Star Trek: Lower Decks: Empathalogical Fallacies
September 28, 2023 8:15 AM - Season 4, Episode 5 - Subscribe
Betazoid? More like Beta-annoyed, amirite?
Clang goes the bat'leth against the armor of Memory Alpha's heart:
- The title derives from the term "pathological fallacy", the logic error of assuming all members of a particular group share traits present in one or a small number. (See also: Planet of Hats [TVTropes])
- The three Betazoid diplomats are played by comediennes Rachel Dratch (Dolorex), Janelle James (Katrot), and Wendie Malick (Cathiw).
- Zanthi fever, which affects Betazoids, was shown affecting Lwaxana Troi in DS9's "Fascination", and Bendii syndrome previously affected Ambassador Sarek in TNG's "Sarek" and "Unification I".
"Can you imagine anything more Vulcan than Bendii Syndrome? Hello: I mean, Spock's dad had it and he was Vulcan as a mother[bleep]."
"Hmm. I supposed, by the transitive property, I, too, must be Vulcan as a mother[bleep]."
"[bleep] yeah. Logic, bitch!"
-- Mariner and T'Lyn
Poster's log:
Another everyone-gets-their-emotional-ya-yas-out episode, but one that's shaded by a couple of interesting revelations. T'Lyn has Bendii Syndrome at the tender age of 62; that's way younger than Sarek was, and I'm hoping that there's some sort of medical twist to the effect that it's easier to control at a younger age. Watching Sarek go through the late stages of the disease in "Unification I" was kind of traumatic, especially to those of us who have had a relative affected by dementia of some sort. Also, Betazed has its own intelligence agency; that's interesting. (I believe that Babylon 5 had a telepathic intelligence agency in the show.) I also think that it's cool that the security staff likes to chill out on their off time rather than just do all aggro stuff all the time. Makes sense, really.
Poster's log, supplemental: So Caitians used to eat Betazoids? Awkward. Wonder how long it will take the furry Trek vore fans to work up some fanfic. (And before you ask how I know that there are furry Trek vore fans: look, Rule 34.) Maybe throw in a Zootopia crossover...
Clang goes the bat'leth against the armor of Memory Alpha's heart:
- The title derives from the term "pathological fallacy", the logic error of assuming all members of a particular group share traits present in one or a small number. (See also: Planet of Hats [TVTropes])
- The three Betazoid diplomats are played by comediennes Rachel Dratch (Dolorex), Janelle James (Katrot), and Wendie Malick (Cathiw).
- Zanthi fever, which affects Betazoids, was shown affecting Lwaxana Troi in DS9's "Fascination", and Bendii syndrome previously affected Ambassador Sarek in TNG's "Sarek" and "Unification I".
"Can you imagine anything more Vulcan than Bendii Syndrome? Hello: I mean, Spock's dad had it and he was Vulcan as a mother[bleep]."
"Hmm. I supposed, by the transitive property, I, too, must be Vulcan as a mother[bleep]."
"[bleep] yeah. Logic, bitch!"
-- Mariner and T'Lyn
Poster's log:
Another everyone-gets-their-emotional-ya-yas-out episode, but one that's shaded by a couple of interesting revelations. T'Lyn has Bendii Syndrome at the tender age of 62; that's way younger than Sarek was, and I'm hoping that there's some sort of medical twist to the effect that it's easier to control at a younger age. Watching Sarek go through the late stages of the disease in "Unification I" was kind of traumatic, especially to those of us who have had a relative affected by dementia of some sort. Also, Betazed has its own intelligence agency; that's interesting. (I believe that Babylon 5 had a telepathic intelligence agency in the show.) I also think that it's cool that the security staff likes to chill out on their off time rather than just do all aggro stuff all the time. Makes sense, really.
Poster's log, supplemental: So Caitians used to eat Betazoids? Awkward. Wonder how long it will take the furry Trek vore fans to work up some fanfic. (And before you ask how I know that there are furry Trek vore fans: look, Rule 34.) Maybe throw in a Zootopia crossover...
(Earth had a telepath-staffed agency called the Psi-Corps. One of the show's recurring villains was Psi-Corps agent Alfred Bester, played by Walter Koenig. "Be seeing you.")
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 2:08 PM on September 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 2:08 PM on September 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
This one was a miss for me, though I do like the character development of T’Lyn. It seemed a bit too silly to be happening on a real Star Trek vessel.
Really, this season so far has been either really good (last week) or really bad (the first episode). Maybe I’m just crabby lately…
(I will admit to watching them at 3:00 in the morning when I wake up to go to the bathroom and think “Oh! A new episode! I can watch this before I go back to sleep.”)
posted by wittgenstein at 2:13 PM on September 28, 2023
Really, this season so far has been either really good (last week) or really bad (the first episode). Maybe I’m just crabby lately…
(I will admit to watching them at 3:00 in the morning when I wake up to go to the bathroom and think “Oh! A new episode! I can watch this before I go back to sleep.”)
posted by wittgenstein at 2:13 PM on September 28, 2023
One of the show's recurring villains was Psi-Corps agent Alfred Bester, played by Walter Koenig. "Be seeing you."
That's such a densely layered series of references and stunt casting that you know the writers' room has been trying to work out how to connect to it without seeming like complete assholes to JMS.
posted by thecaddy at 2:25 PM on September 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
That's such a densely layered series of references and stunt casting that you know the writers' room has been trying to work out how to connect to it without seeming like complete assholes to JMS.
posted by thecaddy at 2:25 PM on September 28, 2023 [5 favorites]
Have there been Fanfares for the "very short trek"s? this one was mildly amusing, two of the others .. didn't do much for me.
