Welcome back for Part 2. Bleeding? No, the horse just kicked me when I was down... nothing serious...
Part 2.
Of course, there is a limit to how far you can push it though. A writer still has a duty to make sure the heroes are shown in a decent light and indeed being good role models is something Goodman is keen for the character (and particularly Archer) to be. They do try to reason with Bennings and his cronies, whilst also giving them fair warning that if they pick a fight, they’ll regret it
And so the final shootout is played out in a relatively light-hearted way, to take the sting out of the feeling that they are simply thrashing the local potato peeler armed yokels with their supersonic rifles. Archer also does his heroic dash thing to take them out before they can cause too much trouble, very much in a ‘Father teaches the local thugs a lesson in respect’ kind of way.
In terms of how he actually helps therefore, Archer brings an open and down to earth authority. He respects the authority of the local leader, but lays down some hard truths about how difficult it may be still, given their lack of time and transport along with their cultural differences. He also reaches out to the ‘disaffected youth’, but isn’t afraid to take a firm hand when they get unruly.
It might seem like he’s coming in and giving ultimatums, but really he’s just establishing some ground rules, like any good parent would. Also, to prevent it seeming like they are divine messengers spreading some jingoistic word, Goodman keeps it frank and sober. (The season trades heavily in the idea of angels and demons though, so that angle is certainly present, of course).
And it isn’t as if he is forcing them to change; he is just showing them that there is a better way of life if they are willing to work for it. It’s an early version of how the Federation will conduct its business. Show people their way of doing things, how it can benefit them, but point out that there are rules to follow. If you want to play in the big tree house...
Now, some people will be unconvinced, because they don’t like this way of doing things. It can sound a bit heavy handed, I agree (after all, what is the alterative – stay on that rock of a planet?!) But Goodman would argue that the need for change is fairly obvious, given that the Skagarin children are essentially being abused by these people. He also takes the opinion that after seeing a better alternative; surely they will *want* to change.
Goodman (and Archer of course) isn’t saying the people didn’t have a right to defend themselves. The humans of course had every right to overthrow the Skagarin. Life is tough and people have to be prepared to do what is necessary. Be it facing up to the death of a loved one and putting it behind you (Trip in ‘The Forgotten’) or taking a stand for your principles (Judgement), life will test you again and again.
But they simply went too far with it. You can’t dwell on past loss and misery, nor allow hatred to cloud your judgement. You have to keep focusing on how to make things better. And this episode is vital in reminding Archer that they have a duty to uphold their values, even in the face of people who threw the first punch (even if it was a punch that killed 7 million people).
And the way in which he deals with Bennings shows he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He is dealt a serious wound by Bennings and gets involved in a hot blooded brawl that could easily have seen him killed. When he has his man down though, he doesn’t lay in any further blows or finish him off. It’s a very encouraging sign that Archer is shaking off the darkness that was creeping into his heart in the aftermath of the Xindi attack on Earth.
So Archer brings a new hope and focus to the people, through a mixture of openness, friendship and tough love. The people of the planet are tough nuts, so frank explanations are called for, but Goodman also shows Archer’s warmth in his conversation with Bethany on the ship.
He is supportive and comforting when she laments how savage they must appear to him and his crew. But he explains that they were placed in a difficult situation. They were taken a long way from home into a hostile environment, which he and his crew can sympathise with. Most important of all, he leaves her with the idea that she shouldn’t concentrate on how bad things have been; just how much better they could be from now on.
It’s good parenting basically, to both set rules to be followed and comfort them when they are feeling low. It’s a chance to show how much Archer cares (very useful, as it taps into that sense of decency and humanity that Bakula effortlessly exudes) and that he won’t let the Expanse beat him into something he isn’t. It also shows that quality of co-operation that will eventually lead to the formation of the Federation.
And the closing scenes are just fabulous. With the glare that has suffused this episode becoming a pure white light washing across Archer and Bethany, we see this has been a beneficial encounter for both of them. So often on Enterprise’s journey, Archer has been left brooding in shadows as their meetings with others led to disaster. But not this time.
It’s great because it reminds them why they are doing this in the first place. They’re doing it for Earth and its people, not just to track down and stop the Xindi. And now they have given these people (or perhaps their descendants) the hope of seeing Earth someday. So they have another reason to succeed. They are the North Star – the guiding light that leads you home.
And special mention must go to the understated ending of this episode; one of my favourites. Seeing Macready join the class and raise his hand with the children when Bethany asks ‘who wants to learn more?’ is such a wonderfully peaceful ending.
We know that The Expanse is not generally the kind of place that has wonderful and beautiful sights hidden in its gloom. It’s pretty much just death, misery and destruction all the way. So it’s great that the ending of this episode shows us that there is at least one beautiful thing here – the sight of people being decent towards each other. It’s small, but it’s a start.
What about a score?
Well, this was a good solid episode and one that I am very glad is in the season. It’s very impressive how it doesn’t simply come across as just some mucking about in cowboy clothes, but rather adds to the doomy atmosphere of The Expanse, whilst finding time to add warmth and a message of hope.
