Enterprise 02-11-04

[Mark]

Enterprise - "Harbinger"

Feuding between Lt. Reed and MACO leader Maj. Hayes disrupts Archer and Phlox's investigation of a rescued alien; T'Pol confesses her feelings for Trip.

Cast: Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, John Billingsley.

Guests: Steven Culp as Major Hayes, Thomas Kopache as "The Alien", & Noa Tishby as Amanda Cole.

Missed last week's episode, both Wednesday and Sunday, due to some work related things. Not sure if I will manage tonight's viewing, or Sunday's, but here is the obligatory thread...

 

[Tom Cashel]

Tonight we get to see the never-before-revealed Vulcan technique known as Schowuz Jibouti.

I really, really wish this show was on Cinemax, Friday, midnight.

 

[Crothian]

So, the alien plan was to deposit one of their own in the space goo, hopeing Enterprise would investigate it, find him, and bring him aboard? And once there hope he could somehow destroy Enterprise? It seemed like a very far fetched plan.

 

[Silver Moon]

I thought it was okay. I enjoyed the interchanges between T'Pol and Trip right up until

Spoiler

they consumated the relationship

. The security rivalry was also well done. I did find the alien storyline a bit far fetched.

Now, is it just me or does the plot for next week's episode sound IDENTICAL to a Voyager episode? The ship must go through a dangerous part of space where they all have to go into suspended animation and leave only the Doctor to handle the ship. Must be deja vu.

 

[Mark]

I suppose there's no telling how many of those pods have been strewn along the path they are taking, and I'd imagine that the Enterprise is being monitored as they get closer. If things go as they have been going, writing-wise, I suppose they'll explain things in more detail as the next few episodes are run. Seems to me that a lot of things that have been a source of complaint have worked out to be part of the plot, or are there loose ends they haven't cleared up? Is it possible that the alien is a genetically enhanced Temporal Warrior sent to keep the Earthlings off balance or thwart them in their mission? What was the whole point in giving Starfleet all of the clues as to the origins of the weapon makers, anyway? I've got to admit that I am a bit befuddled at this point in the series...

Also, seems that this series has about the most "fit" crew of any Sci-Fi show I can recall, with the notable exception of that smiling fool in sickbay. Huh. The most out of shape member of the crew is the doctor. Imagine that!

Ah, T'Pol! How...aloof! How...practical! How's your father?! (Or is that, "Who's your Daddy?") This ain't your uncle's Vulcan Logic, that's for sure! IIRC, Jolene Blalock took the reins in her RL relationship, also, by taking her boyfriend down to the islands on a vacation last year, propsing to him, then surprising him further by revealing she had also arranged for their families to be on hand so they could wed right away. She comes off as a bit of a nut case in those interviews, as well, but it is a refreshing change from Jeri Ryan's thinly, veiled disdain for all things Trek. The world of Trek Fandom could use a few more like her, IMO.

How about that Trip?! The great Engineer debate in the other thread will have to take into account the unusually high success rate he is having in the love department. He is apparently finding a way to work through his grief over the loss of his sister.

On the other side of his "comic relief/former partner in crime" pairing, I wonder when Malcolm will finally come out of the closet? I almost thought for a moment that his fight with Major Hayes was going to culminate in a passionate kiss! Could have been yet another first for ST, eh?.

Archer has become a very bitter bastard, hasn't he? Quite ready to deny common courtesies, like pain relievers, to his captives/slash/first encounters, hmmm? He's getting very paranoid, and rightfully so. I'd like to see his character go down in flames before the series comes to an end. And I mean that as a fan who enjoys the dangerous path the writers are traveling with his development. It would be kinda cool to watch him go all Ahab before the end.

Not enough Hoshi this week. You can never get enough Hoshi, though, can you?

 

[Hand of Evil]

It has been reported on Sci-fi Wire, that the show is going to be revamped again, a whole new direction...

 

[myrdden]

Uhhg...why do I continue to watch this show? Is it out of desperate hope that a phoenix will rise out of the ashes of this show and become sometime fantastic? Is it just Trek habit? Or do I have some sort of Television Masochistic tendency that I have repressed for years and is now just surfacing?

The Alien Plot: What kind of plan is this? It was so bloody far-fetched that I couldn’t even begin to suspend my disbelief. In fact the more I think about it – the more far-fetched it seems. More time travelling crap? *sigh* Maybe all these plot threads will gel together in the end, but as it stands right now I have no sense as to what is happening or where this is all leading and lots of things simply looks like bad writing.

Malcolm and Hayes: I like the idea that there is a territorial dispute between the two highest officers with regards to security of the mission. However (and correct me if I am wrong), I can remember only one instance where Malcolm chafed at Hayes presence – way back when they first entered the Expanse. They even showed that one instance in the “Previously on...” clip. After the MACOs went into action, even Malcolm had a respect for them. After that I don’t recall any further mention of discord between the two.

Then all of a sudden –BANG – the conflict erupts in this episode. Sure it may have built up off-camera but that is just lousy writing. Way to squander some character building moments. And what are the odds that the conflict has been cleared up after Archer’s lecture?

T’Pol/Tripp/Cole Triangle: What was the point of the whole thing? Oh right…to get Blalock naked for the camera. I like the idea of Tripp and the MACO forming a relationship during this mission, but why T’Pol? Why would a Vulcan be attracted to a human? Oh right…to get Blalock naked for the camera. The “sexuality experiment” excuse was lame, since the rest of the episode built T’Pol up to be jealous of Cole and Tripp. Her facial expressions while speaking with Tripp sure made it look like she was lying.

And just like the Malcolm plot line, we have seen very little in the way of story to back up this sudden plot revelation (the only plot point I can remember is Sim telling T’Pol about his feelings). The whole T’Pol romance angle rubs me the wrong way (but hey...whoo hoo for Tripp!)

 

[LightPhoenix]

Uhhg...why do I continue to watch this show? Is it out of desperate hope that a phoenix will rise out of the ashes of this show and become sometime fantastic? Is it just Trek habit? Or do I have some sort of Television Masochistic tendency that I have repressed for years and is now just surfacing?

The Alien Plot: What kind of plan is this? It was so bloody far-fetched that I couldn’t even begin to suspend my disbelief.

I vote for masochism.

Seriously though, and please don't take this the wrong way, but why do you watch the show? I mean, far-fetched storylines, technobabble explanations, and spontaneous "characterization" (and I do use the term loosely) are the meat and potatoes of Star Trek. This is nothing new. Coherent plots and steady characterization are for other shows. Star Trek is simply the sci-fi equivalent of eye-candy.

The “sexuality experiment” excuse was lame, since the rest of the episode built T’Pol up to be jealous of Cole and Tripp. Her facial expressions while speaking with Tripp sure made it look like she was lying.

And just like the Malcolm plot line, we have seen very little in the way of story to back up this sudden plot revelation (the only plot point I can remember is Sim telling T’Pol about his feelings). The whole T’Pol romance angle rubs me the wrong way (but hey...whoo hoo for Tripp!)

Well, that's because she was lying. Or at least bending the truth to a large degree.

I will take task with your comment on this being spontaneous though - while certainly not masterfully subtle like some of the better shows out there, it was certainly there, and hinted at in several episodes earlier in the season.

 

[Truth Seeker]

The Power of the Vulcan...

BWWWHHAAAAAAA!!!

Hey BABY!!!!!

Get yours'....


Ahem...well..that was...interesting.

 

[enworldatemylogin]

I didn't mind the sex or the security cat fight. I think the end statement by the dying alien is foreshadowing another alien race that we'll meet that is being used by the Xindi. Well, I hope that is what they were getting at.