Yes, and she had, like, four lines. I'm talking about main characters, or characters that push the story forward.
TheGodBen Revisits Enterprise
- Thread starter TheGodBen
- Start date
Oddly, enough, we don't know that she was a captain. The only information is that Enterprise "rescued her ship from an anomaly field." She could have been the engineer, or the only survivor of the crew.We have HEARD about an alien female captain, though: Archer's wife in in E2
Well, I would say that a CAPTAIN couldn't fall for anyone but a CAPTAIN, at least in ST universe
Do I have it wrong, or you even wrote that nice fanfic about it?Still, I agree with you: there are hardly any interesting female characters in leading position in ST I know (TOS, TNG and Enterprise). TOS was horrible from that point of view and the last episode of the serie was the most offensive shouvinist piece of action I have ever seen; TNG tried to be more politically correct, but the female admirals we saw were in fact insignificant; in Enterprise for all the 5 Xindi species we never see a single Xindi woman (the only one it phantomatic Degra's wife we heard of, but he is far more interested in children than in his wife)
DS9 and Voyager were better on that point.Oddly, enough, we don't know that she was a captain. The only information is that Enterprise "rescued her ship from an anomaly field." She could have been the engineer, or the only survivor of the crew.We have HEARD about an alien female captain, though: Archer's wife in in E2
Well, I would say that a CAPTAIN couldn't fall for anyone but a CAPTAIN, at least in ST universe
Still, I agree with you: there are hardly any interesting female characters in leading position in ST I know (TOS, TNG and Enterprise). TOS was horrible from that point of view and the last episode of the serie was the most offensive shouvinist piece of action I have ever seen; TNG tried to be more politically correct, but the female admirals we saw were in fact insignificant; in Enterprise for all the 5 Xindi species we never see a single Xindi woman (the only one it phantomatic Degra's wife we heard of, but he is far more interested in children than in his wife)
You're absolutely right. I should have been more specific.Hey, you didn't say that, you just said we hardly ever saw an alien female captain.
miriel68:
Yes, I did write that, and I fully admit that I took total artistic license from those three lines of dialogue.
The Aquatic member of the Xindi Council was a female.
The Xindi (***½)
As I said already, I had no idea that Enterprise was planning a year-long arc, my first hint was an ad Sky One aired for season 3 announcing "An all new mission. Forget everything you know." I thought it might have been a three episode arc or something, maybe six if they were feeling adventurous. As a result, when I first watched The Xindi I was annoyed by how little the plot developed and how confusing everything was.
But looking back on this episode knowing how things are going to play out, I can see how the writers were clearly thinking ahead and planting the seeds for the rest of this season. You have the 5 species of Xindi, the fact that their planet is already destroyed, the introduction of Trellium D, Vulcan neuropressure and the conflict between Reed and Hayes. If I wanted to be really generous I could even claim that T'Pol's slightly orgasmic reaction to Trip poking her in the back was the result of the Trellium gunk stuck under his fingernails. The writers clearly did their homework during the break between seasons and I commend them for that.
Some problems exist, the biggest one being the Vulcan neuropressure scene, clearly another attempt to get men watching by showing us some side-boob. There's also the alien foreman who is not only villainous for no good reason, but he's also vaguely Vogonesque. There's also the two scenes of the Xindi council talking about Enterprise, both of which feel weird and sort of hackneyed.
Overall, the episode sets a good tone throughout, it doesn't feel like the earlier seasons, and it introduces some interesting mysteries. Not a great episode, but there's a lot of potential here.
Disappearing Aliens: 23 (One for each species of Xindi.)
Nipples Ahoy!: 12
As I said already, I had no idea that Enterprise was planning a year-long arc, my first hint was an ad Sky One aired for season 3 announcing "An all new mission. Forget everything you know." I thought it might have been a three episode arc or something, maybe six if they were feeling adventurous. As a result, when I first watched The Xindi I was annoyed by how little the plot developed and how confusing everything was.
But looking back on this episode knowing how things are going to play out, I can see how the writers were clearly thinking ahead and planting the seeds for the rest of this season. You have the 5 species of Xindi, the fact that their planet is already destroyed, the introduction of Trellium D, Vulcan neuropressure and the conflict between Reed and Hayes. If I wanted to be really generous I could even claim that T'Pol's slightly orgasmic reaction to Trip poking her in the back was the result of the Trellium gunk stuck under his fingernails. The writers clearly did their homework during the break between seasons and I commend them for that.
