We spend time with a group of lower ranked Enterprise crew members.
This is a strong episode with a novel idea that has some good character moments.
The obvious hook is seeing everything and everyone from a different perspective. This could have been gimmicky if the character interactions are not as strong as they are.
I personally do not find them hugely interesting as individuals, but the interactions with each other and the main characters are great. The highlights include Lavelle with Riker, Sato with both Picard and Worf, and all their interactions together. Sato easily has the best arc, especially as it follows up an intriguing story in 'The First Duty'. It ends very strongly and all feels rather poignant.
One of the best aspects is that it makes the show feel more than just the main cast every week with a load of extras thrown in to make up the numbers. The concept of Enterprise being a functioning starship with an actual crew is more plausible because of 'Lower Decks'.
This is a strong episode with a novel idea that has some good character moments.
The obvious hook is seeing everything and everyone from a different perspective. This could have been gimmicky if the character interactions are not as strong as they are.
I personally do not find them hugely interesting as individuals, but the interactions with each other and the main characters are great. The highlights include Lavelle with Riker, Sato with both Picard and Worf, and all their interactions together. Sato easily has the best arc, especially as it follows up an intriguing story in 'The First Duty'. It ends very strongly and all feels rather poignant.
One of the best aspects is that it makes the show feel more than just the main cast every week with a load of extras thrown in to make up the numbers. The concept of Enterprise being a functioning starship with an actual crew is more plausible because of 'Lower Decks'.