Typically, these words are spoken right before
a season premiere. Or as the introduction to the second half
of a two-parter. Last week's Enterprise
left the crew with critical data stripped from their computer.
But nothing that warranted an introduction to remind the audience
about previous events.
But this
"last time..." doesn't deal with last week's episode.
In a minute or so the UPN showed a highlights reel, summing
up the season so far, and the humans' pursuit of the Xindi.
Enterprise has been heavy on re-incorporation from
the beginning -- or at least the first episode after the beginning.
Why start reminding the audience about the entire show now?
If a clip reel needed to be run, why not play it out last
week since that was the first episode in over four weeks?
The last
few scenes of this clip reel focused on the episode "The
Shipment," which aired originally on October 29th,
and then again just two weeks ago. Also odd because there
are about two lines in this entire episode dealing with the
events of "The Shipment." Enterprise has
reminded the audience of even more obscure story lines without
a "last time..." introduction. Is this a new trend?
Or something to make syndication easier?
So much
to be said and we're not even to the episode.
The previews
to this week's episode let on that the humans and blue skinned
Andorians would be working together to steal the dreaded Xindi
weapon prototype… and that the recurring character Commander
Shran (Jeffrey Combs) was not to be trusted.
Bad. Bad.
Bad advertising.
Since
the very first time we met the retro cool Andorians we've
been hopeful for an alliance with the humans to start forming.
And now here, in what could be mankinds' greatest hour of
need, the Andorians warp in - not to the rescue - but to assist,
as true allies do. And Commander Shran makes some very bold
efforts to help Archer. But thanks to the commercial, you're
waiting for Shran to stab Archer in the back, so he can punch
him out. Hey, it's in the commercial.
So Shran
convinces Archer to let him help the crew of the Enterprise
get their weapons back on line. The Andorians upload to the
humans data they lost after last week's run in with the Triannon
(as was foreseeable).
And then
Shran fools the Xindi with a performance worthy of Enterprise.
One of the motifs in this prequel Trek has been the
use of lies. Or acting, depending on your perspective. But
this is the first time we've watched a non-crew member work
up a performance. Which only makes his betrayal more personal.
The Andorian
Imperial Command has ordered Shran to steal the Xindi weapon
so they can use it in their border disputes with the Vulcans.
They actually succeed, too, in stealing the device, with Archer
on board, then dump him off and head for Andoria.
What the
Andorians don't know is that they've really kidnapped the
Death Star. Spherical. Deadly. With enough power to shoot
a beam of light into a planet and pop it like Alderaan confetti.
While
the Death Star may not be all that impressive, at least the
Andorians do things in style. They are the only aliens who
actually dress the part. Their dark shiny uniforms bring out
their strangely blue faces and white hair. Their warship command
deck actually looks like a space ship - not a set on a show.
And you've got to love the emoting antennae.
Also spicing
things up this week is the musical underscore's use of the
quick violin strings. And not to mention some cool hand held
tracking shots during intense scenes. After Archer clips Shran
the camera cuts to Shran's perspective - an effect, on Star
Treks, usually left for the eye of a machine.
In the
end, Shran and Archer have a showdown on their respective
bridges. And Archer wins by detonating the Xindi device while
it sits in the Andorian cargo bay. Fortunately, for all of
us Shran fans, the Andorians escape just in time, and its
Enterprise's turn to offer help fixing their ship.
The Andorians
decline.
But not
before sending the Enterprise the schematics for the Xindi
device. And a holographic note from the princess that reads,
"something something something… you're my only hope."
And now
the question is: Was it Shran that sent the data to help mend
his and Archer's relationship? Or was it the hot blue chick
that came onto Reed while doing repairs?
We'll
find out when they open the episode with "Last time on
Enterprise…"
Until
then this week's episode, on the Star Trek alien rating chart,
scores a…
Cardassian It's hard to tell with these Andorians. Are they our friends?
Are they not? The Cardassians were a thorn in the side of
Picard and Sisko, but in the end saved the galaxy by overturning
the Dominion. Will the Andorians take the same rollercoaster
of allegiance, or will they just be the cool forgettable blue
guys?