Some problems exist, the biggest one being the Vulcan neuropressure scene, clearly another attempt to get men watching by showing us some side-boob. There's also the alien foreman who is not only villainous for no good reason, but he's also vaguely Vogonesque. There's also the two scenes of the Xindi council talking about Enterprise, both of which feel weird and sort of hackneyed.
Overall, the episode sets a good tone throughout, it doesn't feel like the earlier seasons, and it introduces some interesting mysteries. Not a great episode, but there's a lot of potential here.
Disappearing Aliens: 23 (One for each species of Xindi.)
Nipples Ahoy!: 12
"The Xindi" wasn't the big bold season premiere event I was expecting. It was rather low-key. It wasn't great but pretty solid.
It mainly just introduced threads and players that would form the foundation for the Xindi/sphere mythology of season three. We finally meet the Xindi and witness the view of the conflict from their perspective as we would for the rest of the season, we get a glimpse of their council chamber which would become an important location for several key scenes, we meet Degra, we get a nice taste of the bizarre nature of the Expanse with the cargo bay scene, get our first hints that the pressure of the mission to stop the weapon has changed Archer as in stead of trying to rescue the slave labor as he would have in the past he is only concerned with escaping with the Xindi.
The production values this season would be the best Trek had ever done rivaling even feature films. With all the lavish set designs such as the council chamber or the costume work for the Xindi and Sphere Builders. The Xindi make up was outstanding--I really liked the touch where each of the species shared the same ridges on their cheekbones for instance.
You also see more of certain elements that LOST and Heroes would incorporate into their storytelling styles such as subtitles--in this case with the Aquatic and Insectoid languages. Also in keeping with that format the episode ends with a surprising revelation raising more questions than answers--if humanity is to destroy the Xindi homeworld in 4 centuries how could it have been decimated over a century ago? Where is the council if not on the Xindi homeworld? Was FG lying about all of this?
We also see the seeds of the Trip/T'Pol romance. Here it started out well enough. I don't mind skin being shown on tv but I really doubt T'Pol would cup her breasts.
I like the addition of the MACOS. I like T'Pol's new look. The main story of the breakout on the mining planet was rather run of the mill and not that exciting for a season premiere meant to re-energize the fans. I did appreciate the fact that the visit to the mining world would tie into the arc when in "Anomaly" we learn trellium would be an important item to procure in order to protect the ship from the anomalies.
3 stars out of 4.
It mainly just introduced threads and players that would form the foundation for the Xindi/sphere mythology of season three. We finally meet the Xindi and witness the view of the conflict from their perspective as we would for the rest of the season, we get a glimpse of their council chamber which would become an important location for several key scenes, we meet Degra, we get a nice taste of the bizarre nature of the Expanse with the cargo bay scene, get our first hints that the pressure of the mission to stop the weapon has changed Archer as in stead of trying to rescue the slave labor as he would have in the past he is only concerned with escaping with the Xindi.
The production values this season would be the best Trek had ever done rivaling even feature films. With all the lavish set designs such as the council chamber or the costume work for the Xindi and Sphere Builders. The Xindi make up was outstanding--I really liked the touch where each of the species shared the same ridges on their cheekbones for instance.
You also see more of certain elements that LOST and Heroes would incorporate into their storytelling styles such as subtitles--in this case with the Aquatic and Insectoid languages. Also in keeping with that format the episode ends with a surprising revelation raising more questions than answers--if humanity is to destroy the Xindi homeworld in 4 centuries how could it have been decimated over a century ago? Where is the council if not on the Xindi homeworld? Was FG lying about all of this?
We also see the seeds of the Trip/T'Pol romance. Here it started out well enough. I don't mind skin being shown on tv but I really doubt T'Pol would cup her breasts.
I like the addition of the MACOS. I like T'Pol's new look. The main story of the breakout on the mining planet was rather run of the mill and not that exciting for a season premiere meant to re-energize the fans. I did appreciate the fact that the visit to the mining world would tie into the arc when in "Anomaly" we learn trellium would be an important item to procure in order to protect the ship from the anomalies.
3 stars out of 4.
OK, so I thought The Expanse was a let down, but The Xindi (which is a great episode title), is a definite improvement. I enjoyed the grim, moody vibe going on in this episode and getting to see lots of new aliens. The plot wasn't Earth-shattering, but it had some action and excitement. Unfortunately, I hated the Trip-T'Pol sub-plot. It just felt so forced and gratuitous. Now, I don't mind people getting their kit off and I don't mind the idea of a relationship between these two characters, but this was a really lame way of forcing them together and I didn't find it sexy at all. Still, I saw potential in this episode. Unfortunately, due to my oh so busy life I haven't seen anything after this point, but I'll probably get around to it at some stage.
