After a high-profile mission goes awry, Boimler is further plagued with self-doubt when Mariner proves herself to be a more naturally talented sci-fi badass than he.

This is much more like it. Having not been won over by the show’s launch episode, I settled in to this week’s antics a lot quicker and found the pacing and story much stronger. Maybe the characters are less shouty, or I’m just getting used to their quirks, but I smiled a lot more, chuckled a little and can only applaud a show that has throwaway gags about the Khitomer Accords, Section 31 and the Janeway Protocol.

Right from the outset, the show makes knowing nods towards its USPs, and I really hooted when Captain Freeman expressed her wish to create a catchphrase for going to warp – ‘It’s warp time!’ she suggests. All four ensigns are engaged in the action, Rutherford having a great experience trying out the different departments on the ship – awful in the sickbay, killing babies in the command Holodeck programme and being exemplary in security, fighting a Smorgas-Borg of opponents.

The main plot follows Mariner and Boimler piloting a Klingon guest, but it all goes wrong when he indulges in too much ale and steals the shuttlecraft. Cue lots of running round to find the missing guest (and craft) involving run-ins with some popular Star Trek races and intriguing new ones. Naturally it sorts itself out by the end, but there’s a lovely coda showing us that there’s a lot of heart here.

Verdict: Yes, I’m now on board with the new recruits, and if they can keep up this quality mix of humour and pace then I’ll be with them all the way.  8/10 

Nick Joy