Newcomer with an ambitious project

[ialfan]

I'd really like to see how you guys felt about these episodes. I'm really curious to see what ratings you would award them. I'm also quite intersted in how this season was recieved by you personally, as well as the consenus here when it aired.

My favorite episodes of the season were Broken Bow, The Andorian Incident, Silent Enemy, Shuttlepod One, Vox Sola, Fallen Hero and Shockwave, Part I. My least favorite are Terra Nova, Civilization, Fortunate Son, Fusion, Rogue Planet, Acquisition, and Oasis. Everything else falls somewhere in the middle. Overall, I thought the first season of Enterprise was great but the best is yet to come.

 

[TrekFan2Be]

I know I said I wouldn't be posting anymore reviews until late tomorrow night, but I had nothing going on tonight, and I had to urge to continue.

Here are my reviews for STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE season two disc 1.

Shockwave, Part II (***/*****) – Ultimately, an entertaining yet unsatisfying conclusion to an excellent cliffhanger. I really enjoyed the stuff happening onboard the Enterprise with T’Pol and company with the Suliban. It was by the numbers action stuff, but it was entertaining and well done. Each member of the crew was well utilized and served a relative purpose. However, I found it pretty ludicrous that Captain Archer and Daniels were able to rather easily find a way to get back to the correct time. I understand Daniels is an expert in time travel and from centuries in the future, but I just didn’t buy their way out of the situation. I also can’t accept Archer’s decision to simply release Silik. Why wouldn’t he have held him and interrogated him for information on the Temporal Cold War? I loved T’Pol stepping in the Enterprise crew’s mission … this showed some real character development for her. However, I thought Captain Archer’s speech about gazelles giving birth was a bit much. Entertaining action-fare, but a disappointment considering this is the kickoff to season two

Carbon Creek (***/*****) – The idea of Vulcans investigating Earth after the launch of Sputnik was interesting and quite original. It was a nice lightweight breather following the larger story of the Shockwave two parter. Jolene Blalock was phenomenal as T’Pol’s grandmother (If I remember correctly?). This episode belongs, however to J. Paul Boehmer as Mestral. He was absolutely fantastic as a curious Vulcan anxious to study humanity. I have a difficult time awarding this more then a 3 star rating simply because it doesn’t advance the story or our regular characters in any real way, but it was a very entertaining episode. I legitimately had a good time watching it.

Minefield (****/*****) – The best episode yet for the character of Lt. Reed. Dominic Keating is the standout here, even as he is restricted inside of a space suit for much of the hour. While the episode doesn’t move at a sprinter’s pace it does have a unique and refreshing sense of dread and urgency. It was nicely conveyed that the Romulans were very capable of blowing the Enterprise out of the sky without much of a problem. The damage the Enterprise seems almost un-repairable and the crew justifiably scared out of their wits while dealing with navigating out of the minefield.

Dead Stop (*****/*****) – Simply outstanding. This is the best episode I have seen since Shuttlepod One, and it’s also the best purely science fiction episode I have seen to date. The space station was ingeniously designed, with the white, sterile interior. Tucker and Reed taking it upon themselves to investigate the space station was a great scene for Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating. I’m starting to get worried about the lack of development of Ensign Mayweather though. He has barely played a factor so far this year. There’s a problem when his best character development has to come with him off-screen because the crew thinks he is dead.

 

[Gepard]

I’m starting to get worried about the lack of development of Ensign Mayweather though. He has barely played a factor so far this year. There’s a problem when his best character development has to come with him off-screen because the crew thinks he is dead.

*catches breath* I'm sorry for that. But if you knew how often you accidentally summarize a thousand Internet flame wars from when the show was first-run....

 

[I am not Spock]

This is a great thread. It's good to hear from a first time Trekker with no preconceptions about the shows.

Looking back (its been a good while since I last watched ENT season one), there were a few standout episodes from that year. Breaking the Ice was good (the scene with the letters back to Earth children was very realistic, and seems like the kind of thing NASA astronauts up there would do), and Dear Doctor and Dead Stop were some of early ENT's best offerings.

 

[I am not Spock]

I know I said I wouldn't be posting anymore reviews until late tomorrow night, but I had nothing going on tonight, and I had to urge to continue.

Here are my reviews for STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE season two disc 1.

