Romancing the captain

[borgboy]

I get that it's unlikely that Trek would ever do a satisfying lead gay character. Would it have really killed the series to have Reed be gay? That would have pleased some of the audiance while living up the Trek legacy of diversity and you still have the damn catsuit to satisfy that other group.

 

[suebsg9]

After watching this weeks eps and before the eps started airing pretty much the promo for Enterprise on Scifi says the captain gets alot of action; still always thought Trip was getting more action guessing we talking action then yep guessing Archer did surely get that since every away mission he went on; and always lots of action there.

 

[miriel68]

I'm wondering why in the world it's necessary for Archer to have a romantic relationship with anyone on this mission. Why is the default TV position always that the lead guy has to sleep with whatever woman crosses the screen?
So, I guess I'm in the minority here when I say that I don't think any kind or romance was necessary for Archer, and the show didn't suffer at all for lack of it.

Ok, ok, if I may quote Trip, don't get your antennas in a twist! I really don't think it is necessary for Archer to have a girl at every port, I mean, every planet: after I saw "Civilisation" I lived in a fear that they would try to give him more Kirk like adventures, but luckily, they didn't and it works far better this way. I'm only wondering WHY on these rare occasions they did try to get him into some romantic interaction, the thing seemed so forced.

However, a kind of more in-depth relationship would have helped in "Home", IMO. This was potentially a very important episode, Archer trying to deal with his post-Xindi feelings and it was handled very clumsily, I think. First of
all, Erica coming out of the blue is not convincing: there is nothing to make us feel they did had a serious relationship before (and they certainly don't have one AFTER) and therefore there is nothing to convince us that Erica can really understand Archer: rather the contrary. This leaves us with "have some sex, it will heal every wound" option which is, sorry to say, just plain stupid.

BTW Reed being gay would be a nice option (hopefully not his craving for Archer, however )

 

[Jeri]

Regarding "Civilization," Riann is a lovely, intelligent character; my favorite among Archer's romantic interests -- and one of my favorite ENT characters in general. Their characters worked together well to accomplish the story. Here are a few screen caps -- or go to the album, Civilization screen caps for a slide show.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand a word you're saying."

(Click on the thumbnails.)





"My mother bought me a tusorovko once, but it tuploya plodok."




"Help me open this!"


"Residic oil ignites at 398 degrees."


"You wouldn't happen to have anything that gets that hot?"




"I'm sorry, I don't understand a word you're saying."

 

[Bak_and_Blue]

[fangirl]Scott Bakula makes my heart go pitty pat [/fangirl]
Nice pics Jeri.

 

[gblews]

Regarding "Civilization," Riann is a lovely, intelligent character; my favorite among Archer's romantic interests --

Absolutely agree. She was damn hot and a perfect fit for Archer. I kept hoping we'd see the actor turn up again, if not the character.

 

[bluedana]

I'm wondering why in the world it's necessary for Archer to have a romantic relationship with anyone on this mission. Why is the default TV position always that the lead guy has to sleep with whatever woman crosses the screen?
So, I guess I'm in the minority here when I say that I don't think any kind or romance was necessary for Archer, and the show didn't suffer at all for lack of it.

Ok, ok, if I may quote Trip, don't get your antennas in a twist! I really don't think it is necessary for Archer to have a girl at every port, I mean, every planet: after I saw "Civilisation" I lived in a fear that they would try to give him more Kirk like adventures, but luckily, they didn't and it works far better this way. I'm only wondering WHY on these rare occasions they did try to get him into some romantic interaction, the thing seemed so forced.

However, a kind of more in-depth relationship would have helped in "Home", IMO. This was potentially a very important episode, Archer trying to deal with his post-Xindi feelings and it was handled very clumsily, I think. First of
all, Erica coming out of the blue is not convincing: there is nothing to make us feel they did had a serious relationship before (and they certainly don't have one AFTER) and therefore there is nothing to convince us that Erica can really understand Archer: rather the contrary. This leaves us with "have some sex, it will heal every wound" option which is, sorry to say, just plain stupid.

My antennae are just fine, thanks. I just think that the relationship between Erika and Archer was handled well, both in Home and later, and I liked the way they addressed Archer's self-loathing in that context, subtly and without neon signs. I think it goes much deeper than wound-healing sex. Frankly, I think, had the show gone on for another couple of seasons, we might have seen Erika becoming more of a confidant to Archer, once she, too, was "out there" and experiencing some of the things Archer (alone) was dealing with - but of course we'll never know that for sure. Some people thought the resolution was superficial; I don't.

