Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green” brings us back to Orion for a pirating adventure with Tendi. We’ve got a race to win! Rutherford and T’Lyn have a ship to [not] build! And we’ve got a new planet to welcome to the Federation. It’s a lot to take in for a half-hour episode, so let’s dive into my review of Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green.”
Pirate War No More!
Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green” takes us back to Orion where my girl Tendi is caught in the middle of a pirate war with the Blue Orions. There are some interesting things about this portion of our story. The piracy is an interesting backdrop for what’s really going on—the sister dynamic between D’Vana and D’Erika. It’s sweet to watch the Sisters Tendi bond over war strategy. “10 more minutes! We’ve barely even pillaged!” definitely got a laugh out of me. I felt like I got invited to a sleepover with my favorite lower-decker and her sister, which is always nice. However, that ends fairly quickly when D’Erika smacks the tricorder out of Tendi’s hand. The lack of communication about D’Erika’s pregnancy leads to chaos. One thing that Lower Decks has done very well is to demonstrate the importance of healthy communication. And yet, this is a situation where the lack of communication isn’t to avoid a difficult conversation. It’s choosing not to divulge this information to protect D’Vana.
It shows D’Erika’s affirmation of her sister’s calling to Starfleet. That was something I didn’t expect, and it was heartening to see D’Erika give D’Vana her blessing. And I definitely felt it when she says, “I can’t wait to snuggle that baby!” I can’t wait to see Tendi be the best auntie ever. Also, a “Cute-iny” made me laugh harder than just about anything else in this series ever has.
Let me Give You a Few “Bointers”
Boimler and Mariner helping to assist a new planet join the Federation in Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green” is fascinating. We’ve seen planets join the Federation in previous iterations of Star Trek, but I think this is the first time we’ve seen one set fire to their wealth. It’s an interesting look at what happens when a society becomes post-scarcity. What happens with all the money? Either it gets recomibinated or donated to a poor Orion family apparently. That was an elegant solution to solve the Tendis’ problem.
But the real focus here is not what happens to the wealth after a society turns post-scarcity; it’s Boimler’s glow-up in confidence. Sure, the “Bointers” are cheesy, but hey, they came in handy. While funny, it’s also poignant for him to paraphrase Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation 2×21 “Peak Performance” when he says, “It is possible to do everything right and still get your away team kidnapped by the corporate elite.” It shows a level of maturity we’ve not seen in Boimler previously, and I’m proud of him for it. I’m eager to see him continue to grow the rest of the season.
Study Buddies
Rutherford isn’t quite in as bad of shape in Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green” as he was in the season opener. He’s still a sad boy, trying to find ways to occupy himself until Tendi gets back. I’ve got to say, him shouting “OKEY NOPEY!” when T’Lyn surprises him in the shuttle bay is a nice touch and definitely hilarious. Also, T’Lyn! T’Lyn has become incredibly sweet in the most Vulcan way possible. She doesn’t want Rutherford to be lonely and sad while Tendi is gone. And then smashing up the shuttle so he and Tendi can continue to work on it together! So sweet. And then when Tendi shows up again and is all excited about them working on the shuttle together? My heart. The sincerity here is awesome and is a much-needed example of emotional maturity on television. More of this, please!
Final Thoughts
Overall, Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green” is my favorite thus far of the season. I certainly have a bias in favor of anything with Tendi, as she’s my favorite character. Even so there is great character work for almost all our mains in this episode. Everyone is getting character growth and I love it! Finally, I am so relieved to have Tendi back on the Cerritos! That giant jump and hug she gives Rutherford melted my heart. And then the big sister hug with her and Mariner! “Get over here, you beautiful green ball of optimism!” Those are my sentiments exactly.
What did you think of Star Trek: Lower Decks 5×02 “Shades of Green”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks will air on October 31, 2024, on Paramount+.
