The title is a play on the TNG episode “The Inner Light”
But why? I don't see a storyline connection/similarly between this episode and "The Inner Light".
I think the episode is just about Mariner's inner fight about being in Starfleet, and the similarity in title is just coincidental.
Mariner always has the funniest way of being annoyed or angry
Currently weighing up whether to get my partner to watch First Duty and Lower Decks before we watch it together later.
Both. The answer to that is both. Two of the finest TNG episodes.
This was actually funny (unlike the previous ones which were quite cringey).
T'Lyn's voice always reminds me of the Alexa or Google Home, and it's hilarious.
Also relevant: When Kate Mulgrew surprised everyone at an AOC campaign speech before she got elected.
So apparently this is from the guy who did the "Too Many Cooks" special, which is kinda awesomely weird. It will be interesting to watch!
I have a Volante Next Gen-style Trek jacket. It's awesome, high quality. It's subtle enough that non-Trekkies don't notice other than it being nice-looking, but Trekkies will recognize its homage to TNG. I've been stopped on the street multiple times already by random Trekkies asking me where I got it, lol.
It's really expensive though (315 USD)
In between the first watch earlier this week and a rewatch tonight, I've listening to and humming the songs over and over again. I don't know why people say the songs aren't catchy. "Status Report" is sooo catchy, and it even has a little reprise with the "Apologies" at the beginning of the "Private Conversation" which is also very catchy actually.
"How Would That Feel" is beautifully rendered. I've started to listen to other Christina Chong's songs now, and they are pretty good (listen to her "Twin Flames").
Also, in the last seconds of the episode we had Uhura humming a theme. The closed caption says "Uhura humming 'Keep us connected'", which I believe is incorrect. She is humming the opening of Chapel's "I am Ready" and Spock's "I am the X", not Uhura's "Keep us Connected".
She has written a heart-wrenched, tragic letter about this experience and grief. It was very moving/difficult to read and gained me a lot of respect for her:
https://www.talkhouse.com/an-actor-a-helmsman-and-my-brian-boldly-going-where-no-widow-has-gone-before/
Some of the lyrics were really clever and fun:
Spock: "I solved for the Y in my computation ... but the variable so devastating: I'm the ex / X".
At the same time: "When we gain control again, I confess"
Wait, what? I didn't realize the Klingon captain was Bruce Horak!
SNW continues to break new ground really well. This was a really refreshing episode and very well done. I for one loooved this episode.
Alright, I get that musicals are not everyone's cup of tea, but as a person who watched multiple dozens of Broadway musicals, I must say that the songs were really on par with actual musicals. The cast can really sing well -- I expected many great things from Cecile Rose Gooding and wow she did not disappoint. I was very pleasantly impressed by Christina Chong, Rebecca Romijin, Ethan Peck's performances as well.
I think the director made sure to highlight those actors that can sing well and put those that can't sing into secondary positions. Clearly Grammy-Award winning/Tony Award-nominated Gooding was at the center of the story, and they cut off Anson Mount's song, because well, he isn't the greatest singer. They even fully acknowledged that Babs Olusanmokun can't sing in universe as well. :) The ensemble pieces in the teaser and the finale were superb though and was a lot more entertaining than the solo pieces (which I get is probably much easier to rehearse/record and produce).
I loved that the episode intertwined music as a piece of the story, pushed the character arc forward between Spock/Chapel and La'an/Kirk. I am not so much of a sucker for La'an/Kirk but the alternative universe scenes were really a nice touch. The only cringey part was the Klingon K-pop/rap, but I suppose it was intentionally cringey/funny.
Whether you like this musical episode or not, you gotta admit that SNW really boldly goes where no one has gone before.
I honestly think that Lower Decks has the potential to be the longest running Star Trek show.
I assume they are cheaper to produce than the live action shows so less risk for the executives but still decent return on investment.