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Unexpected
Cast & Crew
Director: Mike Vejar
Written By: Rick Berman
& Brannon Braga
Starring
Scott Bakula as Captain
Jonathan Archer
Connor Trinneer as Chief
Engineer Charles Tucker III
Jolene Blalock as Sub-commander
T’Pol
Dominic Keating as Lt.
Malcolm Reed
Anthony Montgomery
as Ensign Travis Mayweather
Linda Park as Ensign Hoshi
Sato
John Billingsley
as Dr. Phlox
Guest Cast
Julianne Christie
as Ah’Len
Randy Oglesby as Trena’L
Christopher Darga
as The Klingon Captain
Regi Davis as Klingon 1st
Officer
TL Kolman as Alien Man
John Cragen as Crewman
Drew Howerton as Steward
Mike Baldridge as Dillard
Original Airdate
October 17, 2001
What Happened
After finding a stealth ship hiding in their warp wake, the Enterprise
make first contact with the Xyrillians, a friendly race of beings that need
the Enterprise to repower their engines. As their ship’s proximity is
causing failures all over Enterprise, Cmdr Tucker is sent over to held
speed the Xyrillians on their way (and do a little cultural exchange while there
at it). He makes a close friend of Ah’Len, a female engineer who takes care
of Trip and shows him some of their more interesting technology (including a
holodeck and a telepathic ‘game’).
After returning to the ship, Trip discovers a small growth on his arm. According
to the doctor, it’s a nipple and Trip’s pregnant. Needless to say Trip’s a little
confused, having not engaged in anything he would deem sexual. He figures out
that the telepathic ‘game,’ which involved him sticking his hands in some mystic
pebbles with Ah’Len, could have been the cause. For the next few weeks Trip
must conceal his ‘condition’ from the crew while they seach the vast reaches
of space for the Xyrillians.
Locating a familiar warp signature, the Enterprise finds the Xyrillians,
this time piggybacking a klingon battlecruiser. Archer contacts the Klingons
and explains to them why they are having trouble and that they need to talk
with the Xyrillians. The Klingons, of course, simply shoot first and snag the
Xyrillians into a tractor beam. After some negotiating (including some ‘exaggerations’
from T’Pol and the promise of a holodeck demo) Trip and two Klingons board their
ship. The Klingons are impressed with the holo-technology and demand two units
to be installed. Trip finds Ah’Len and explains the problem. She expresses her
apologies, stating she didn’t know this could happen.
The embryo is moved to a new host and Trip returns to Enterprise. Archer
thanks the Klingons for their help and he is told where he can go stick his
thanks (in a way on a Klingon can).
Review
Well it was different than the last two episodes, going for more humor and
less suspense, but the same old problems are there.
First, we don’t know or care about these characters enough to find Trip’s predicament
that funny or sad or anything. We need more plot-based episodes and fewer character-driven
ones until the cast can lock down their characterization. Second, if it weren’t
for the Klingons at the end, would anyone have recognized this as an episode
from the Star Trek universe?
The plot was cute, but it’s been done before in Junior.
This sort of storyline would have been funnier with a more established character
(imagine Worf in this predicament).
I did like the interaction between Trip and Ah’Len. Trip’s an awkward diplomat,
but a brilliant engineer and his role as the first human to meet Xyrillians
was well done. He’s frank and honest, making the exchange of ideas clear and
truthful. I’d like to see more of these situations where humans can learn more
about the universe around them.
High Point
Archer trying to work with Klingons. You, me, and the guy down the street know
what Klingons are all about, the crew of the Enterprise hasn’t a clue.
They are just being friendly humans, making their way through space. And Klingons
are…well…KLINGONS! We know what’s brewing for humans and Klingons, but how
we get there will be a most interesting journey.
Low Point
I just can’t help but scoff at the holodeck set. Gag me!
The Scores
Originality: Not very. 2
Effects: Zero-G showers? Spiffy effect, I hope to see more stuff like this.
