Placeholder, as I'm in meetings until later tonight and will likely not make the broadcast. Here's hoping the VCR works...
Also, it appears that I'm not getting an Enterprise double-bill with "Bounty" tonight. The TV-Guide can always be wrong, but it looks like I'll not be able to do a tech writeup of said episode. Someone else can feel free to do so. Mark-witty thread titles include "Bountiful Tech!", "Tech for Bligh!" and "Tech in Heat!".
Man, it'd totally SUCK if the whole schedule gets bumped, and I miss the freakin' season finale because of it! Oh, the humiliation! Shock and awe!
Mark
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
I liked this one. Tech wise, it gives some pretty fascinating looks at pre-series tech, and Earthbound stuff is always fun (twice in as many weeks, no less!). Let's get to it, 'cuz there's a lot of tech.
-No timestamp for the episode, but it's more frustrating that they never really pegged when all the flashback stuff happened. What we DO find out is that after the events in the flashback, it was about two years before Duvall proke warp three. Five years later they laid keel for Enterprise, but without knowing how long it took to build here we don't really know when the epsiode happened. Has Duvall been mentioned before?
-Boy, Enterprise really cleans up good. No sign or mention of the pounding they took last week - the first true severe hull damage they've taken with the exception of that Romulan mine, which was cleaned up as a plot point. Ah well, par for the course as series go.
-We open with the gang finding a dark matter nebula - the first observed in their history. T'Pol is skeptical, and notes that even if it did there wouldn't be much to see. Archer notes that the Vulcans had been able to excite dark matter to a visible state with "metrion particles". Trip rigs spatial charges to that effect, providing the dramatic foil for the episode. The charges launch from the shuttlepod's nose... I don't remember any launching tubes being mentioned.
-Everyone's buddy A.G. Robinson was killed in a mountaineering accident on Mount McKinley in Alaska.
-Starfleet regs prohibit the Captain leaving the ship unaccompanied, which is the excuse that T'Pol uses to go mapping with the mourning Archer in a shuttlepod.
-The "NX-Test" program was designed to pop the warp two barrier with an early warp three engine as mentioned in "Fortunate". How fast were Horizon and Fortunate? Point being, if they were close to, or past warp two, I wonder how much of a barrier this really is. The engine is Archer's dad's design.
-Rank fun - look for Forrest's Commodore pins (one flag officer bar on each side, as expected) and sleeve bands. Look also for the NX-Test patch on everyone's shoulders. Archer is a Commander at this point. Note that while on the base, everyone is wearing these ID/security tags on lanyards.
-The NX-Test craft are very much reminiscent of the Phoenix, using the same capsule set and exterior prop. Physically, she's got aerodynamic pylons that fold up sorta like airplane wings, and a flared thruster assembly. Cockpit for two, and it even has a joystick. Robinson wears a space suit very evocative of late 20th century shuttle launch suits, all yellow and bulky.
-The first test with Robinson in the seat (much to Archer's dismay, as he SO wanted the gig) is successful, getting to warp two without much trouble (it started shaking at 1.5). It started hitting trouble around 2.1, but Robinsob managed to get to 2.2 before the warp field collapsed (some really nifty warp field "stress" effects seen here). NX-Alpha is dumped out of warp in Jupiter space following its Earth-orbit launch and promptly explodes. Luckily Robinson bailed out while at warp, becoming the first human to do so in an escape pod. The pod was NOT the nosecose section, as the escape pod prop was a tiny compartment with a totally different seat. While you're looking at the pod, lookit the NX-Beta sitting behind it. More echoes of the Phoenix...
-Name dropping - Lieutenant Tucker was assigned to the NX-Text program on Captain Jeffries' engineering team (betcha he spent a lot of time in tubes). We also get an explanation of Trip's name: he's the third Charles Tucker. Triple. Trip, get it? HAW! And yes, Ruby is hot.
-Trip insists that the problem with the engine is that the intermix formulae just need to be tweaked, and that nothing is wrong with the engine itself as the Vulcans and Robinson think. The project is shelved indefinitely, but of course Robinson, Archer and Trip take out the NX-Beta for an unoffical proof-of-formula run.
-The outside of the NX hangar is a re-use of the outside of the Project Backstep hangar from "Seven Days", an old UPN sci-fi series. I think this is the first time stock footage has been used like this in Trek in a VERY long time.
-The launch stuff for the NX-Beta is extremely cool, with a glowey maglev sled propelling the ship up a rail ramp as the vehicle's wings extend and rockets ignite on the backs of the nacelles. I had to watch that a couple times. Anyway, after fixing the intermix follies NX-Beta holds steady at warp 2.5. Archer was at the helm.
