Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 9 - "The Inner Fight"
Summary
In "Star Trek: Lower Decks," Lt. Mariner displays her expertise by employing Captain Kirk's iconic fighting technique, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the beloved battle sequences. Notably, her altercation with the imposing Klingon warrior Ma'ah highlights Mariner's remarkable prowess in combat, particularly her capability to stand her ground against a physically superior adversary.
Mariner's extensive background, which includes serving on Deep Space 9 and fighting in the Dominion War, greatly contributes to her formidable combat skills in "Star Trek: Lower Decks."
In a surprising move, Lt. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) employs one of Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) iconic fighting techniques in Star Trek: Lower Decks. The ninth episode of Lower Decks' fourth season, titled "The Inner Fight," skillfully intertwines various storylines that have been introduced throughout the season. Not only is the villain who has been attacking non-Federation ships revealed to be disgraced ex-Starfleet Cadet Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill), but Mariner also finally reveals the true reason behind her career self-sabotage. As Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) of the USS Cerritos, Mariner's mother, grows increasingly worried about her behavior, she enlists the help of Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and the other Lower Deckers to divert her attention.
Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Mariner Brings Back Kirk’s Hilarious Fighting Move
During a supposedly mundane assignment, the junior grade Lieutenants of Star Trek: Lower Decks find themselves stranded on the desolate planet Sherbal V after things take an unexpected turn. Much to their surprise, they soon realize they are not the only ones left behind on Sherbal V. It turns out that Locarno had intentionally deposited the crews of the destroyed ships on the planet. Determined to face any adversaries head-on, Mariner takes it upon herself to confront the Klingon warrior Ma'ah (Jon Curry) in a fierce hand-to-hand combat. Utilizing a classic Kirk maneuver referred to as the "double ax handle" or the "double-fist punch," Mariner joins her hands together, delivering a powerful blow to her opponent.
Mariner uses a classic example of "Kirk-Fu"
The double ax handle punch in various Star Trek shows has become somewhat of a running joke. It is not an effective fighting move in reality, often appearing rather absurd. However, it has gained a nostalgic charm and association with old-school fight scenes from Star Trek: The Original Series. Starfleet officers employ this move against larger or stronger opponents with varying degrees of success. Captain Kirk's attempt at the double-fist punch is completely ineffective in his famous fight against the Gorn in the TOS episode "Arena".
Mariner manages to land a solid punch to Ma'ah's face using the double-fist punch during their fight. His pink blood sprays off to the side as a result. Nonetheless, Ma'ah counters by forcefully slamming Mariner against a tree. The fight is interrupted when shards of glass start falling from the sky, resembling a glass rainstorm. Seeking shelter, Ma'ah and Mariner find refuge in a nearby cave. Ma'ah insists on waiting for the storm to pass before continuing their fight. However, during this pause, Mariner opens up about her self-destructive behavior, revealing her devastation following the death of her friend, Ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill), in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's seventh season titled "The First Duty." Surprisingly, Ma'ah proves to be a good listener and offers her some valuable advice.
How Mariner Can Fight A Klingon & Survive
Mariner, unlike her fellow Lower Deckers, has maintained a consistently self-sabotaging attitude towards her career. This has resulted in her being a Starfleet officer for a considerably longer period of time. Throughout her various postings in Starfleet, Mariner has acquired extensive experience in a wide range of fields, particularly excelling in hand-to-hand combat. She has mastered anbo-jyutsu, a form of martial arts, and has engaged in numerous battles against various opponents over the years. One notable instance includes her encounter with a yeti while being held captive in a Klingon prison, which left her with scars from at least four different fights.
During her journey, Mariner formed a close friendship and established a blood-bond with decorated Klingon General K'orin, who served in the Klingon Defense Force. The pair engaged in covert and unauthorized operations. In addition to her involvement with General K'orin, Mariner served on Deep Space 9 and participated in the Dominion War, earning valuable combat experience. Due to her vibrant and diverse background, Mariner has developed formidable fighting skills and possesses the knowledge to face adversaries who are larger and stronger. Although the outcome of her fight with Ma'ah remains uncertain, Mariner displayed remarkable resilience and resourcefulness derived from her extraordinary pre-Star Trek: Lower Decks history.
The Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 finale streams Thursday on Paramount+.
