Post 9/11 Allusions and Metaphors.

[Guy Gardener]

I just watched Detained.

Which I can only assume was supposed to be a serious post 9/11 commentary on race relations between Arabs and Americans as warm bodies are still being thrown into Abu Ghraib like it's a human pyramid construction factory... but Archer only mentioned the unfair treatment of the Japanese Americans during WWII in Detained, without actually getting any commentary from the gorgeous lady of Japanese decent on the bridge? Surely if you're trying to improve race relations as hamfistedly as they did in the 70s television, then just bring a "token Arab" into the supporting cast, as a continuing reminder that Arabs are people too(Sorry, my sarcasm is totally out of control.) rather than go all out in one episode and then brush theses enbiggened ideals under the Carpet? Though I suppose later on, that Degra was the so called "Good Arab" even though he was just another white American, like Othello being some honky in bootblack for the first couple hundred years I suppose?

Though the looking for nonexistent weapons of mass destruction by bombing pacifists, by the Vulcan leader who was really a puppet of evil alien infiltrators was hilarious!

What did you like? What did you notice? What was so grating it hurt to think about too much?

 

[Trekwatcher]

The 9/11 allusions/metaphors/comparisons are most obvious in the whole Xindi arc, starting from a sneak attack with mass casualties to an internally divided foe who, from the outside, seems bent on "our" destruction. On the one hand, it was a rather heavy-handed way to address 9/11, but on the other hand, at least for me, it worked.

Many here know of my fondness for S3 and the Xindi arc, but just as 24 and other shows have tapped into our concerns about terrorism, attacks from outside and within, the threat of annihilaton, etc, ENT addressed these issues as well. IMHO, they did this one better in that they were not just "kickin' ass and taking names" but S3 is really, especially in the 2nd half of the season, about trying to work with the open minded individuals on the opposing side to create a lasting peace. The climax, with the superweapon STILL being deployed despite the events of "The Council" also illustrated that some foes cannot be talked down.

So, for me, S3 and all of it's 9/11 baggage worked, but I know that for others it was not what they were looking for.

 

[doctorwho 03]

^
I agree with what Trekwatcher said. The minute I saw the S2 episode "The Expanse" I knew right away what would happen in S3 would be some kind of 9/11 metaphor. Also if I remember correctly, at the end of the S4 opening two-parter, when Daniels and Archer are looking at time and history being repaired, there is a glimpse at a video clip of the WTC after one of the two planes have hit it, which tells us that 9/11 also happened in the ST universe as well.

 

[tambo]

do you think they were comparing archer in s4 Daedalus to President Bush when he told Trip that he was not going to argue with him about helping Emory Erickson, the the man who invented the transporter, find his son i believe he said he had made a decision and it was the right one even though Trip & T'Pol thought otherwise

 

[commodore64]

So, for me, S3 and all of it's 9/11 baggage worked, but I know that for others it was not what they were looking for.

I thought it was great as well. It's good to have relevant television. I almost wish they'd done more.

do you think they were comparing archer in s4 Daedalus to President Bush when he told Trip that he was not going to argue with him about helping Emory Erickson, the the man who invented the transporter, find his son i believe he said he had made a decision and it was the right one even though Trip & T'Pol thought otherwise

No. I think in this case, Archer was making a somewhat emotional decision because his family friends were involved. Even during season 3, I don't think you can draw clear parallels between Pres Bush and Archer. Archer was in the action, making personal sacrifices that led to peace. I hope this doesn't get too political, but I think Pres Bush did pretty much the exact opposite.