Shockwave, Part II (***/*****) – Ultimately, an entertaining yet unsatisfying conclusion to an excellent cliffhanger. I really enjoyed the stuff happening onboard the Enterprise with T’Pol and company with the Suliban. It was by the numbers action stuff, but it was entertaining and well done. Each member of the crew was well utilized and served a relative purpose. However, I found it pretty ludicrous that Captain Archer and Daniels were able to rather easily find a way to get back to the correct time. I understand Daniels is an expert in time travel and from centuries in the future, but I just didn’t buy their way out of the situation. I also can’t accept Archer’s decision to simply release Silik. Why wouldn’t he have held him and interrogated him for information on the Temporal Cold War? I loved T’Pol stepping in the Enterprise crew’s mission … this showed some real character development for her. However, I thought Captain Archer’s speech about gazelles giving birth was a bit much. Entertaining action-fare, but a disappointment considering this is the kickoff to season two

Carbon Creek (***/*****) – The idea of Vulcans investigating Earth after the launch of Sputnik was interesting and quite original. It was a nice lightweight breather following the larger story of the Shockwave two parter. Jolene Blalock was phenomenal as T’Pol’s grandmother (If I remember correctly?). This episode belongs, however to J. Paul Boehmer as Mestral. He was absolutely fantastic as a curious Vulcan anxious to study humanity. I have a difficult time awarding this more then a 3 star rating simply because it doesn’t advance the story or our regular characters in any real way, but it was a very entertaining episode. I legitimately had a good time watching it.

Minefield (****/*****) – The best episode yet for the character of Lt. Reed. Dominic Keating is the standout here, even as he is restricted inside of a space suit for much of the hour. While the episode doesn’t move at a sprinter’s pace it does have a unique and refreshing sense of dread and urgency. It was nicely conveyed that the Romulans were very capable of blowing the Enterprise out of the sky without much of a problem. The damage the Enterprise seems almost un-repairable and the crew justifiably scared out of their wits while dealing with navigating out of the minefield.

Dead Stop (*****/*****) – Simply outstanding. This is the best episode I have seen since Shuttlepod One, and it’s also the best purely science fiction episode I have seen to date. The space station was ingeniously designed, with the white, sterile interior. Tucker and Reed taking it upon themselves to investigate the space station was a great scene for Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating. I’m starting to get worried about the lack of development of Ensign Mayweather though. He has barely played a factor so far this year. There’s a problem when his best character development has to come with him off-screen because the crew thinks he is dead.

I agree with your reviews here, man. Haven't seen ENT season 2 for a while, but I remember being very impressed with the first bunch of season 2's episodes when they first aired. Shockwave 2 wasn't great, but Carbon Creek, Minefield, and Dead Stop were all awesome episodes IMO.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I may be wrong,. but it's possible that the OP may be a ST fan from before, and this is a way of looking at the eps from a fresh perspective. I could be wrong..it's just a feeling

 

[TrekFan2Be]

I may be wrong,. but it's possible that the OP may be a ST fan from before, and this is a way of looking at the eps from a fresh perspective. I could be wrong..it's just a feeling

I suppose there's no real way for me to prove that I have never seen Star Trek before. All I can say is that I have no reason to lie or come here under false pretenses. As I said in my original post, my parents and a number of the people from my dad's side of the family have been Star Trek fans for years now. I was never opposed to Star Trek ... I was just interested in other things (sports, movies), but with all of the family's excitement over the new feature film coming out, I figured I'd give the show a chance and try to see what all the fuss was about. Here I am. If you believe I am being dishonest, I'm sorry but you're mistaken.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

It's ok. I'm sorry. I do believe you. I just got lied to by someone in my life and I'm a bit drunk. I stepped otu of line and I'm sorry. I guess I just got critical of everyone.

My apologies.

Hope you enjoy your Trek.


I think you will like season 3 of Ent the best. I love it

 

[TrekFan2Be]

It's ok. I'm sorry. I do believe you. I just got lied to by someone in my life and I'm a bit drunk. I stepped otu of line and I'm sorry. I guess I just got critical of everyone.

No harm done. I understand why someone around here would probably be skepical about someone like me coming along.

Hope you enjoy your Trek.


