8 Ups & NO Downs From Star Trek: Lower Decks 5.2 - Shades Of Green
3. UP — Rutherford Scattering
No alpha particles, as per the experiments, but still a lot of deflection. You couldn't help but feel for Rutherford — Sam, not Ernest — this episode, practically hidden away on the Cerritos as he was, distracting himself from the fact that he was missing best friend (D'Vana) Tendi.
In Dos Cerritos, Rutherford had seen his counterpart, Otherford, take his broken heart and mend it to the cybernetic extreme. In Shades of Green, our/the Rutherford was tinkering away with door panels and "slow-rolling" repairs on the Sequoia instead.
Not to detract from his feelings, but his work did provide for some excellent visual comedy, too, as the engineer 'scattered' in fright at T'Lyn's sudden appearance at the door. "Okey nopey!" Classic Rutherfordism!
Of course, the final jump scare turned out to be the best (friend) reveal. Behind the transporter room door stood Tendi, now back where she truly belonged. The most adorable hug and conversation ensued. As for the rest, that was "just a bunch of boring pirate stuff".