Soo... who want's to start?
Posted by Obese Penguin (Member # 271) on :
That referance to the prime directive was just horrible. I only saw the last few minutes so I cant judge the entire episode.
I'll get back to this topic on saturday.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
Yeah, I thought that Archer's speech about someone coming up with a directive was cheesy. In fact, Bakula's delivery was rather woody, too (not that a better delivery would have helped the speech much).
I liked this episode right up until the last five minutes. The conclusion was rather rushed, and some things just didn't make sense to me. Phlox discovered a cure, I got that. Then what the heck was the medicine that Archer gave to the hospital administrator? Was it really the cure, or was it just medicine to alleve the symptons? That bothered me a good deal. I guess the lead-in to this (Archer's sickbay speech) didn't help move the conclusion through. One good thing I really appreciated was how there was this buildup to protraying the dying race as a slave overlord species, but this wasn't the case. They really were treating the Minx well and not exploiting them.
I liked the pacing of the episode a lot. It seemed really slowed-down, and it actually worked well for the most part. In my opinion, the episode didn't drag anywhere. However, I think the ending was rushed through. Thankfully, the concentration on Phlox's resolution helped save some of the ending.
Phlox is also really beginning to grow on me. His character didn't do anything hokey; he fairly serious throughout it all. Heck, he had to come to terms with his own moral dilemmas, and I think Billingsley pulled this off well. It was fun watching Phlox interact with Sato in the mess hall and with Cutler throughout the episode. In a continuation from the previous episode, I really get the feeling that Sato and Phlox are like the nervecenter of the Enterprise Gossip Line.
There really isn't much to discuss techwise. We do learn a good deal about the Denobulans. To me, it seems like their society must live in some sort of horny '60s Hippie Free Love Commune. Multiple partners, almost Klingon-like violent love-making. Hell, they don't need much sleep, they hybernate for six days each year. Rather interesting species.
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
Billingsley noted in an interview yesterday that the Paramount studio suits had apparently stepped in and asked for reshoots of the show's intended ending. That might account for the slight awkwardness.
Personally, I found the episode on the whole to be quite solid. Billingsley's the man (as usual), and Park and Waymire were both top-grade as well this week. T'Pol was used quite well, too. Blalock proved once again that she's got the acting chops to match the looks. While I found the pacing fairly tight it still seemed like the climax came and went without really eliciting much attention. At least it wasn't a standard issue VOY technobabble solution at seven minutes to the hour.
[ January 23, 2002: Message edited by: The_Tom ]
Posted by BlueElectron (Member # 281) on :
I thought this ep. was one of the best one so far.
I got no beef against Archer and the prime directive, I mean, after all, it is what this ep. is about.
It's also very good that they showed how Archer's understanding toward Vulcan has some what changed after his own experience with a lesser species.
What's wrong with Archer handing the drug to the alien that's suppose to alleviate their symtoms? He can't just give them the cure, and he can't tell them the truth for not handing over the cure (do you think they're going to listen to some arguments base on theory of evolution when they're about to be wiped out?), so Archer offered the alien the next best thing, a drug that can delayed the symtom, and hope they sort out the mess themselves.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
We at last get to see the Doctor up close. Billingsley was certainly charming as ever, and the whole question of interspecies relationships was handled in an innovative if over-cautious way with the narrative from his letters.
Archer's 'directive' thing at the end seemed tacked on and really forced. I'd say that was a writer/producer's foul. The idea that Archer was looking for a line to toe completely runs contrary to the way his character has been written up to this point. I did really like his comment about being able to identify with the Vulcans, though.
I also found myself (much like the human crew) tending to think of the Minx as downtrodden and opressed by the other race. That was very engaging. All in all I'd have to say it was a pretty good episode.
Posted by Proteus (Member # 212) on :
Question:
Why didnt they just name this episode "Phlox's Day"
I mean, come on... you HAVE to see the similarities between this and "Data's Day" TNG
Posted by Proteus (Member # 212) on :
Linda Park looks unbeliveably hot in this episode as well...
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I guess they could have called it "Phlox's Day," but that would have been an awful title.
The biggest similarity is that the events are recorded via a letter in one character's perspective. This is also similar to "In The Pale Moonlight" on DS9 and "30 Days" on Voyager. While the drive of all four plotlines has a key element, the plots are all different. Here, Phlox much come to terms with an ethical dilemma while trying to save an alien race. In "Data's Day," Data is trying to understand humanity a bit better through differing events. "In the Pale Moonlight" shows Sisko coming to terms with his own corruption. "30 Days" shows Paris trying to settle the score with his old man.
