Spoilers Star Trek: Lower Decks 4x10 - "Old Friends, New Planets"

[Charles Phipps]

We lost Nick Locarno, but we'll always have Tom Paris.

(I'm appearing next week at Vic's.)

"They don't even look alike. Lorcano has stubble." - Boimler

 

[Charles Phipps]

Robert Duncan McNeil did an amazing job here. He should do more voice over roles. Maybe if this directing gig doesn’t take off

His love of VOY is great so he might do it as a favor but not as a career.

 

[Amaris]

A terrific episode! I felt the conclusion was satisfying, loved all of the nods to TWOK, *hated* that Tendi is no longer on the Cerritos, but it does mean we get Orion stories with her next season, and T'Lyn is officially a part of the lower decks gronp. I love it, and look forward to what is yet to come.

I think that was a fitting end for Locarno, too, and the Ferengi Genesis device having a pay wall was hilarious, I laughed a good 5 minutes after that.

The scenes with our Lower Decks crew taking command, and being awesome? Priceless.
For everything else, there's Latinum. Two bars, please.

 

[Super Grover]

ok, i'm going with a full 10 here, because I don't know how they managed to pack so much Trek goodness into a half hour. Also admittedly I think I'm still riding my World Series high at the moment. But once that settles I will get my usual sad Day after Christmas feeling I get whever each season ends like I got when Each Venture Brothers season ended, and that show had huge gaps in between seasons.

Lots to unpack here:

Academy flashback with Sito, and Wesley
'Uh, the Maqui would like to have a word."
They have the same face, they're identical.
I don't see it.
Cerritos Strong
To hell with our orders
Barter by Combat!
Twin Twains return
Acting Captain Boimler!
Nice TWOK homage
Did they really just pull a Galaxy Quest with the Orion ship?
Captains Yacht
Paywall on a Bomb
More T'Lynn!
Bittersweet ending with Tendi

Lots of good Character development, with all of our Lower Deckers growing into the capable senior officers we know they will be. Each season gets better. Three felt off to me, but this one knocked it out of the park in a big way.

 

[cooleddie74]

Sito's return was heartwarming. I really got a kick out of seeing both Nick and Sito on the screen again.

 

[Deks]

It's plausible, one of many ways you could power it, but still, that's a CRAP TON of power required to maintain it.

Only issue with that thinking is that UFP hadn't shown interest in building Dyson Swarms (despite having the ability to do so).
They probably do use massive space based solar power systems, its just they don't really use them as a swarm (for whatever reason).

You'd technically need something the size of a star to supply power to a shield the size of a solar system... or a sufficiently powerful power generation method - and if its a similar power generation method instead, its possible that because they are NOT using solar power that ramming a massive ship into the shield incured a temporary breach which closed itself quickly).

We know that UFP and others have planetary shields in the 23rd and 24th century, so establishing a field around a planet is not a problem with existing power generation... so, I would imagine that scaling that to a solar system level might be more challenging and require a lot more power... as you'd need planetary shield satellites which would project the shield numbering in huge quantities (not unlike a Dyson Swarm) to establish a field large enough (though nothing of the kind was implied for the Trinary shield).

Similar in concept, but not in design.

Spoiler: Q's Force Field from "Encounter at Far Point"

Q's was based more off a Rectangular Latice.

The Trynars were a Triangular Latice.

Huh... must have forgotten it... Its possible the Q's version is more advanced (it's Q's net after all), but if the Bynars analysed the ENT-D logs and managed reproducing the effect on a solar system level, it shows some good progress.
I wonder if we'll see this technology again and it hopefully catches up).

I'm sure it can be scaled down; if you can scale it up to cover a Star System, it should be fairly easy to scale down.

Possibly, but if it could be scaled down, how come we hadn't seen anyone use the thing on ships?
I suspect this might be one of those early versions of the technology which is large/huge and would need to undergo more R&D to be scaled down.
Perhaps the shield generator itself is impractical to be placed on starships in its current iteration... but is more practical for a large stationary object that has lots of space and can supply the needed power.

