12 replies on “Enterprise Review: “The Breach””

1. And now, here’s how it should’ve been done
   This was an OK episode, however, I still think that Enterprise can have
   some plot arcs going on, and this episode was basically a throwaway.
   Didn’t really advance any characters (except giving Travis a random
   talent. How’s a guy who lived his life on a cargo ship good at climbing
   and spelunking?) and didnt’ accomplish much. I mean, Smallville has
   more plot arcs then this. Stuff that keeps us coming back, but doesn’t
   confuse newcomers.

   For example, Trip and Malcom could’ve found some evidence linking the
   Denobulians with the Sulaban/Temporal Cold War. Perhaps linking the
   rocks they were collecting with something found in the quarters of that
   crewmember from the future (forgot his name). No matter the
   relevance, just put it out there. Leave some things hanging.

   OR, have the antaren decide to go through witih the procedure, but
   instead have him die. Ingite some long-forgotten hatred.

   • Re: And now, here’s how it should’ve been done

     This was an OK episode, however, I still think that Enterprise can have
     some plot arcs going on, and this episode was basically a throwaway.
     Didn’t really advance any characters (except giving Travis a random
     talent. How’s a guy who lived his life on a cargo ship good at climbing
     and spelunking?) and didnt’ accomplish much. I mean, Smallville has
     more plot arcs then this. Stuff that keeps us coming back, but doesn’t
     confuse newcomers.

     For example, Trip and Malcom could’ve found some evidence linking the
     Denobulians with the Sulaban/Temporal Cold War. Perhaps linking the
     rocks they were collecting with something found in the quarters of that
     crewmember from the future (forgot his name). No matter the
     relevance, just put it out there. Leave some things hanging.

     OR, have the antaren decide to go through witih the procedure, but
     instead have him die. Ingite some long-forgotten hatred.

     You’re right, they never do the really interesting stuff…

     Travis’ climbing thing was established once before, there was an episode where he went climbing on shore leave when Dr. Phlox was in hibernation and he had an allergic reaction to the painkillers the alien doctors used. Remember that? Probably not, it was a pretty lame episode. Does establish the climbing precedent, although how he acquired it is still a mystery.

     The reviewer’s comment about the backstory most likely being lost in a week is too unfortunately true for my liking. Enterprise really suffers from not having a good, big story arc and really tight continuity (even with itself, let alone the whole Trek universe).

     • Re: And now, here’s how it should’ve been done
       Was anyone else bothered that the crew’s resident rock climber was Travis? I mean, I’m happy that they’re using the character (two weeks in a row, no less), but where did Travis get so good at rock climbing; he grew up on a ship. I can understand that he might have got some experience at Starfleet Academy, but this still seems unlikely.

2. they tried…
   …to put the interest in there and maybe make us curious about the Denobulans, but it was done so poorly. I think they could have done so much with this episode.

   I agree on the Archer being a sissy comment. It would be easy enough to simply shoot the patrol craft out of the sky and leave. But it seems like someone in charge must be trying to make this show devoid of interesting stuff. Almost like if they keep it totally generic, they might get a wider audience. The end result is a show that is predictable and never has a cool twist. I think any decent person with a tiny bit of imagination could do wonders for this show. Take a hint from Alias, Don’t ALWAYS end the show on a good note.

3. Why’s Archer such a sissy?

   Why’s Archer such a sissy?

   Because he realizes than when you’re the inferior military power (and at this time Earth is) sometimes you have to take a beating. These guys didn’t seem like they were all that tough, but just about everybody else they’ve encountered has been able to out run and out gun them. I’d say that warrants a little caution. Especially since the consequence for loosing a war is likely extinction.

   • Re: Why’s Archer such a sissy?

     Because he realizes than when you’re the inferior military power.

     So, you are inferring that when you’re a superior military power, you can get away with this _and_ it’s the ‘right’ thing to do?
     
     I don’t think I need to make any further comments here, …

4. tribbles as food
   How about highlighting Bakula’s acting prowess and further embellishing Star Trek’s rich version of Earth’s future history. Why not: Archer to the Antaran, “Twenty million, sadly that’s much less than what we experienced on Earth ….we almost didn’t make it…bla bla bla”?

