Space, the final frontier. In a universe filled with Supercomputers and rogue AIs, it’s surprising that it took us this long to find our way to the Daystrom Institute’s supercomputer reform center. But threats are lurking around every corner, and sometimes, the most dangerous foe is one you created yourself! So get ready to grovel before an AI and join us as we give you five thoughts on season 4, episode 7, “A Few Badgeys More.”
1. Badgey is back and badder than ever
It’s always exciting when a show brings back a fan-favorite character! Badgey, the “Clippy” parody and “son” of Samanthan Rutherford, returned this week and wasted no time reminding everyone why he was such a fantastic villain. “A Few Badgeys More” is a tour de force of vocal performance for Jack McBrayer, who successfully gets to weaponize the exceptionally peppy personality he often plays in other media. Badgey is equal parts hilarious and terrifying as he chirps his threats to Rutherford, the Cerritos, and eventually the universe in general.
One of the best parts of “A Few Badgeys More” is just how in control Badgey is the whole time. While other Lower Decks villains can sometimes feel like less than credible threats, Badgey is always two steps ahead. It provides an excellent villain for the show, combining the broad humor of annoying “AI” programs that get in the way of helping you with a severe problem: the potential destruction of the universe.
2. Appeasing a megalomaniacal computer is all part of being a good Lieutenant Jr. Grade
While Rutherford and Mariner deal with Badgey, Tendi, and Boimler must take care of their own evil supercomputers. “A Few Badgeys More” also features the return of Peanut Hamper and AGIMUS, plotting their universe-conquering spree after they escape from the Daystrom Institute. While three villains might sound like Lower Decks is doing two overstuffed episodes back-to-back, Peanut Hamper isn’t around, giving time for AGIMUS to shine.
The humor of this plot line comes mainly from the fact that Boimler, tasked by the captain, plays along with the supercomputer’s “master plan” to get information about the spree of galactic ship destruction. There’s just something about the overly worrisome Boimler casually quipping to AGIMUS that Starfleet won’t fix his planetary domination shortly. That is a nice change of pace for Boims. In general, “A Few Badgeys More” is filled with fun voice performances, and Jack Quaid’s occasional new take on Boimler helps to keep the character fresh.
3. If at first you don’t succeed, keep splitting up your AI
While Badgey often has the upper hand in “A Few Badgeys More,” it doesn’t mean our heroes are helpless. Rutherford tries at least two techniques to fight back against the rogue AI by appealing to his emotions and then appealing to his logic. While these are both temporarily successful, Badgey can fight back and create Goodgey, his good side, and Logic-y, his logical side. It’s always fun when you can tell that a voice performer is having a good time, and you can just see Jack McBrayer’s smile as he gets the chance to play three unique and fun characters.
It’s also exciting to see how each of these personalities is animated. Badgey sometimes will lean into the hyperrealistic and disturbing animation often employed by the end of an episode of Metalocalypse. Goodgey, on the other hand, sometimes feels like a classic Disney cartoon, full of innocence and big old eyeballs. Finally, Logic-y is incredibly static, showcasing the character’s logical conclusion that a hologram doesn’t need to move. In each case, “A Few Badgeys More” shows its creativity as it explores the three aspects of the character’s personality. It’s a delight to watch and keeps the episode feeling fresh throughout the runtime.
4. If you fake something long enough, does it become true?
While Peanut Hamper is not present through much of “A Few Badgeys More,” her presence is certainly felt. At every turn of AGIMUS’ “control,” the sadistic supercomputer grows increasingly concerned that his partner’s crime isn’t there. We go through quite a few of the stages of grief as it becomes increasingly clear to the static computer that Peanut Hamper might be up to a new plan, one that doesn’t involve him, which makes him upset. It turns out that if you fake something long enough, it might just stick.
Continued belowIn a shocking turn of events, Peanut Hamper does seem to be genuinely reformed by the end of “A Few Badgeys More.” She’s reconnected with her family, doesn’t desire universal domination, and realizes that she found a conscience during the plan to lie her way out of the institute. It’s a nice change of pace and gives the episode quite a happy ending as AGIMUS resolves to gain genuine reform himself so he can earn time with his friend again. Who says that evil supercomputers don’t have the capacity to change?
5. A new omniscient god and a conspiracy revealed
Perhaps the most shocking part of “A Few Badgeys More” is that Badgey wins. Not content with simply destroying the Cerritos, the AI promises full federation domination by taking over all subspace frequencies. The solution, it turns out, is allowing Badgey to become one with everything, showing that his petty squabbles with his creator are just that, petty. In an impressive feat of animation, Badgey ascends the mortal coil, promising to create a universe of his own or to join the Q continuum. It’s an excellent combination of scale, colors, and music, as we see Badgey the size of a universe while also being everywhere and nowhere. \
We also learn that all is not what it seems at the end of “A Few Badgeys More,” as AGIMUS reveals that the mysterious ship isn’t destroying Federation vessels; it’s simply stealing them. These moments are the right level of tension building. We still don’t know much, but it’s felt so incidental up until now that it’s not occupying too much headspace. With this reveal, however, we are clearly setting up an endgame scenario, which is compelling.
What did you think of the episode? Sound off below, and see you among the stars!
