Mariner enlists her friends on a rogue mission to exonerate her mother as Captain Freeman faces a military tribunal for the destruction of Pakled Planet.

The animated Star Trek comedy returns for its third year with a tasty cliffhanger to resolve, but it’s not the big bang that you might have expected.

One of my initial criticisms of Lower Decks was the amount of shouty banter between the four ensigns – a lot goes a long way. And while I’ve grown to know and appreciate the characters over the years, I’m sorry to report that some of the frenetic squabbling is back.

The show works best when the team work together, and this week they’re at odds with one another over whether it’s right to take the Cerritos out of Spacedock to rescue Captain Freeman. It’s a poor plan, and ultimately is seen for what it is. The fun is derived from the many legacy Star Trek references – I loved the First Contact theme park in Montana – but these alone can’t carry the show.

Verdict: Let’s dial back the squabbling and find the fun in more creative ways. 6/10

Nick Joy