-Security dudes eventually catch Trip, who's left on the base monitoring telemetry. Note that the goons seem to be wearing the old EM-33 plasma guns. Natch!
-For whatever reason, Archer ended up Captain of Enterprise over Robinson, who was content enough to wait for the then-nameless NX-02. The selection occured six months before "Broken Bow", and NX-02 wasn't named in this epsiode. Assuming Robinson never assumed command of that ship, it's safe to assume that NX-02 has not yet been launched at the time of his death. Oh well, at least Robinson's got a dark matter nebula named after him.
Mark
Posted by The Mighty Monkey of Mim (Member # 646) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mark Nguyen: Has Duvall been mentioned before?
Got command of the Shenandoah in "Silent Enemy."
quote:NX-02 wasn't named in this epsiode
Please oh please oh PLEASE let it be Columbia! Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Uhmmm.... guys? This was a great episode, but I saw a couple of potentially mind-boggling tidbits in the background at the "602" bar. Certainly, it was appropriately themed since it was obviously frequented by Starfleet people, but...
Folks, on the wall behind the bar, they had a nice color picture of the SS Enterprise XCV-330!!! Damn, I wish I'd taped this one for the proof, but even without freeze-framing it, I'm positive that was the ship.
They also had the picture of the Botany Bay launching (with booster rockets) from the "Chronology."
Robinson commented that his NX-alpha escape pod would be a nice addition to the Starfleet Museum. Guess it went into service rather early, for some reason...
Considering that the major [tech] problem of the flashback part of the episode was the intermix formula, I'm wondering if (again) the NX-test program was the development of the first antimatter-powered warp drive. Certainly Cochrane didn't have antimatter on his ship, so it had to be something designed later on... Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
His name is A.G. Robinson?? That's effing HILARIOUS.
Posted by Wee Bairns (Member # 724) on :
Some screen caps here. Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
quote: Look also for the NX-Test patch on everyone's shoulders.
I'm not so sure about that. It looks like that same logo is on the flag in Forrest's office. And if you take another look at the control center, there's a logo on the back wall. I can't remember exactly what it said, but it was fairly clear THAT was the NX test program logo. It was an upside-down triangle with an eagle (or some other bird of prey) in flight.
During the NX-Beta's flight, they mentioned the Auxiliary APU's hadn't been installed yet. LOL! Do they writers even know what the "A" in APU stands for? (For those non-aerospace-savvy people, it stands for Auxiliary Power Unit.)
Is the outside of the NX hangar a reused set? It looked like the hush houses we have here in St. Louis for fighter engine tests. It may be a real hangar of some sort.
And I noticed the ring ship in the wall picture, too. I wasn't very clear on my tape, but it sure looks like that "S.S. Enterprise" and not a Vulcan ship, complete with two rings.
B.J.
Posted by newark (Member # 888) on :
Actually, the S.S. Enterprise is U.S.S. Enterprise.
We can narrow down the timeline a bit. We know how long Trip and Archer have been friends from a first year episode, and we can conjecture from hints propped here and there throughout the series to the decade when Starfleet was introduced into service.
As for the freighters, they may have started out as warp one capable and were later modified to warp two with the possiblity of having greater velocity under extreme conditions. It is interesting though that freighters for a century will have a maximum speed of warp two.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I noticed the Ringship pic behind the bar too...when I was'nt rivited to Ruby's nubile form that is!
A.G. Robinson is indeed a hilarious gag! mabye he was just "plain simple A.G." to his friends. Commander Robinson may have been placed in charge of the upgrades that Enterprise is getting next season: it would explain why he never got the nod to be a ship's captain at least. If we ever see the Shenandoah it'll probably be a "stock" NX class after the Enterprise gets the upgrade (that way they can use the old CGI model.
Posted by Phoenix (Member # 966) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: A.G. Robinson is indeed a hilarious gag!
I don't get it...
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Does anyone recognize those patches? Are they custom-made, or just NASA patches? Or both?
Posted by Starship Freak (Member # 293) on :
About that ringship, are we sure that it is the recroom ringship from TMP? First of all, it�s a new angle, so either someone made a new pic, the old one existed in several versions or it�s a new ship.
Second, what�s the pic undeneath? Some ship on the ground?
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
That screencaps links is down now , so I can't check, but it might've been a color-version of this.
Posted by Starship Freak (Member # 293) on :
You know what Harry, I think you�re right. However, I would have prefered if you linked that pic from my page instead of captain cabac�s, since I scanned that one myself from a communicator magazine
Still, no idea about the lower one?
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
You learn something new everyday.. I didn't know you were plnaSov (or whatever).
