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.