"Impenetrable" is always a debate-able term; everything seems impenetrable, until you apply enough energy to the problem.
Like Nick Locarno said, he wasn't expecting somebody to scarifice a entire massive BattleShip by chucking it at the shield.

Remember in ST:PIC S3, both sides threw massive objects at each other.
Captain Vadic threw a small starship at the USS Titan.
Riker threw a small asteriod at Vadic's ship.

Yes I'm aware of that... I'm just saying that throwing massive (or regular sized) ships or small asteroids at Trinary shields to incur a temporary opening might not be the most practical approach 90% of the time - so, the Trinary shields could be considered for all intents and purposes impenetrable 'most of the time'.

Wesley sounded fine, he seemed to play it pretty well.

For me it was Shannon Fill, she sounded really forced. But it's understandable, it's been many years since she's played this role and everybody's much older.

She definitely sounds older and similarly unrecognizable like RDM.

I'm surprised they couldn't get the actress who played Jean Hajar, or they seemingly didn't bother to.

Maybe Walker Brandt didn't want to do it?

At first I wasn't sure whom you were referring to, but in fiarness, I don't think it was necessary to bring them all back for such a short scene/exchange.

Its possible the actress who played Sito was more prominent and willing to reprise the role.

 

[drt]

I still thought it sounded like McNeil, but I do think he changed it up slightly for Locarno so it wouldn’t be too Tom Paris-ey, because he sounded like his usual self on “We’ll Always Have Tom Paris”

 

[IMC Headquarters]

This was also side-splitting subversion. The Trek trope of trial by combat turned upside down. "The Cerritos Champion will be...Dr Migleemo!"

Loved it!

 

[F. King Daniel]

A fun finale. The Genesis device requiring latinum to disarm! The academy flashback. The Mark Twain callback. Boimler in command for ten seconds. Nick's ego ruining everything again. The Steamrunner bridge being the TNG guest ship bridge with more modern LCARS. The Wrath of Khan sequence (although politely, Trek needs to stop doing Wrath of Khan). The TAS Orion ship.

Tendi will be running Orion by the time we see her again in season 5.

 

[IMC Headquarters]

Wow. Locarno really was totally unhinged. Mariner stood her ground and would have died for her beliefs. Just like Sito. Awesome!

 

[IMC Headquarters]

Yeah, Kayshon has the right idea!

 

[Ogrebear]

Episode 10

Here we go!

Was that a Caitlin walking in the bottom middle there?

Wes? Was that actually Will or not.... hum.

Young Beckett is such a awkward dork.

They got Shannon Fill for Sito - cool.

Confirmed Sito and Beckett knew each other when Beckett was a first year.

Nova One!

Nova Fleet looks kinda cool in an insane kinda way. Nice paint jobs.

I can see why Locano wanted Mariner, a fellow rebel.

Freeman is going to do something very much like her daughter would plan methinks.

Locarno designs like the Disco people.

That is one hell of a Captain's chair!

"Looks like Tom Paris" "I don't see it" - LOL

"Marquis would like a word...." zing.

Some nice jumps around some other ships there. Goodie!

Forgotten system heh?

Trynar shield? More new tech that will be forgotten.

"Nah, he's just an asshole!" - LOL

Black Market Ferengi Genesis device! Figured that might come back.

Go for it Marriner!

Go for it Freeman!

Nice steal there Marriner!

Got your Mom's command codes heh?

I thought no Starfleet ship had been targetted so where did the USS Passard come from?

The chase is on!

Merger of two criminal enterprises? Oh yeah, she got married.

Barter by combat!

Doc Migleemo!?

That little ship is nippy!

Fluff your down!

Splat! Whoops! Nearly won there.

Tendi had better get out of that deal for next season.