   Come on, it is more sinister _not_ to hear the details of the Denobulan genocide of the Antarans? Could we have a reason why the Denobulans don’t appear in the future? Seems strange that Denobulans can free climb easily, yet Hoshi(?) can walk into sick bay and wipe the floor with Phlox’s ass.

   What about the tribble cameo? The writers dropped the ball here. A blender would have been better. Phlox could have taken a pull of fribble smoothie.

   Archer did OK with the toe to toe scene, I want him to be a loose cannon. Last season he was impulsive more often. I don’t agree that he is a wimp.

   agree it was adequate.

   • Re: tribbles as food

     How about highlighting Bakula’s acting prowess and further embellishing Star Trek’s rich version of Earth’s future history. Why not: Archer to the Antaran, “Twenty million, sadly that’s much less than what we experienced on Earth ….we almost didn’t make it…bla bla bla”?

     Wasn’t the casualty count from WW3 600 million? I think I remember that figure from First Contact movie.

     What about the tribble cameo? The writers dropped the ball here. A blender would have been better. Phlox could have taken a pull of fribble smoothie.

     With a large background to fall back on they could have shown a “Glommer” eating the tribble. Remember that multi-legged creature from the ST cartoon that ate tribbles?

5. Not really a bad episode..
   Phlox never ceases to surprise us. Like feeding tribbles to his other pets, even after admitting they were hard to get because they were illegal. (Interresting that in the 23rd century they weren’t illegal, Cerino Jone’s selling of tribbles was NOT illegal, which Spock said was ‘unfortunate’.)

   Archer used just the right mix of force and diplomacy in dealing with the attack on the surface, and it did work (the bombing stopped). I wouldn’t call him a sissy at all.

   Finally there are a few races other than the Denobulan that never again appeared (in the other series) such as the Suliban.

   BTW from the previews it seems we will see another interresting side
   of Dr. Phlox (“I have pictures!”).

   • Re: Not really a bad episode..

     Phlox never ceases to surprise us. Like feeding tribbles to his other pets, even after admitting they were hard to get because they were illegal. (Interresting that in the 23rd century they weren’t illegal, Cerino Jone’s selling of tribbles was NOT illegal, which Spock said was ‘unfortunate’.)

     I think Phlox says something they’re illegal on may planets, which would make it OK for Cerino Jones if he’s trading them with planets where they’re not outlawed.
     
     If Phlox got one tribble (or X, dunno) he can bread them and, like mice, they would be the perfect food for other pets, … I think it makes sence, at least this part.

6. History will teach us nothing (Sting)
   
   I don’t about you, but if someone’s taking pot shots at my crew (underground or in flight) their going to get a formal complaint by way of a torpedo. Why’s Archer such a sissy?
   

   And in all likelyhood, Starfleet would be barred from that planet for generations to come, destroy all goodwill they built up until now and alienate several species in the area (hence destroying any chance for the founding of the Federation and possibly becoming the ‘alternate universe :)’.
   
   Showing muscle is a good way to ‘win’ on short term, but it always backfires in the long run. I’m happy to see that Starfleet gets this :-X
   
   If you want spectacular television, you shoot, if you want a coherent story (esp. with this prequal series), this was the correct way to handle it.

   • Re: History will teach us nothing (Sting)

     …Starfleet would be barred from that planet for generations to come, destroy all goodwill they built up until now and alienate several species in the area….

     If you want spectacular television, you shoot, if you want a coherent story (esp. with this prequal series), this was the correct way to handle it.

     True, but I think it would have been slightly better had Archer fired a few shots across their bow – not hit them, just wing them. Archer is a bit of a sissy, and he really needs to start to stand up to people. You’ve also forgotten that the planet was kicking everyone off of it, no exceptions (remember the ship the Antaran was on suffered damage and was denied landing clearance) – I doubt any species in the area would be upset with Archer taking a few shots at these people to protect his own.

     Also – what coherent story? B&B have already screwed their continuity with the other series in a number of places with the addition of the Ferengi, the upcoming Borg, the Denobulans and the Suliban – need I go on? They have showed that they obviously don’t know the correct way to handle it – I’m putting the fact that this was done ‘correctly’ in this episode down to them not writing it.