Carl Roberts 
The Cerritos discuss a treaty with the Ferengi while Tendi and Rutherford get ever closer in the 6th episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4.
The fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks continues. The sixth episode of the season concerns the command team of the Cerritos hosting a visiting Ferengi and his staff to discuss a treaty. Meanwhile, Tendi and Rutherford have to pretend they are in a relationship down on the Ferengi homeworld. But what starts out as pretence actually leads the pair to become closer than ever. The will they/ won’t they scenario continues to rear its head, to hilarious effect as usual. All the while Boimler has some hilarious R&R time as Mariner gets to experience Ferenginar’s constant rain. All these plots come together to deliver yet another fun episode.
SYNOPSIS
The Cerritos visits the Ferengi homeworld.
TV REVIEW | STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS (S4:E5 EMPATHALOGICAL FALLACIES)
THOUGHTS
What more can I say about the series that just keeps on giving? Not much, to be honest. As soon as we sit down to watch the episode, we know we are in for some more brilliant hijinks. The crew of the Cerritos constantly entertains and amuses us on a weekly basis. And just when we think they can’t get any more outrageous, they pull something out of the bag that tickles our funny bones even more. But it also contains stuff that makes us think. We find ourselves caring so much for these characters, even though they are animated. And want to see what happens to them in and out of uniform.
TENDI AND RUTHERFORD
Every week, we see Tendi and Rutherford grow ever closer. And this week, we come oh so close to the pair finally revealing their true feelings for one another. The pair are forced to pretend they are a couple to get to the heart of something on Ferenginar. In typical style, the Ferengi offer a discount on the package the pair undertake. And in true fashion, when one person is discovered to be pretending to get a discount on their package, all hell breaks loose. Tendi and Rutherford watch as this all goes down, forcing the pair to deepen their ruse in front of their hosts. But by doing so, their bond for each other gets dangerously close to being spoken out loud.
During these scenes, fans of the franchise itself should look and listen out for some brilliant nods to all things Star Trek. None more so during the restaurant scene between the pair. As the two of them sit together inside the establishment, a VERY familiar piece of music plays in the background. Being a fan of the franchise in general, you can believe that I had a Cheshire cat grin on my face. It also happens to be one of my favorite pieces of music from the franchise so I was delighted that it is used here. And surprisingly, it actually fits.
THE FERENGI CONGREGATION
The main story concerns a congregation of Ferengi who board the Cerritos to conduct a treaty signing. Everyone by now knows that if you give a Ferengi an inch, they’ll take a galaxy. And they try to here. Every time the Federation contingent seems to get close to an agreement, the Ferengi change it to demand more for their agreement and signature. In true style, it turns into a fraught game of which side can trump the other. But it also ends in a surprisingly good way. Captain Carol Freeman proves why she is a Starfleet Captain. Her instincts and reasoning come to the fore by the climax. And leads to a surprising but satisfying conclusion.
CONCLUSION
By having the focus be split between the Cerritos negotiations and Tendi and Rutherford’s blossoming romance, the episode is a winner. It moves Mariner and Boimler to significant but minor roles in the episode. And it has been a while in coming. Of course, we are here for the hilarity that the pair bring to proceedings. And the relationship between the four main Lower Deckers. But by concentrating on some funny but moving moments between Tendi and Rutherford actually moves the series forward. Do we want the pair to get together finally? Will it impact their friendship or the series? And will we, the fans, accept it IF it happens? Time will inevitably tell.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to yet another enjoyable and hilarious episode. We once again see that mysterious ship that is blasting others out of existence, leading us to guess exactly who or what is behind it. The guessing continues without any resolution at this point. But the fun behind the not knowing will lead to a dramatic conclusion. This is the only point of drama contained within the episode. Everything else is the usual manic, funny, and moving episode that we have come to know and love. Set your phasers to fun for yet another week as we warp into hilarity aboard the Cerritos again.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 is currently streaming on a weekly basis. The complete first three seasons are available to stream on Paramount+
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