Let’s talk about Garrick Bernard’s re-writing of Alien with the wettest man in the 24th century; It always has to be Jack Quaid. Unless we get another in season 4, this is the latest episode from Bernard and maybe his best. Garrick just has a knack for memorable episodes that do just enough to stick in the memory. “The Least Dangerous Game” with its Ferengi-made Klingon-based D&D (B&B) gets us off to a great start.

This is another story where we’ve got Beckett teaming up with Ransom, while Samanthan is off on a paradise planet with Andarithio. I said it last week about “Grounded” getting us back on course quicker than “Strange Energies” did. Already we’ve got Caroll and the crew off on adventures, there is no slow build back to normality. I say normality, Brad is getting knocked about like O’Brien in the Springball tournament, singing in a dirge choir, getting painted by a psychopath (or at least a voice actor of one), and becoming K’ranch’s new chew toy. It is at least normalcy for the Cerritos.

I might be dooming myself to comments of “Well, that’s not true,” but from here, Lower Decks is pretty consistent in the quality of episodes throughout season 3. There might be a dud or two in overall quality, but often it is a mix of memorable and fun. The Beckett B story is actually quite weak this week, going from risking everything to get her mother out of jail to being forced to play nice with Ransom. There are a couple of dramatic set pieces, a good bit of character reinforcement, and it is the first in a while to make the swearing stand out again.

In contrast, the A-story of Brad becoming Jim Carrey in 2008 and being unable to say “no” is much more fun and interesting. As a few Cerritos explorations rather than a single set character drama, it is fun watching the “wirey dude” that is “hard to hit” be hunted like a truffle by a spaniel. The hunt by the Kromsapiod voiced by a man who voices a serial killer (among a million others) is pure fun. You have this huge alien clad in black and neon pink, tore a tooth out to spread blood across Brad’s forehead to mark the hunt, and he’s day drinking with Carol.

It is hardly a fault of the team but it does lean more into that typical American style of comedy. It is an American production, what else can you expect? My point is, though I’m able to enjoy that piece where he’s chatting mimosas and brunch with Carol, nothing audibly made me laugh. Maybe I’m just dead inside like Lundy. Even the swearing section once Mariner has base-jumped from the orbital lift and has to climb back up. I got that it was supposed to be funny, but censoring it deflates the balloon of tension in that scene somewhat.

Something I’ve said time and time again about Lower Decks is the visual imagery is what makes the show stand out against the din of muted dark colors. Seeing the TNG bridge (spoiler for Picard season 3) again was fantastic but slightly ruined by those colorless uniforms that were worn recently. The weirdness of a telepathic baby, a supercomputer, and a sentient volcano ruling over the Dalainians for the sake of checks and balances is great fun.

No, “The Least Dangerous Game” isn’t a script to marvel at and wonder how such gods graced us with their presence. Ultimately it is a standard episode of “things happen” held aloft by the concept of Lower Decks in the first place: visual imagery, references, character work, and so on. Explosive? No. Giant character leaps? No. A fun episode made up for swords and cowards? Absolutely!

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!

Star Trek: Lower Decks "The Least Dangerous Game"

7.5

Score

7.5/10

Pros

• A fun Bradward-led episode by Garrick Bernard.
• Bat'leths & BiHnuchs and the Bajorian choir.
• A fun twist on the overkill of the villians in the B-plot.

Cons

• The swearing being censored deflates the comedy of it.