Some time has passed since Stella replaced Garbage as Captain of the Pluto crew, but they are nowhere closer to finding a new habitable world for the humans. After a mission goes badly, Stella decides it's time to recruit a new Tactical Officer, especially when Loaf isn't cutting it.
Tropes:
- Armor-Piercing Response: Stella asks Pepper why she joined Pluto after being with a more competent Neptune for so long. Pepper claims it was because she saw her as Captain material and wished to help her make up for any "inefficiencies" caused by former Captain Garbage.
- Brutal Honesty: Pepper doesn't mince words when she criticizes Garbage's gung-ho behavior being the source of Pluto past failures.
- Hoist by Their Own Petard: The wasp-like Bombus aliens feed on their planet's honey, which is also said to be an alternative vehicular fuel source. It turns out that this also makes for a flammable chemical, which allows Stella and the others to destroy a swarm and their hive during their escape.
- I Choose to Stay: Last season, security offer Jerry devolved into a regular dog when Kira tried to take over the M-Bark. For some reason, he decided to stay that way and seems happy for it.
- Ironic Echo: The episode starts with Pluto escaping a hostile alien planet after a mission gone wrong. The irony comes from the usually prepared Stella unprepared for this one. The upside is mentioned by Ed and Nomi that while they had a lot of near-death experiences when Garbage was in charge, this was the first in 12 missions under her leadership that it ended badly.
- Nothing Is the Same Anymore: In a downplayed sense, while Garbage secretly helped his former crew survive a refuel mission in this episode, he still can't return to them, much less lead them, at the moment. In the meantime, he has to return to his new job, which he missed two days stowed away.
- Once Done, Never Forgotten: Kira almost overthrowing the M-Bark last season seems to be the biggest reason why Garbage was discharged from the planet surveying mission, especially since she was his responsibility.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Garbage poses as another dog during Stella's interviews, but she and everyone else can see right through him.
- Passing the Torch: With Stella as the new Captain of the Pluto, she promoted Loaf as the new Tactical Officer before the season started. When Loaf literally begs to be out of such a stressful job, Stella decides to find a new candidate. Among the 67 she sees potential of, Nomi narrows it to 5. In the end, the new role is given to Pepper, who had recently transferred from the Neptune crew.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Following last season, Garbage is no longer Captain of the Pluto. Heck, he is not allowed to even be part of any crew, let alone his own. Considering everything that has happened under his watch, it might come to no surprise.
- Unintentional Backup Plan: While Pepper and Stella effectively lead the crew despite extremely low chances of survival, Garbage (who stowed away by accident), secretly helps Stella pull through an escape. Earlier, he ends up attracting the hostile Bombus aliens away from them.