4
Story: An interesting twist adding Klingons at the end, but the rest of the
story was a bit weak and poorly paced. 3
Acting: Trip and Ah’Len are convincing in their parts, as is the Klingon captain.
4
Emotional Response: None really. We don’t have an emotional investment in these
people to care that much. 3
Production: The alien ship looked a little odd. Almost like some bad sets out
of ‘Land of the Lost’ (I seem to remember iridescent rooms in that show). 2
Overall: A better outing than last week, but I’m really hoping for more.
3
Total: 21 out of 42
Stills & Video
- 20-second
episode preview (MOV, 1Mb) - Dr.
Phlox shares his diagnosis with “Trip” Tucker - Chief
Engineer Charles “Trip” Tucker aboard the Xyrillian ship - Sub-commander
T’Pol and Captain Jonathan Archer - Dr.
Phlox in Sickbay
From StarTrek.com
and your point is…?
Perhaps not. The question is: is that a good thing?
Aside from the “Based upon Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry” blurb in the opening credits, they do seem to be trying to distance themselves somewhat from their predecessors. Like it or not, the name “Star Trek” brings with it more than a few preconceptions. (When was the last time any of you went to an “Ally McBeal” fan convention?)
They want to make their show a bit more mainstream-friendly, and things like the (IMHO atrocious) theme music just drive that point home. Whether “Enterprise” should be using its Trek name and heritage more is a subject of much debate.
Red Dwarf ?
When I saw the ads on Space I thought, Oh No they are ripping off Red Dwarf.
I liked the episode, for a first season episode (first seasons in any ST series always suck).
The biggest problems I have are continuity, out side of the Vulcans and Kligons, I have never heard of ANY of these races. Do they join Starfleet or what? If they do join why have we never heard of them?
Do we get to meet Andorians & Bolians and what not or are we going to meet a bunch of races that will never apear again?
What happened to the Deadalus – class Starship?
This show is rasing more questions then answering them.
LOTB
Re: Red Dwarf ?
“Just repeat to yourself ‘It’s just a show, I should really just relax!'” -Joel & the Bots
Not every alien race is a major power, or even frequent space travelers. Perhaps these races end up joining the Federation, in which case they’d be just another member race in the “Great Melting Fusion Reactor” ;-).
Re: Red Dwarf ?
Shure it’s just a show, It happens to be one of the few things I like on TV.
I do not want to see them all join the federation, however that does not mean that they all have to be of cardboard as well. However this race seamed to be desogned as a “throw away” race, use once and then forget. There are way to many of those in ST history. It would be nice if someone took the time to develop the race a bit more then, they breed with thier hands. If you see what I mean.
Re: Red Dwarf ?
Well I do know that one episode this season is titled “The Andorian Incident” that should give you some idea what’s in store for us. I’m with you 100% on this one, races can’t just ‘disappear’ from the show. It was viable in Voyager since they were on the move constantly. Another point to be made is the Federation (which doesn’t exist yet) is made up of 5 founding member planets (Earth, Vulcan, Alpha Centauri, Tellar, and Andor). We need to be focusing on these races and building up those relationships. One of the best parts of DS9 was exploring the details of alien life (Bajoran, Cardassian, Klingon, and Ferengi). Flash-in-the-pan races are not interesting.
Good question. We may just be giving ourselves headaches trying to figure any of this stuff out. Berman and company are taking huge liberties with the license. We may just need to shut up and hang on for the ride :)
Sputtering on the Fourth Cylinder
They’re still struggling to find a handle for ENT and this isn’t it. Too serious for farce, to stupid for humor. If they were going to do this, it should have been the helmsman or the man-at-arms guy to have given them an early focus episode. Doing a pregnancy episode right after the obligatory mind-altering-pollen episode just plain doesn’t set the right tone. And yet, once again we get the flash of brilliant possibilities with the zero-g shower scene – THAT is what the focus needs to be. Space is different and space is fun. But no, not only do we have a pregnancy episode but WE INTRODUCE THE HOLODECK too. My God, that is the one thing they should have avoided at all costs, and here it is on Episode 4? So much for a gritty reality emphasis – mark my words, next time we meet the Klingons, it will be a holodeck episode somehow. If I’m right about this, I’ll just about cry.
