Star Trek: Lower Decks 2.4 Review - Ups & Downs From Mugato, Gumato

9. Mariner Vs The Boys - UP

The return of Anbo Jitsu to Star Trek is a very welcome one, having been first introduced in the Next Generation episode The Icarus Factor. There, Commander Riker engaged his father in the violent sport, with the entire scene being played for pathos. Neither man truly understood the other, so beating on each other seemed the best way to go about it.

Mariner's engagement with Rutherford and Boimler is far less complicated. The pathos is completely abandoned for comedy as the two men are quickly and decisively flattened by Beckett. Anbo Jitsu is a game of skill, resilience, and patience. Or, the way Mariner plays it, it's a game of kicking seven levels of crap out of the lads.

Their confidence in entering the ring, thanks to their late-night practice sessions, is completely shattered when she easily bests them. Things look like there might, almost, be an equal footing when they get in a lucky shot, putting out one of her teeth and causing a nosebleed - but if they thought that would be the end of things, they are sorely mistaken. The gleeful dragon is awakened, and she fights back.

Up! I may like Rutherford and Boimler, but this was a truly funny scene.