An episode that’s a 30-minute version of Wrath of Khan, with heavy connections to TNG, including “Lower Decks?” I’m in! Directed by Bob Suarez, he returns from “Something Borrowed, Something Green” and “A Few Badgeys More” from earlier this season. As I’ve said before, Suarez had some episodes in seasons 1 and 2 as well. Surprisingly, the episode is written by McMahan’s former assistant, one of only three writing credits for her, and she’s written one of my favorite episodes. It feels odd to say, but yes, May Darmon wrote one of my favorite episodes this season with “Old Friends, New Planets.”

Continuing where we left off, Beckett has been kidnapped by Nick Paris, I mean, Locarno. Paint me totally shocked, the hotshot pilot that Mariner knew back at the Academy somehow was behind this creepy all-white ship that was making others disappear. There was no way I was saying any of that with sarcasm… There was, because I did. This is the thing about the writing this season, you sort of knew the ships weren’t being destroyed because otherwise you’d see them. So it was never really a twist, it was more so waiting for who it was going to be and of course, it was a reference to Crusher’s mate.

I think I’ve said this a lot this season, but the writing has been some of the best we’ve gotten out of Lower Decks. However, I’ve argued we needed a couple more minutes on the clock. It isn’t 30 minutes exactly, but “Old Friends, New Planets” gives credence to what I’ve been saying: A longer, slightly slower-paced but still energetic episode that has a whole lot of character and a whole lot of references throughout Star Trek’s history. History that gives us a better idea of how old Beckett might be too, filling out her character while Tendi offers herself up to D’Erika.

As it turns out, after Locarno was booted from the Academy following the Nova Squadron incident, he held a bit of a grudge. Hence why he kidnapped Beckett and brought her to “minimalist hell,” as it was called in “The Inner Fight.” The ships that have gone missing over several episodes now were part of a larger coup by the lower decks of each ship. Locarno has been inspiring a revolution in the lower ranks. Creating Nova Fleet. An independent federation of ships that answer to themselves, with decentralized governance, leading to a rather dysfunctional group.

Mighty big words for an idiot, but it does mean I know an idiot when I see one, and you sir, Lorcarno, are an idiot. His whole plan of this “free” collective hinges on having lower deckers believe in his ideas, his push for power, and his revenge against Starfleet for cutting him from the Academy due to his incompetence. Though, most importantly, it hinged on Beckett agreeing to join him in his small sector of the space Wild West. I presume where they filmed Star Wars.

I’ve hammered it home this whole time: character-based writing, that’s all I’m asking for and that’s all we’re getting here. Bits of character that are revealing (not in the Rule 34 sense), showing and expanding who they are and who they care about. We know who (or rather what) Locarno cares about. He cares about his precious Nova Fleet being a success to prove himself as right to a Starfleet that has forgotten about him. Something he’s willing to bet will change if he holds these ships and Beckett hostage (of a sort) behind his stupidly named Trynar shields.

Impenetrable? I think not when the smart money says that Captain Freeman will throw a whole damn ship into it like a lawn dart that crumples like I do around goth women. Though technically it isn’t even her that gets to throw it, it is Boimler as he’s acting captain and Tendi has, after a failed trial by combat, convinced D’Erika she’ll leave Starfleet to rejoin the family if she gave her the ship in the first place. Yes, there are high stakes but it feels like everything is built on the whole series, using every last scrap to make a meal out of the episode.

The Captain’s yacht being used, Boimler and the Lt LGs getting that bridge experience, the relationships between characters, and the fact Beckett is understood to hate Starfleet when she just disagrees with it at times. For her, it is very mature storytelling. She is a contrast to Locarno, being childish and avoiding responsibility. Mariner says what needs to be admitted, and in fact, she’s shown to be a Boimler back in the Academy. She disagrees with the outlook, but believes in the mission.

Last week I kept saying it was the point where the season finally clicked, and “Old Friends, New Planets” is partly the reason for that. Suarez and Williams complimented each other well enough, as Mike McMahan compliments May Darmon’s writing in this finale to the season. Mystery and drama TV is ultimately a puzzle, and if the pieces don’t satisfyingly fall into place, it would make the season feel off. Season 4 of Lower Decks satisfyingly clicks together in the same way the metaphorical puzzle does. At least for now.

We’ve seen a finale result in characters leaving the main four already, I’m thinking back to Boimler on the Titan following season 1 and into season 2. I said it then and I’ll say it again, having him gone for only a couple of episodes felt like it was just something to make the episodes feel a bit different. Maybe with T’lyn in place as science officer, while Tendi is off on adventures with her sister, that might be the difference going into season 5. We don’t know because this only aired a few months ago.

Ultimately, it is difficult to say which episode I found to be the best of the season, maybe with time I’ll figure that one out. May Darmon’s “Old Friends, New Planets” puts a fantastic challenge to everyone. It not only wrapped up a great season of writing, but also set up for a great start to a fifth season on the horizon. I genuinely don’t think there is much to complain about with this finale, aside from maybe the fact we have to acknowledge Crusher’s existence.

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Lower Decks "Old Friends, New Planets"

9.5

Score

9.5/10

Pros

• Wonderfully wrapping up everything in a wonderful bow.
• Mariner showing some maturity in her... questionable age.
• Ferengi microtransactions.

Cons

• Crusher!!