Ugh. I really disliked this episode. While some of the obsessive quirks were interesting/amusing, I think the overall plot had some massive (black?
) holes in it. Not even mentioning the "black hole radiation that for some reason makes humans - and Denobulans, apparently - act obsessively, does anyone else see anything inherently flawed with the following strings of facts:
1. The trinary system is spewing "black hole radiation" for half a light year or so in all directions.
2. The Enterprise is approaching the trinary system under impulse power.
3. If they turn back now, it'll take two days or so to escape the area of effect.
4. There's a radiation-free zone between the three stars. (Huh? I thought the radiation was spewing in all directions?)
5. If the Enterprise weaves its way through the debris and goes between the three stars, they'll be clear in 17 minutes (apparently because they can go to warp once past the three stars).
Anybody else lost? If the radiation area of effect is a half light year in all directions, how come they can go to warp on one side of the three stars but not on the other? (Why couldn't they just turn around the way they came and go to warp? What's with the "it'll take two days to do so if we go back that way" deal?)
This whole episode seemed to me to have been the result of something like: "Hey, I've got a great idea for an episode! Something makes all of the crewmembers act obsessively except T'Pol." "Sounds good. What makes them behave weird like that?" "Oh, I dunno - radiation."
At least next week looks good. Transporter malfunctions are always fun.
Johnathan

1. The trinary system is spewing "black hole radiation" for half a light year or so in all directions.
2. The Enterprise is approaching the trinary system under impulse power.
3. If they turn back now, it'll take two days or so to escape the area of effect.
4. There's a radiation-free zone between the three stars. (Huh? I thought the radiation was spewing in all directions?)
5. If the Enterprise weaves its way through the debris and goes between the three stars, they'll be clear in 17 minutes (apparently because they can go to warp once past the three stars).
Anybody else lost? If the radiation area of effect is a half light year in all directions, how come they can go to warp on one side of the three stars but not on the other? (Why couldn't they just turn around the way they came and go to warp? What's with the "it'll take two days to do so if we go back that way" deal?)
This whole episode seemed to me to have been the result of something like: "Hey, I've got a great idea for an episode! Something makes all of the crewmembers act obsessively except T'Pol." "Sounds good. What makes them behave weird like that?" "Oh, I dunno - radiation."
At least next week looks good. Transporter malfunctions are always fun.

Johnathan