Rewatching Enterprise

[Hopeful Romantic]

^^ I'm in the minority about the decon scene, I guess, because it worked for me. Sure, the glistening beautiful bodies were for the target viewer demographic, nothing surprising there. But there was more to it. Typically, such a scene would be about the obvious- the decon procedure. The way the characters, who barely know each other, react to the, uh, sensual circumstances - awkwardness, attraction, whatever.

But in this scene, Trip and T'Pol argue through the whole thing, about who should be in command while Archer is injured, about whether he should have the chance to finish the mission. The gel smearing, they hardly pay attention to it, they're arguing. The juxtaposition of those disparate elements told me a lot about the characters- their discord, their priorities, Trip's respect for Archer, T'Pol's arrogance about humans - as well as the boring normalcy of two nearly-naked crewmembers slathering each other with gel, everywhere, in what is for them a routine decon procedure in Enteprise world. Plus we get little touches from the actors, like Trip making a point of gelling up T'Pol's ears, and T'Pol's "Turn around!" right in the middle of the fight.

Pretty cool, and one of the reasons the pilot was so effective for me.

 

[lurok]

Delta Vega, these reviews are like novels! Don't get me wrong, I'm loving them. Degra's death was so shocking, since I had gotten to know and respect him. Hoshi getting tortured, trying to kill herself - Dolim killing anybody in his way - the breathtaking special effects of Countdown - Hayes dying to save Hoshi - damn, these episodes were soooo great.

Favorite lines of your last reviews:






I actually loved T'pol's makeover in Season 3 (finally, Vulcan eyebrows), especially the new jumpsuits. Each one was a little bit different design, with beautiful detailing that you couldn't usually see except in closeups. The white away-mission jumpsuit turned up earlier, in Marauders, but it was a preview of things to come. Great look for her, I thought.

Just to add to what HR already eloquently expressed: as a genuine ENT fan you/we should always express honesty. That's how we keep up dialogue here

 

[sekundant]

I'm in the minority about the decon scene, I guess, because it worked for me

As I first time watch the Broken Bow decon scene - I don't remember the reason, maybe I have to short look at the oven in the kitchen - I wasn't watching at monitor. So, first I get only their conversation and it was very reasonable and fits the story, only Trip's voice was a little bit tense. Then I replayed the scene again. It wasn't oversexed or something for me. There were already scenes between these two that promised us we get a very passionate brawlers. It's an old good concept, which has a potential, so why not? Well, yeah they were half naked and smearing the gel each other, but it was not the "punch line" of scene for me..Until I read the reviews.. I was so surprised, that this became a huge issue, even there was a people who quit the ENT, because of decon scene. And I thought they never watched the TOS or TNG.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

“Rewatching Enterprise” … don’t, no need to. Seeing it once (preferably in HD) is more than enough.

 

[Delta Vega]