I think you will like season 3 of Ent the best. I love it

So far I have enjoyed it quite a lot... And I look forward to everything still to come.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Dude, I was out of line. Ever get dumped on by a friend and all of the sudden you don't trust anyone. Again I am sorry.

I reread my post and it was just not right. The point I was trying to make was that I can picture a fan doing this as a joke.. re-reviewing all of it again to bring up the old debates.. but instead of proposing that possibility I attacked you. That was unfair

 

[TrekFan2Be]

Dude, I was out of line. Ever get dumped on by a friend and all of the sudden you don't trust anyone. Again I am sorry.

I reread my post and it was just not right. The point I was trying to make was that I can picture a fan doing this as a joke.. re-reviewing all of it again to bring up the old debates.. but instead of proposing that possibility I attacked you. That was unfair

Don't sweat it man. I don't hold a grudge, and I'm miles past it already. Forget it ever happened . You've been pretty active in this thread, and I really appreciate your interest. I'm looking forward to your continued input into my thoughts on the show.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

It's refreshing to see a real mature poster here.

Thanks for your forgiveness. I hope you understand what I meant.

BTW I agree with nearly all your star ratings, even with generally unpopular episodes like Carbon Creek

 

[pookha]

welcome trek fan 2be..

i wish i had discovered the thread earlier because i would have recommended watching shuttle pod one and then shadows of pjemm.

people should try it sometimes because they just work real well together. and it helps to explain why malcolm would have been so willing to follow trip without questioning in shadows when before they hadnt been that close.

i really like enterprise and i dont think it will be too jarring when you hear some references later in the other shows.

for instance the bad guy species in civilization are mentioned in a star trek episode.

terra nova was my least favorite season one episode and shuttle pod one and silent enemy two of my favorites.

after dead stop you are about to go into a stretch of some real mixed group of episodes.

i really think the block that sci fi used to air the series and dvd's really help enterprise because the stretch of weak episodes dont hurt as bad when they are not taking up several weeks.

Should be watching.. 'City on the Edge of Forever' or 'The Voyage Home' or 'Futures End' or the other ones in the past...

i really think to appreicate city it helps to watch enough star trek episodes to get a feel for the friendship between kirk ,spock and bones.

as good as it i wouldnt watch it first.
though i would watch Corbomite Maneuver after where no man has gone before.
it really is a nice intro to star trek.

about the animated series.
depending on who you read it was mostly taken out of canon for awhile due to legal issues.

but it does get referenced a lot in other series especially enterprise.

mike sussman one of the writers was a big fan of the animated series and almost always worked in a reference to it.

you also get introduced to the first captain of the ncc 1701, a really great spock story yesteryear and larry niven meets star trek with soft weapon.

 

[ScottDS]

What I wouldn't give to be TrekFan2Be right now. I've only seen every Enterprise episode once or twice and I still haven't seen every TOS episode (I know, I know - I'm waiting for the Blu-Ray releases, whenever that happens). However, I am eagerly waiting to join this disucssion once TrekFan gets to TNG and DS9.

 

[Danoz]

Hello all… I come from a family of dedicated and long-time Star Trek fans. I, however have somehow managed to completely stay away from the show. I have seen bits and pieces of episodes, but I know essentially nothing about the characters or storylines that are offered in the various series. However, I have recently become very interested in joining my family’s interest in Star Trek, so I have decided to attempt to watch all of the episodes and films before the new movie is released next May.

Luckily, my dad owns all of the episodes and movies on DVD. My uncle has supplied me with an excel spreadsheet that lists every episode in chronological order, beginning with Star Trek: Enterprise and ending with the movie Star Trek: Nemesis. I plan to begin tomorrow night following this order. His spreadsheet is rather detailed and the way he has it set up seems really convenient for a first-time viewer. My uncle also provided me with some very basic background on the five series, basically when they were produced and some very minor, general story details.

The reason I find myself here on this forum, is I would like to have the opportunity to offer my perspective on the episodes that I am going to be watching for the first time. I would also imagine that this forum has rarely offered what I would hope to be able to offer; a newcomer to the franchise (who has never seen a single episode from beginning to end), wanting to offer his opinions on episodes being seen from a unique perspective. I am also very anxious to hear what casual and hardcore fans think of the episodes that I am watching. I am asking that people avoid posting any spoilers in this thread (should people take an interest in it), so that I can enjoy it as a first-time viewer. I do however, welcome and encourage input on what I can expect from upcoming episodes.