That lower one looks vaguely like the Phoenix cutaway poster, but it isn't.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
AJ Robinson, ya Mooks.
Mark
Posted by QuinnTV (Member # 859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: If we ever see the Shenandoah it'll probably be a "stock" NX class after the Enterprise gets the upgrade (that way they can use the old CGI model.
Is it certain that the Season 3 upgrades are physical changes? I've heard of the ship getting beefed up, but I seem to have missed out on hearing about exterior changes (and thus a CG change). Could someone update me?
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
There's nothing definite - only that the ship would be refitted. Of course, Voyager had all kinds of modifications over the years, and the exterior remained exactly the same over the course of the whole series.
Given the large number of new CG effects in every episode, the odds are that they can probably get away with changing the look of the ship on the outside - a welcome change by us fans. However, given B&B's penchant for keeping everything visual exactly the same (Janeway's hair nonwithstanding), odds are that the exterior of Enterprise will not change. It's probable that she'll have different sizes and shapes of things folding out of her next year, though...
Besides, if the exterior of the ship changed, then the Art Asylum people would be pretty pissed that their excellent new NX-01 model would be outdated already.
Mark
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
POlar lights is making the NX-01 model from a master by Thomas sasser and last I'd heard he had'nt seen any specs one way or the other of the "retrofit" with weapons and the first Photon Torpedos. I do think they'll modify the ship though.
Posted by TheWoozle (Member # 929) on :
IF they change the ship's look, they are probobly just now, in the 'sit down and talk about it' stage. Theyre more likely to add shields, photon torpedoes, real transporters, and a tractor beam.
New shuttles would be a welcome change too. I like the shuttle design, but it just doesn't seem to be that logical of design.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Can someone explain the fuss about Robinsons's name? I am confused Posted by Spike (Member # 322) on :
Andrew J. Robinson = Garak
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Ahh. Thanks. Have you seen this episode yet, Spike? It shows the Commodore rank and at least one new uniform. Plus the Starfleet Command or Starfleet HQ patch.
Posted by Spike (Member # 322) on :
quote:Have you seen this episode yet, Spike?
Nope, but I hope in a few hours.
quote:It shows the Commodore rank and at least one new uniform. Plus the Starfleet Command or Starfleet HQ patch.
I've seen a screenshot of the rank stripes. Oddly enough, it looks like this
It's sad that with the Magazine gone we probably won't get better pictures of these patches. Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
As far as I can tell, the Commodore stripes look just like two stripes..?
And what are those boxes they are wearing? The Vulcan delegation also wears them. Translators? Or just security devices?
Posted by Phoenix (Member # 966) on :
quote:Originally posted by Spike: I've seen a screenshot of the rank stripes. Oddly enough, it looks like this
That makes it look like the small one is at the top, when it's actually at the bottom (the end of the arm).
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
What is this "new uniform" of which you speak? Are you talking about the sweatshirt (with patch) Archer wore in his first scene with Admiral Forrest? Would that really qualify? I'm under the impression that it's more or less like the athletic gear you can buy that says "USMC" on it... I don't think that qualifies as a real uniform.
Mark
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
I don't know. It did have the SF patch on it, plus a nametag. And a cap (in his hands). OTOH, there was no rank or division color...
And of course there's the orange pressure suit.
And the fact that these uniforms are used before 2151.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
And didn't they used to have some plasma cannon waaaaay back in "Broken Bow"?
^^^ this reply was supposed to go into that other thread. I don't know what it's doing here
[ May 16, 2003, 03:06 PM: Message edited by: Harry ]
Posted by The Mighty Monkey of Mim (Member # 646) on :
Harry: Why no caps of the NX-Alpha & NX-Beta??? Posted by Spike (Member # 322) on :
To anyone who has seen the episode on TV: Did Forrest have just one pip or a pip in a box?
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Lycos FTP is down , so this will have to do. Cut and paste links. Bah.
Judging by the shadow, that's an Apollo-Soyuz model.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Judging by the shadow, it's an Apollo-LM model.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project linkup silhouette looks like this. For lots more pictures. try this.
Mark
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
Those nacelle pylons or wings sure had a swoop to them that gave the NX-A/B ship a look very reminiscent of the Klingon Vorcha-class vessel...
Posted by Cartmaniac (Member # 256) on :
This episode was, like, TOP GUN and THE RIGHT STUFF combined, dude.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Damn dude, that's wack!
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
quote: Emblem on NX Control wall. Looks like a sunrise over a planet:
It looks similar to the Ares program logo (see my logos thread in creativity) perhaps this new one was made from the same components that the art department still had on file.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
, so I can't check, but it might've been a color-version of this.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
, so this will have to do. Cut and paste links. Bah.