Anomaly (*****)
Can I stop doing this yet?
Anomaly (****)
Mike Sussman's first solo script for the show and he makes it a good one. Once again we have an episode that delves into the mythology of the Delphic Expanse by introducing us to some bizarre space anomalies and the introduction of the dreaded Death Spheres. Once again the tone of this episode wins me over, it hardly moves the Xindi arc along at all but it still feels like an episode intrinsically linked to this season. Voyager did episodes about being attacked by pirates and having to get their stuff back, but nothing with the gravity and mystery of this episode.
Then there's the famous torture scene. I'm no fan of torture in the real world, I find the practice despicable, but watching Archer, the eternal optimist, reduced to using such tactics makes a powerful statement. The fact that I'm with Archer all the way even though I'm a liberal sissy tells me that the series has me involved enough in the story and I can buy into the burdens this man has to bear.
Another good thing about revisiting this episode is that I can see how it is mirrored later on in Damage. Some of the themes used in this season are very good, the only thing that could mess it up now is some sort of episode where Archer and co turn into aliens, but who'd be stupid enough to do that...
Disappearing Aliens: 24
Captain Redshirt: 21
There was a MACO woman in her undies, but it wasn't focused on enough to be counted. Archer topless also fails to be counted.
Can I stop doing this yet?
Anomaly (****)
Mike Sussman's first solo script for the show and he makes it a good one. Once again we have an episode that delves into the mythology of the Delphic Expanse by introducing us to some bizarre space anomalies and the introduction of the dreaded Death Spheres. Once again the tone of this episode wins me over, it hardly moves the Xindi arc along at all but it still feels like an episode intrinsically linked to this season. Voyager did episodes about being attacked by pirates and having to get their stuff back, but nothing with the gravity and mystery of this episode.
Then there's the famous torture scene. I'm no fan of torture in the real world, I find the practice despicable, but watching Archer, the eternal optimist, reduced to using such tactics makes a powerful statement. The fact that I'm with Archer all the way even though I'm a liberal sissy tells me that the series has me involved enough in the story and I can buy into the burdens this man has to bear.
Another good thing about revisiting this episode is that I can see how it is mirrored later on in Damage. Some of the themes used in this season are very good, the only thing that could mess it up now is some sort of episode where Archer and co turn into aliens, but who'd be stupid enough to do that...
Disappearing Aliens: 24
Captain Redshirt: 21
There was a MACO woman in her undies, but it wasn't focused on enough to be counted. Archer topless also fails to be counted.
It still fools me everytime. (Until I start reading the text below the 5star rating, that is)
Disillusioned
Commander
It's not just you. I noticed that with "The Expanse" because of how they played the surprise attack aspect up. That and having the pilot of the weapon commit suicide as part of the attack plan.
I still think it was stupid that they sent only one ship to deal with this huge threat to humanity's survival, though.
I still think it was stupid that they sent only one ship to deal with this huge threat to humanity's survival, though.
Well, the NX-01 was the only viable ship speed wise and they were probably keeping everything else close to home in case the Enterprise failed.
They were also building the Columbia in the mean time and I always assumed that if the Xindi threat had taken longer to deal with, Starfleet would've launched her into The Expanse as well.
They were also building the Columbia in the mean time and I always assumed that if the Xindi threat had taken longer to deal with, Starfleet would've launched her into The Expanse as well.
Disillusioned
Commander
the thing is, supposedly they spent all this time refitting Enterprise. During that same time, they really should have been refitting some escorts for her, because you just don't send one ship by itself on a mission like that. I've seen it argued that they were just trying to keep everything at home, but that kind of falls on its face when the death star finally does show up and Shran's ship is the only one there to challenge them.
I'd give Anomaly 3.5 stars.
This should have been the season premiere. It nicely called back to "Fight or Flight" only this time Archer couldn't care less about returning these people home.
The teaser was exciting as we see more of the destructive anomalies pass through the ship. The anomalies not only tie in a major way to the arc it also provides neat visuals and a plausible complication in their mission to locate the Xindi. The visual reveal of the first massive sphere was awesome. The mystery surrounding who built it was intriguing as was why it was hidden and what was its purpose. I thought it might have been an ancient experiment at first.