Similar deliveries, but different plots and characters.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
Oh, and I think that Linda Park is unbelievably hot in every episode. Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Here here Siggy. I've been saying that since before the beginning of the show, Linda Park is so much cuter than Jolene Blalock. Not that Jolene is bad looking, but that Vulcan makeup is just awful.
Next week I finally get my wish, Sato and T'Pol in a decon scene... too bad rubbing gel on each and Tucker is there. Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :
I think the cure had something to do with that lesser race on the planet. Maybe it would have involved wholesale harvesting of those people for pharmasutical purposes.
I thought the fact they'd just bring a bunch of aliens onboard without the least bit of concern about cross-containmination disturbing. They didn't know about the truth of the virus, but no precaution was taken anyways.
The fact that all shuttles we've seen so far fits neatly into Ent's shuttle bay is funny.
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
The Enterprise's launch bay was obviously built in accordance with ISO-99233486.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"I think the cure had something to do with that lesser race on the planet. Maybe it would have involved wholesale harvesting of those people for pharmasutical purposes."
I think it's safe to say that, if that were the case, Phlox would have told Archer so, and Archer would have had no dilemma at all. The only thing Phlox was concerned about was that the lower race was, by nature, about to become dominant, and curing the higher race would have upset that.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I've been saying Linda Park is the hottie of the show for a while now. I fully solidified that idea with her first scene in "Broken Bow." Linda Park in the Amazon jungle wearing shorts and a red tank top? Oh, yeah...
T'Pol is pretty all right, but I really wish she didn't have that damn bob. I would have really liked to see her with her hair down, much like Saavik in The Search for Spock. I guess it wouldn't hurt to change the uniform, too. The jumpsuit is all right, but I would have liked something more flowing and robey like her diplomatic garb in "Broken Bow."
Posted by Brown_supahero (Member # 83) on :
oy, honestly best show to date, still overall ENT is hurting,
for show quality SG1 is still beating ENT down. Even Andromeda is rollin' on ENT.
ENT go to change the game. Need tarantino to write some episodes, Guy Ritchie to direct some. IF not ENT is gonna be tutti in a box.
Posted by Proteus (Member # 212) on :
Linda Park.. you just cant go wrong with Koreans. Im lucky enough to be dating one ;o) (why Linda plays a Japanese woman is beyond me)
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Werd t'THAT, yo. I showed my hawt little Korean prot�g�/sex toy/pseudogirlfirned a few pictures of Linda Park this weekend. Her comments were, "Hell YEAH, she's fucking HAWT! Let's fuck her!"
And Proteus, didn't you know that in Hollywood, all Asians are the same? It's why George Takei can play vicious Viet Cong generals in shitty movies & why Aki Aleong & Al Leong are always the doublecrossing right-hand man & "person of hench" respectively. The same goes for the Russians: as long as they look even vaguely Slavic or "ice person"-ish, they'll use Poles, Russians, Ukrainians, Finns, 'Weegans, & the odd occasional Swede.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
Wes, you're dating a Korean? You punk bunny! I may have to start hating you now for that... Posted by CaptainMike (Member # 709) on :
for some reason everyone who has ever been my best friend has been obsessed with asian girls. happy holidays to you and yours.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
::shrug:: I'm not obsessed with Asian girls. I'm simply enamoured with them. Same thing for Latinas, Filipenas, red-heads, Pakistani-Indian women, Arabic women, African women, Russian/Slavic women, Western European women, and Anglo-derived women.
Posted by CaptainMike (Member # 709) on :
You should just list the ones you arent into (if any)
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
Hmmm... I guess that be the C.H.U.D.'s.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"...why Linda plays a Japanese woman is beyond me..."
Why was a French captain played by an English actor? Why was a Ukranian security officer played by an American actress whose name was British?
The differences are subtle enough that it doesn't really matter. I'm sure there are plenty of Koreans who could pass themselves off as Japanese if they wanted to. Can you honestly say you can tell the differences within a race that well? If a Russian came up to you and said "I'm French", would you say "Hey, wait! Your cheekbones are too high! You lying Slavic bastard!"?
I'm reminded of the scene in an early episode of "King of the Hill", where Cotton gets introduced to Hank's neighbor, and Dale wants to start trouble.
Dale: "This is Khan. He's Japanese..." Cotton: *looks at Khan* "No he ain't! He's Laotian!"