Tomorrow I plan to watch the first eight episodes (2 disks) of Star Trek: Enterprise. The episodes are: BROKEN BOW, FIGHT OR FLIGHT, STRANGE NEW WORLD, UNEXPECTED, TERRA NOVA, THE ANDORIAN INCIDENT and BREAKING THE ICE.

I’m truly looking forward to this experience and I am excited to be able to share my first time viewing Star Trek with all of you.

Welcome to the club. I was in a similar situation before I started here-- my parents were big Star Trek fans-- but I had only really seen Voyager all the way through. So, I started watching TNG from episode one to finish. Then I went back and watched The Original Series and Enterprise, and concluded the Trek dynasty with Deep Space Nine (my clear favorite).

After that, I was so used to having sci-fi DVDs to enjoy at the end of the time, that I moved onto Battlestar Galactica and Babylon 5 (where I am currently in the 5th season).

Enjoy!

And I'd just like to say, I admire a man who uses the word "ambitious" to describe watching decades of science fiction in one year. If that's the case, there's a lot of ambition on this forum

 

[drasche]

I've carefully read your reviews, TrekFan2Be, and I wanna thank you for the unique opportunity you give us, to watch Enterprise with fresh eyes. Because in all honesty, I watched the series (almost) two times and I still didn't like it after that, because my judgment was biased by the four series I've watched before.

Next time I watch it, I'll be sure to remember this thread and your opinions about the series.

I'm eagerly waiting for your next reviews on Enterprise and the other Trek series

 

[TrekFan2Be]

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Season Two Disc 2

A Night in Sickbay (*/*****) – Ouch… “Terra Nova” and “Rogue Planet” were bland, mild and uninteresting hours but this most certainly takes the cake for worst episode of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE thus far. John Billingsley and Scott Bakula work their asses off to keep this thing afloat, but to no avail. The writing here is just so juvenile and shallow. I own a dog, and I understand the value and friendship that a pet can bring to a person is something special, but it’s not something that is easily translated for an episode of this show. This is borderline character assassination of Captain Archer, as he acts completely undignified and unprofessional. There’s nothing wrong with a flawed character, in fact I prefer my characters to be flawed … but there is something wrong with making the lead character act in a manner that is so childish and inept at his job. Let me re-emphasize … OUCH.

Marauders (*/*****) – Ouch again. While nowhere near as offensive and damaging as “A Night in Sickbay”, Marauders brings absolutely nothing new to the table. It’s also easily the most uninteresting and dull look at the Klingons yet. They don’t come across as dangerous or intimidating, merely like annoying wannabe high school bullies. The miners are also completely unremarkable and unmemorable. The action scenes are uninspired and lifeless and the cast appears to be universally board throughout.

The Seventh (***/*****) – This is more like it. It’s nowhere near perfect, but it is quite enjoyable and a good showcase for Jolene Blalock. This is her season so far. It offers some interesting and insightful background for the T’Pol character. Bruce Davison is a really good guest actor as the rogue Vulcan who has fled the restraints of his own society. T’Pol’s trust and growing friendship with Captain Archer is at the heart of this episode.

The Communicator (***/*****) – Interesting look at how a simple mistake can cause mass chaos when dealing with an alien society. There’s a nice continuity touch with the use of the stolen Suliban shuttlecraft as well. It did, however remind me that Silik should have been kept along with the shuttlecraft. In my opinion, Archer makes a mistake by going back to look for the communicator, because being caught and discovered to be aliens would be far more affecting and damaging to a society then finding an odd piece of technology. However, I expect Archer to make mistakes, because he is still treading completely new ground.

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Season Two Disc 3

Singularity (***/*****) – A nice ensemble piece for each member of the cast (to a lesser degree for Anthony Montgomery who spends much of the episode unconscious). I’m not usually a fan of episodes being told through flashbacks or starting at the end, going back to the beginning and moving forward again, but it suited this episode well. My favorite character obsession was easily Commander Tucker’s determination to improve Captain Archer’s chair. It fit within his character and was quite amusing. It was also nice to see Captain Archer’s skills as a pilot come to the forefront.

