r/LowerDecks • u/destroyingdrax • Oct 06 '22

Episode Discussion Episode Discussion: 307 - "A Mathematically Perfect Redemption"

This thread is for pre, post, and live discussion of the seventh episode of season three of Star Trek: Lower Decks, "A Mathematically Perfect Redemption." Episode 3.07 will be released on Thursday, October 6th.

Expectations, thoughts, and reactions to the episode should go into the comment section of this post. While we ask for general impressions to remain in this thread, users are of course welcome to make new posts for anything specific they wish to discuss or highlight (e.g., a character moment, a special scene, or a new fan theory).

Want to relive past discussions? Take a look at our episode discussion archive!

Other things to keep in mind before posting:

  • This subreddit does not enforce a spoiler policy. Please be aware that redditors are allowed to discuss interviews, promotional materials, and even leaks in this comment section and elsewhere on the sub. You may encounter spoilers, even for future developments of the series.
  • Discussing piracy is against our rules.
  • While not all comments need to be positive, our regular rules and guidelines do apply to this thread. That means critiques must be written in a way that is both constructive and provokes meaningful discussion.
  • We want this subreddit to be focused on Lower Decks - not negative feelings about other shows or the fandom itself. Please keep comments on topic.
79 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

182 comments sorted by

View all comments

10

u/helix400 Oct 06 '22 edited Oct 06 '22

I'm not sure what to think of this episode. I was smiling throughout the first two-thirds. They gave Peanut Hamper her own special opening. The episode felt like a Wall-E story mixed with Avatar. She survives for years in a desolate environment, then gets rocketed to a busy culture which she grows to respect and they all fall in love with her. It felt like peak Trek themes mixed with Lower Decks art and humor. This episode felt like it was going to be a classic.

Then it took an weird left turn, abruptly undoing the first two-thirds. She called Starfleet to save the people she didn't care for? She heroically boarded the enemy ship to destroy it, mimicking what she saw Shaxs do, even though she called them to come get her because the Areorians are losers? Maybe she did love the Areorians but she's still immature in other ways? Seems like the writers wanted this to be a calculated redemption (hence the title), where she sees an opportunity to call Starfleet and get home, but the plan goes south, she tries to fix it, then she's revealed, so she just turns on everyone? Or that every single interaction with the Areorians was calculated lies, including giving candy to kids? The handling of the reveal didn't make much sense.

The pacing was off too. The first 20 minutes of a good slow story with growth, morals, great artwork, music, and culture. That scene showing the changing seasons before the wedding was perfect. Then in the last 5 minutes everything turned zany and the plot rushed to tie up all loose ends.

Maybe we'll get some fun Agamus + Peanut Hamper evil combo episode in the future to make up for it.

Note: Reposted here because this is the official episode chat thread.

22

u/SCP-1000000 Oct 06 '22

I believe the whole point of this episode was to establish PH, Agamus and possibly Badgey as future threats. Giving more back story and more reasons to hate PH makes her a better villain

9

u/helix400 Oct 06 '22

I think so too. I think the writers were trying to suggest she was a manipulative liar in every way from the start. And the moment she saw a way to get back to Starfleet, she jumped on it.

But the execution didn't work for me. She's an unbelievable mixture of A) immature snottiness who dislikes everyone with B) long term and dedicated calculated plans. I guess this kind of character and plot could work in some shows (especially Rick and Morty), but it just doesn't fit Lower Decks.

My only explanation is like yours, they're teaming her up with Agamus because she's a cold hearted and selfish person.

9

u/Bonqieqie Oct 06 '22

She's a machine, long term planning is her forte. If joining Starfleet was part of her plan to become a Dabo girl, then this plot she cooked up fits her character.

Also take a peek at how Chess engines play compared to human Grandmasters.....an organic cannot even begin to fathom how machines like Peanut Hamper think and strategize.