Brad Boimler

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Brad Boimler
Star Trek: Lower Decks character
Bradward Boimler.png
First appearance"Second Contact" (2020)
Created byMike McMahan
Voiced byJack Quaid
In-universe information
Full nameBradward Boimler
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
TitleEnsign
OccupationStarfleet officer
OriginEarth (Modesto, CA)

Bradward Boimler (/ˈbɔɪmlər/) is a fictional character from the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Lower Decks. He is known for always following the rules, and pleading excessively for his best friend, Ensign Beckett Mariner, to do the same. In the far future, Boimler is remembered for the Boimler Effect, a ship-wide mandate aboard the USS Cerritos encouraging breaking the rules. Boimler does not want to be known for this, thinking that people will believe he wasn't a rule-follower. Boimler is voiced by Jack Quaid.[1][2]

Characterization[]

Jack Quaid voices Brad Boimler.

Boimler has been described as the kind of person who does "everything by the book" and "a total stickler."[3] About the character, Quaid noted that Boimler would "nail the written portion of the driving test with flying colors but once it actually got to him being in the car, it would be a complete and total disaster." Quaid additionally called Boimler the direct opposite of friend Beckett Mariner.[4] According to Variety, "while great at sci-fi stuff, he’s completely bound to the rules. He doesn’t know how to follow his gut, and if he wants to be a captain some day he’s going to have to learn how to improvise."[5] Quaid also originally auditioned for the role of Sam Rutherford, but was cast as Boimler.[6] Brad Boimler has also been likened to Quaid's character on the Amazon Prime Video original series The Boys, Hughie.[7]

Fictional biography[]

Season 1[]

Main article: Star Trek: Lower Decks (season 1)

In the beginning of season one, Boimler is tasked with keeping his friend and co-worker Beckett Mariner in check by the USS Cerritos captain Carol Freeman, who, unbeknownst to him, is Mariner's mother. He sees his friend smuggling supplies to a pair of poor farmer down on a planet the Cerritos is making second contact to, and so he must decide to either follow the rules and report Mariner's behavior or break the rules like Mariner and do what's right. In the end, Boimler decides not to help Mariner but also not to report her.

For most of the rest of the season, Boimler tries to do both and impress the bridge crew while he's at it. However, though he and Mariner remain friends, he slowly starts to grow resentful of her constant rule breaking and that it always gets the job done anyway. In episode two, "Envoys", Boimler even considers quitting Starfleet when Mariner navigates a foreign planet much better than him, but Mariner hires an alien impostor and fakes a threat for Boimler to overcome, restoring some of his confidence. Over the rest of the season, the two develop an uneasy friendship, though Boimler remains determined to advance in Starfleet and tries to maintain a spotless record, despite getting embroiled in Mariner's antics.

In the season finale, "No Small Parts", Boimler tells Mariner he has learned she is Freeman's daughter, unwittingly broadcasting this to the crew and making the secret public. This upsets Mariner's relationship with the rest of the crew and with Boimler, but following a crisis that almost destroys the ship, Boimler embraces life in the lower decks with Mariner, declaring her his best friend. Shortly after, he seizes an opportunity for promotion that Mariner rejected and is reassigned to the USS Titan, serving on the bridge under the command of William Riker (from Star Trek: The Next Generation), leaving Mariner furious and ignoring her calls.

Season 2[]

Main article: Star Trek: Lower Decks (season 2)

In season two, Boimler is still an officer aboard the USS Titan under Captain Riker.[8] After an adventure with his crew mates on the Titan that allows him to truly realize what being in Starfleet is all about, Boimler is accidentally cloned in a transporter accident, and Riker sends him back to the Cerritos, opting for his clone to stay and work on the Titan. Boimler is welcomed back with open arms, though Mariner remains a little resistant.

Reception[]

Brad Boimler has been a generally well-received character. Author Jodi L. Milner reviewed the series, and in the article she noted that the character is "desperate to get into command to the point that he will literally do anything to gain attention."[9] Rolling Stones called Boimler "an easily flustered try-hard who doesn't understand why his rigorous rule following goes ignored by Captain Carol Freeman."[10]

References[]

  1. ^ "Star Trek: Lower Decks Cast and Character Designs Unveiled". Star Trek. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  2. ^ "Ensign Rutherford and Boimler from Star Trek: Lower Decks".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Pascale, Anthony. "SDCC19: 'Lower Decks' Panel Unveils An Animated Comedy By And For Star Trek Fans". TrekMovie.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  4. ^ Sullivan, Emily Rose. He's So Bad, But He Does It So Well (Thesis). Wesleyan University.
  5. ^ "Star Trek: Lower Decks - Midseason Special - The Ready Room - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  6. ^ "Star Trek: Lower Decks - Midseason Special - The Ready Room - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  7. ^ Britt, Ryan (2020-10-05). "Jack Quaid says his characters from The Boys and Star Trek might actually bond". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. ^ "Star Trek: Lower Decks: A Major Character Leaves the Cerritos". CBR. 2020-10-10. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  9. ^ Jodi. "Brad Boimler". Jodi L. Milner, Author. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  10. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (2020-08-06). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks': Animated Satire Is Highly Illogical". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
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