Star Trek: Lower Decks Review: Twovix / I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee (Season 4 Episodes 1 and 2)
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, Star Trek: Lower Decks being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4 Episodes 1 and 2, “Twovix” and “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee,” lay a solid foundation for what’s sure to be the show’s zaniest, wittiest, and Trek-iest season yet. Mike McMahan pens “Twovix” with Barry J. Kelly and Jason Zurek at the helm. Aaron Burdette writes the script for “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee,” with Megan Lloyd on board as the director.
New Threats and Bonds
Out of the gate, we have connective tissue between the two episodes that’ll serve as the main seasonal threat — the enigmatic ship that slaughtered the Klingon and Romulan vessels. The writers for both outings maintain a level of mystery surrounding the murder ship, dangling the narrative carrot just enough to keep our collective curiosity piqued.
RANSOM: As long as nothing goes sideways today, you’ll be a lieutenant junior grade.
BOIMLER: But stuff always goes sideways!
Of course, Star Trek: Lower Decks has had its fair share of two-part episodes and recurring plot points, but establishing the antagonist this early allows for more consistency on the storytelling front. Plus, we also have the continued newly professional relationship between Mariner and Ransom as the latter vows to ready her for more Starfleet responsibilities. Jerry O’Connell and Tawny Newsome always deliver brilliant, nuanced vocal performances; this double-premiere is no exception.
Their bond is easily one of the most intriguing on the show. “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee” really deepens their dynamic and tests its boundaries, organically taking it to the next level. They develop a mutual understanding that could see them turning a less hostile leaf. The jury’s still out on that one.
Speaking of fun character dynamics, “Twovix” also experiments with Tendi and T’Lyn’s burgeoning friendship as they work to save the senior officers from receiving the same fate as Tuvix in Star Trek: Voyager. The episode plays with their polar opposite personalities, which will be a delight to continue exploring in the coming episodes. Gabrielle Ruiz’s line delivery would make any Vulcan proud, while Noël Wells is perpetual sunshine in vocal form.
MARINER: This is why we can’t keep secrets. One of us always ends up covered in slime.
Additionally, the premiere delves into Boimler and Mariner’s friendship, which is the beating heart of Star Trek: Lower Decks. The show never fails to mine the depths of their bond and find new facets to flesh out. While Mariner and her mother, aka Captain Carol Freeman, boast plenty of tender moments, Boimler and Mariner take that sweet spot in “Twovix” as we learn she was the one who put a bug in Ransom’s ear about promoting Boimler. Mariner is at her most vulnerable with Boimler, and watching Newsome and the writers explore that side of her is a joy.
Voyager Nods
“Twovix” is a hilarious homage to all things Voyager, chock full of Easter eggs for fans to devour (Michael Sullivan! Bride of Chaotica! The Macrovirus! The Clown!). Rutherford even applies a “kooky” Voyager solution to their problem by utilizing Neelix’s cheese (although, let’s be honest, our heroes have employed wacky remedies aplenty on Star Trek: Lower Decks). The thing that nearly spells the Voyager‘s demise becomes its savior. It’s a clever plot twist.
“I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee” isn’t quite as packed with Trek references, but it’s still brimming with the show’s signature quick wit and fast-paced, frenetic energy. Boimler struggling to find new sleeping quarters after his promotion is hysterical. Meanwhile, Mariner and Ransom’s exploits at the menagerie as they battle a cute but deadly creature remind us of their collective resourcefulness. Teamwork makes the dream work.
RUTHERFORD: Wait, I can just ask for stuff I deserve?
Promotions All Around
This reviewer would be remiss if they didn’t mention the most significant narrative beat in these episodes: our Beta Shift ensigns getting promoted to lieutenant junior grade. Sure, it’s strange seeing them move out of the lower decks of the USS Cerritos since, you know, it’s in the show’s title, but this allows the writers to broaden their storytelling horizons and breathe life into new seasonal arcs. They can push the envelope regarding these characters we love.
“I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee” also finds Rutherford in competition with a new ensign in engineering. It’s a fun subplot, but it more importantly reveals the plot twist that Rutherford has been offered a promotion repeatedly, pretty much since the first season. However, he’s rejected them in favor of staying near Tendi. This confession adds a new layer to their complex, deep friendship.
Could this ensign become a rival for Rutherford in Season 4? Perhaps, especially since he, too, was promoted to lieutenant junior grade by the end of episode two. Here’s hoping Rutherford is given a juicier story. The hilarious Eugene Cordero is too talented to waste.
All in all, “Twovix” and “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee” are two consistently entertaining, thrilling entries in the Star Trek: Lower Decks universe that fire on all comedic cylinders. They’re bolstered by the terrific performances from this all-star voice cast. If you’re in need of animated escapism, look no further than the Season 4 premiere.
Stray Observations:
- “Twovix” is one of the few Star Trek: Lower Decks episodes that doesn’t immediately start with a stardate log or the opening credits.
- For more hybrid shenanigans, check out Voyager Season 2 Episode 24, “Tuvix,” if you haven’t already.
- I loved seeing the models of Janeway, Seven of Nine, Neelix, Tuvok, etc., in the Voyager museum.
- Beckett Mariner’s greatest enemy is Jack Ransom. Hands down. How dare he promote her?
- That Moopsy is so damn cute that I temporarily forget it can slurp bones until it, you know, starts slurping bones.
- Aw, Boimler only truly feels at home in his quarters if there’s a dent on the ceiling above him from hitting his head during a red alert. He walks around perpetually concussed. Side note: Jack Quaid is a treasure. He is Bradward Boimler.
- So … will we finally get Tetherford this season? Rendi? Ruthendi? Tendiford? While it certainly won’t ruin my viewing experience if they remain friends, I’m down for exploring romance between these two. They’re just too sweet. Rutherford declined all those promotions because he didn’t want to be separated from Tendi. It’s love.
- How much of Shaxs and Dr. T’Ana’s sexy holodeck “foreplay” do you think Boimler heard? We know they’ve pretended to be Bonnie and Clyde-type characters in “Room for Growth” and play out a Robin Hood scenario in “I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee.” What else do they get up to on the holodeck? Do I want to know?
- Lingering questions from Season 3: Have Mariner and Jennifer officially broken up? Will Boimler learn his clone William is alive and working for Section 31?
What did you think of these episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Star Trek: Lower Decks streams new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.