Trip & T'Pol: The Good That They Do

[Chris_Moderato]

Let's try again:

Well, I finished the book tonight. I hadn't planned to crush it so quickly, but I got carried away!

Spoiler

First, the writing...okay, I enjoyed the story. It was an involving story. The writing rubbed me the wrong way, though; not a prime example of craft. Lots of repetition and that annoying Star Trek novel habit of describing someone's actions by their race's tendencies, rather than with good descriptions. Still, not bad.

Spoiler

I wish there was a way to "vote" this story into canon. It seems like such a crime that the events of TATV are canon, whereas this much more entertaining, logical, and compelling story is not. I loved the way specific scenes were incorporated into the action, intertwined with the new fiction.

Spoiler

The epilogue, where Nog and Jake Sisko more or less trash the inconsistencies of the finale, was priceless. IT verged on "piling on" a bit, but I imagine most ENT fans would willingly forgive the authors.

Spoiler

I thought the authors brought the characters from the screen to the page effectively. The introduction to Trip's family and their collective pain was heartbreaking, as were any scenes when Archer/Phlox were forced to lie about Trip's "death".

Spoiler

I wanted more Hoshi, Malcolm, and Travis. They played less of a role than did Shran or Porthos, for that matter (okay, maybe a stretch.) What I really wanted, though, was more T'Pol. I love T'Pol (and Jolene Blalock). I really would've enjoyed her playing a more central role, perhaps trying harder to determine the activities of the "conspirators" or taking a more active role in the Aenar retrieval mission. Hell, it would've been nice to see more of a focus on the mind link with Trip. I mean, that ought to clue you in that someone is dead or alive, right?

Spoiler

Anyway, I would recommend this to all ENT fans. If you can ignore the constant "apparently..." and "it seemed..." and "what appeared to be...", you'll be in good shape.

Anyway, there's my two cents, for what it's worth.

 

[tothebridge]

Chris_Moderato said:
Let's try again:

Well, I finished the book tonight. I hadn't planned to crush it so quickly, but I got carried away!

Yeah, it's tough to put this one down once you start reading!

Spoiler

I wish there was a way to "vote" this story into canon. It seems like such a crime that the events of TATV are canon, whereas this much more entertaining, logical, and compelling story is not. I loved the way specific scenes were incorporated into the action, intertwined with the new fiction.

Yes, it's too bad the novel doesn't fit within the defined "canon," but Paramount Licensing did approve it, so it seems the closest thing to an "official" extension of the series we're likely to get near term (and perhaps ever). (Although, I like to dream that one day someone will figure out how to make a financially viable miniseries in which DS9, VOY, and ENT each get a two-hour movie. ) Anyway, if someone does somehow reference the events of TATV again onscreen, I guess that party will decide (with Paramount's approval) how to "interpret" the relevant canon

Spoiler

I thought the authors brought the characters from the screen to the page effectively. The introduction to Trip's family and their collective pain was heartbreaking, as were any scenes when Archer/Phlox were forced to lie about Trip's "death".

Spoiler: TATV

Yes, I thought the characterization was well done in this one. And the scene towards the end with Trip's parents was pretty heartrending. Before reading the book, I was a bit concerned about how Trip would come off as a spy, but I thought M&M did a good job making his exploits plausible without turning him into some sort of super spy. I also liked the writing for Archer, T'Pol, and Shran.

Spoiler

I wanted more Hoshi, Malcolm, and Travis. They played less of a role than did Shran or Porthos, for that matter (okay, maybe a stretch.)

Spoiler: ENT Novels

Well, Malcolm and Travis were prominent in LFM and Hoshi in Rosetta, so that may be part of the reason they didn't get as much attention in TGTMD. In the coming books, especially the Romulan trilogy, I hope the entire ensemble will have significant roles. Phlox, in particular, seems overdue for a key storyline in the novels.

Spoiler

What I really wanted, though, was more T'Pol. I love T'Pol (and Jolene Blalock). I really would've enjoyed her playing a more central role, perhaps trying harder to determine the activities of the "conspirators" or taking a more active role in the Aenar retrieval mission. Hell, it would've been nice to see more of a focus on the mind link with Trip. I mean, that ought to clue you in that someone is dead or alive, right?

Spoiler: TPol in TATV

I enjoy seeing T'Pol have a prominent role in the novels, so no argument from me. Comparatively, though, I do think there was more T'Pol presence and POV in TGTMD than in most of the other original ENT novels I've read, including LFM and Rosetta. In other novels, she seemed more of a cipher, so I was largely ok with the amount of attention she received in this one. And I was pleased that she seemed to display a good deal of competence and control "on the job" despite the emotional lapses in private. Hopefully, that bodes well for her future. Re: the bond/mind link, there was still some ambiguity around its exact nature, especially with some of T'Pol's comments to Phlox, but I suspect they'll have opportunities to explore it more fully, especially with Trip going back behind Romulan lines. I also thought it was a bit strange that T'Pol wasn't more proactive about pursuing her suspicions regarding Archer's and Phlox's behavior and the other oddities that occurred. And it wasn't really clear to me if the conversation with Phlox allayed her suspicions or reinforced them.

