Spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks 3x05 - "Reflections"

[Richard S. Ta]

The Mariner archaeologist story will definitely be followed up I think.

 

[thribs]

If the races aren’t associated with the Federation, how are they illegal? In fact the only ones breaking the rules are the Romulans who breach the zone.

 

[jackoverfull]

The federation can easily ban races in their space if they want.

 

[Deks]

If the races aren’t associated with the Federation, how are they illegal? In fact the only ones breaking the rules are the Romulans who breach the zone.

In regards to how we seem to understand the treaty, then yes. That would be the case.
Obviously that's why it was called 'illegal' because the NZ shouldn't be 'used' or 'occupied' by anyone for any purpose... its specifically supposed to be void of UFP and Romulan activity.

The Neutral Zone seems to be a part of space where neither the UFP or the Romulans can set foot in. Permission is needed from respective governments to enter the Zone and even in that case, I think an escort is usually part of the deal... except of course in emergencies (which would require justification).


If there are people using the NZ for illicit races, then I would imagine that's one of the reasons the Romulan warbirds would be there (to stop them).
This area seems to be 'iffy' because the Romulans seem to have a bit greater levity when it comes to 'breaching the NZ' vs the UFP.

 

[matthunter]

Just because Mexico is outside the US doesn't mean the US won't prosecute you for crossing into it without the right paperwork, whether you just race a buggy there or snort cocaine.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

A lot of questions raised by this one that can be explored further. I’d like to know what shady doctor/ organization wiped Rutherford’s personality with the implant. It sounds like he was injured in an explosion while at the Academy and given the implant to save his life and at some point Section 31 or some other outfit tampered with it to cover up the mission he had been on. What were the politics in the Federation ten years before Lower Decks? Maybe they recruited Rutherford as a spy. What better cover would there be for a spy than an adrenaline junkie who likes to race in the Neutral Zone?

I don’t think Mariner will last long in Starfleet and realistically she has every reason not to. The end of the season might show her shipping out with Petra.

Perhaps Dr. Bashir? After taking out Sloan, maybe he became de facto leader of Section 31 and started seeing maybe that Section 31 could do some good in the Federation. Perhaps Bashir deleted Rutherford's previous personality for his protection.

Also, the Truthers were cracking me up

 

[Tuskin38]

Perhaps Dr. Bashir? After taking out Sloan, maybe he became de facto leader of Section 31 and started seeing maybe that Section 31 could do some good in the Federation. Perhaps Bashir deleted Rutherford's previous personality for his protection.

Rutherford got his implant during TNG based on the officer's uniform, so it would have been Pre-Bashir and his interactions with Section 31.

 

[Romulan_spy]

Love this poster.

 

[Yanks]

I believe this is the best episode of the season to date!

Thoroughly enjoyable from all angles. Loved learning more about Rutherford but not everything. More to come I hope. I'm glad his former self is now gone.

Totally "Lower Decks" that Rutherford builds the Delta Flyer AND includes his shipmates/friends.

Mariner and Boimler at the fair were hilarious, especially when Boimler lost it.

...and of course Tendi tearing up and giving Rutherford a big hug.

Nothing I would say was "epic", but, again, more character development in this 30-minute episode than we've got in 4 years of Discovery. They don't seem to have to "work at it" to make it happen.

8 out of 10 for me.

 

[Vger23]

Best episode of the season, hands down. It’s been a slog of a season, but this one hit the spot. Funny, good character moments, great Easter eggs. Rutherford is my favorite, and Boimler losing his mind was genuinely funny.
9/10

 

[Ometiklan]

Best of the season for me. A 10 as I can't identify any flaws and it has everything I want from a Trek episode.

Still surprises me when there is an LDS episode that seems practically perfect to me but others say it's just "ok" or "pretty good". It shouldn't surprise me because everyone has different opinions, but like, what else do you want from a Trek episode if not this?

I agree. But in the mindscape, when the younger personality is dying, Rutherford specifically mentions integrating the two personalities and the younger personality says that it is not possible. So the episode seems to close the door on that pretty definitely unless the writers change their minds somehow which is always possible of course.

Rutherford's personality could just evolve the old fashioned way, by learning about, and from, his earlier self.

 

[Qonundrum]

10/10, probably my favorite of the season - which is loaded with more 8 and 9s than I'd imagined...

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Boimler losing it resulting in bringing in recruits, among other things like no longer being by the book, was pretty huge. Just not as big as Rutherford's revelation...

The follow-up scene between Boimler and Ransome (the generally least-interesting one on the show) was surprisingly top-notch too.

 

[Qonundrum]

Best of the season for me. A 10 as I can't identify any flaws and it has everything I want from a Trek episode.

Still surprises me when there is an LDS episode that seems practically perfect to me but others say it's just "ok" or "pretty good". It shouldn't surprise me because everyone has different opinions, but like, what else do you want from a Trek episode if not this?


Rutherford's personality could just evolve the old fashioned way, by learning about, and from, his earlier self.

Yeah, the Rutherford subplot, fighting against his younger self - who concedes the battle and dies in realizing what older-Rutherford knew with his friends (though it was a mild headscratcher about merging identities, but they sidestepped any of those issues soon and deftly enough...) was superbly handled... The show has always been more and deeper than throwing references at the screen. Definitely need to rewatch season 1 again soon...

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I will note that while it technically invoked eye-scream, it did so much more mildly than, say, the ones in DSC: "The Red Angel" or PIC: "Stardust City Rag."

At any rate, it will be interesting if Rutherford's backstory gets explored further.

 

[fireproof78]

I will note that while it technically invoked eye-scream, it did so much more mildly than, say, the ones in DSC: "The Red Angel" or PIC: "Stardust City Rag."

Funny.

I found it far worse and skip this episode on rewatch.