Lower Decks

Although it started out strongly, this episode soon fell apart under the weight of its own mythology, and after last week’s strong episode (“Claudia”) I was expecting more. Guest star Joe Flanigan, from Stargate: Atlantis, added nothing of note to the episode, as his role (Jeff Weaver) could have been played by just about anyone. The plot involves two art collectors, a missing sculpture, a feather and the ability to walk through walls.

I didn’t realize it at the time but James Naughton, from the 1974 live-action Planet of the Apes series, also guest-starred in this episode. He played Gilbert Radburn, who was competing with Jeff Weaver for the purchase of the sculpture. It was one of four such sculptures, each representing one of the elements (fire and water and so forth). If all four are brought together they can bestow incredible powers over said elements.

I found myself drifting away from the episode just after the scene in which Pete was tossed out of the van. I wasn’t at all interested in the secondary story line about Claudia and Artie at the Warehouse and to be frank wasn’t much more interested in the main story line. Pete and Myka — and, for some reason, Jeff — eventually wind up at a cave where they find Radburn. He has gathered the four sculptures using a feathered coat that allows him to walk through walls.

Despite the fact that he should have all the power in the world, Radburn is quickly stopped by Pete, who stabs him with an arrow. That’s it, folks. That’s the end. Oh, and Claudia will be staying at the Warehouse while her brother goes off to do scientific stuff in Switzerland. I don’t know what she can possibly add to the series. Myka, Pete and Artie work well enough as a trio and they already have a pointless character (Leena) who doesn’t do much of anything. Now they have two.