This is my second and, most likely, my last review of Star Trek: Lower Decks, at least until the inevitable Special Guest Voice ep.
Title: “The Envoy”
Cast and Crew
Director: Kim Arndt
Writer: Chris Kula
Based on Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry.
Voice Actors:
Tawny Newsome as Ensign Mariner
Jack Quaid as Ensign Boimler
Noël Wells as Ensign Tendi
Eugene Cordero as Ensign Rutherford
Dawnn Lewis as Captain Freeman
Jerry O’Connell as Commander Ransom
Fred Tatasciore as Lieutenant Shaxs
Gillian Vigman as Dr. T’Ana
Jess Harnell as K’orin
Tom Kenny as Quimp
Kari Wahlgren, Ryan Ridley as various other characters
Jessica McKenna as Ensign Barnes
Premise
The situation takes several comic turns when Mariner and Boimler escort a Klingon ambassador to a peace conference, while Rutherford explores other opportunities on the ship.
High Points
The parodic opening was amusing, and the show continues to benefit from a decent voice cast.
Low Point
Everything about this week’s sitcom plot, including the final (somewhat disappointing) “twist,” is aggressively predictable.
The Scores:
Originality: 1/6
Animation: 4/6
Voice Acting: 5/6 They performers are playing caricatures, but they’re well-acted caricatures, suited to a cartoon of this nature.
Story: 3/6
Production: 5/6
Emotional Response: 3/6
Overall: 3/6 I’m glad the writers are aware of the franchise history. They now need to think of what a comedy set in that universe might look like. For me, that’s not a children’s sitcom with raunchy jokes and puking to give it an “adult” edge.
In total, “The Envoy” receives 24/42