Space, the final frontier. California-class ships don’t often get called to the big leagues, but they get a chance to shine from time to time; if it’s at one of Starfleet’s most famous bases, all the better! While it might just be a gift delivery negotiation, a critical mission is still important, damn it! So grab your tricorder, Orion multi-key, and join us as we give you five thoughts on season three, episode six, “Hear All, Trust Nothing.”
1. A day at Deep Space Nine
For a show that loves to create strange new worlds for the Cerritos to explore week after week, there’s something nice about seeing the crew make their way to probably one of the most iconic locals in Trek, Deep Space Nine. For a show that usually loves to poke loving fun at the history of Trek, “Hear All, Trust Nothing” feels different. There are loving putdowns of the Cardassian-designed space station, but you can tell that Mike McMahan and the crew are genuinely excited to play in that space. There is a love to the parodies of the episode, from Shaxs’s comments about fascist architecture, to Tendi and Rutherford’s sightseeing mission. You can just tell that this team of writers loves that show.
It also helps that “Hear All, Trust Nothing” brings back two of Deep Space Nine’s heaviest hitters, featuring Armin Shimerman and Nana Visitor reprising their roles as Quark and Kira. It’s just delightful to see these characters again; these are more than glorified cameos. They are integral to the plot of the episode. There’s a special highlight as we learn about Shaxs and Kira’s relationship and how they always try to one-up their debt to the other. It’s exciting to see the Cerritos on DS9, and the show takes full advantage of the setting.
2. Mariner takes a big step and tries to hide who she really is
While Boimler, Tendi, and Rutherford take in the sights, Mariner takes things to the next level with Jennifer by spending time with her friends at their Salon. Season three hasn’t done much with this relationship, so it’s nice to spend some time exploring it, but Mariner quickly gets into her head when her friends warn her against being bossy. While this means that “Hear All, Trust Nothing” is another episode that makes Mariner act against type, the situation feels different this time. The biggest change is that it’s her choice.
In a season where Mariner is forced to rein in her chaotic alignment to something more neutral for fear of being removed from Starfleet, “Hear All, Trust Nothing” changes the stakes. Mariner is not acting like herself because she wants to make a good impression on her girlfriend’s friend group. It’s a better scenario for the brash ensign simply because it’s HER choice. There is no outside pressure to behave, which means that as we watch Mariner struggle with interpretive dances of the Kobyashi Maru or poems of your personal battlefield, it’s because she’s making an effort. It’s much nicer and fun to watch because the stakes aren’t as high.
3. Orions are more than just pirates (kind of)
While Mariner tries not to embarrass herself and Boimler tears up the Dabo table, Tendi and Rutherford get stuck with Mesk, another Orion officer. While multiple episodes have featured Tendi trying to disprove Orions’ bad reputation throughout the galaxy, Mesk seems to be everything Tendi is working to dispel. Mesk is hyper-machismo, loves pirating, and appears dishonest in almost all elements of his life. While “Hear All, Trust Nothing” forces Tendi to contend with this arrogant Orion, there’s a fun twist that is both perfectly Lower Decks and pays homage to a classic Trek character.
It turns out that Mesk is all talk. His brash arrogance, love of pirating, and all the other stereotypically Orion things about him are a mask. Mesk was raised in Cincinnati and learned everything about being Orion from bad holonovels. In a way, Mesk is like Commander Worf, another Earth-raised alien who knew about his culture in roundabout ways. While Worf is an interesting character, “Hear All, Trust Nothing” makes Mesk a joke, but forces Tendi to tap into some of her dark side in the episode’s best sequence.
Continued below4. When Quark’s involved, you just KNOW there will be trouble!
While the majority of “Hear All, Trust Nothing” is just kind of vibing on the station, the episode does feature one of the Cerritos’s most essential missions yet, brokering negotiations with the Karemma of the Dominion. The problem is that the Cerritos didn’t have time to prepare, and the Karemma weren’t happy. Add to that the fact that you have one of the galaxy’s most notorious schemers, and you know you’re in for a difficult time.
Again, it’s just nice having Quark around, and Shimerman is clearly having a blast being the ignoble Ferengi barkeep. It’s also just delightful to see what he’s turned Quark’s into throughout the galaxy. While the premier jokes about a Starfleet Disneyland rang a bit hollow, Quark’s being a galactic Dave and Buster’s just works, and “Hear All, Trust Nothing” takes full advantage of that. The fact that the big action setpiece is over Quark stealing tech is classic Deep Space Nine, and it’s nice to see the Lower Decks crew involved in a pretty classic Trek adventure.
5. Being true to yourself saves the day
While “Hear All, Trust Nothing” starts with characters suppressing their true selves, embracing that bit they want buried saves the day in both cases. For Tendi, it’s embracing her Orion heritage and being a badass space pirate. Unhinged Tendi, for the record, is just a joy to watch as she leaps through the air to take over the Karemma ship and save the day. On the other hand, Mariner embraces her bossiness to save Jennifer and her pals (and Jennifer reveals that she loves Mariner’s bossy streak.) It’s a nice little resolution to both of these characters’ plots. Being true to yourself can save the day.
So there you have it. After a nice vacation to Deep Space Nine, the crew is off on another adventure! What did you think of the episode? Sound off below, and see you next week!