"Zero Hour"
The chase is on as the weapon nears Earth, and we open with a classic scene of reptilians doing a "V" and eating live rodents.
Niiiice !
Archer and crew are on the faster ship which belonged to Degra, gaining on Dolim's ship, but they need Hoshi to decipher Degra's disarming codes, and she's still very ill. The Guardians are worried about timelines favouring Archer. Meanwhile Enterprise is facing destroying Sphere 41, and itself, it's a possible suicide mission. The Guardians are transforming space around the sphere making it unsuitable for the crew to survive long term exposure. Phlox has to provide a compound to give them limited time near the sphere but can't combat dermal decay. Archer works on a very unfit Hoshi to get her to decipher Degra's codes, she's delirious.
The lizards have to drop into Earth space further from the planet than they'd hoped due to not having all the launch codes and need more time to deploy the weapon. Archer plans to destroy the weapon from within when they catch up, he has to take Hoshi onboard with him, but right on cue, Daniels appears and shows Archer a future seven years away, at the formation of the United Federation of Planets, with Archer as a prominent player, he asks Archer not to go to disarm the weapon and to send Reed instead as he's not as important to the timeline. Archer refuses and carries on.
On Enterprise, Phlox prepares his compound to counteract the transdimensional space round the sphere. The ship reaches the sphere but the disturbance has grown and their time is limited to 15 minutes, in and out.
As the reptilians drop out of the vortex, Jannar and his crew inform Archer that there is only one ship guarding the weapon.
That one ship, led by Dolim, destroys Yosemite Station without mercy.
At Sphere 41, Enterprise attacks but they are invaded by several Guardians, who attempt to destroy the ship from Engineering.
At the weapon, Dolim intercepts Degra's ship as Archer prepares to board.
Special shout out guest appearance by Shran at this point as the Andorian turns up to offer help to the pinkskins.
Things look grim for Enterprise but Phlox, through his knowledge of the transdimensional beings, instructs the crew to remodulate their weapons to a new frequency to fight the Guardians on the ship.
Shran and the friends of Degra do battle as on Enterprise, the SBs head for the engines. Archer, Hoshi, Reed and some MACOs now get onto the weapon to attempt disarming the weapon in correct order, but Dolim now realises that Shran has been a decoy, and sets a course back to the weapon.
On the weapon, there are casualties as MACOs engage with lizard guards, and as Hoshi slips out of consciousness, Reed secures the area.
Enterprise meanwhile, finally destroy the Sphere and the Guardians, setting up a chain reaction that destroys the network.
The weapon is now successfully disarmed but Archer overrules Reed to stay to destroy it for good.
Malcolm and the distressed Hoshi go back to Degra's ship, while Archer sets charges on the weapon mechanism, as he does, Dolim beams onboard and sets about him.
The lizard gives him an almighty beating but Archer somehow prevails, as elsewhere, Shran returns to destroy the lizard ship.
In a fantastic move, Archer sticks a charge on Dolim's shoulder, gets out of the way, and detonates it.
"BOOM" No Dolim !
The Captain now tries to get off the weapon before it blows up but Jannar can't get a lock on him.
Enterprise now awaits Degra's ship at pre arranged co ordinates, and the vessels dock, knowing that the transdimensional space threat is over.
Reed tells Trip and T'pol that the weapon is destroyed but the Captain is dead.
The aquatics take Enterprise onboard to effect repairs, as the crew are in mourning for Archer. T'Pol makes a final peace with the lead primate who informs her that the Council will reconvene to sort out the aftermath of the scam they had been sold by the Guardians.
Enterprise finally reaches Earth to encounter radio silence, there is no response to their hails, nor contact of any kind, even though the planet looks normal.
There appears to be no means of technology in orbit, no satellites.
Travis and Trip take a shuttle down to San Francisco, but are attacked by three fighter pilots of World War II vintage, then we cut to a bloody scene in a field hospital, somewhere.
There are Nazi soldiers, officers, examining a very badly wounded soldier in a strange uniform, Captain Archer.
Out of a shadowy darkness the third officer comes into focus, and he appears to be an alien lifeform.
A shock ending, a timey wimey dilemma again, how the fuck can we get out of this ?
First time I saw this ending I was freaked out, it was brilliant.
Ultimately of course, it led to two duff Season 4 openers.
That can't detract from "Zero Hour", a fantastic piece of Trek drama.
Phew !
Sorry

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

Zero Hour showed us the best of Archer - the strong, compassionate leader who gives the broken Hoshi the will to rise to the occasion, the commander who won't risk Reed but steps in to sacrifice himself if necessary to destroy the weapon, and the steely badass he had to become to win the war and finish the mission - and blow Dolim to smithereens, yaassssss. Episodes like this are why I love Archer.

The scenes with Trip and T'pol, where you really see that deep bond forming as they worry together for Archer and gingerly lower their defenses with each other, were lovely. I could really see the potential for a rich relationship storyline... such a shame Manny Coto wasn't able to follow through with that in Season 4.

And the scene where T'pol, grieving for Archer, consoles broken-hearted Porthos - 180 degrees from their first meeting, a bond earned through shared sorrow.

