Space, the final frontier. While the Cerritos continues to prove the importance of second contact, it seems like the galaxy is out to get them. But Captain Freeman and her crew aren’t going to go down without a fight. They’re Starfleet, after all, and if it means racing across the galaxy to prove their worth, you know they’re going to rise to the challenge. So, grab your tricorder, prepare for warp, and join us as we give you five thoughts on the season 3, episode 10 finale, “The Stars at Night.”
1. A space-age John Henry
After the disappointing failure of project swingby and the impressive debut of the Texas class AI ships, the future looks dim for the Cerritos. Not only did Captain Freeman jeopardize her crew, but it’s also possible that the entire California Class second contact program could be in jeopardy. While command and Vice Admiral Buenamigo offer Freeman a cushy promotion, “The Stars at Night” allow her to do her version of the John Henry story and prove that the humanoid element is essential when dealing with Starfleet missions.
“The Stars at Night” does a remarkable job of establishing the stakes quickly. If the Cerritos loses, not only are they out of a job, but they’re taking a large chunk of Starfleet down with them. Making the competition a race is a great way to establish the parameters of second-contact missions and showcases how well the Cerritos crew works together. It also gives Tendi a chance to shine as a potential science officer, even if it costs them the race. But while Freeman is initially dismayed, she realizes that Tendi’s interference proves the humanoid element’s importance. A.I. might not understand the nuance of the prime directive, even if it’s an insignificant thing ultimately proven wrong. The problem, though, is that there are larger machinations at play.
2. Mariner’s new job is perfect, but perhaps not right
While the Cerritos fights for its existence, Mariner has a lovely time getting her Indiana Jones on with Petra, saving important artifacts from black market traders and Ferengi thieves. While it might not have the same pulse-pounding excitement, “The Stars at Night” works well as a Mariner story because it forces her to analyze her relationship with herself and Starfleet. On paper, working for the archeology guild is perfect. There are few rules, exciting adventures, the glory of preserving history, all things Mariner likes. But something seems off.
It says a lot about Mariner’s character that she’s constantly looking for the “too good to be true” nature of her new job, expecting their near-infinite funding to be another collector or illegal trader. Finding out that the money comes from Picard is a nice reference to the stoic captain’s love of archeology. It also seems to unlock something in Mariner. While “The Stars at Night” shows that Mariner is still the most comfortable going on kick-ass adventures, she wants it to be for something bigger. Mariner might not always agree with Starfleet or protocol, but at the end of the day, it’s about keeping the galaxy (and her found family) safe. She just needed to get away to realize that.
3. A conspiracy un-implanted
While season 3 has had its ups and downs, it’s impressive how “The Stars at Night” ties up several loose ends. Rutherford seems distracted by the code. He was part of the project that helped design the Texas class ships. It’s the reason he had the implant.
Last week, it seemed like something was up with Buenamigo, that he was possibly tanking the Cerritos under the guise of a supportive fatherly figure. Not only does “The Stars at Night” confirm that he set up project swingby to fail, but he was pulling the strings the entire time. It’s a brilliant reveal, and it’s exciting to think about rewatching the season with this information in mind. Connecting it to the larger mysteries like Rutherford’s implant or the rising threat of automation shows that McMahan and his crew know how to build a good long story without losing the focus of week-to-week fun.
4. Never turn off the safety protocols!
As expected, creating a fleet of artificial intelligent Starships (with Badgey’s programming to boot) is a bad idea, resulting in Buenamigo’s death after turning off the safety protocols and giving the Aledo full control. However, “The Stars at Night” wastes no time making the Texas class a credible threat by waking up two other ships and attacking the starbase. While the Cerritos does an impressive job keeping them at bay, it shows they can’t compete with the advanced ship.
Continued belowHowever, the action in this episode is top-notch and perhaps has one of the most triumphant moments in Star Trek history when Boimler convinces the crew to take the Shaxs’ advice and eject the warp core. There’s a running joke in Trek that the security chief is often the first to jump to the most extreme and dangerous solution, but in “The Stars at Night,” it works. Watching Shaxs triumphantly run to eject the warp core would bring a tear to even Worf’s eye, as the dangerous solution turns out to be the right one. Never turn off the safety protocols unless it’ll save the day.
5. Part of something bigger
So once again, the Cerritos is outgunned, outmatched, and needs to be saved. But this time, they aren’t rescued by Riker or any other big name in the galaxy. No, this time, they’re saved by their own and by the one they sent away. There’s something special about watching all the California-class ships coming out of warp to protect their #1 defender. “The Stars at Night” brings back a few Cali-class captains to help save the day, and it feels incredibly earned. While the season’s back half focused on whether California classes even needed to exist, the episode proves that they are strong together.
It also gives Mariner a chance to come back into the fold as a hero and with a new zest for life in Starfleet. While “The Stars at Night” ends with her lightly harassing Ransom, she seems genuinely interested in balancing her wild side with becoming a better officer. The episode ends with a status quo moment but a triumphant one. Together the California class ships are strong, and being part of something bigger doesn’t mean that you have to give up who you are.
Well, what a trek through the stars we’ve had! Thanks for joining us for the missions! Sound off in the comments below, and see you next season!
