23rd July, 2023: the Intro.
Yes: it’s Sunday.
You know that as well as I do.
And … ?
Frankly, I’ve done my usual thing of having Sunday dinner with my family.
And … ?
Gone into something of a scheduling panic.
As Paramount+ have released “Those Old Scientists” yesterday: rather than this coming Thursday!
Quite why, I don’t know.
At any rate?
I’m at home early on a Sunday evening: and intent on watching “Those Old Scientists” with a nice cup of tea, and a metaphorical bun.
Here’s hoping the unexpected shift works for me!
24th July, 2023: “Those Old Scientists”.
Then shift to the 24th Century: to show us Ensigns Boimler, Mariner, Tendi and Rutherford (Jack Quaid, Tawny Newsome, Noël Welles and Eugene Cordero) of the USS Cerritos, as they head off to explore an ancient time portal on the planet Krulmuth-B.
A portal Boimler claims was discovered by the crew of the USS Enterprise, under Captain Pike. But that Ensign Tendi claims was discovered by the Orion science ship her great-grandmother served on.
It’s only when Rutherford takes a photo of Boimler, that the latter ends up getting sucked through the portal … and landing one hundred and twenty or so years earlier.
At the feet of Number One, Lieutenant Spock and Security Chief Noonian-Singh (Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck and Christina Chong.)
Ensign Boimler?
Isn’t the only one to realise he’s got a problem …
~≈🖖≈~
Post animated titles?
We find Boimler coming ’round in the Sickbay of the USS Enterprise: and immediately assuming he’s on the holodeck of the Cerritos …
Only to find out he isn’t.
And that, yes: that is the real Captain Pike (Anson Mount) … and that the Captain knows that he, Boimler, is a time traveller.
All Captain Pike and his crew need to do?
Is work out how to get Boimler back to the future … before he spoils the time line, by opening his mouth.
Again!
~≈🖖≈~
Now … what did I think of “Those Old Scientists”?
What did I think?
Were there any details I noticed? Something I should tell you?
Questions?
Let’s get “Something I should tell you” out of the way, shall I … ?
That thing is simple: that the two guest characters in “Those Old Scientists” are Ensigns Brad Boimler and Beckett Mariner.
The characters are played by Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome.
Quaid and Newsome usually voice Boimler and Mariner in Star Trek: Lower Decks: one of two of Paramount’s animated Star Trek series.
I don’t usually review it: but that doesn’t mean I don’t watch it.
I’m not usually one for animations: but Lower Decks is usually quite funny.
Especially if you like things like Family Guy, or American Dad: the show’s witty, humorous, fast …
And definitely one for the fans!
That’s that out of the way
Minor details … ?
There’s possibly an overwhelming number of them!
But the two the struck me?
The koala in the opening credits for the episode.
There’s a koala in the opening credits.
Why there’s a koala in the opening credits … ?
I don’t know.
But there’s a koala.
I’ll work out why, one day!
Then there’s Boimler’s hair.
The make-up designers have got his hair right: at least, as right as possible.
The animated version of the character has hair that’s various shades of extremely dark blue.
I believe it’s that colour for the same reason that 2000AD character, Judge Dredd, has a uniform that’s usually shown as dark blue.
And why Batman’s suit is blue.
The Batsuit, Dredd’s uniform — and Boimler’s hair — are all black.
It’s just easier to show them as blue, to show you reflections, movement, and shade.
Giving Boimler blue hair — in the animated series — does the same thing: lets the animators show movement and reflection.
Mariner’s hair’s the same: except it’s various shades of dark brown.
The same idea applies to the Cerritos uniforms.
The shoulder sections are black: but the animators colour them various shades of grey.
But the thing that struck me? That I noticed … ?
Was that someone, somewhere there … ?
Made sure Jack Quaid’s live action version of his character?
Had blue tinged hair!
Frankly?
I felt that was entirely appropriate!
~≈🖖≈~
The episode, itself … ?
I have to admit, I’m not necessarily fond of Star Trek’s more comedic episodes: “Charades” wasn’t necessarily my favourite episode of the season.
Nor was “A Piece of the Action”, now I think of it.
Saying that … ?
I think I may have been a little harsh on “Charades”.
It was — and is — both funny, and well made.
By contrast?
By contrast, “Those Old Scientists” is well made … and far funnier.
From the on-stage antics of Boimler and Mariner, at the start of the episode, to the Captain’s birthday party at the end, the episode is a fun fest: and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
About my only issue?
Or question, I should say?
Is this: why was the episode released on the 22nd July? Some five days earlier than advertised?
I don’t know.
I initially thought it was because the episode may have been leaked.
But?
I had a brief conversation on Mastodon, a day or two ago: after asking about it.
ValueSubtracted, the one chap who did reply, let me know the episode had screened at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.
And that he felt Paramount had moved the airing: to avoid any spoilers.
Was he right?
I don’t know.
But it sounds plausible!
~≈🖖≈~
At any rate?
Where does that leave me?
It leaves me thinking yes: this is a very good episode.
Funny, fast … and with some great central performances: especially from Jack Quaid as Boimler, and Tawny Newsome as Mariner.
It leaves me looking forward to 7th September of this year: when the new series of Star Trek: Lower Decks is due.
And, assuming Paramount+ doesn’t release the next episode, early?
Looking forward to watching “Under the Cloak of War” on 28th July: and releasing my written and video reviews, on Saturday, 29th July.
I’ll see you then!
“Those Old Scientists”★★★★
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