Day 277: Enterprise, Civilization

Show: Star Trek; Enterprise

Episode Particulars: S1EP8, “Civilization”

 Summary: The Enterprise discovers an M-class planet, one that’s very densely populated (with incredibly human-looking aliens, though nobody really talks about it in-show). It also appears to be a pre-warp civilization, but Archer decides to have a look around anyway, despite T’Pol’s objections. Though they eventually come up with a good reason to go down there; they detect an energy signature that’s far too advanced compared to its surroundings. When an away team goes down to investigate (disguised to look like the locals), they’re nearly discovered by the local apothecary, Riaan (Diane DiLascio), but Archer manages to keep their secret while pumping her for information. It turns out that the people (technically the race is Akaali) of this town have been falling ill with an odd disease, and she suspects that the antique dealer Garos (Wade Andrew Williams) is involved somehow. Further investigation reveals that Garos is indeed another alien, and that the energy signature they detected is hiding behind a heavily shielded door. Archer is bound and determined to get to the bottom of this, and teams up with Riaan to get answers. As you can probably guess, it winds up being more than either of them bargained for.

Standalone Thoughts: This is another “blah” episode, sad to say. It holds your interest with the mystery aspect and is decently paced, but it seems to be lacking a certain spark. Maybe it’s because the conflict doesn’t feel all that dramatic until the last third of the episode, so we don’t get as invested as we could. On a related note, we’re never really told what exactly the “evil plan” was, so perhaps the lack of context makes it harder to really click with the material.

There’s also the fact that the episode mostly ignores the dramatic possibilities of having Archer and company exposed as outsiders. Garos is completely blasé about meeting fellow aliens, and Riaan doesn’t seem that fazed either when the truth inevitably comes out. Given that “our heroes are revealed to be aliens/from the future” is generally a huge deal in most Star Trek episodes, the lack of reaction here is odd. If the intent was to remind us that this was a different era of Star Trek, then I think they chose a poor way to go about it in this case.

Odd as it is for me to say this, the episode probably could have done with a little more exposition, so we could get to know more about the Akaali and Garos, and thus have more of a sense of what was going on. What we have now isn’t exactly bad, but you start to see the lack of detail in the plot the minute you start thinking things over. The writers may have improved when it comes to pacing, but as this episode and “Breaking the Ice” prove, they’ve still got a ways to go before they’ve got the whole structure nailed down. But since we’ve seen they’re capable of doing it right with “The Andorian Incident”, I’m hoping to chalk this up to growing pains.

How it Relates to the Whole: While the events of this episode have no long-lasting effects as far as I remember, we do get some dialogue that foreshadows the Prime Directive, so at least they’re drawing a connection to later Star Trek lore. As you’ll see, the show gets increasingly good at that as things continue.

Other: *The viewscreens on this show are simultaneously impressive and credibility stretching. Apparently they’re capable of zooming in on a planet close enough to see the faces of its inhabitants. I’d just accept this as typical sci-fi/Star Trek technology, but I don’t remember any of the other viewscreens, from TNG to Voyager, being able to zoom in that close (although I could be misremembering, to be fair). Yet it was possible two hundred years earlier? I call shenanigans, Enterprise showrunners.

*Today’s episode marks the first time we hear that Enterprise has a quartermaster. I don’t remember if we ever meet him/her, but clearly they’re very good at what they do, given that they can whip up appropriate disguises for the away team on very short notice. Honestly, that’s something I wouldn’t mind seeing explored.

*The outfits of the Akaali include cloaks and hoods. I find it amusing in a head-shaking sort of way that T’Pol does not put the hood up to further hide her ears, while the three humans do. One would have thought T’Pol would see the logic in having an extra precaution against being discovered.

*The fact that Archer kisses Riaan as a cover for him fixing his translator is kind of delightful. Not only is it quick thinking on his part, it also show him following in the grand tradition of Kirk. Or would that be setting a precedent for Kirk…?

Badass Malcolm Moment: Malcolm is mostly in the background this episode, but I’d say his involvement in the climax would count. Yes, it’s a tag-team effort with himself, Tucker, and T’Pol, but his role is not only important, his follow-up move was essential in ending the conflict. He may just be doing his job, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire his abilities.

After The Fact Update: While some of the problems I outlined for this episode are found in the script, there may be another reason this episode feels off; it turns out 9/11 happened while they were filming it. It’s not surprising that stress and emotion bled through into the final product.