9 Ups & NO Downs From Star Trek: Lower Decks 5.9 - Fissure Quest
6. UP — Through A Glass, Brightly
Contrary to Captain Boimler's initial assessment, the multiverse does allow for interesting variations. In this case, the Mariner rescued from her exploding Type 7-esque shuttlecraft was in operations gold. This Mariner was a gifted engineer, an ensign, and "no fan of danger, or away missions, or anything that involves phasers". In a sense, she was to her universe what Bradward Boimler is, or was, to ours.
As discussed in previous Ups & Downs, season five of Lower Decks has done well to offer up a transdimensional mirror to its main characters. From Dos Cerritos onwards, the red PADD has been the comparative beard and confidence growth. Compare that then to William, who, it turns out, is an excellent captain, and you're looking at a future for Brad. They are one and the same person, after all, but for a percentage variance.
Prime Mariner was also a mirror for Ensign Mariner — the latter gaining strength from the former's example in order to save the day. Ultimately, Fissure Quest is a story about Boimler and Mariner, no matter what universe or transporter they're from. Ultimately, Lower Decks is the story about their and those other friendships, no matter the interdimensional rifts they have to cross.