Oh, that was one triggered Engineer! Nice save Ransom.

That is one Big Orion ship.

Nice work there T'Lyn - Back to the Mississippi holodeck. Why does that work?

Why do the junior engineers get to make a compromise on the Retribution rather than Billups?

Star Trek II nebula time!

Laying down some home truths with Locano there Mariner.

Acting Captain Brad? Rock!

Good Captain voice indeed!

That is indeed one BIG SHIP.

One way to blow a hole!

Captain's Yacht in action for a change. All senior crew present as it should be.

Nice timer on that bomb.

"Don't let that anger define your life" - bit late for that Mariner!

Paywall on a bomb? LOL.

Lovely Genesis effect there.

Does this open up the Genesis debate again?

Open diplomatic relations with the Orions - well that's good work for a 2nd Contact ship.

Stable planet? Different, but then who know what Locano had in his ship heh?

Nice reunion there.

T'Lyn is staying! Awesome.

Oh no...

Tendi nooooooo......

Poor Rutherford.

Go for it Tendi. They will be begging you to return to the Cerritos.

Heck of a finale there- wanted that to be even longer, so much good stuff.

 

[Amaris]

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This was also side-splitting subversion. The Trek trope of trial by combat turned upside down. "The Cerritos Champion will be...Dr Migleemo!"

Loved it!

Dr. Migleemo has been a standout this season, and I love him.

 

[Oddish]

Sometimes, the villain of a story is sitting on something that could meet their ends much better than their actual scheme. I can see the communique now...

From: N. Lacarno
To: Federation Council.

I have invented a shield system that can protect a star system sized area. I think the Romulans would really like it. But I might be convinced to let the Federation have it if the following conditions are met:
1. My own starship. I think a Galaxy class would be appropriate.
2. My own moon. I know there are plenty of uninhabited ones in Federation territory.
3. The entire faculty of Starfleet Academy circa 2368 comes down here and kisses my .

Sincerely,
Nick

 

[Nerys Myk]

This was great

 

[valkyrie013]

Same face!
I just don't see it...
Bwaahhhhh

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Only issue with that thinking is that UFP hadn't shown interest in building Dyson Swarms (despite having the ability to do so).
They probably do use massive space based solar power systems, its just they don't really use them as a swarm (for whatever reason).

They really don't seem to care about making Dyson Swarms and more focused on populating planets and taking colonizing / inhabiting Star Systems.

Higher Priority with the people they have.

They also discovered a Dyson Sphere in ST:TNG, something that in my 26th Century Head Cannon, the UFP officially colonizes & claims as it's own new territory and terraforms it for UFP use along with discovering the secrets of it's Alien construction including learning how to manipulate Neutronium.
NOTE: (It ain't easy to use Neutronium, it's a slow & arduous process to alloy it, but the results creates metals that are super ridiculously tough, great for making Warp Core reactors that are hard to destroy along with super strong shielded rooms that need extra protection).

You'd technically need something the size of a star to supply power to a shield the size of a solar system... or a sufficiently powerful power generation method - and if its a similar power generation method instead, its possible that because they are NOT using solar power that ramming a massive ship into the shield incured a temporary breach which closed itself quickly).

They are inside a Star System, so I'm sure they're siphoning a chunk of the Stars power to either run a reactor or directly convert the energy to power the Trynar Shields, it's pretty ridiculous how strong it is.

We know that UFP and others have planetary shields in the 23rd and 24th century, so establishing a field around a planet is not a problem with existing power generation... so, I would imagine that scaling that to a solar system level might be more challenging and require a lot more power... as you'd need planetary shield satellites which would project the shield numbering in huge quantities (not unlike a Dyson Swarm) to establish a field large enough (though nothing of the kind was implied for the Trinary shield).

We only see the shield active, we don't see it setup.

Given the massive surface area, I don't think they would go with the massive amounts of satellites method of shield building. The logistics train to manage that would be prohibitive given how few help Locarno must have. Even with automation, the management would still be too much for how few crew he has.