 

[Delta Vega]

Agree about Trip and T'Pol scenes, the scenes with Porthos and the scenes where Archer cajoles Hoshi to persevere.
I did note them all, but my reviews are getting into "War and Peace" territory, so kinda edited them out.
Archer sticking that charge on Dolim, stepping aside and showing him the detonator, was fantastic.
I'll move on to Season 4 after a wee break, I really need to curtail things a little.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

These reviews have been very entertaining. When you have this string of outstanding episodes, it's hard to edit. Season 3 is my favorite because of all this great drama and character study and action going on.

 

[thribs]

Season 3 was indeed very good. I remember comparing it to Stargate at the time and thinking, “Enterprise is way better”.
Season 4 is no slouch either. My advice however is to watch the final episode before the previous two. Might make you enjoy it better.

 

[Delta Vega]

Season 3 was indeed very good. I remember comparing it to Stargate at the time and thinking, “Enterprise is way better”.
Season 4 is no slouch either. My advice however is to watch the final episode before the previous two. Might make you enjoy it better.

I'll watch it, again, but I'll never love it or even like it, no matter what order I watch it in.
Season 4 on the whole is very good, but after the high drama of Season 3's climax, the first two shows in Season 4 where a major bummer.
That's why I'm bracing myself, ha ha

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

Season 4 is no slouch either. My advice however is to watch the final episode before the previous two. Might make you enjoy it better.

Mmmnope. Now, skipping the final episode... burning it in effigy... making a voodoo doll of it and sticking it with pins for each moment...

Season 4 on the whole is very good, but after the high drama of Season 3's climax, the first two shows in Season 4 where a major bummer.
That's why I'm bracing myself, ha ha

Silver lining: easier to write shorter reviews.

 

[Delta Vega]

I might just write
"Shit"
But once I start I can't stop, sorry

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

^^

 

[tomalak301]

Season 4 on the whole is very good, but after the high drama of Season 3's climax, the first two shows in Season 4 where a major bummer.
That's why I'm bracing myself, ha ha

Yeah Storm Front was a rough opening, but Home is the single reason why I consider Season 3 Enterprise's best season. What that episode does to Archer having to reflect on his time in the Expanse and how it changed him is what Character development is all about.

 

[Prax]

As out of place as Stormfront might feel, it's not a terrible two-parter. It resolves the Silik and Daniels stuff. There's a ton of other continuity in it, and it has nice little moments in it, like when Archer first encounters Silik, and immediately snaps on him, throwing him up against a wall. Silik says "You've changed" Also, when Silik first tries to run away(like he always used to), the Macos immediately gun him down.
It also does that thing that Picard always did with bringing a primitive up to the ship and showing them their planet.

 

[Delta Vega]

As out of place as Stormfront might feel, it's not a terrible two-parter. It resolves the Silik and Daniels stuff. There's a ton of other continuity in it, and it has nice little moments in it, like when Archer first encounters Silik, and immediately snaps on him, throwing him up against a wall. Silik says "You've changed" Also, when Silik first tries to run away(like he always used to), the Macos immediately gun him down.
It also does that thing that Picard always did with bringing a primitive up to the ship and showing them their planet.

Kinda agree on all that especially re the Sillick and Daniels stuff, but the whole Space/Time Nazis is plain stupid, as is the "Wise Guy" Resistance.
Next week I'm going to restart my reviews, if everyone isn't already bored to death with them.
I'll try and be brief.

 

[Prax]

as is the "Wise Guy" Resistance.

lol, I forgot about that. I guess wartime turns the mafia into good honorable people...

 

[Nyotarules]

lol, I forgot about that. I guess wartime turns the mafia into good honorable people...

And an invasion of Germans created good race relations in NYC....

 

[marlboro]

I have no issue with the mafia being part of the resistance or with an invasion by an outside force leading to improved race relations.

Both seem pretty logical to me honestly.

 

[Prax]

Writer 1 "Okay guys. High Concept: Enterprise dogfight with P51s over Manhatten"

Writer 2 "...oooh oooh...And we could have a resistence movement! Archer fights with the Rey-sizz-tonsss!"

Writer 1 "I got it! Three words: Ma Fi Ah! We'll get someone from the Sopranos!"

EP "Ahem... Budget?"

Writer 1 "We'll just knock a few episodes off the season."

Writer 3 "Wait.. what?"