10 Star Trek Undercover Operations That Went Wrong

3. All-Action Heroes

Kayshon His Eyes Open
CBS Media Ventures

Boimler spent most of his time on the Titan in a state of anxiety, so it's a little puzzling when he's selected for a covert mission in the episode Kayshon, His Eyes Open.

The Pakled are up to no good again, and Riker sends a team of gruff, tough action-heroes...plus Boimler...to find out who might be helping them. Of course, Boimler's cover as a miner is immediately blown...thanks to his super soft hands. Who knew moisturising had its risks? And the mission completely falls apart when the overeager Starfleet warriors decide to take down a 'guard', only to discover it's just a pile of snacks.

Thinking they're a bunch of uppity miners trying to steal their food, the Pakleds chase them down with a vengeance...and a circular saw. The team take refuge in a tunnel, but finds themselves trapped.

But this is where the magic happens. As the cool kids prepare for death with a macho hands-in huddle, Boimler declines the offer to join with the kind of speech that only he can pull off. A declaration that he didn't join Starfleet to get into fights, but to explore space, seek out new life and serve as a beacon of peace.

And that's the beauty of Lower Decks. One minute, a fully grown adult is picking a fight with snacks; the next, Boimler's reminding us why we love Star Trek so much.

Contributor

Katherine has been boldly going since childhood, when the BBC Two 6pm Star Trek slot changed her life. She was drawn in by the franchise's optimism, compassion and flair for character-driven storytelling. She's been writing stories since she could pick up a pen and has spent far too much time immersed in television, films, books, music and theatre. She loves any chance to talk or write about her favourite fandoms, of which there are many. When not busy writing, she can usually be found playing video games or explaining why the concept of a transporter is actually terrifying.