Anyway, there's my two cents, for what it's worth.

Thanks for the review.

 

[pookha]

Spoiler: malcolm tgtmd

i really wish they had gotten more into mal's head considering the importance of what he did in setting trip up with harris. but we never do find out just how he feels about all this. he is like yes a cipher just standing rhere as we get some feeling toward how phlox and jon felt about all this.

 

[Reanok]

I too wonder about Malcolm

Spoiler: Tgtmd spoils

I want to know about Malcolm's thoughts about Section 31 and how long has he belonged to the orginization and what mission or what incident caused him to dislike Harris so much.And what he will be doing to help Trip in future undercover work in Romulan space.I hope in Kobayashi Maru and The Earth/Romulan war books this will be explored futher.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

I had the impression during Demons that when Malcolm contacted Harris for info about the baby, Harris was seriously going to ask for payback.

Spoiler: Ye olde Enterprize booke relaunche

So I wouldn't be surprised at all if Harris dragged Malcolm back into Section 31 as the war heated up. Hey, Mal and Trip, together again? I could live with that.

 

[Chris_Moderato]

Re: Trip & T'Pol: The Good That They Do

That'd be a sweet team up, as long as there is bourbon involved.

 

[Reanok]

Yes definitely I would like to see them

Spoiler: Enterprise relaunch spoilers

together as a team and causing the Romulans all kinds of problems especially Valdore and Sopek are both bad guys. Sopek being a double agent is a danger to Vulcan and Starfleet since he knows the codes and inside military information .I have a feeling he'll b e showing up again. Trip knows he's a traitor.He needs to be stopped somehow.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

We might even find out

Spoiler: that there Relaunch

just what Mal did for Section 31 before. And maybe this is the reason M&M offed Phuong, eh? So maybe Mal could take over?

That would be wicked cool.

 

[Reanok]

Yes it does make sense

Spoiler: Relaunch Spoilers

M&M getting rid of Phoung it makes you wonder what will happen with Trip undercover and Malcolm's got a part play it seems things are being set up to be continued in upcoming books.It's going to be neat to see what happens in the books with Section 31 and the Earth/Romulan wars spread over a 4 year period.There's so much story potential of untold history we don't know about from the Starfleet & the Romulan side and what part the Enterprise crew and Trip will play is fascinating to what will unfold. I just hope we get to see Trip & T'Pol back together again at some point.They need time spent alone together without duty standing in the way.I want to see a book that has more of their story like Imzadi type novel for our favorite couple.

 

[MackDaddy]

All this free time and boredom is starting affect me

 

[tothebridge]

^^Wow, MackDaddy, that's a nice one...very seamless and "realistic" looking. :thumbsup: Which episodes did the T/T profiles come from?



BTW, I have some additional screencaps and a few questions for the thread coming soon re: MU Trip and T'Pol. But have to get some reading done on the latest Harry Potter first.

 

[pookha]

Spoiler: relaunch

interesting thought hr about why they offed phuong who was an interesting character. but, if malcolm does go with trip i hope they explore that while mal feels a sense of obligation to trip. like trip he is doing this for the greater good. especially since it will leave enterprise in a difficult spot going into a war.

 

[Reanok]

At Shoreleave it was announced there was going to be another Mirror Universe story anthology with the mirror Universe 12 stories and that book only series were going to be in it and the Myriad universe what if story scenarios sound real interesting. I wonder what type of Enterprise stories they might do and about Mu Trip & T'Pol would be handled and the fact that Kobayashi Maru has been moved up for a September release it's nice we'll be getting the book earlier than December. MackDaddy nice picture. :thumbsup:

 

[unchienne]

Since we're talking about books...I've read LFM, TGTMD, and the Expanse now. And though I love TGTMD for obvious Trip-cenntric reasons, my favorite (writing wise) was The Expanse. I just thought the author focused a bit more (and was more accurate) with the characterizations and their "voice" both internal and external. Even the neuropressure scene, which I thought totally tasteless on-screen, made sense and was less...icky. Sorry, couldn't think of a better word.

But with the series cancelled, I guess any chance of future episode novelizations are moot. Which is a pity b/c I would have loved one for Demons/Terra Prime.

