Enterprise 1.11 FAQ

What’s it called?

“Cold Front.”

What does Herc secretly call this episode when no one is looking?

“Best ‘Enterprise’ Yet!!”

Is it even better than the pilot?

It is!

Who’s responsible?

Teleplay is credited to Stephen Beck & Tim Finch (“7 Days”).

What does TV Guide say?

“Archer invites a group of alien stargazers to witness a stellar event aboard Enterprise, not realizing the Suliban agent Silik (John Fleck) is among the guests.”

What is TV Guide not telling us?

There’s a second guy on board the Enterprise, also taking orders from the future.

What second guy taking orders from the future?

A crewman named Daniels. When he’s not carrying out the whims of his 31st century masters, he’s serving Archer snacks.

The big news?

Daniels is from the 31st century, but he indicates the Suliban’s leader is from a century before his own.

How long before FutureGuy shows up?

Four seconds. “You failed in your last mission,” intones FutureGuy menacingly. “The Klingon Empire is intact. You knew there would be consequences.” And then FutureGuy disappears for the rest of the episode!!

Any more clues about FutureGuy?

We get a better look at him this week. He’s definitely not Cardassian or Klingon. He could be Vulcan or Romulan, but Herc’s guess is he’s human.

How is this episode better than most motion pictures?

In the words of Luna Schlosser: “Makes ya think!” Imagine you’re out where no man has gone before. You find two sentients aboard your starship, both claiming to be from the future. One, a shady Suliban who once tried to kill you, prevents your starship from exploding. The other, a more honest-seeming, human-seeming crewman, tells you the shady-seeming Suliban just prevented a disaster that saved every crew member – and oh, by the way, that life-saving Suliban is evil and trying to disrupt the timeline. Oh, and? The Suliban blasts you with a stun gun. Who do you trust? Who is the good guy?

Of the two future agents, who does Herc think is the good guy?

Both. Neither. Depends on your viewpoint. Herc’s guess is that FutureGuy is indeed trying to fuck with the past, but only because the future turns out so badly for the Federation. Herc further believes Daniels’ bosses may be trying to protect a timeline, but are hurting Federation interests in doing so. In sum: from Archer’s perspective, FutureGuy, despite his opposition of Archer in the pilot, will likely prove the lesser evil.

How long has it been since Archer’s last encouter with agents of the future?

Archer & Co. first left Earth four months, three weeks and six days prior to this episode.

Archer and Daniels, eh? Is there a character named Midland lurking about?

Not that we noticed.

How about some cool dialogue? Just to prove Herc actually saw the episode?

TRIP: So I take it your brother isn’t really an orbital engineer at Jupiter Station?

DANIELS: Actually, I don’t have a brother.

TRIP: And you didn’t grow up in Illinois?

DANIELS: Oh, I’m from a place called Illinois, sir. Just not the one you’re familiar with.

TRIP: It’s good to know Earth will still be around in 900 years.

DANIELS: That depends how you define “Earth” …

TRIP: Beg your pardon?

What’s good?

Just about everything. The economical but striking teaser. The brief but extremely deft use of Mayweather, Reed, Phlox and Sato. The hilarious way the alien captain Fraddock groans when Archer announces he’s “eager to make contact with other species.” The fantastic dilemma afforded Archer. The way Daniels convinces Archer he’s from the future. The way Daniels answers Archer when Archer asks, “Are you human?” The way Archer, Kirk-like, decides to run all his very bizarre new knowledge by Trip and T’Pol simultaneously. The fact that the super-brainy Vulcans are so clueless about time travel (looks like Cochrane didn’t tell his Vulcan visitors about Riker). Daniels’ way of dealing with bulkheads. The Suliban’s dramatic escape. The episode’s fabulous final shot, guarnteed to leave fans salivating!

What’s not so good?

After tonight, no new “Enterprise” until Jan. 23, 2002!!

How does it end, spoiler boy?

Daniels’ bunkmate is reassigned.

Herc’s rating for “Enterprise” 1.11?

****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:

• ***** better than we deserve
• **** better than most motion pictures
• *** actually worth your valuable time
• ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
• * makes you quietly pray for bulletins

I warn you not to defy me

I am – Hercules!!

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