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Next up in our Lower Decks double feature is Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee.” With a trip to a menagerie or a “menage” as Mariner says, plus a philosophical-sounding title, surely this episode is a Star Trek: The Original Series sort of episode, right? Well, kind of, but make it more madcap with death by a cute critter that might as well be a Pokémon. Watch out for Moopsy and let’s jump into my thoughts on Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee.”
Field Trip to a Menagerie
Mariner and Ransom are back at it again with their antagonism. Mariner seems to have a need to control every situation in her life, which drives her actions. The moment she thinks that Ransom is going to demote her for no reason, she throws in the towel and decides that she’ll give him a good reason instead. Ensign Gary is caught in the middle. His commentary on the dynamics of their interaction is insightful and hilarious.
The curator, Narj, is an interesting alien we’ve not seen before, but I can’t be the only person who thinks he looks somewhere between a corn husk and a banana, right? Either way, the poor guy is Moopsy food. Can’t blame Mariner for thinking he wasn’t full of bones. Also, I’ve got to be honest, if you ever find my skin in a pile, just know I died trying to pet Moopsy because he’s so dang cute.
Rutherford Needs a Promotion
I’m sure most people can relate to getting passed over for recognition that you’ve worked hard to achieve. I know it’s happened to me before. But what I like about this is that we get to see a little bit of the wholesomeness that Rutherford & Tendi share. I love how she affirms their friendship. We also see that Rutherford might be afraid of losing his friendship with Tendi again, be it through a hardware issue with his implant or through not spending as much time with her at work. Thus he overreacts trying to get a promotion. The sweetness of their relationship is my favorite thing about Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee.”
Boimler’s Quarters Conundrums
Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee” has a nice little C-plot about Boimler trying to find the right place to land with his newly upgraded quarters. While all the mishaps are funny to watch, I’m glad to see that Boimler and Rutherford decided to be roommates. They’re such fun and I’m glad to have them hang out. I agree with Boimler’s assessment though—why would you put quarters in between two holodecks? Seems like a bad idea.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot of heart in Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee,” and a lot of laughs too. The thing that made me laugh the hardest is Ransom and Shaxs doing their stretches in the same gloriously 1980s aerobic get-ups that Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi wore in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, “The Price.” That scene has been a meme for years, but now it’s hit a whole other level. I’m just waiting for guys to show up dressed like Shaxs and Ransom at cons now.
The other thing that induces a fit of giggles in this episode is Moopsy! Every single time Moopsy trundled into the room and said, “Moopsy!” I was positively howling. Moopsy is so silly and absurd and so dang adorable. I require a Moopsy plushy, please, and thank you.
Finally, we’ve got another dead ship at the photon torpedo of the Not Slave-1. This time, it’s a Romulan ship. Who’s next? Any theories as to who is behind this? I suppose we’ll just have to watch and find out.
What do you think of Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×02 “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks will air on September 14, 2023, on Paramount+.
