Reflections debuted on 22 September, 2022. It was written by series creator and showrunner Mike McMahan.
Mariner (Tawney Newsome) and Boimler (Jack Quaid) are working a recruitment booth at a job fair, and you know that is just going to be the launching point for wackiness. The booth next to them, has an Archeologist Guild run by Petra Aberdeen (Georgia King) – and she may be able to convince Mariner to ditch Starfleet for her, there’s some nice banter and arguments between them with lots of digs about established canon events.
And who will break first? My money is on Boimler.
Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) is fighting for control of himself, when Tendi (Noel Wells) purges his memory cache reawakening a street-racer younger version of himself. This eventually reveals even more about some mysterious flashes he’s been having. But which version of Rutherford will emerge victorious? There will be a space race!
In terms of fun things, the Delta Flyer makes an appearance, we get glimpses of Kirk and Spock, not to mention a Horta, there’s a nod to katra transference, seed pods from Omicron Ceti III, as well as the Stargazer. There’s a nod to the seven-year run of series, the TNG episode, Conspiracy. It’s all so much fun.
And we hear about the worst assignment in Starfleet, Starbase 80.
Hear All, Trust Nothing was written by Grace Parra and debuted on 29 September, 2022.
The USS Cerritos arrives at Deep Space Nine! There are on site to lead a trade negotiation in an effort to help rebuild the Gamma Quadrant following the Dominion War. Jennifer (Lauren Lapkus) wants Mariner to meet her friends (oh boy), while Boimler, Tendi and Rutherford enjoy the Promenade.
Things go well until Tendi meets a fellow Orion, one that leans into their stereotypes. When the truth comes out, Tendi is able to save the day!
The best bit is the Cerrios doing a nod to the titles sequence of DS9 (with appropriate music score) as it circles the station and pylons. And hey! There’s Morn. The Rules of Acquisition get mentioned, the drinks on offer are hilarious. References to Smiley! And, of course, appearances by Kira (Nana Visitor) and Quark (Armin Shimerman).
I love how Shaxs (Fred Tatasciore) and Kira have a history of rescuing one another, because each feels they owe the other, a kind of reverse kind of one-upmanship.
A great homage episode, and I love how Mariner gets some time not only with Jen but also to mess with Quark.
A Mathematically Perfect Redemption was written by Ann Kim and was first broadcast on 6 October, 2022.
Peanut Hamper (Kether Donohue) is back, and perhaps looking for a path to redemption following her actions (or lack thereof when the Lower Decks crew last interacted with her. Will she find a way to redeem herself, and perhaps grow to be a better person… er exo-comp? or is she just who she is?
There are quotes from The Wrath of Khan, loopholes in the Prime Directive, J.G. Hertzler (Martok) delivers another voice, the Daystrom Institute makes an appearance, and there are nods to Cast Away, Avatar, and some familiar Trek tropes in Peanut Hamper’s journey.
Jeffrey Combs also returns as Agimus.
It’s not quite as fun an episode as the rest of the series, because the focus is solely on Peanut Hamper with our Lower Deckers only showing up towards the end of the episode. It’s still entertaining, but not if you’re looking to spend time with Boimler and Mariner.
Next time we finish up season three, but the Human Adventure continues as the Cerritos boldly goes.
