ENT S01:03 Fight or Flight

It’s been a fortnight since Starfleet gave their mission the green light, post events of Broken Bow, and not much has happened aboard the NX-01. The ship is in search of adventures, travelling at warp speed with no fixed destination. There’s very little to do about the place other than perform routine tasks, eat lunch in the mess hall and generally stagnate the days away. Thats until a mysterious unknown ship appears on sensors presenting Captain Archer and crew with the opportunity to fulfil their primary purpose - exploration. Below I’ll discuss what I found to be good about this episode, not so good and indifferent. Remember these are my opinions - be kind…

The GOOD

The Crew This is humanities first venture into deep space. One would assume that various crew members show a range of emotions during these initial first steps. So its pleasing to see that reflected on screen. Hoshi is questioning whether she’s cut out for space exploration and instead should return to her teaching post on Earth. Reed is nervous that the weapons array isn’t aligned properly, frantically working to correct the issue prior to any potential hostile engagements. Trip is feeling confined, desperately searching for opportunities to leave engineering and quench his thirst for new experiences and Phlox is relishing the exposure to the range of sensory stimuli available to an alien aboard a small Earth vessel. 

Refinement Other shows in the franchise (not all) paint the picture of a perfect crew operating perfected technology. A crew and ship in tune with their surroundings. It can't have always been that way, so it's great to see that our early Starfleet explorers and their technology are a long way from their peers of latter generations, namely TOS and TNG. We see Captain Archer, knees to ground in his quarters, hunting down a squeaking noise that's causing distraction. We see Hoshi submitting a quarters transfer request because the stars are "going the wrong way" and she can't sleep. We see torpedos missing their target because the weapons systems are yet to be fully tested and we see a cumbersome shuttle pod docking experience, far from the slick exit and entry of shuttlecraft from shuttle bay that we've become accustomed to throughout the franchise.     

Doctor Phlox The doctor is one of the most important crew members. At the point that this show launched, we'd seen regulars McCoy, Crusher, Bashir and the EMH perform on-screen miracles, so naturally this show has huge boots to fill. I love the character of Phlox, the resident Denobulan aboard the NX-01. The decision of having a quirky alien doctor instead of a human doctor adds an interesting dimension to the show, one that I feel works very well and is played spectacularly by John Billingsley. We only see him briefly in this episode but I look forward to more Phlox centric stories as I continue my re-watch of Enterprise.    

T’Pol Cold, hard, Vulcan logic plays a significant role in this episode. Upon encountering the damaged alien vessel, and having not received a response to hails, T'Pol's default recommendation is for Enterprise to ignore the situation and for crew to continue on their way. Even after the realities of the situation are identified, leaving Enterprise in a morale conundrum about what to do next, she sticks to the aforementioned recommended course of action, briefly convincing Captain Archer to follow suit. Despite my negative feelings towards her recommended actions, I like that the writers of Enterprise are setting up T'Pol to be the polar opposite to Archer. Which leads me onto my next point. 

Code of Behaviour I love the way Captain Archer ultimately realises the error in judgement, reverses course and confronts the situation head on. For me, Star Trek has always been about doing the right thing, regardless of threat to life, ethical dilemma, existence and timeline. Captain Archer says it best himself. "You may not believe this, but Humans have a code of behaviour too. It took a few thousand years, but I think we're starting to get it right. Can't believe I almost ignored it."  

The BAD

Sluggo The episode starts off in sickbay. Hoshi has brought a slug-like creature aboard Enterprise from a recently explored planet and the creature is struggling to adapt to its new surroundings. At various points in the episode, this slug is compared to Hoshi who herself is struggling aboard Enterprise. While a useful tool to support the narrative, I feel this goes against the principles of Starfleet (and common decency in general). Removing a primitive alien life form from its natural habitat. Who does that, and who authorises that?   

Archers Attitude The role of Captain is to inspire. To set an example to the crew of how to react and behave in any given scenario. To maintain a degree of calmness and clarity. That's my opinion, you may disagree. In this episode, there's a heated discussion that occurs between Archer and T'pol over dinner. Trip is present. I feel that such a heated discussion should be confined to one-to-one situations. I also feel that at times Archer displays an edge on the bridge that's unbefitting of a leader. That said he is the first in his situation so maybe I should give him a little leeway.   

The INDIFFERENT

None.