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
Tim: Actually, would I sound too much like Berkley-wannabe white liberal college scum if I said that Koreans are actually fairly discernable from amongst other Asians? Because, IMHO at least, they are. Then again, I've undoubtably had more Korean friends than your average TV-viewer. I'd certainly be better at discerning between Korean and Japanese people than English and French, anyway.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I once didn't know that any of the major Asian groups differed from each other greatly. I got a crash course in it when I met my friend Hanh, who is Vietnamese. She was quite ticked at me when I called her Chinese. Hoo boy.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Usually the names help. Sometimes.
Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :
Some people thought I was Korean for most of highschool until I said something to them for the first time ever in Mandarin. I've had Korean parents of classmates who thought I was Korean simply because I said "hi" in Korean to them. I've also been mistaken for Japanese.
No I'm not a bloody Brit. But keep thinking I am if it makes you feel better.
Posted by USS Vanguard (Member # 130) on :
Harry played a korean didn't he? And he's Chinese.
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
Harry's ancestry was never clearly established, although because something like 30-40% of all Koreans have the family name of "Kim" it's been assumed he was Korean. (Another 20% or so are "Park," FWIW.) I have feeling that the name Kim isn't exclusive to Korea, though.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"I'd certainly be better at discerning between Korean and Japanese people than English and French, anyway."
Well, thanks to Mr. the Conqueror, enough English people are already French, anyway... :-)
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN: Well, thanks to Mr. the Conqueror, enough English people are already French, anyway... :-)
Conan?
Posted by Krenim (Member # 22) on :
William.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Conan's last name was "the Barbarian".
Posted by CaptainMike (Member # 709) on :
except in the big black and white one where his first name was 'Savage Sword of'
Posted by Chris StarShade (Member # 786) on :
As far as I'm concerned, the Prime Directive is all mumbo-jumbo anyway.
"Noninterference" what's that supposed to be?
Does that mean that if an asteroid were about to strike the planet they wouldn't intervene?
There was an episode in TNG where they invoked the Prime Directive, and managed to save a technologically inferior group from deadly vulcanism (volcanoes, not green-blooded, pointy-eared aliens)anyway.
In addition, the concept of this blasted Darwinian socialism does not sit well with me. I would rather run around the universe pretending to be an angel giving everyone their miracles than I would want to just let people die.
Note that the dieing aliens INCLUDE children, and others who it is absolutely revolting to human conscience to just allow to die.
Well, at least they gave 'em something. But the whole crap about "evolution is more than a theory" was pathetic. Evolution is nothing but a theory until it is decisively proven. The fact that everyone acts like it has been proven already does not prove it.
For all we know, a bunch of Beings of Pure Energy were immediately spawned from the Big Bang, and decided to get together and create an artwork they call life, and stumbled upon a suitable planet and genetically engineered everything there.
When you start using "evolution" and "letting nature take its course" to justify this sort of behavior, you might as well say it is evil to make contact with any creature aside from yourselves. Remember, we are humans, not gods.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I'm not sure where to begin, but let's just say that, in general, history teaches that whenever a hightech civilization meets with a lowtech one it is bad news for the latter.
Posted by Chris StarShade (Member # 786) on :
Who said anything about a civilization? I was just talking about a single guy with a lot of tech who wants to amaze the populace, and pretend to be angelic. (heh heh)
Of course, when they see the ship crashing out of the sky after being disabled, they generally mistake you for a fallen angel anyway...
Posted by The Red Admiral (Member # 602) on :
Going back to this episode.... (and I can at least comment on some of these ENT episodes now as we're finally catching up with the States), I had no problem with this epsiode at all. But one line bothered me a bit, and I don't see any other mention of it in this thread, unless it's appeared somewhere else, if it has, I apologise for bringing up again.
But this was in regards to the Ferengi being mentioned. Did this gnaw, or at least surprise anyone else? -that the Ferengi are running around in Earth's back yard during the 22nd century? It's another 200+ years before the FEDs finally run into them and make first contact.
Anyway, I found it a bit curious...
Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :
As Alice would say, things will get curiouser and curiouser in the weeks to come... Posted by MrNeutron (Member # 524) on :
quote:Originally posted by Chris StarShade: Well, at least they gave 'em something. But the whole crap about "evolution is more than a theory" was pathetic. Evolution is nothing but a theory until it is decisively proven. The fact that everyone acts like it has been proven already does not prove it.
As I recall, science tends to avoid the word "fact", as science dictates that all ideas are open to revision. That said, "theory" is about as close to "fact" as you're liable to hear in science", whereas hypothesis" is for concepts that do not have as massive a body of evidence behind them.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I would think "law" would be as close as you'll get to "fact"...
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