I also loved how the writers had the characters utilize the Xindi probe to great effect in their investigation such as matching the glyphs to similiar ones in the Ossarian database. We learn why the trellium-d, which seemed like nothing more than a throwaway substance in the last episode, fetches such a high price in the Expanse and why the mining guy was seeking slave laborer.
Sometimes when an episode does quite a few different things such as introducing seeds for future use or advancing several different storylines it comes off uneven but this episode not only managed to actually pull off introducing new elements, moving the mission along, setting up some character arcs and displaying some neat battle sequences but it also was able to tell a story in its own right that was solid. I also loved the final shot of the Xindi data executed as a neat little light display over Archer's face. Too bad the next episode halts the momentum with an episode combining TNG's "Identity Crisis", "The Inner Light" and "Genesis" into a poorly rehashed episode that would have been right at home in season two.
This should have been the season premiere. It nicely called back to "Fight or Flight" only this time Archer couldn't care less about returning these people home.
The teaser was exciting as we see more of the destructive anomalies pass through the ship. The anomalies not only tie in a major way to the arc it also provides neat visuals and a plausible complication in their mission to locate the Xindi. The visual reveal of the first massive sphere was awesome. The mystery surrounding who built it was intriguing as was why it was hidden and what was its purpose. I thought it might have been an ancient experiment at first.
I also loved how the writers had the characters utilize the Xindi probe to great effect in their investigation such as matching the glyphs to similiar ones in the Ossarian database. We learn why the trellium-d, which seemed like nothing more than a throwaway substance in the last episode, fetches such a high price in the Expanse and why the mining guy was seeking slave laborer.
Sometimes when an episode does quite a few different things such as introducing seeds for future use or advancing several different storylines it comes off uneven but this episode not only managed to actually pull off introducing new elements, moving the mission along, setting up some character arcs and displaying some neat battle sequences but it also was able to tell a story in its own right that was solid. I also loved the final shot of the Xindi data executed as a neat little light display over Archer's face. Too bad the next episode halts the momentum with an episode combining TNG's "Identity Crisis", "The Inner Light" and "Genesis" into a poorly rehashed episode that would have been right at home in season two.
BTW, people were making fun of the anomaly aspect before this episode because the only thing they heard was that it turned people inside out (which brought to mind one ending of a Simpson's Halloween episode where they had a song and dance number inside out).
This episode gave credibility to the anomalies, was a very well-made episode, and led to other things. It's a shame that they were having some doubts with having a season long arc and next episode only had an episode vaguely connecting to the arc.
This episode gave credibility to the anomalies, was a very well-made episode, and led to other things. It's a shame that they were having some doubts with having a season long arc and next episode only had an episode vaguely connecting to the arc.
I like doing it, I like having recurring jokes like that, but it's becoming increasingly difficult as Mike Sussman's episodes have gotten (generally) better. It was fun to list all the bad things in the episodes and pretend that I liked them, but when I genuinely like an episode it's hard to take the piss out of it.
Extinction (0)
...and then things come crashing down to Earth.
Archer, so desperate to find the Xindi quickly that he tortured a man last week, decides to go to a planet where he turns into Mick Jagger and gets the horn for T'Pol... so he's exactly like Mick Jagger. Then there's some guys with flamethrowers, Jin gets beaten up, there's some rubbish about peaches which neatly ties into the stupid first scene of the episode, and then Archer is cured and turns into a man who has trouble pooing. So, basically, he stays like Mick Jagger.
No matter how much I wanted to believe that this season was going to keep building its arc I knew in my heart that this episode was coming, I just didn't know it was going to be so bad. I've never watched 24 so I don't know how it manages developing and maintaining season-long arcs, but it seems to be impossible without filler episodes. I can't think of an entire season which has managed it, even the recent seasons of Lost, a big improvement over the first three seasons, still have their filler episodes (and they usually focus on Kate).
This is the first of many such filler episodes this season, and it's not helped by just how awful the episode is on its own. Making things worse is how this episode is based on episodes like Identity Crisis and Threshold. Who in their right mind would think to copy Threshold?
My memory is that this is the worst episode this season, and it was a reeeeeeally bad idea to put it out as the third episode of this "A whole new mission. Forget everything you know" direction they're trying for. This episode is just going to remind people why they tuned out last year.
Archer Abuse: 19
Captain Redshirt: 22
Transporter: 7
Nipples Ahoy!: 13
If the flamethrower aliens had been named we would have had all five.
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