This Star Trek: Lower Decks article contains spoilers.
Star Trekhas always been horny.
But it tookLower Decksto make that horniness work.
Contrast two depictions ofStar Treks most infamous attempts at sexiness,the decontamination chamber.
Producer Rick Berman designed the scenes to add sexiness toStar Trek.
And it utterly failed.
But it makes the scene work on every level.
Yes, the main cast are all in their underclothes as they apply the gel.
But the camera treats the exposed skin as matter-of-fact, devoid of all eroticism.
Instead, the camera lets the characters interact.
Even the moments one recourse toward eroticism comes from a character, not a leering producer.
Ransom asks the audience to objectify him and maintains his agency throughout.
Ransoms response to decon also works becauseLower Deckshas always been an overtly horny show.
Of course,Lower Decksisnt altogether unique in its approach to sexuality.
Thats something everyone can appreciate, whether theyre reserved like Tendi or oh-so-open like Ransom.
Star Trek: Lower Decks episodes stream every Thursday on Paramount Plus.
