The USS Cerritos is dispatched on a mission which results in an encounter with strange energy.

Mike McMahan’s animated comedy corner of the Star Trek universe returns with the denizens of the Cerritos’ lower decks still dealing with the fallout of the season 1 finale. There has been no reset switch, with Rutherford still not firing on all cylinders following the damage caused to his systems and Mariner dealing with the ongoing fallout of losing her friend Boimler to Riker’s USS Titan. There’s also the matter that everyone now knows that she’s the captain’s daughter, and all the complications that brings.

Opening with a close-up of a Galor-class warship, we find Mariner being tortured by  a Cardassian (of course there’s a joke about the number of lights), though all may not be what it first seems. A fairly routine away mission then goes awry when she jet washes alien architecture and releases the power within. Cue the arrogant Jack Ransom being taken over by strange energies (there’s a name check to Gary Mitchell) before he grows into your regular omnipotent being – there’s even a bit of Apollo from Who Mourns for Adonais? thrown in to the mix.

It’s a good way to re-establish where everyone is at, physically and emotionally, and for those upset at the apparent lack of Boimler… we’re only just beginning. And all the actors feel like they’ve settled into their characters now – they’re not all kinetic and shouty like they were at the outset.

Verdict: A fun half hour with some clever Star Trek gags and an attention to detail that serves both fans and the Trek-authentic stories. 8/10

Nick Joy