Babylon 6?
A friend of mine suggested that this show may be taking a “B5” approach, where the character building is done first so that the heavy plot arc can come later. It’s a good way to lose your first season audience, but it’s also very rewarding for those who stick it out. I can only hope this is where they’re headed, because right now Enterprise starting to feel more & more like Voyager (yech!).
Best line
I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard at Star Trek in a long while:
“I can see my house from here!”
Re: Best line
Yeah, how DID that happen? Telepathy? They just happened to have an up-to-date Klingon Home World matrix? Stupid writing?
Re: Best line
The Klingon captain gave them sensor data on the area. You must have missed that line.
This episode won me several bets
I was talking to a friend about Enterprise and how it’s almost certainly going to suck. I said I’ll give it a chance until:
(A) Archer can’t keep his shirt on;
(B) They somehow manage to stick a @#$%& Holodeck in the show;
(C) They start stealing plots from Red Dwarf;
(D) The puppy does cure tricks.
They got all in one episode! Way to go.
Now another thing. I’m willing to bet that when they suggested the Klingons steal some technology from the Latex Mask Of The Weekians, 9 out of 10 of you went “So that’s were Klingons got cloaking devices.” Apparently it’s more important for Klingons to see their house from here. No wonder their ship designs look the SAME in 150 years – they’re all partying on holodecks. Which I _think_ I remember a Klingon on TNG saying they don’t have? I dunno.
Also. The guy gets pregnant, and they don’t have the guts to actually take that rediculous semblance of a plot anywhere. You bring up an interesting (if unoriginal) idea – GO somewhere with it! I know for a fact if I got impregnated by some alien I’d be on the Abortion Hotline in seconds, but the most Mr Southern Guy does is “Hey can we remove the thing safely?” Give me a break.
A friend of mine suggested that it’d be a good plot idea for the Klingons to kill the puppy and have Archer go bitchcackes on their butts. I personally think the puppy’s cute, and should therefore die horribly.
Re: This episode won me several bets
I agree with you on the puppy’s need to die. I just can’t seem to decide how.
I do know that it has to involve the death of that whinning bitch (the translator)… maybe another transporter accident?
I know! On an away mission, the dog gets some freaky alien rabies and attacks the translator. After having eaten most of her upper body (thus ensuring the impossibility of her being saved) it has to be put to death by being shot out of a torpedo tube… or something. ;)
Re: This episode won me several bets
How About The Puppy And The Translator Get Merged In The Transported, Into A Creature That Is Half Translator (Bottom Half), And Half Dog (Rear Half).
It Could Just Try And Scamper Around For A While, Then Just Fall Over And Die (Lack Of Working Organs).
Re: This episode won me several bets
Interesting… it would need a lot of gore for it to be truly horrible, but that can be worked in by the CG guys. ;)
Re: This episode won me several bets
You know, this makes so much sense it’s frightening. Although mixing the puppy up with the translator is tempting, it dilutes the impact. It’s got to be a decompression accident, very graphic, with the blood freezing in the cold of space. The Klingons jettisoning it out of the airlock while Archer watches would really set up a hell of a story arc. Alternately, if done in a comedy episode, it could be the guys in the pod saying to each other “I thought YOU let the dog out” before depressurizing for EVA. A secondary possibility would be the puppy and T’Pol trapped on a barren world with her having to eat Archer’s pet to avoid starvation and carrying that secret deep in her vulcan soul instead of admitting it to Archer. Maybe she could mind meld with the puppy before eating it and so channel the puppy as a frequent guest star.
Re: This episode won me several bets
You people need some serious
help.
Remind me never to read any fanfic from this crew. :::shudder:::