188. The Humourless Feminist Killjoy Happy Hour (LD 5.03)

Anika and Liz visit a fabulous resort, where we get to sit by the pool and relax while nothing bad happens and no one is weirdly stalked by their ex-girlfriend.

We're discussing Star Trek: Lower Decks episode "The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel", and spoilers, we aren't fans!

• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel did not deserve this
• "My shoulders went up around my ears and stayed there for the entire episode."
• Jennifer is abusive, and it's weird how the show (and the fandom!) seems to consider this zany and delightful
• This is not a great season for Tendi's characterisation so far
• It feels like Mariner and Tendi's arcs ended in season 4 and the show doesn't quite know what to do with them now
• But also, less than week to the US election and Lower Decks is like, "How about an episode where a Black woman on the cusp of becoming a leader is mistreated and everyone cheers?" Guys.
• An Apocalypse Now parody? Groundbreaking.
• Anika: "I apologise to people who liked this episode."
  Liz: "I don't."
• How much has season 5 been affected by the industrial unrest across the entertainment industry? There are so many barriers to making good television at the best of times! Also, Liz talks about season 5 of Babylon 5 (sorry, Anika)