clerk, indeed. Freeman's frustration was my frustration, but it had a satisfying ending.

I didn't enjoy the lower deck gang's shenanigans as much. There were fun moments, but it felt like a drag on the characters. Mariner's fighting just to be fighting. She has grown a lot over the past seasons. Her undefined angry outburst in this episode seemed pointless. There's nothing keeping JG Lieutenant Mariner from her Ensign Mariner renegade behavior and schemes. Boimler has completely backslid into the previously uncertain, twitchy, insecure Boimler. There's no sign of "Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus'" (s3e8) "I want to be a captain" Tendi.

Rutherford and Tendi's discomfort pretending to be a couple made me uncomfortable. They've clearly been sweet on each other for a while. I could have done without forcing them into this pretend couple scenario, and let their relationship develop at its previous pace. I think Mariner and Boimler being the pretend couple had the potential to be hilarious. And, what the heck. No T'Lyn? Much disappointment.

I think Ransom is the standout in this episode.

The destroyed (maybe? maybe not?) ship of the week is a Ferenghi one. There was the tiniest hint, that one of the crew had been in contact with who or whatever is on that flying ship of destruction. With only 4 episodes left, I hope that ship has a huge payoff after being teased for so long.

I still love Lower Decks. This episode is a mixed bag for me.

I was hoping the little ship of doom is using unfamiliar tech to transport the people on the destroyed ships somewhere. Mainly because of Ma’ah and the Che’Ta’, and now the Orions. But, I'm leaning more towards destruction, than transporting. On the plus side, I have an astonishingly consistent track record of being wrong when guessing story points. Fingers crossed that my streak continues.

Lower Decks continues to shine. I enjoy finally being shown aspects Orion culture, beyond being considered, " ... delinquents, pirates, slave traders." (DSC s1e15, although the same perception about Orions is held throughout Star Trek). The expansion of Tendi's background is great. I'm hoping for more on Orion in Star Trek's future. Poor Mariner, lol.

Getting to see Boimler and Rutherford settle in as roommates made for a nice B story. That got me wondering again about Mariner and Tendi's new quarters since their promotions. And, T'Lyn's.

The mysterious ship of destruction is getting old for me. When only ten, twenty-five minutes each, episodes are considered a season, there's little time to dilly-dally around with story telling. I'm just hoping this tease doesn't continue to be unexplained until another season.

To bad there wasn't time in "wej Duj" (LD s2e9) for an Orion Lower Decks segment. Now, I'm just waiting for an appropriate situation to say, " ... that makes you more of an Orion plagiarist."

I'm hoping Very Short Treks started with their weakest showing. Who okayed this? I'm imagining someone who when asked what their favorite part of Star Trek is, responds, "the lightsabers and the Wookies." How else would the not at all representative of Star Trek whinge, "omg, I can't say anything without offending someone!," get put on repeat for nearly the entirety of the short. Except by someone who is clueless about Star Trek. And then ending with the Captain getting his imaginary girlfriend wish fulfilled. What the hell did I just write. What the hell did I just watch.

I get what they were going for with the song, but it's a swing and a miss for me. I think the opening credits montage fits perfectly with the show, but not the song. When I watch ENT, the only time I don't mute the sound during the opening credits is for "In a Mirror, Darkly, Parts 1 and 2."

" ... another 'space theme for nerds,' so to speak ... "

Not so to speak. Exactly that. Give me the orchestral story telling. Give me that epic space theme.

There were Star Trek fans at the time screaming from the rooftops about how TNG would ruin Star Trek. Before TNG even aired. But, there were also Star Trek fans who, while disappointed to not have the TOS crew back, were curious about what TNG was going to bring to the table. And, really happy to have a Star Trek series again. But, "Curious Trekkies Wait to See What's What with TNG" wasn't going to sell as many papers and stir up as much drama.

That is hilarious and so accurate. Source: me, who despite being here chatting with my Star Trek folks, still does not understand much of nothing about Lemmy. I'm learning, though.

I agree. Star Trek has always been woke. Comments that this is a new phenomena confound me. I have no idea what sort of mental gymnastics are required for such a stance. Star Trek's IDIC happened right under their noses, yet they didn't notice. TOS by today's standards may not be considered as pushing boundaries. At the time it was broadcast, TOS put out some radical ideas. No more wars between countries on Earth. An end to racism. Uhura and Sulu as part of the command staff on the bridge. Dr. Richard Daystrom was portrayed by William Marshall, a Black actor. Majel Barrett's Number One in TOS's "The Cage" was no a damsel in distress. There are other examples in TOS, too. Subsequent Star Trek series continued and expanded on IDIC with the series stars, guest stars, and stories. But, still there are those who think Star Trek "suddenly" went woke?

Sometimes I think that referring to Star Trek as being suddenly woke is just a dog whistle. But then I'm back to what Star Trek any folks using that term were watching in the first place.

I'm just flabbergasted by the situation. I can't think of a worst way for Paramount+ to have handled things. Prodigy gets good word of mouth. Prodigy's physical media release is done using the cursed method of splitting the season into volume 1 (episodes 1 to 10) with volume 2 to be released in the future. Hasn't happened yet. Prodigy is greenlit for a season 2. Prodigy is cancelled. Prodigy season 1 is removed from Paramount+ a few days after the announcement. Season 2 is waves hand around, getting finishing touches, and it's availability for viewing to be determined, maybe never. I'm getting mental whiplash.

At some point, customer satisfaction and loyalty (to Star Trek; peripherally to Paramount+) should be greater than how many nickels a company can squeeze from a penny.

For goodness sake. Paramount+ just gained "The spot for all Star Trek films and series" earlier this month. Now, they have to put an asterisk on that statement, "*except Prodigy."

I'm very surprised. I thought Prodigy had a strong following. What a strange situation, quickly pulling season one. But I don't understand the ins and outs of streaming contracts.

That was such a bad situation. The whole, "how dare you question me, get out," loss of Gates McFadden. Dr. Pulaski's introduction as Bones 2.0 instead of as a distinct, unique character, and her first comments to Data. I think Diana Muldaur is very talented and a Star Trek icon -- TOS and TNG. Pulaski is a strong character, but that first impression was hard for me to shake. I was happy when Dr. Crusher returned, but by then I was also also sad to see Dr. Pulaski go. I wish that PIC had made room for a Dr. Pulaski appearance.