Star Trek: Lower Decks

Captain's log, stardate 58496.1.

While the primary mission of the California-class

is second contact,

Starfleet has never considered our work a top priority.

Until today.

I'm thrilled to log that my planetary follow-up initiative

has finally been given the green light by Admiral Buenamigo.

Congratulations, Captain Freeman.

There's no one better suited for Project Swing By.

And there's no one better suited to assign it to me, Admiral.

Let's ditch the pomp and set this conversation to facts.

- "Ditch the pomp"? -

The first Project Swing By planet you'll be checking in on

is Ornara.

Ornara. Picard made first contact there, right?

Yes. 17 years ago.

So they're long overdue for some Starfleet attention.

If this goes well, Swing By missions will be assigned

across the entire California-class.

Then I'll make sure it goes better than well.

I know you will. Which is why I have a journalist from FNN

en route to the Cerritos.

She'll be documenting your success as it happens.

Buenamigo out.

Congratulations, Captain. I think I speak for all of us

- when I say... - This is terrible!

But you've been lobbying for Project Swing By for years.

Not that. The reporter.

The ship's a mess.

We have to clean it up before she gets here.

- - Clean it up.

- Good one, Captain. - Why are you laughing?!

Oh, shit! She's serious.

Go get your departments in order now!

- Go! - Yes, Captain!

What do we know about the Ornarans?

They were ravaged by a plague,

the cure for which was a plant called felicium,

which only grew on their sister planet, Brekka.

The Brekkians exploited access to the drug

and got the Ornarans hooked on it,

even after the plague was cured.

Some sister.

What did Picard have to say about it?

By the time the Enterprise got there,

Ornara was in shambles due to their addiction.

Picard severed communication between the planets and, uh...

well, let's see...

Oh, uh, then he left.

- He left? - Yeah, that's, uh...

- Whew, that's how it went down. - Seriously?

So now it's our job to check in on an entire planet

that Picard left cold turkey?

Well, Captain, think about it like this...

If they've relapsed, we'll provide much-needed aid.

Project Swing By is gonna look great.

With this reporter coming on board,

I don't want us to look like fools.

Mariner. What the hell are you covered in?!

Blueberry filling.

Yeah, we got the pie eating contest later today.

Hey, we should get that reporter to cover it.

We're gonna crush Ops this year.

What's her problem?

We did strawberry last year.

She doesn't always get to pick the pie.

Ensign, if I were you, I would make myself scarce

for the next couple days.

Please, reporters love me.

Plus, I'm so good at my job,

I'm like a second captain.

Yeah, I'm like a mini captain.

Like a little, sweet baby captain.

We may want to roll out some duty changes,

to make a good first impression. You get me?

You better be ready to shovel some fucking pie, Marty.

Your whole division's going down!

Loud and clear.

Gah! What the hell?

Captain gave our next rotation to alpha shift?

I-I didn't even know there was an alpha shift.

We have orders to keep our work areas spotless,

but I accidentally got my station stuck

in the transporter buffer.

What if it's messy in there?

I'm not allowed to scan anything until after the reporter leaves,

but I scan when I get nervous.

Hey, Carol gonna Carol, right?

I mean, she's just trying to put her best foot forward. I get it.

All we got to do is sit back and make her look great.

Wow, that's weirdly mature of you.

Wow, Captain. I have to tell you,

covering a California-class ship is really special for me.

My family's from Flagstaff.

: Ah, yes. Arizona is...

very near California.

Oh, it's just gorgeous.

Victoria, let's get you settled in those guest quarters.

- Pretty great view, huh? - Oh, it's stunning.

And, you know, when it comes to the lower decks,

nobody knows it better than beta shift.

So if you want a tour or something,

- just let me know. - Actually, Ensign,

I believe your shift doesn't begin for another three cycles.

Right. That's why I have time. I'm early.

Junior officers can be a bit excitable.

You know, sometimes they forget they should be going to bed.

Computer.

Lights. Have you ever seen a warp core?

Oh, my gosh, no. But I can't wait.

- Whoa, seriously? - Well, that was demoralizing.

She's just... She's under a lot of pressure.

But, hey, this-this gives us more time to practice

for the pie eating contest.

- Yeah! -

The pie eating contest is canceled?

But I've been expanding my G.I. tract to store more pie.

And I perfected dislocating my jaw.

Mariner, what is your mom thinking?

This is the biggest crew night of the year,

not including pon farrs.

Yeah, I don't really know what...

Hey. Hey, man. No, not the pies.

Hey, stop! We'll take those.

Captain's orders. No contest, no pies.

Sir, I've been starving myself for days.

Please! My body needs crust!

Stand back, Ensign. I have my orders.

- - Aw.

Come on, guys.

There's plenty to do around here

that doesn't end in sugary diarrhea.

Oh. Maybe for you.

Let's go grab some synthehol

and synthe-have a great time at the bar.

Sir.

Look at me. Look at me!

- Please, just one! - I can't.

You know I can't.

Then stun me!

No!

Don't look at the holo-imager. Look at me.

Okay, and just tell me what life is like on the Cerritos.

Okay. Is this good?

Last week, I got to scan an ancient probe

from an unknown civilization,

and I just signed up for aerial silks.

For me, the Cerritos is life in the cave of Garanoga.

Oh, you poor thing. They make you live in a cave?

: No, no, no. It's...

The Cerritos is like home to me.

I have lived in a cave, though.

Victoria,

something about you really makes me open up.

: I feel very comfortable talking to you.

Oh, well, I think that's enough for today.

Turn it around, Lower Decks.

Captain wants you in your bunks.

W... Come on, man. This is our bar.

We just-we just want to grab a drink, all right?

This isn't the bar anymore.

It's the commander's lounge.

And it's only for interviewees.

Hey, wait, Jet's not a commander.

He's a lower Decker like us. How come he gets to be in there?

There's a list of approved people.

Manhaver's on it.

- There's a list? - Hey, it's-it's okay.

Let's get out of here. Uh, I've got some Somnusian root

that'll knock us out for a while.

I know Mom is stressed,

but that reporter is here to report.

And this isn't how the Cerritos actually is.

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna tell the truth.

The very first mission for Project Swing By.

Tell me, Captain, are you nervous?

The Ornarans were peaceful when last contacted,

but we should be ready for anything.

Well, I, for one, feel safe with this amazing crew.

Oh, wow. I didn't expect it to be this nice.

Seems like the Ornarans are in a good place.

But stay alert.

Sometimes the dark reality is hidden

just beneath the glossy exterior.

Hey! Oh, gosh, wow. Starfleet.

It is so joyous that you've returned.

I am B'Nir, the local magistrate.

Welcome back.

I am Captain Carol Freeman of the USS Cerritos.

I know that your people's first contact

with the Federation had its difficulties,

- but we're here t... - What?

Oh. You're worried that things got bad

when Picard cut us off from the felicium.

Well, uh... did they?

No. Picard was absolutely right.

It was the best thing that ever happened to us.

Look. We even made a mural.

See, there's the Enterprise leaving us with no drugs,