We’re accustomed to watching the exploits of Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford, and Tendi on Star Trek: Lower Decks. However, this week the series takes a different approach by highlighting one of the other ensigns we’ve been introduced to before. You’ll never expect who and they’re in for a doozy of an adventure.
Slight Spoilers Ahead!
Back in the season one finale, the USS Cerritos gained new crew members including a peculiar Exocomp by the name of Peanut Hamper. At the time of the ship’s greatest need, she turned her back on her colleagues and selfishly abandoned them. In “A Mathematically Perfect Redemption,” we catch up with what the sentient robot has been up to.
Lower Decks takes a big risk featuring a side character who isn’t very likeable. For her part, voice actor Kether Donohue brings so much self-centered and selfish attitude to her character so effortlessly. But you need those feelings towards Peanut Hamper to further emphasize her personal journey towards decency. After all, “redemption” is in the title.
What’s more impressive is that Donohue can hit the intimate and personal moments as well. After finding her way to an isolated planet, she finds real connection with the primitive inhabitants. She gains a better understanding of what it means to help others. It’s a gradual but believable change in her outlook though it’s still in her own way. This softening makes the former ensign more of a sympathetic figure and plays with the transformation.
Love is a big catalyst for the change and romance develops with the chief’s son. It’s your typical enemies to paramours tale as they are forced to spend time with each other. Their differences are played for laughs, especially during the sexy moments. It’s outrageously hilarious when one half is a small floating robot. Lower Decks really doesn’t hold anything back. Yet you can feel that there is a genuine affection between the two.
The conclusion has some unexpected twists, and maybe some expected ones. The music for the final battle pumps you up for the action and creates a valiant and heroic atmosphere. When it’s all said and done, there is a sense of justice and also a nice little cameo from another Star Trek character.
It’s a risk to stray away from the main cast, but catching up with Peanut Hamper is an engaging story with romance, action, comedy, and more.
New episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks are released Thursdays on Paramount+.
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