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Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” gives Trek fans more insight into Orion culture, a girls’ trip, and an interesting perspective on conflict resolution. We’ve got a lot to unpack here, I do declare! You should don your best Mark Twain costume and Foghorn Leghorn accent and join me in the holodeck for my review of Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green.”
Orion Culture
Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” is notable for giving fans one of Trek history’s first up-close looks at Orion culture. Piracy, murder bug drinking games, pheromone sex dungeons, and murder clubs all seem to be part of the culture. Not to mention that this is a matriarchal society. I also love how Tendi tries to downplay her family’s wealth and status. It’s not what she wants to be known for because it’s not who she is. As Mariner assures her, “We know you’re just a big old nerd and not just some hot assassin.” I also love that Tendi says it’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to her. That’s so Tendi. She’s her own version of Orion culture.
Girls Trip!
This is the second time we’ve had a girls’ trip on Star Trek: Lower Decks. The first was in Star Trek: Lower Decks 2×03 “We’ll Always Have Tom Paris” where Mariner and Tendi go off together to retrieve a family heirloom for Dr. T’Ana. The girls’ trip in Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” is, as Mariner says, “A girls’ trip triple threat!” The addition of T’Lyn is a great dynamic with Mariner and Tendi. She plays the “straight man” role between Mariner’s party-girl attitude and Tendi’s stress about finding her sister. Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” definitely passes the Bechdel test, which frankly, a lot of shows still can’t do.
Conflict Resolution: Lower Decks Style!
Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” also gives fans a view into the bromance that is “Brutherford.” And yet the bromance is tested by fighting over who gets to care for their bonsai tree son Lil’ Boney. So obviously the logical solution is to work it out in the holodeck, but instead of a wrestling match or a game of Parrises Squares, it’s a riverboat and pretending to be Mark Twain! Also, as a Southern person, I’ve got to say some of the spoofs on southern jargon had me in the floor this episode. In particular, Boimler shouting, “Grits! Grits! Grits!” While it is not an expression I’ve ever shouted or had shouted at me, it will now be making its way into my vernacular.
The “Brutherford” bromance appeals to me because they are good and kind men who can express their feelings and emotions to each other. It’s not sexual. It’s not considered weak or less masculine. They’re simply two kind and gentle men who can discuss their emotions and work out conflict without hitting each other. More of these kinds of men in Star Trek and in real life, please, and thank you.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” is one of my favorite episodes of Lower Decks thus far. It highlights something that resonates with me as a candid person. Our Lower Decks crew is sincere. They speak their minds and emotions without fear. I LOVE that kind of honesty. It’s something that is lacking in our society as a whole. This is a future I want to aim for, and a present I’m trying to create. I’m glad to see Lower Decks setting an example of that on television. As I’ve said before, more of this in the real world.
Finally, we’ve got another appearance of the Not Slave-1 ship. Something my esteemed colleague and friend, Brandi Jackola pointed out is that thus far, on each of these attacked ships, there’s been someone plotting a mutiny. Is there a connection here? We’ll just have to watch and find out. If you want some finer points of discussion like this on Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green” and more, listen to my own girls’ trip that I took with Brandi Jackola and Clara Cook of The Tales We Tell podcast on this week’s episode of Make It So: A Star Trek Legacy Podcast on the We Made This Podcast Network. It really was a true girls’ trip, with lots of laughter and great conversations.
What did you think of Star Trek: Lower Decks 4×04 “Something Borrowed, Something Green”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks will air on September 28, 2023, on Paramount+.
