History Recap / StarTrekLowerDecksS2E01StrangeEnergies

* ShoutOut: Possibly to the Tenth Doctor, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature well-known hater of pears.]] By the episode's end, Rutherford agrees with him.

** Tendi is particularly bothered by Rutherford's apparently OOC behavior when she hears that he'd gone on multiple dates with Barnes, and later interrupts their date to run tests on him. Even after they reconcile, she still [[ClingyJealousGirl tells him not to date Barnes.]]

** Tendi is particularly bothered by Rutherford's apparently OOC behavior when she hears that he'd gone on multiple dates with Barnes, and later interrupts their date to run tests on him.

** When Tendi tries to forcibly perform a medical treatment on Rutherford in the galley, Barnes simply leaves to change into her swimsuit and tells Rutherford that she'll meet up with him later.

** Played for laughs as Mariner starts doing squats while trying to pilot a Miranda-class through an AsteroidThicket and being chased by Cardassian ships because it's leg day. Subverted as this was just after it was confirmed to be a holodeck simulation, so Mariner isn't any danger, but the holo Cardassian interrogator doesn't understand that and freaks out.

** Played for laughs as Mariner starts doing squats while trying to pilot a Miranda-class through an AsteroidThicket and being chased by Cardassian ships because it's leg day. Subverted as this was just after it was confirmed to be a holodeck simulation, so Mariner isn't any danger, but the holo Cardassian interrogator doesn't understand that and freaks out.

** MassTransformation - in addition to transforming the citizens into clones of himself he turns random objects into gym equipment. Doctor T'ana says "he's creating his own jacked utopia!"

* NoOntologicalInertia: Once Ransom's strange energies are neutralized, the changes that he made on the planet instantly revert back to normal -- the Ransomites return to their normal selves, the twisted buildings return to their old shapes, and the moon he zapped into oblivious pops back into existence.

Approximately three months after the events of the season one finale, the U.S.S. ''Cerritos'' is dispatched on a second contact mission to Aspergos, where Mariner decides to do some sonic cleaning of the planet's extremely soot-covered buildings. However, this accidentally triggers a mysterious device that produces "strange energy," which Commander Ransom inadvertently absorbs. As a result, Ransom quickly develops godlike power and an ego to match, and decides that his first order of business will be venting a little pent-up frustration with his captain.

* ArtShift: The animation becomes looser and more wavy as the ''Titan'' flies into the anomaly.

Approximately three months after the events of the season one finale, the U.S.S. ''Cerritos'' is dispatched on a mission where it ends up in a sci-fi event resulting in "strange energy," which Commander Ransom inadvertently absorbs.

* CallBack:
** To the first episode of Season One; Rutherford mentions early on that he's going on a date with Ensign Barnes, which Mariner congratulates him on. {{Lampshaded}} in that Mariner immediately questions why the situation feels familiar.

* AGodAmI: The energy that Ransom absorbs gives him near-omnipotent powers.

* NoOntologicalInertia: Once Ransom's strange energies are neutralized, the changes that he made on the planet revert back to normal.

* GilliganCut: Right after Tendi says that Boimler is "probably having the time of his life" on the ''Titan'', we see him on the bridge, screaming in confusion and terror as the ship evades the Pakleds firing on them by flying into a black hole.

** The image of Gary Mitchell seems to be more realistically proportioned than the other characters. (Possibly in a similar vein to how in ''[[Recap/StarTrekLowerDecksS1E10NoSmallParts No Small Parts]]'' a picture of Kirk and Spock looked like how they appeared in the [[WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries old animated series]].)

Approximately three months after the events of the season one finale, the U.S.S. Cerritos is dispatched on a mission where it ends up in a sci-fi event resulting in "strange energy," which Commander Ransom inadvertently absorbs.

* ClothingDamage: In keeping with the Kirk parody aspect of Ransom's character, when he is hit with a bolt of energy his shirt acquires a very large tear right along his pecs.

** Mariner's holo-program is straight out of Picard's torture in "Chain of Command". Boimler even says they keep forcing him to look at lights.
** Among the ships in the holo-program along with the ''Miranda''-class Mariner takes include a Bajoran Interceptor, a Jem'Hadar Fighter and at least five Delta Flyers.
** It's brought up how Kirk defeated Gary Mitchell by dropping a boulder on him after being affected by "strange energy".

* CyberneticsEatYourSoul: A variation when Tendi suggests Rutherford has Synthetic Memory Disorder. It's a condition that can occur from cybernetic brain implants that gradually shifts the afflicted's personality and memories as neurons degrade until their brain melts out of their skull.
* DangerRoomColdOpen: The episode opens with Mariner seemingly captured by Cardassians. We quickly learn from Boimler, though, that this is just a simulation since he calls himself a hologram. Mariner also tells Jennifer that this is her cardio method.

* EvilMakeover: Ransom gives himself a new makeover among the other changes he makes to the planet, a while BadassLongcoat with a cape.

** The Ransomites can be seen using the workout equipment Ransom created in the background of a few scenes.

* AGodAmI: The energy Ransom absorbs gives him near-omnipotent powers.

** Creator/FredTatasciore remains in the opening credits despite his primary, Shaxs, now being dead. According to Memory Alpha, he voices the random Cardassian guards in the cold open.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Mariner using a sonic wash on a building uncovers a device which zaps Ransom, granting him god-like powers
* NoOntologicalInertia: Once Ransom's strange energies are neutralized, the changes he made on the planet revert back to normal.

* TheResenter: The fuel that drives Ransom's godhood is the fact that Freeman was giving more attention to Mariner than him.

** Tendi is particularly bothered by Rutherford's apparently OOC behavior when she hears he'd gone on multiple dates with Barnes, and later interrupts their date to run tests on him.

** Stevens spends the episode acting like a huge suck-up to Ransom, runs to him when T'ana drops the boulder, and ends the episode sitting at his bedside, reading to him while he recovers.

** Second Contact is held up by Apergosian leader being preoccupied with making sure the number on the pad he picks "has the right gravitas", as apparently numbers are significant in their culture.

* StatusQuoIsGod: At the end of the episode, both Mariner and Freeman agree to dial back the autonomy Mariner has on the ship, and Mariner is once more being dragged into the brig for disobeying orders. Thankfully, their mother/daughter bond is still there, and clearly stronger than it was in the past.
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: Freeman manages to figure out that compliments quell Ransom's rage, which also depowers him, and tries feeding him more so he can be reasoned with. Unfortunately, she [[HonorBeforeReason draws the line at letting him believe he'd make a better captain than she]].
* TitleDrop: Characters constantly refer to the energy that struck Ransom as "strange energies" and explain a bit of what it does.

** When Tendi tries to forcibly perform a medical treatment on Rutherford in the galley, Barnes simply leaves to change into her swimsuit and tells Rutherford she'll meet up with him later.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Ransom is driven mad by his newfound power, remaking the planet in his image. He begins acting on his resentment towards Freeman and Mariner, partially because of the attention the former is giving the latter but mostly frustration that they're clearly hiding their anger at the new status quo.

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Ransom is driven mad by his newfound power, remaking the planet in his image. He begins acting on his resentment towards Freeman and Mariner, partially because of the attention the former is giving the latter but mostly frustration that they're clearly hiding their frustration at the new status quo.