Show: Star Trek; Enterprise
Episode
Particulars: S2EP4, “Dead Stop”
Note: Season Two seems to be the season for shooting
things out of order. Even though this is a direct follow-on from “Minefield”,
this episode is listed as number 31, where “Minefield” was 29. If there’s any
explanation for this on Memory Alpha, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Standalone
Thoughts: I actually really like this episode. It’s got a very classic
sci-fi feel, containing a concept that you might have found in a short story
from the 50’s, and the cinematography and music do an excellent job of making
the station feel cool and sinister by turns. Then again, that last bit may just
be because the station’s computer plus the white, blinking lights of the
corridors give off extremely strong 2001:
A Space Odyssey vibes, though again, that’s a call back to iconic sci-fi
material, so my point stands.
I also enjoy the fact that the episode winds up having
little moments that resonate with a modern day audience, even sixteen years on.
First, there’s a comment about having massive computing technology in a tiny
little space, which very much calls to mind our own march of progress from
computers that fill a whole room to smartphones. Then there’s a moment where Archer
appears to be channeling the frustration a lot of us feel over automated tech
support, right down to the “can I talk to an actual human, please?” And while
it’s not as obvious as the other two, there’s another moment featuring Trip
complaining that feels very true to life as well. All these little moments just
add something to the experience for me, and something about mixing the old
school sci-fi trappings with modern day complaints added up to something that
was clever, charming, and very entertaining.
I’d say this is the strongest episode of the season so
far, with a great idea, good pacing, and just a general good execution all
around. Tragically, the next episode not only fails to sustain this, but is
widely considered to be the worst ever episode of Enterprise. I’m hoping it’ll turn out to be better than I expected,
like “Two Days and Two Nights” was, but consider yourself warned.
How it Relates to
the Whole: Other than being the sequel to “Minefield”, I don’t think this
episode has much connection to later events, despite the implications of the
final scene. It does, however, call back to various earlier episodes and throws
in a semi-interaction with Tellarites, who will show up in person in Season
Four. I doubt the writers were thinking that far ahead, though.
Other: *Only
one today, which is at least on par with the season as a whole so far. I’m more
than a little amused by the fact that, after keeping a stiff upper lip during
the whole incident in “Minefield”, Malcolm becomes a whiner when it comes to
the physical therapy it takes to get his leg back in shape. It just seems
right, somehow.
Badass Malcolm
Moment: While it’s hard to say for certain, the dialogue certainly suggests
that it was Malcolm who came up with the plan that was essential for the climax
to work. That plus his once again taking one for the team (though much less
painfully this time) is enough for me to conclude that he was a big part of the
operation, even if it didn’t look like it. But that’s kind of the way it goes
with Malcolm, and part of the reason I have this category in the first place.
After the Fact
Update: No mention is made of whether or not the writers/crew took
inspiration from 2001: A Space Odyssey
for this story, but I have my suspicions…
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