The latest Star Trek: Lower Decks explores themes of redemption and turning over a new leaf. Several antagonists from the animated series return with new evil schemes and they all involve our heroes. But are they destined to be bad or is there room for them to change?
As the episode’s title indicates, “A Few Badgeys More” features Rutherford’s unhinged AI hologram seeking revenge on his creator. Events pick up right after the season three finale where scavengers pick up Rutherford’s original corrupted implant. Early on, scenes run parallel to the overarching story of a mystery ship attacking other vessels. Clever editing toys with the idea that Badgey is involved.
Jack Mcbrayer pulls off a versatile performance embodying several aspects of Badgey’s personality. He voices an enraged and deranged monster looking for blood, a wholesome innocent Goodgey seeking love, and a stoic logical version. The plot takes a series of pleasant and unexpected turns from Rutherford embracing his father figure role and providing his sentient program the love, support, and forgiveness a good parent does. Things ratchet up even more as Badgey’s vengeful thirst for power results in a transcendent spiritual state.
Elsewhere on Star Trek: Lower Decks, Tendi and Boimler visit the Daystrom Institute to meet up with former foes the Exocomp, Peanut Hamper, and sentient computer, AGIMUS. The villains secretly plan an escape and intend on exploiting the two Lieutenant Junior Grades. The pairing of Peanut Hamper and AGIMUS plays well comedically both visually and with their personalities. You wouldn’t think these two self-serving and diabolical characters would mesh, but it makes for an effective odd couple. The gags with their faux rehabilitation are stupidly hilarious, particularly AGIMUS’s ability to convert his red light to blue.
Jeff Combs gives McBrayer a run for his money for most outlandish villain as AGIMUS. On his own, he quickly reverts to his nefarious ways subjugating an entire planet. However there’s an emptiness inside since the supercomputer is missing his partner in crime Peanut Hamper. It’s a bit touching that these two find each other and have grown so close. They really made one another better people, and their connection places them on the path for good. At the very end of the episode, AGIMUS is able to bring more insight to the mysterious ship attacks. It’s progress to learn what exactly happens, but it’s still at a slow and unsatisfactory pace.
“A Few Badgeys More” features the rehabilitative power of love and connection proving that even the bad guys can have a happy ending.
New episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks are released Thursdays on Paramount+.
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