Ensign Tendi has her first day of work on Starfleet's USS Cerritos, where she meets fellow support crew members. Boimler is tasked with a secret special assignment. Rutherford attempts to keep his dating life intact while a disaster strikes the ship.

Ensigns Boimler and Mariner embark on a shuttle mission to a Klingon compound while Ensigns Tendi and Rutherford spend time together back on the USS Cerritos.

A new work protocol eliminating "buffer time" has the Lower Decks crew running ragged as they try to keep up with their tightened schedules. Ensign Mariner and Commander Ransom's mutual lack of respect comes to a head during an away mission.

Captain Freeman seeks the ultimate payback after Mariner blatantly disrespects her in front of the crew. A well-meaning Tendi accidentally messes up a Lieutenant's attempt at spiritual ascension and tries to make it right.

The lovable but awkward Ensign Fletcher makes work difficult for Mariner and Boimler. Rutherford introduces Tendi to a holodeck training program he created.

Approximately three months after the events of the season one finale, the U.S.S. Cerritos is dispatched on a mission where it ends up in a sci-fi event resulting in "strange energy," which Commander Ransom inadvertently absorbs.