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 3:38 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 3:38 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
There's one for Short Treks; not sure if the v. short ones count as a new season or a new show, feel free to write up the ones that you've seen if you like.
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:23 PM on September 28, 2023
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:23 PM on September 28, 2023
Felt like maybe one too many things going on in this episode to make it work. The Boimler B story probably should have been one short scene and not a whole thing. I wasn't sure what to make of the three Betazoids at all other than an opportunity for some ges star voices, and they could have had a story around the emotional outbursts and T'Lyn all on its own.
posted by briank at 7:14 PM on September 28, 2023
posted by briank at 7:14 PM on September 28, 2023
The writer of this episode, Jamie Loftus, is also a producer this season AND wrote a great book about hot dogs — Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs.
In my mind Tendi and T'Lyn are best friends! I need this to happen, writers!
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:03 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
In my mind Tendi and T'Lyn are best friends! I need this to happen, writers!
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:03 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed this episode, but it was not my favorite of the season. Part of my problem was trying to identify the guest stars by their voices (in hindsight, I should have just paused and looked it up). The crew going crazy like this isn't any different than "The Naked Time" and "The Naked Now," so I wasn't too phased by it. The conceit that taking the Betazoid diplomats to a party planet had to be done in secrecy with out going coms being shut off...that felt a lot more plot needy. Why was this level of secrecy needed? Even the hush hush elements around the unknown ship/probe blowing things up doesn't really make a lot of sense for Starfleet. Why would that be a big secret versus just an open mystery? (Unless Starfleet command is hiding something. Bad admiral acting again?)
The Boimler B-story was...okay? I appreciated the idea that security on a starship can adopt a more holistic approach to safe guarding the crew, though this doens't speak much to the abilities of the ship's counselor. Yes, true, the ship's counselor spent the entire time calling death upon the replicator. Was a reason given for why the security team was not affected by T'Lyn? Their place was just too remote on the ship?
One of the things I kinda low level love is the show's willingness to place the exploits of the heroes from the other shows into the context of people like Boimler and crew of the Ritos. It makes sense for Odo to be someone people know about or for crew knowing everyone on the NX-01.
posted by Atreides at 6:53 AM on September 29, 2023
The Boimler B-story was...okay? I appreciated the idea that security on a starship can adopt a more holistic approach to safe guarding the crew, though this doens't speak much to the abilities of the ship's counselor. Yes, true, the ship's counselor spent the entire time calling death upon the replicator. Was a reason given for why the security team was not affected by T'Lyn? Their place was just too remote on the ship?
One of the things I kinda low level love is the show's willingness to place the exploits of the heroes from the other shows into the context of people like Boimler and crew of the Ritos. It makes sense for Odo to be someone people know about or for crew knowing everyone on the NX-01.
posted by Atreides at 6:53 AM on September 29, 2023
This episode was a bit silly, but still fun, and it *finally* moved the plot forward with regard to the mystery murder ship, so I give credit for that.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 8:11 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mrjohnmuller at 8:11 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
the antecedent of that pronoun, I did the thing.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:36 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:36 AM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Atreides, Boimler briefly mentions that it’s a remote area of the ship where he can’t hear anyone, so I reckoned that was probably meant to cover their tracks in that regard
posted by DoctorFedora at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DoctorFedora at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
So one thing I love about this show is how effectively it demonstrates that the best parodies come from a place of deep affection — the episode is built on a premise of “hey remember how there were two nineties-era Trek episodes with basically the same sort of plot gimmick” but done deftly enough to feel natural, while also not only avoiding contradicting established canon but actively working within and building upon it.
Also I appreciate the implication that all Betazoid women Lwaxana’s age are just incredibly horny party cougars
posted by DoctorFedora at 6:41 AM on October 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Also I appreciate the implication that all Betazoid women Lwaxana’s age are just incredibly horny party cougars
posted by DoctorFedora at 6:41 AM on October 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
oh also the DS9-themed tarot cards were great, especially because it makes sense due to a combination of “Shaxs is a Bajoran” and “DS9 is basically the only Star Trek to get into the topic of religion at all”
posted by DoctorFedora at 1:47 PM on October 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 1:47 PM on October 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
out going coms being shut off...that felt a lot more plot needy. Why was this level of secrecy needed?
My take is that it wasn’t, it’s an early symptom of Freeman’s psychically induced insecurity.
posted by zamboni at 4:27 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
My take is that it wasn’t, it’s an early symptom of Freeman’s psychically induced insecurity.
posted by zamboni at 4:27 AM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Even the hush hush elements around the unknown ship/probe blowing things up doesn't really make a lot of sense for Starfleet. Why would that be a big secret versus just an open mystery? (Unless Starfleet command is hiding something. Bad admiral acting again?)
Or interference by a rogue internal faction.
posted by zamboni at 1:21 PM on October 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Or interference by a rogue internal faction.
posted by zamboni at 1:21 PM on October 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
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And for the canon-nerds, I'm pretty sure that nothing established here about Vulcans contradicts or even strains previous stuff. (Spock was FULL of internal conflict, of course, but he's not full Vulcan.) It does, however, suggest that Tuvok was basically never internally conflicted to this degree, not even on the Excelsior. Which says a lot, considering his experiences.
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 12:44 PM on September 28, 2023 [4 favorites]