In conclusion I give this episode a rating of GOOD TREK, a 7/10. Remember theres only ever TREK, GOOD TREK and GREAT TREK. I really enjoyed this episode. It's a classic example of my favourite type of Star Trek story telling. Exploring the unknown, encountering a mystery, solving that mystery and learning something in the process. 

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ENT S1:01/02 Broken Bow Part I & II

This is it! Where it all begins for Earth and humanities exploration of the galaxy. A mission to return the wounded Klingon Klaang to his homeworld Qo’nos after he crash lands in Broken Bow, Oklahoma (hence the title of the episode). There’s a lot to unpack in this series premiere. We’re introduced to a new ship with a familiar name, a new crew, new species (and old) and a shift in behaviours that we’ve been accustomed to throughout other shows in the franchise. Below I’ll discuss what I found to be good, not so good and indifferent. Remember these are my opinions - be kind…

The GOOD

NX-01 and Crew This is a beautiful ship, befitting of the name. Just the right amount of tech to depict its place in the timeline (circa 2151). Visualisations inside and out take full advantage of advancements in CGI at the time of production, though I will concede are more primitive by today’s standards. The crew is a solid crew, with special recognition going to whoever cast Scott Bakula in the lead role of Captain Archer. I’m a huge fan of his work on ‘Quantum Leap’, having watched re-runs right the way throughout the 90s. The jumpsuit uniforms are great and plug the gap between early manned sol exploration and the more colourful uniforms we’re accustomed to in TOS and later series.

Captain Archers Quarters I thought the Captains quarters was a nice touch. Nothing special or over-the-top. Just enough space to provide a home away from the bridge for himself and Porthos, decorated with a few keepsakes from home. Which leads me to my next point.

Porthos I think dogs are one of the greatest gifts to humankind. They’re amazing! I’ve shared my life with dogs for well over 20 years and I cannot imagine my life without them. To see a dog on the Enterprise fills my heart with joy (regardless of how dangerous and reckless it might be to take one on your first adventures into the unknown). 

Humanity I loved watching humans be humans. Their distrust and anger towards a race (Vulcans) that have kept them caged at home for so long. Their eagerness to go it alone. The way they compare others by human standards (there’s a great moment in this episode where Trip challenges an alien mother weaning child onto Oxygen, mistaking the act for one of punishment). All of this makes me feel that Enterprise is set a little closer to present times. Before a degree of refinement, universal acceptance and General Order One.

The BAD

Vulcan Arrogance Let me start by saying that Vulcans are one of my favourite races in Star Trek. To coin a phrase, I find the concept of a civilisation evolving to control their emotions ‘fascinating’. While I find little wrong with the idea that Vulcans would put a leash on humankind after First Contact, I found the Vulcans in this episode lacked an air of controlled emotionless superiority, instead displaying an air of uncharacteristic emotional arrogance. Depicted perfectly in a scene early on between Captain Archer and Ambassador Soval at Starfleet Medical.

Temporal Cold War I wasn’t a fan of the Temporal Cold War when I first watched Enterprise and I still feel the same way about it now. In my opinion its too big a concept to introduce into a franchise with five series and ten movies already under its belt, with no prior mention. 

Decontamination The scenes between Trip and T’Pol in the decontamination chamber are filmed in such a provocatively sexual way. While I don’t have any issues with scenes filmed in this way per se, I do have an issue when it contributes absolutely nothing to the story. I felt this was shot for affect only. A talking point to grab potential headlines. I guess it did the job, ironically.

The INDIFFERENT

Suliban I have mixed feelings about the Suliban. While they’re pivotal in the above mentioned Temporal Cold War storyarc (which did I mention I hate), I do like that a new race is brought to the forefront in Enterprise. Would I have introduced them in the premiere though? Probably not. I’d have kept them back for later episodes, adding an air of mystery to them that builds to some sort of climax.

Klingons The look of the Klingons is such a controversial topic of discussion throughout the entire franchise. I neither like or dislike their appearance at this point in the franchise. When I get around to reviewing Discovery, thats when I’ll share some opinions.

Theme Tune & Intro The same goes for the other controversial topic of Enterprise discussion, the intro and theme tune. Does it set my world on fire? Not in the slightest. Does it make my blood boil? Absolutely not. 

In conclusion I give this episode a rating of TREK, a 5/10. Remember theres only ever TREK, GOOD TREK and GREAT TREK. This episode has a lot that’s good about it, but it does introduce the Temporal Cold War. Thankfully there’s plenty of good and great Trek yet to come.

Feel free to agree or diasgree with me on Twitter.