 

[MackDaddy]

The Expanse is more accurate because its a novelization of the episode ,the writer had the The Expanse script ,and the The Xindi script before the episode came out ,so it was way easier for him .
Mangels and Martin had to make a crapy episode into something that makes sense ....without no scripts for reference except for TATV .
I'm more openminded when i read a book....for example some people may think that Trip's decision to go on the mission is out of carachter ,i think is a great direction for him ,just because he didn't do it on the show doesn't mean he can't or won't .
In conclusion i agree that the carachterization is not perfect,but is very well done(the scene between T'Pol and Phlox in sickbay its especially well done) and fans can get very easily into the story ,without not recognizing them ,for me it worked

 

[unchienne]

But it's not the storyline that I prefer in the Expanse versus the M and M novels. It's their....feel? Voice? Character response/internal dialogue? Can't pin it down to a science, but it's the best way I can describe it. And I don't think that having the script for basis would account for all of this.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

Perhaps it's as simple as, you like J.M. Dillard's writing style. I like her way with words and character also.

 

[unchienne]

The simplest answer is often the best. My brain's not functioning at full capacity these days. Must be all the drugs. Lortabs: great for the pain but not for your brain. You're right...it is her style. I wish she'd write more Enterprise, but other than a small handful of supporters, Enterprise seems to be the ugly stepchild of Star Trek. Oh well, I like underdogs.

 

[Reanok]

I'm a J.M. Dillard fan too and in Voyages of the Imagination when it came to writting the Novel the Expanse she says "Writing about Enterprise characters presented the greatest challenge for me,I hadn't had enough time to get to know them the way I do other charcters. I re-watched DVDs and studied scripts in order to get the best possible feel for them and the show. I found it interesting to write about the devesatation in Florida,especially since I was born and raised there.That gave me the ability to describe it vividly,with accuracy."She really did a great job with Trip & T'Pol and the changes they went through in that book. :thumbsup:

 

[tothebridge]

I like JM Dillard's writing style as well and The Expanse is a favorite of mine. I really like the way she presented the events of the two episodes while expanding upon the material with interesting character insights and POV's (e.g., why T'Pol changed her uniform and hairstyle after deciding to stay on ENT.

I do think Martin and Mangels had a particularly challenging task, though, in trying to "link" two episodes (i.e., "Terra Prime" and TATV), which at times seemed to have different (and even conflicting) characterizations. It'll be interesting to see how the characters continue to develop now that the books are extending beyond what was covered onscreen.


The last screencaps I posted were for "Bound," which was followed in production by the MU episodes. I'm very curious to see what types of ENT MU stories might be written for the recently announced anthology and whether the stories will pick up on what was presented in Age of the Empress.

As it relates to MU Tucker and MU T'Pol....

Spoiler: MU Tucker/MU T'Pol in [i

Age of the Empress[/i]]In "Age of the Empress," MU T'Pol thinks about her 'relationship' with MU Tucker and acknowledges that " some deeply buried part of her" is in love with him.

That material as well as the two IAMD episodes had me thinking about the nature of love in the MU and if and how it applies to MU Tucker and MU T'Pol. Does love exist in the MU, and if so, is it similar to what we define and experience as love in the RU? Were there signs of love (or something related) between MU T/T in the two IAMD episodes?


To jog memories, here're a few caps of MU T/T interaction from the two episodes....


MU Tucker wants MU T'Pol to wear a radiation meter (Hmmm...is he concerned about her well-being?)

After taking the meter, MU T'Pol continues to work and asks MU Tucker for a flux coupler.

MU Tucker's response. (Is this one of those "CT'-isms" --i.e. rolling the tongue in his cheek -- that sometimes crept into the character of Trip?)

MU Tucker reminds MU T'Pol that he did a favor for her once

And he wants to know how many years until her pon farr comes around again. (Even in the MU, Trip and T'Pol don't seem to mind having personal discussions on the job.)

Later, MU Tucker confronts MU T'Pol since he suspects she had something to do with sabotaging the cloaking device.

MU T'Pol tells MU Tucker how she melded with him and manipulated him into the sabotage.

MU Tucker is not a happy camper....

But MU T'Pol doesn't seem to back down (although she does back away towards the wall as MU Tucker advances) and she doesn't seem too remorseful.

Or does she?

And later still after the MU crew takes over the Defiant...

MU Archer wants warp drive ASAP, but Trip says everything's been stripped down and it'll take some time to put everything together again.

MU T'Pol seems to sense that MU Archer is very much on edge, so she inserts herself into the discussion, asking MU Tucker how long it will take....

She watches MU Archer closely -- perhaps to gauge his reaction -- as MU Tucker explains that he's in unfamiliar territory dealing with these new systems.

MU Archer says that if they don't have warp capability in 12 hours, he'll get a new Chief Engineer. (Sorry I couldn't get a good cap of this view without the credit.) MU T'Pol looks at MU Tucker

and comes to his aid...suggesting that perhaps they should use the alien workers to help with repairs since they might know something about the systems.

MU Tucker shoots her a quick (and grateful?) look

And is still standing in proximity as MU T'Pol questions the logic of Archer's decision to take the Defiant to rendezvous with the assault fleet

Interesting scene with some subtleties. MU T'Pol in protective mode?