To me, it seems there were only a couple of "romantic" situations (two consenting adults) for Archer, and the rest seemed forced because, well, they were. I wouldn't expect to feel a warm glow watching Archer with Rajjin or Navar because the were intended to be sinister and dangerous. The interactions with Keyla were, I think, intended to come across as, Hey, I like hanging out with you, not You're my love interest of the episode. And that's kind of my point. Having a man and a woman just being friendly is fine with me; it doesn't need to turn into potential!love!interest! Sometimes TV writers forget that friendship is an option, too.

I agree about Riann. What I liked most about her was her kind of "roll with the punches" attitude. The way she was written didn't require Archer to be the "knight in shining armour" rescuing the maiden of the week (although, with those costumes, it would've fit right in), the way Kirk often was in TOS.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

"I'm sorry, I don't understand a word you're saying."

*swoon*

Thanks, Jeri.

See, now that's what I'm talkin' about.

 

[miriel68]

Having a man and a woman just being friendly is fine with me; it doesn't need to turn into potential!love!interest! Sometimes TV writers forget that friendship is an option, too.

Being gentle and friendly is something Archer is very good at: from that point of view one of the best examples for me was his interaction with Alicia Travers in Cold Storm part I; the case of North Star was very similiar. He is able to convince us that he sees them as human beings, and not specifically females, which stands very good with me.

I do appreciate that they made Riann into intelligent, independent apothecary; still, Archers would-be-prince-charming clothes make me cringe and I would be MUCH more content if their relationship were limited to a friendly collaboration, without soap-opera touch.

As for Erica, this is a matter of opinion, of course. Archer's self-loathing was rather convincing, even if I've got the impression it was more Scott Bacula's acting skills merit. However loving-intelligent-woman-giving-comfort-to his suffering companion is a very standard plot and need being handled carefully if it's not to become a cliche'. May be the screen time it was given was not enough: I rather like the first part of the episode, but Archer's change of mood at the end was too abrupt for me.

 

[Jeri]

The way "Civilization" is set up is to encourage viewers to have a warm feeling about Riann and her people -- indeed to view them favorably in terms of our own human development, thus the sailing ship and Renaissance garb. Phlox even sets the tone himself, speaking so admiringly of cultures around the galaxy inexorably discovering the laws of nature, each in their own way. He had been analyzing the data brought back by T'Pol, who surreptitiously gathered it at Riann's workbench. Riann cares passionately about her peoples' health, and Archer is moved to help her.

So both viewers and Archer already admire Riann long before the two share a kiss; and indeed the first kiss was a pretense of the story, not forced intimacy. But after the first kiss, the idea was planted; and by the end of the episode where the two of them worked together as a team, I would have been disappointed if there were no heartfelt, goodbye kiss. They knew they'd never see each other again; and the brief, wistful embrace seemed exactly what a man and a woman might do in that situation after a successful, shared adventure. No need to worry about a slippery slope in this case.

 

[commodore64]

May be the screen time it was given was not enough: I rather like the first part of the episode, but Archer's change of mood at the end was too abrupt for me.

Agreed. They spent a year building up Airlock!Archer and did a great job with how that didn't mesh with who he was at the core. In one episode to turn that around is ... unsatisfying and poor writing.

 

[Lady Conqueror]

I keep seeing posters say Trip got more action, but did he really??? Or did it just seem that way.

From my calculations they weren't really all that far off each other in terms of romantic encounters.

Archer had:

Broken Bow - kissed by Suliban woman
Civilisation - Riann
Rogue Planet - this one may be counted or not but he was attracted to slug lady (that's why she took that form)
2D2N - flirted with Keyla
Rajiin - she used her feminine wiles on him, kissing
Twilight - another iffy one but some people see romance there with T'Pol
North Star - another iffy one, whether he had at least an interest in the school teacher
Home - Erika, definite mountaintop nookie
Bound - Navaar, similar situation to Rajiin.

Trip had:

Unexpected - flirted & got knocked up by Xyrillian chick
Oasis - kissed Lianna
2D2N - an iffy one for Trip, he and Mal went looking for action but got nowhere
Precious Cargo - Kaitaama, definite nookie
First Flight - flirting with Ruby, but it's a flashback so not sure if it counts
Harbinger - T'Pol, definite nookie
And then nothing really because the rest of Season 3 & 4 is all on again/off again stuff with T'Pol

I didn't count the Mirror Eps because they weren't our Archer & Trip, but really it's not as lobsided as it may seem even if you take out the iffy stuff. I guess the T/T'P stuff kind of skews the view.

