Enterprise (1/14/05)

Staffan · Jan 17, 2005

When I heard they would have the inventor of the transporter aboard in order to perform some experiment, my first thought was "Mirror universe."

Too bad it turned out to be wrong.

mojo1701 · Jan 17, 2005

Staffan said:
When I heard they would have the inventor of the transporter aboard in order to perform some experiment, my first thought was "Mirror universe."

Too bad it turned out to be wrong.

I think they're planning one.

Staffan · Jan 18, 2005

mojo1701 said:
I think they're planning one.

I have heard that too, which is probably why my mind leapt to that erroneous conclusion.

Umbran · Jan 19, 2005

Silver Moon said:
My daughter's comment about tonight's episode was that it was depressing. I have to tend to agree.

Well, sometimes, that's the way a good story goes. They get enough gripes about being "sweetness and light" with everything turning out okay for everyone in the end. I think this one proves they are quite capable of making a thoughtful story otherwise, when they choose.

GSHamster · Jan 19, 2005

My apologies for bringing politics into this. However, Star Trek does have a tradition of episodes commenting on or paralleling political events, and to me this parallel seemed quite strong.

For some reason, I saw the episode as a commentary on the US invasion of Iraq. Substitute the initial 'sub-quantum transportation' for 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' as the initial goal(with Archer/Enterprise representing the US citizenry/army) and 'rescuing Erikson's son' for 'establishing Iraqi democracy'.

I think the parallel works quite well, especially considering Archer's decision to continue over Trip's opposition. The ending too is quite thoughtful, with its questions of whether the results were worth the cost.

I think the parallel also works because it didn't side overtly with one side or the other, reflecting the ambivalence over the Iraq issue.

Crothian · Jan 19, 2005

Wow, that's really reaching. :\

GSHamster · Jan 19, 2005

Crothian said:
Wow, that's really reaching. :\

Really? I thought it was quite a strong parallel while I was watching the episode. It seemed to be really work up to the point they attempted the rescue*. But perhaps you're correct, and I'm forcing the events shown in the episode to match my pattern.

*I actually came up with this while watching the episode, so I didn't know how it would end.

Sarigar · Jan 19, 2005

I picked up on that also, Hamster. I don't think it is reaching, which may be why this turned out to be ho-hum. They should be more direct in their approach if they want to comment on current events. The fact that no one seemed to really care about the kid pretty much tuned me out from his predicament also.

myrdden · Jan 24, 2005

GSHamster said:
I think the parallel works quite well, especially considering Archer's decision to continue over Trip's opposition. The ending too is quite thoughtful, with its questions of whether the results were worth the cost.

I'm going to have to second the "you're reaching" statement as well.

However, I think you hit on one of the themes from the episode above. The question whether or not the results of any endeavour or worth the cost fits many situations, not just the current political climate.