Enterprise 1.14 FAQ

1.14? Wasn’t last week 1.15?

It was. UPN continues to air its “Enterprise” episodes out of sequence.

What’s it called?

“Shadows of P'Jem.”

Who’s responsible?

Teleplay is credited to Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong (“Strange New World,” “Civilization”).

What does TV Guide say?

“T'Pol's sudden transfer from the Enterprise startles Archer, who can't tell if he is more upset with the order or by her indifferent attitude about the reassignment. The captain's frustrations are soon multiplied when both he and T'Pol are taken captive by militant Andorians.”

Why is T’Pol being transferred?

We learn in the teaser, set in San Franciso, that the Vulcan High Command has suspended joint fleet operations due to the fallout from last year’s “The Andorian Incident.” Subsequent to Archer & Co.’s discovery of a secret Vulcan listening post monitoring the Andorians, the blue-skinned aliens destroyed that facility and the Vulcan sanctuary above it. No one is hurt, but the Vulcans blame Archer and T’Pol for all the trouble.

I just read next week’s TV Guide and it still lists Jolene Blalock among the cast. What gives?

Before episode’s end, a heroic act on T’Pol’s part precipitates a change in the Vulcans’ plans.

The big news?

TV Guide is insane! Archer and T’Pol are not taken captive by Andorians!

Are there even Andorians?

Well, yeah. But they serve a different role.

Are Archer and T’Pol really kidnapped?

They are. But by a radical faction of the Coridans who want 40 phase pistols in exhange for the hostages.

The Cori-what?

A generally friendly race, said to build starships fast enough to “run circles around the Vulcans.”

Do Trip and Reed mount a rescue?

They want to, but they’re overruled by the Vulcan captain who arrives to ferry T’Pol back to the homeworld; he wants to stage an all-out assault that will likely get Archer and T’Pol killed. There’s suspicion among the Enterprise crew that the Vulcan’s plan is passive-aggressive payback for what happened on P’Jem.

What’s good?

It’s great to see Starfleet take another step in its emergence from Vulcan’s shadow, and the Andorians’ real role in all this provides a gratifying twist (to say nothing of significant foreshadowing).

What’s not so good?

Much of the episode serves only to pound home what earlier, better installments have already made apparent: that T’Pol has grown invested in the Enterprise’s mission and its crew. And while it’s hard to deny the fun of watching Jolene Blalock’s lithe physique squirm against alien bonds, the scenes of T’Pol literally tied up with Archer really do at times skirt the realm of crude and jarringly inappropriate slapstick.

Herc’s rating for “Enterprise” 1.14?

**1/2

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 am – Hercules!!

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