Last episode, I was somewhat put off by the inclusion of the Klingons yet again, when they should not be around much at this point in the Star Trek timeline. I’m not the type to harp on issues of larger continuity, unless it is completely uncalled for (large chunks of Voyager come to mind). However, I do prefer that a series maintain continuity within its own bounds, and in that respect, Star Trek has had some issues over the years.
The original series was a mess, but there was less of a need or desire for continuity in those days. TNG was better, but there was a lot of inconsistency between what was depicted in the early years as opposed to the later seasons. DS9 was probably the most consistently drawn of the various series, with a very tight continuity and a reasonably well mapped series arc in the latter years. ‘Voyager”, on the other hand, was little better than the original series, with little care taken to maintain any sense of logical connection from event to event.
What I find to be so pleasantly surprising about “Enterprise”, besides my continual starry-eyed adoration of Hoshi, is the level of in-series continuity that has been maintained over the course of the season. There are constant references to previous episodes and character histories, ongoing plot threads, and ever better, a sense that everything depicted has been unfolding according to plan.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of “Babylon 5”, and in many respects, I am getting the same feeling of synergy on this production that I felt while watching the first season of that series. There have been a lot of hints dropped over the course of the season, and while I know that Berman and Braga are not inclined to map out a series arc ala JMS, it does seem as though they have a number of things in mind for the series as a whole.
In this particular episode, the events of “The Andorian Incident” come back to haunt the crew of the Enterprise. In a wonderful example of the continuity I just mentioned, the episode opens with a confrontation between the Vulcan diplomats and Admiral Bennett. It seems that after the revelation of the listening post under the monastery of P’Jem, the Andorians took it personally and destroyed the temple. While all of the monks (and intelligence officers) survived, countless relics and artifacts were likely destroyed.
Naturally, the Vulcans find this to be a situation with few positive outcomes, and so they delivery a nice slap across the head of Starfleet in the form of withdrawn support. Since T’Pol was only on the Enterprise as a concession by the Vulcan High Command, and the Vulcans need someone to blame for the loss of the monastery, T’Pol is informed of her recall. And her ride home is arriving in two days.
At the same time, Captain Archer has been browsing through the Vulcan database again, and has found a neat little planet with billions of humanoids called Coridan. The Vulcan database apparently makes it sound like a nice place to visit, including an extensive warp engineering facility, so naturally Archer proceeds to taunt Trip about only taking Hoshi to meet the chancellor.
Once Archer gets the news of T’Pol’s reassignment, though, he gets annoyed by her utter lack of desire to stay on the ship. So Archer tosses Hoshi back onto the bridge and takes T’Pol down to the planet. T’Pol knows that it is just another typical Archer gesture, but decides there is little point in trying to argue with someone who just does whatever the hell he wants anyway. At the same time, she fails to mention the little revolution being waged around Coridan’s capital. When the anti-establishment rebels take out the shuttles engines, reducing it to the equivalent of a giant rock, Archer realizes something’s up.
Trip, who is now in command of the Enterprise in Archer’s absence, finds that the Vulcan-supported government never mentioned this little war because as far as they are concerned, it’s only a nuisance. A nuisance with armed aircraft, true, but only a minor nuisance just the same. Apparently the Vulcans taught the Coridan government how to define a problem away.
Things get nasty when the rebels inform the Enterprise that unless they give them arms for their rebellion, they will kill Archer and T’Pol. The Vulcans arrive early, probably because they were the ones assigned to tail the Enterprise this month, and demand that T’Pol be sent over at once. Trip gives them an attitude, and then admits that T’Pol is kinda sorta trapped on the planet. The Vulcans aren’t impressed.
While the Vulcans edge in on the rescue mission, Archer and T’Pol argue and frolic while in captivity. Despite having learned a little bit about the reasoning behind the Vulcan protocols, he still harbors a bit of personal resentment over the Vulcan treatment of Earth. Apparently having a Vulcan science officer for over six months was not enough to teach him about the Vulcan culture, because he still cannot understand why T’Pol is so resigned to her fate.