I would imagine that Nick Locarno wants a more automated method of Shield building, something similar to the Tholian Web Spinner where once it's erected, it's automatically running and probably has a few enhancements for self healing.

Something that doesn't require a external vessel to constantly project the Shield, which we don't see anyways.
Whatever this Trynar shield is, it seems to be able to function without a grid network of Satellites.
It seems to be closer to the "Tholian Web" in basic setup where it's self powering once it's up and running.
Just add extra energy to the system to keep it going.

Huh... must have forgotten it... Its possible the Q's version is more advanced (it's Q's net after all), but if the Bynars analysed the ENT-D logs and managed reproducing the effect on a solar system level, it shows some good progress.
I wonder if we'll see this technology again and it hopefully catches up).

I don't see the value in protecting the "Entire Star System" in surface area, that's just alot of energy wasted for no good reason.

Just erect planetary shields around all the Planets & Stars within the Star System, far more energy efficient and more redundant than one big shield around the Star System.

Possibly, but if it could be scaled down, how come we hadn't seen anyone use the thing on ships?
I suspect this might be one of those early versions of the technology which is large/huge and would need to undergo more R&D to be scaled down.
Perhaps the shield generator itself is impractical to be placed on starships in its current iteration... but is more practical for a large stationary object that has lots of space and can supply the needed power.

Since the Trynar Shields doesn't seem to have a constant Shield Emitter projecting it, it's largely automatic once erected, it seems to closer to the "Tholian Web" in design is my hypothesis. That takes a singificant amount of time to setup. Once you get it going, it's fine, but the setup must have a pretty long startup time.

Even in Locarno's simplified animation for the Trynar Shield in his monologue to the Alpha Quadrant, it showed the Shields getting erected in sections around the Star System.

Erecting the Star System wide shield must have a pretty long setup time, even if it's fully automated w/o helper ships starting it up. The surface area around a Star System is MASSIVE, I wouldn't be surprised if it took a few hours to set it up in it's entirety. Given that span of time, it's very reasonable in comparison to all of Geologic Time.

That's a type of Shield System you don't want around a StarShip, WAY too slow.

Yes I'm aware of that... I'm just saying that throwing massive (or regular sized) ships or small asteroids at Trinary shields to incur a temporary opening might not be the most practical approach 90% of the time - so, the Trinary shields could be considered for all intents and purposes impenetrable 'most of the time'.

Crashing that Massive Orion Battleship only created a "Small Hole (relative to the surface area of the entire Shield Bubble)" for 11 seconds before it sealed itself back up.
That's INCREDIBLY impressive no matter how you look at it, especially given the amount of KE that a "Entire BattleShip" must bring when you slam it against the Shields.

She definitely sounds older and similarly unrecognizable like RDM.

I recognized RDM more than I recognized her. YMMV.

At first I wasn't sure whom you were referring to, but in fiarness, I don't think it was necessary to bring them all back for such a short scene/exchange.

It was the other girl on Nova Squadron.

Its possible the actress who played Sito was more prominent and willing to reprise the role.

Sito is the one that Mariner's story revolved around, so I thought they only included her due to budget or they couldn't afford the other girl for a cameo or she didn't want to do it.

 

[dswynne1]

I think in the Ferengi mindset, it doesn't matter who acquires the profit, merely that said profit must be obtained somehow.

So paying the bomb means the bomb collects the latinum for itself!

The Ferengi still has a banking system, which means that you have an account to transfer money out of electronically..

 

[mithril]

so if Planet Locarno is going to be used for refugees.. that means it'll have a lot of romulans in 4-5 years after this episode, right?

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

The Ferengi still has a banking system, which means that you have an account to transfer money out of electronically..

But can you gurantee that your bomb will always have electronic Wireless Space Internet access to transfer the funds?

That's got to be pretty hard to gurantee.