 

[Bak_and_Blue]

^^^ I love the blow by blow.

 

[commodore64]

I keep seeing posters say Trip got more action, but did he really??? Or did it just seem that way.

From my calculations they weren't really all that far off each other in terms of romantic encounters.

Archer had:

Broken Bow - kissed by Suliban woman
Civilisation - Riann
Rogue Planet - this one may be counted or not but he was attracted to slug lady (that's why she took that form)
2D2N - flirted with Keyla
Rajiin - she used her feminine wiles on him, kissing
Twilight - another iffy one but some people see romance there with T'Pol
North Star - another iffy one, whether he had at least an interest in the school teacher
Home - Erika, definite mountaintop nookie
Bound - Navaar, similar situation to Rajiin.

Trip had:

Unexpected - flirted & got knocked up by Xyrillian chick
Oasis - kissed Lianna
2D2N - an iffy one for Trip, he and Mal went looking for action but got nowhere
Precious Cargo - Kaitaama, definite nookie
First Flight - flirting with Ruby, but it's a flashback so not sure if it counts
Harbinger - T'Pol, definite nookie
And then nothing really because the rest of Season 3 & 4 is all on again/off again stuff with T'Pol

I didn't count the Mirror Eps because they weren't our Archer & Trip, but really it's not as lobsided as it may seem even if you take out the iffy stuff. I guess the T/T'P stuff kind of skews the view.

Could be that Trip had more "definite nookie" ones, including he seemed to be interested in getting more nookie. For example, what made 2D2N fun was that Trip had been looking forward to this trip for a while (busting out the Hawaiian shirt) and had talked about nookie. He got knocked up.

In addition, the off again/on again relationship with T'Pol included a lot of episodes in season 4. So, I can safely say, they focused on Trip's romance more.

Broken Bow wasn't about attraction; the Suliban wasn't interested in Archer nor vice versa. In North Star, I don't think I would count that even as iffy. Bethaney never indicated she was attracted to him. In Rogue Planet, the alien took on a childhood character Archer liked; Archer commented as a boy he thought the description was beautiful, but never had any romance in the episode. Both different than Twilight, where Phlox called T'Pol on her feelings for Archer, there was banter about their relationship evolving and when dead, Archer fell on T'Pol's lifeless body.

Here's my blow-by-blow:
Civilisation - Riann
2D2N - Keyla Jezebel plot, never even kissed
Rajiin - Jezebel plot, never even kissed (but came close)
Twilight - never even kissed
Home - Erika, definite mountaintop nookie
Bound - Jezebel plot

Trip had:
Oasis - kissed Lianna, with romantic intent
2D2N - looking for action, got none
Precious Cargo - Kaitaama, definite nasty nookie
Harbinger - T'Pol, definite nookie
Season 4 off and on in many episodes, including Home, the Augment arc, Bound (which showed them kissing), Demons/Terra Prime and TATV

It's no wonder's people's impressions indicte the captain really never had romance. He didn't, except Erika (and it was terrrrrible) and Riann.

 

[SFRabid]

It was also Trip that had one crew member jealous about his time with another crew member. The episode when he tried to perform Vulcan massage therapy on the MACO woman.

 

[cbp44189]

I think they should've explored Archer's and T'pol's relationship

 

[Pensive]

blow by blow.

[Beavis and Butthead] [/B&B]

 

[Jeri]

OT: Will somebody please tell me what all the sombreros are about?

 

[SFRabid]

Here's my blow-by-blow:
...

Ummm, since it is Archer and Trip getting the action shouldn't it be "Here's their blow by blow?" ... Well, maybe "blow by blow" is not the best way to describe an account of their action. ... or ... maybe it is.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

OT: Will somebody please tell me what all the sombreros are about?

They are a masterpiece of inspired lunacy that began in the Blue Warp Nacelles? thread in the "Star Trek XI" forum...a few fans kidding around about what the Enterprise might look like if fans had input on its design. Then came this post:

And is there any way we can make the saucer section look more like a sombrero? Or maybe put a sombrero on top of the saucer section?

The rest is history. The thread is frickin hilarious, BTW.