Visually it’s very strong indeed, full of harsh light and barren landscapes, moody shadows etc. David Straiton is easily the pick of Enterprise’s directors, as far as I’m concerned. He seems to try much more ambitious and interesting shots, lending the bar scene with Draysik for example, that extra jolt of menace.
The performances are average to good, but the episode does perhaps lack a truly powerhouse performance (but then, you’re lucky to get those at the best of times). One of the main quibbles in this department is the lack of main cast involvement yet again, but given Goodman’s desire to really sell the situation, it’s hard to see what you’d cut to give them more time.
By the same token, it would be have been nice to see more of the Skagarin, especially as the lad playing Draysik is very good in his scene, as is the chirpy young ‘teacher’s pet’ girl in the lesson scenes. But Goodman and Straiton only have so much time. They don’t waste a second from what I can make out, so we have to let it slide. Besides, it’s the mark of a good show, when you are interested enough in a minor race to want to know more about them.
Goodman’s... direct approach you will also find either very refreshing indeed or something akin to a bull in a china tea shop. It’s up to your personal preference which, but for me, I appreciate people telling it how it is.
My views on the whole ‘just say no to being bad people and doing bad things’ have not changed, but this is only meant to be a starting point for the planet and it does support my opinion from when we were discussing this earlier on the thread, that outside (i.e extraterrestrial) involvement would be a major catalyst for real change.
Ultimately, this was never of course going to be one of the true heavyweights of the season in terms of the story it was telling. It’s a decent little tale, but being separate from the Xindi storyline marks it out more as an atmospheric and supporting piece.
But again, it’s very well made and realised and does very little wrong for the kind of episode it is. A couple of unexpected little turns, decent (if not powerhouse) performances and just sheer commitment from all involved in cast and crew make this a winner in my book.
It gets 3.5 out of 5 from me. You may say that’s half a mark too much, but here’s a tenner of my money that says you smiled at the warmth of that final scene. It was a good job by everyone involved.
So there you have it. It looks like they're ready to stretcher me off to hospital, so I'll be going. No more horses for me - I'll stick to spaceships!
Oh but before I go, hello again to Pookha! I'd stand but well... the horse got me. Anyway, I assure you the Pan references will have been deliberate. Nothing gets onto the screen by accident in these shows.
Goodman mixes up the references to let us know he is not taking a simplistic Good vs Evil approach here. There's elements of Hook and Pan in everyone (Bethany is part human, part Skagarin, Bennings has the feather in the cap, but also wields the hook etc).
As unfashionable as it may be, the real adventure to Goodman is living in the real world and doing what you can to make it better. Both Hook and Pan were trapped in a fantasy and both were wrong in his view.
Part 2.
Of course, there is a limit to how far you can push it though. A writer still has a duty to make sure the heroes are shown in a decent light and indeed being good role models is something Goodman is keen for the character (and particularly Archer) to be. They do try to reason with Bennings and his cronies, whilst also giving them fair warning that if they pick a fight, they’ll regret it
And so the final shootout is played out in a relatively light-hearted way, to take the sting out of the feeling that they are simply thrashing the local potato peeler armed yokels with their supersonic rifles. Archer also does his heroic dash thing to take them out before they can cause too much trouble, very much in a ‘Father teaches the local thugs a lesson in respect’ kind of way.
In terms of how he actually helps therefore, Archer brings an open and down to earth authority. He respects the authority of the local leader, but lays down some hard truths about how difficult it may be still, given their lack of time and transport along with their cultural differences. He also reaches out to the ‘disaffected youth’, but isn’t afraid to take a firm hand when they get unruly.
It might seem like he’s coming in and giving ultimatums, but really he’s just establishing some ground rules, like any good parent would. Also, to prevent it seeming like they are divine messengers spreading some jingoistic word, Goodman keeps it frank and sober. (The season trades heavily in the idea of angels and demons though, so that angle is certainly present, of course).
And it isn’t as if he is forcing them to change; he is just showing them that there is a better way of life if they are willing to work for it. It’s an early version of how the Federation will conduct its business. Show people their way of doing things, how it can benefit them, but point out that there are rules to follow. If you want to play in the big tree house...
Now, some people will be unconvinced, because they don’t like this way of doing things. It can sound a bit heavy handed, I agree (after all, what is the alterative – stay on that rock of a planet?!) But Goodman would argue that the need for change is fairly obvious, given that the Skagarin children are essentially being abused by these people. He also takes the opinion that after seeing a better alternative; surely they will *want* to change.
Goodman (and Archer of course) isn’t saying the people didn’t have a right to defend themselves. The humans of course had every right to overthrow the Skagarin. Life is tough and people have to be prepared to do what is necessary. Be it facing up to the death of a loved one and putting it behind you (Trip in ‘The Forgotten’) or taking a stand for your principles (Judgement), life will test you again and again.
But they simply went too far with it. You can’t dwell on past loss and misery, nor allow hatred to cloud your judgement. You have to keep focusing on how to make things better. And this episode is vital in reminding Archer that they have a duty to uphold their values, even in the face of people who threw the first punch (even if it was a punch that killed 7 million people).