Vanishing Point (**/*****) – The episode started off as a pretty predictable, but entertaining enough look at Hoshi’s character, but the “twist” at the end really destroyed it for me. It served as a nice vehicle for Linda Park, but the final scene really reeked of being a cop-out that was needed because the writers couldn’t come up with a creative solution to Hoshi’s situation. Linda Park is far from the best performer on the show, but she is pretty relatable and isn’t a chore to watch. It’s a shame that the best scenes in the episode (most notably the scene between Phlox and Tucker) never really happened.

Precious Cargo (*/*****) – Wow … I thought “A Night in Sickbay” was bad. This was ineptitude at its best. What in the world were they thinking when they cast that guest actress??? She was not only the worst guest star I’ve seen in this show, but probably in all my years of watching television series. I could spend a few minutes sitting here thinking up adjectives to describe how I felt about it, but this episode doesn’t deserve the use of any adjective aside from perhaps “bad”, so I’ll stick with that.

The Catwalk (***/*****) – Another pretty nice ensemble episode. While, I think the protective nature of the “catwalks” are pretty convenient, the idea is pretty well executed. I liked the aliens being shown as fish out of water, rather then the crew of the Enterprise for a change. I like the fact that this doesn’t offer any science fiction gimmicks to put a spin on the story. My overall impression of season two so far is its pretty good, but less consistently solid then season one.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

your reviews are generally spot on with the general consesus, with few exceptions. You liked the Seventh more than most, but I agree with you. It's a friggin cool episoe

I have a soft spot for Night in Sickbay. Why? because ST may be about the human condition, but they rarely act really human.. i mean we all have days that we are pissy and moany and we overreact, but other than this episode, the humans in Trek never have those days...and if you are serving with a first officer with breasts like that it WILL affect your job when you least expect it to. i like the epsiode because Archer felt liek a real human, flaws and all.

Otherwise I agree with your reviews/

 

[Dane_Whitman]

TrekFan2Be, you've just worked your way through the roughest part of Enterprise. The general episode quality will get a lot better from this point forward. There are some *EXCELLENT* episodes in the latter half of season 2.

 

[TrekFan2Be]

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Season Two Disc 4

Dawn (***/*****) - I don't mind when a TV show takes a concept from a film, and fits it into their own show. However, this is a pretty shameless, almost identical version of "Enemy Mine", a movie I'm not that fond of in the first place. Connor Trinneer did a nice job acting along side a character that speaks an entirely different language, but it isn't quite enough to make this episode more then pretty good. I thought the fight scenes were well put together and well shot. In fact, the strength of the episode is easily the cinematography on the planet surface. Very well done in that regard.

Stigma (****/*****) - A nice allegory for AIDS. Similar to "Dear Doctor", this reminds me of my uncle's first description of what Star Trek is meant to be; a series that uses science fiction ideas to comment on human, moral struggles of today. Jolene Blalock and John Billingsley were particularly standouts here. Last season was basically Connor Trinneer's showcase, but this season is still owned by Jolene Blalock in my opinion. She's gotten a hold on that character in a really good way.

Cease Fire (*****/*****) - This was excellent, and easily the best episode since "Dead Stop". Unlike in "Shadows of P'Jem", I thought Commander Shran was very well utilized here. This was also Gary Graham's best performance as Ambassador Soval thus far. It's also a great vehicle for Scott Bakula, as this episode really emphasizes how far Captain Archer has come since day one. He is confident and capable while dealing with a very contentious and heated situation. Archer could never have been in this position early in season one.

Future Tense (*****/*****) - This episode raises more questions then answers when it comes to the Temporal Cold War, but I don't really mind that. It brought new elements to the storyline, keeping it from becoming stale and repetative. The concept of a ship that is bigger on the inside then it is on the outside was really pretty awesome, and really well executed. Again, Scott Bakula was really strong and in command here. I'm starting to really see him as a competent and strong leader, rather then a man who is carefully learning as he goes.


At this point of the season here's how I would rank the episodes of season two of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE:

1. Dead Stop
2. Cease Fire
3. Future Tense
4. Minefield
5. Stigma
   [*]Shockwave, Part II
6. Carbon Creek
7. The Catwalk
8. The Seventh
9. Singularity
10. Dawn
11. The Communicator
12. Vanishing Point
13. Marauders
14. A Night in Sickbay
15. Precious Cargo