Let's get this straight: I know it's just a TV show. However, since Mitch already beat me to the punch on the recent Enterprise episode, I thought I'd weigh in, too.
I like Enterprise, and it's the only show that I currently make any effort to watch. After so much techno-babble from the previous Treks, it's quite comical to see the humans bumbling through the galaxy: transporters don't work well enough that anyone seriously considers using them, every hostile alien they run into beats the tar out of them, and when they need to pick something up, it's with a fricking harpoon ("grappling hook").
Thus, I am somewhat worried about the huge story arc in season 3. I don't watch much television and am likely to miss an episode or two. These huge arcs are really hard to follow over the long-term and were what eventually drove me away from ST:DS9 (when did the Cardassians become allies and the Klingons enemies?), ST:Voyager (when did Kess become such a butthead?) and X-files (WTF's the Terminator doing in the show?).
The races are hit or miss. For example, I like the Andorians, especially the movable antenna. They're like a dog's tail: you have very little doubt what's on their mind. Sure, Shran is paranoid and xenophobic, but he's honest. Any episode he's in is bound to entertain.
The Klingons are essentially a side show. I think my familiarity with them from the movies/TNG/DS9 days has tainted my enjoyment. But you know, I enjoy a strange satisfaction seeing Archer take out a couple of them when going mano-y-mano.
I don't know enough about the Xindi, but every time I see the council of the five races meet, I think of the cantina in Mos Eisley Space Port (Star Wars IV, for those of you born after 1980). In reverse order of xenophobic paranoia and irrationalization, we have the insect species, the lizard species, the um... aquatic mammal species, the hairy/sloth species and the humanoid species. We're obviously missing an avian species.
The Suliban are really creepy to watch crawl and stick to the ceiling. Except for Silik, they're just the Jem'Hdar henchmen called in to advance the action a bit. And then there are the Vulcans who, except for T'Pol (more on that later), they all are real assholes.
Specific Characters:
Phlox reminds me of my favorite professor: smart, able to cut right through the bullshit to the real point, and a real pervert. Sure, I admit I wouldn't object my doctor insisting I practice Vulcan ... um... Accupressure with some of my female colleagues. But I guarantee you that if Phlox worked for my employer, he'd already have been fired faster than you could say "sexual harassment lawsuit."
Tucker is a down to earth guy you'd want to have on your ship. He's not afraid to roll his sleeves up, calls bullshit when he needs to, has enough cajones to be believable, but doesn't suffer from an ego problem. Unlike Lt. Reed, who's too stiff yet lacks a spine when getting ripped by Archer.
I keep waiting for the teaser "We've replaced Mayweather with Folger's Crystals. Let's see if anyone notices!" I would like to see more of his youthful enthusiasm (such as was displayed in Terra Nova), but he's had very little to do... even less than Hoshi, whose character reminds me of some bubbly friends I have that are fun to hang around with, but not the type I'd entrust with any serious heavy lifting, if you know what I mean.
Archer is enjoyable to watch. He knows he's in command, will make the decision and will learn from his frackups. Picard was at his best when it was obvious he was in command. (And yes, Mitch, I liked Scott Bacula from his Quantum Leap days more than I liked Patrick Stewart from that horrible movie Life Force about nekkid female vampires.)
Finally, we come to T'Pol. The first/science officer is a strange role to watch. For example, in ST:TOS, Spock was more interesting was when he was "different," whether this was being really Vulcan (like the Pon Farr episode) or being not like a Vulcan at all (the movies). In ST:TNG, Data was pretty ancillary as an unemotinoal robot. Once he had conflict, such as the emotion chip, building Lal, or dating ensign whatshername, he then became interesting.
With that being said, we see T'Pol as a junior officer initially stuck on an assignment she finds mildly distasteful. After the first mission, she appreciates the opportunities available and engages. (Remember Sisko's reaction upon first getting his transfer to DS9?) Last season, we've seen bits of her character development pop out. And now in season 3, we're seeing the rest of her pop out. I hope it fits into the long-term Enterprise, and is not just a cheap ploy to boost ratings.
I like Enterprise, and it's the only show that I currently make any effort to watch. After so much techno-babble from the previous Treks, it's quite comical to see the humans bumbling through the galaxy: transporters don't work well enough that anyone seriously considers using them, every hostile alien they run into beats the tar out of them, and when they need to pick something up, it's with a fricking harpoon ("grappling hook").
Thus, I am somewhat worried about the huge story arc in season 3. I don't watch much television and am likely to miss an episode or two. These huge arcs are really hard to follow over the long-term and were what eventually drove me away from ST:DS9 (when did the Cardassians become allies and the Klingons enemies?), ST:Voyager (when did Kess become such a butthead?) and X-files (WTF's the Terminator doing in the show?).
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| What are you looking at, Pinkskin? |
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| These aren't the musicians you're looking for. |
The Suliban are really creepy to watch crawl and stick to the ceiling. Except for Silik, they're just the Jem'Hdar henchmen called in to advance the action a bit. And then there are the Vulcans who, except for T'Pol (more on that later), they all are real assholes.
Specific Characters:
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| May I watch you mate? |
Tucker is a down to earth guy you'd want to have on your ship. He's not afraid to roll his sleeves up, calls bullshit when he needs to, has enough cajones to be believable, but doesn't suffer from an ego problem. Unlike Lt. Reed, who's too stiff yet lacks a spine when getting ripped by Archer.
I keep waiting for the teaser "We've replaced Mayweather with Folger's Crystals. Let's see if anyone notices!" I would like to see more of his youthful enthusiasm (such as was displayed in Terra Nova), but he's had very little to do... even less than Hoshi, whose character reminds me of some bubbly friends I have that are fun to hang around with, but not the type I'd entrust with any serious heavy lifting, if you know what I mean.
Archer is enjoyable to watch. He knows he's in command, will make the decision and will learn from his frackups. Picard was at his best when it was obvious he was in command. (And yes, Mitch, I liked Scott Bacula from his Quantum Leap days more than I liked Patrick Stewart from that horrible movie Life Force about nekkid female vampires.)
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| 746 days left 'til Pon Farr! |
Finally, we come to T'Pol. The first/science officer is a strange role to watch. For example, in ST:TOS, Spock was more interesting was when he was "different," whether this was being really Vulcan (like the Pon Farr episode) or being not like a Vulcan at all (the movies). In ST:TNG, Data was pretty ancillary as an unemotinoal robot. Once he had conflict, such as the emotion chip, building Lal, or dating ensign whatshername, he then became interesting. With that being said, we see T'Pol as a junior officer initially stuck on an assignment she finds mildly distasteful. After the first mission, she appreciates the opportunities available and engages. (Remember Sisko's reaction upon first getting his transfer to DS9?) Last season, we've seen bits of her character development pop out. And now in season 3, we're seeing the rest of her pop out. I hope it fits into the long-term Enterprise, and is not just a cheap ploy to boost ratings.
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