And the way in which he deals with Bennings shows he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He is dealt a serious wound by Bennings and gets involved in a hot blooded brawl that could easily have seen him killed. When he has his man down though, he doesn’t lay in any further blows or finish him off. It’s a very encouraging sign that Archer is shaking off the darkness that was creeping into his heart in the aftermath of the Xindi attack on Earth.
So Archer brings a new hope and focus to the people, through a mixture of openness, friendship and tough love. The people of the planet are tough nuts, so frank explanations are called for, but Goodman also shows Archer’s warmth in his conversation with Bethany on the ship.
He is supportive and comforting when she laments how savage they must appear to him and his crew. But he explains that they were placed in a difficult situation. They were taken a long way from home into a hostile environment, which he and his crew can sympathise with. Most important of all, he leaves her with the idea that she shouldn’t concentrate on how bad things have been; just how much better they could be from now on.
It’s good parenting basically, to both set rules to be followed and comfort them when they are feeling low. It’s a chance to show how much Archer cares (very useful, as it taps into that sense of decency and humanity that Bakula effortlessly exudes) and that he won’t let the Expanse beat him into something he isn’t. It also shows that quality of co-operation that will eventually lead to the formation of the Federation.
And the closing scenes are just fabulous. With the glare that has suffused this episode becoming a pure white light washing across Archer and Bethany, we see this has been a beneficial encounter for both of them. So often on Enterprise’s journey, Archer has been left brooding in shadows as their meetings with others led to disaster. But not this time.
It’s great because it reminds them why they are doing this in the first place. They’re doing it for Earth and its people, not just to track down and stop the Xindi. And now they have given these people (or perhaps their descendants) the hope of seeing Earth someday. So they have another reason to succeed. They are the North Star – the guiding light that leads you home.
And special mention must go to the understated ending of this episode; one of my favourites. Seeing Macready join the class and raise his hand with the children when Bethany asks ‘who wants to learn more?’ is such a wonderfully peaceful ending.
We know that The Expanse is not generally the kind of place that has wonderful and beautiful sights hidden in its gloom. It’s pretty much just death, misery and destruction all the way. So it’s great that the ending of this episode shows us that there is at least one beautiful thing here – the sight of people being decent towards each other. It’s small, but it’s a start.
What about a score?
Well, this was a good solid episode and one that I am very glad is in the season. It’s very impressive how it doesn’t simply come across as just some mucking about in cowboy clothes, but rather adds to the doomy atmosphere of The Expanse, whilst finding time to add warmth and a message of hope.
Visually it’s very strong indeed, full of harsh light and barren landscapes, moody shadows etc. David Straiton is easily the pick of Enterprise’s directors, as far as I’m concerned. He seems to try much more ambitious and interesting shots, lending the bar scene with Draysik for example, that extra jolt of menace.
The performances are average to good, but the episode does perhaps lack a truly powerhouse performance (but then, you’re lucky to get those at the best of times). One of the main quibbles in this department is the lack of main cast involvement yet again, but given Goodman’s desire to really sell the situation, it’s hard to see what you’d cut to give them more time.
By the same token, it would be have been nice to see more of the Skagarin, especially as the lad playing Draysik is very good in his scene, as is the chirpy young ‘teacher’s pet’ girl in the lesson scenes. But Goodman and Straiton only have so much time. They don’t waste a second from what I can make out, so we have to let it slide. Besides, it’s the mark of a good show, when you are interested enough in a minor race to want to know more about them.
Goodman’s... direct approach you will also find either very refreshing indeed or something akin to a bull in a china tea shop. It’s up to your personal preference which, but for me, I appreciate people telling it how it is.
My views on the whole ‘just say no to being bad people and doing bad things’ have not changed, but this is only meant to be a starting point for the planet and it does support my opinion from when we were discussing this earlier on the thread, that outside (i.e extraterrestrial) involvement would be a major catalyst for real change.
Ultimately, this was never of course going to be one of the true heavyweights of the season in terms of the story it was telling. It’s a decent little tale, but being separate from the Xindi storyline marks it out more as an atmospheric and supporting piece.
But again, it’s very well made and realised and does very little wrong for the kind of episode it is. A couple of unexpected little turns, decent (if not powerhouse) performances and just sheer commitment from all involved in cast and crew make this a winner in my book.
It gets 3.5 out of 5 from me. You may say that’s half a mark too much, but here’s a tenner of my money that says you smiled at the warmth of that final scene. It was a good job by everyone involved.
So there you have it. It looks like they're ready to stretcher me off to hospital, so I'll be going. No more horses for me - I'll stick to spaceships!
Oh but before I go, hello again to Pookha! I'd stand but well... the horse got me. Anyway, I assure you the Pan references will have been deliberate. Nothing gets onto the screen by accident in these shows.
Goodman mixes up the references to let us know he is not taking a simplistic Good vs Evil approach here. There's elements of Hook and Pan in everyone (Bethany is part human, part Skagarin, Bennings has the feather in the cap, but also wields the hook etc).
As unfashionable as it may be, the real adventure to Goodman is living in the real world and doing what you can to make it better. Both Hook and Pan were trapped in a fantasy and both were wrong in his view.
. I'd give it 7,85/10!