Trip and Reed naturally consider the Vulcan demand to stay out of the rescue efforts as a challenge, and so they sneak down to the planet for their own mission. It takes about five minutes for them to be captured, but in a nice twist, it’s not by the rebels. Instead, the Andorians from the earlier episode happen to be on Coridan helping the rebels, and as repayment for Archer’s actions at P’Jem, they are intent on rescuing him themselves.
The rest is somewhat predictable, but there is an interesting discussion regarding the murky truths of the situation on Coridan. The government was established and approved by the Vulcans, and that government has proceeded to maintain an oppressive society. The rebels want to establish an independent government, and since the Andorians are thisclose to starting a war with the Vulcans, they insist on helping.
It’s a nice change from the usual monolithic depiction of the Vulcans, because at least in this time period, their usual arrogance has compelled them to take the logic of their protocols and extend it to unnecessary lengths. At the same time, Starfleet is aware that the Andorians are hardly the most objective and calm species in the universe. So it’s not as simple as who is right and wrong.
In the end, T’Pol saves the life of the Vulcan captain following the rescue from the revel encampment, and Archer uses that to bribe his support in letting T’Pol remain on the Enterprise. There was never any doubt that she would stay, of course, because she is one of the main cast members, and massive changes like that never happen on a Star Trek series. But there is the sense that there could be larger implications to all of this, if only due to the continued lack of support by the Vulcans. If there is a war, Earth might be forced to choose sides. Could these be the circumstances that bring about the birth of the Federation?
Some other thoughts:
- Apparently humans are really annoying during this time period, because the Vulcans from the embassy are not very good at controlling their emotions!
- Interesting that the Enterprise has been running around the local sector all season. That explains in one line why they were still coming across Klingons last episode.
- Nice establishing shot of Archer looking out of the window of his ready room.
- Shouldn’t Archer know that T’Pol wouldn’t get upset or challenge her transfer by now? He managed to understand Klingon culture in more depth in hours than he has Vulcan culture in months!
- It’s a good thing Archer and Trip are old friends, because Trip looked ready to snap when he found out about that engineering facility!
- Speaking of which, wouldn’t the Vulcans object to humans seeing anything related to more advanced warp technology?
- I also question why T’Pol would choose not to mention the conflict, even if it was not considered to be a war per se.
- At least the gratuitous scene of T’Pol’s chest pressing into Archer’s face was the result of a somewhat logical plot point. Not much of one, but it was something…
- Bet he was wishing it was Hoshi, though. I sure as hell would be! No anorexic, implant-ridden Vulcans for me…
- What is with the design of the Vulcan ships, by the way? I realize there is no reason for aerodynamic design in space, but those ships don’t look too functional. I’d hate to be the engineer setting up the artificial gravity and structural integrity fields, that’s for sure!
- Why does the planet Coridan ring so many bells? I’m completely blanking on this one.
- Nice to get a good look at the comm panel Hoshi works with, as it clearly demonstrates the evolution of the technology. It’s very similar to what exists today (and shown in “First Contact”), as well as similar to the consoles of the latter day vessels.
- I truly appreciate the subtle characterization of the Andorians thus far.
- So let me get this straight…not only are the captain and science officer being held hostage, but the chief engineer and tactical officers lead the rescue mission themselves. So if things went badly, who would be left to command the Enterprise? Mayweather? Great, he can bore people into submission…
- I also think that Trip and Reed need some serious training in ground operations. They suck at it.
- What was with the makeup on the Vulcan captain in the sickbay scene? They really overdid it with the green pallor! Especially since they kept cutting between him, Archer, Phlox, and T’Pol, making it even more obvious!
- So are we to assume that the Vulcans will continue to withdraw any and all support to human endeavors in space?
Overall, this was a great episode with tons of continuity with earlier episodes this season, especially in terms of long-term consequences and minor characters from the pilot. This kind of attention to plot detail is exactly the kind of thing this series needs to succeed. Now, if they could manage to maintain strong franchise continuity, they would really have something!
