Enterprise S1E20 - Detained

Archer and Travis find themselves imprisoned in a Suliban internment camp by the Tandarans – Wikipedia.

The good:

This was a great plot development episode to continue the Temporal Cold War plot. I like when we see complexity in the different factions. Of course not every Suliban is a hardened rebel/terrorist. Additionally, the Tandaran’s aren’t “bad” either… they’re just dealing with a messy situation.

Overall, this was an effective commentary on contemporary world events, which of course when Star Trek is at its best. This episode aired just at the same time that detention centers at Guantanamo Bay were being expanded to house prisoners from the War on Terror. The closer parallel, however, is to the Japanese internment camps of World War II, a fact that I believe was pointed out in the episode. What is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens? What about citizens it does not trust? Such deep questions have no clear answers, but are sure to create strong opinions.

The prison break was believable only because they didn’t get too bogged down in the details. Trip provides air support. The Sullies breach the wall. Run for freedom. Yay.

I like the uncertain ending for the Suliban refugees. They are free…but where is their new home?

The bad:

PYINFST…or its much feared cousin…ISOLATION!!! Muahahahaha!

Another in media res cold open…I feel like we have seen a few of those lately. All things in moderation Star Trek writers.

I don’t want to pull a double spoiler…but a certain Tandaran is also a prominent bad guy on another sci-fi series. Not that I mind, but it was a bit distracting, I really couldn’t think of anything else when he was on screen. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, fuggedaboutit.

I appreciate that we were totally suppose to empathize with the Suliban, and that means we have to see the similarities…but it just felt a little weak. I never thought I was seeing a regular civilian from a different planet…just a bunch of dudes with wacky skin make-up. Maybe that’s a stupid thing to say since that describes pretty much all the aliens…but they’re just too damn human. The script writers haven’t really created a distinctive culture. Hopefully they work it out if we have to spend extended time with Suliban peeps in the future.

Enterprise S1E19 - Oasis

Archer, T'Pol, Trip and Travis find a crew apparently alive on a ship that crash-landed years ago - Wikipedia.

The good:

The opening scene was great. The space trader D’Marr looked really awesome. I’m glad they didn’t explain where he came from or how the Enterprise crew met him; it added texture and avoided unnecessary exposition. Sometimes less is more.

It was very creepy when Trip and T’Pol were exploring the engineering deck of the ship before they caught Liana.

I remember thinking that it didn’t seem believable that a crew that large could have survived for years on one small hydroponics farm and re-routed power from the ship’s core. I’m glad that wasn’t an oversight but rather a clue to the real situation.

Once it was evident that some of the crew members were holograms, it was fun to try and figure out who was real. I totally thought the mother was the only real one.

Computer core reminded me of computer on the Nostromo in Alien.

The bad:

It was immediately obvious that a bunch of the crew were holograms as soon as Ezral freaked out when T’Pol fiddled around with the main computer.

Ezral turned his entire ship into a holodeck…including creating an incredibly sophisticated AI to preserve the memories and personalities of his crew. All by himself. On a disabled ship with limited resources. Sure, why not?

Let’s just address the elephant in the room, OK? It’s a liiiiiiittle creepy that a dude is trapped alone with his daughter for two decades and as soon as help comes along, he’s like, “Nope…Everything’s fine. I like my life here. Go away.” Cue the banjo music.

Enterprise S1E18 - Acquisition

A group of Ferengi hijack Enterprise, but Trip, Archer and T'Pol play mind games with the pirates in order to win back their ship - Wikipedia

The good:

Great opening, dropped us right into the action.

This was a fun, light episode. The dynamic between the Ferengi was clearly inspired by the Three Stooges. It wasn’t actually slapstick, but in my head I kept picturing Muk performing a double-eye-poke on Ulis or Grish.

Good Porthos! Good boy for not telling them where the gold is!  Good boy!

The plan to double cross the Ferengi was actually believable. Archer improvised quickly and effectively rather than taking a pompous name-rank-and-serial-number “go to hell Commie” approach. Archer, Trip, and T'Pol played their parts well. I was particularly happy with the fake fight between Trip and Archer.

The bad:

Why would the Ferengi just leave the hypospray laying around? So Tripp can wake up T’Pol of course.

It was very convenient that Archer, Trip, and T'Pol could use any workstation to access a camera in any other part of the ship...and that those cameras always had an unobstructed view of the Ferengi invaders.

T’Pol actually got pissed at Archer because he told Krem that she’s a pain in the ass...because he was trying to convince Krem not to kidnap her and turn her into a rape slave? Definitely a sitcom style moment that was weak and out of character.

Krem was perilously close to being portrayed as completely mentally retarded.  In which case, Archer’s manipulation just wasn’t cool, man.