When your entire personality is based on being black and from Africa, but you get offended when someone refers to you in that way. No way of not offending those women at this point.
Edit: this comment was meant for episode 2
Incredible finale! But man, it's going to be a pain waiting for the next season lol.
Amazing episode but please stop using cliff-hangers I beg you... This should have been a double episode.
[7.6/10] I like this episode because it’s basically a hangout, more of a chance to get to know everyone better than a spate of high drama. Sure, there’s a bit of action here. Reed and Mayweather have a ticking clock to finish their work before the sun comes up on the comet, and their shuttle falls through the ice, and there’s a daring (if doomed) claw machine rescue attempt. But none of that really comes into play until the last ten minutes of the episode, and it’s fairly low stakes by Star Trek standards. Instead, this is a low-key episode, as devoted to helping to scaffold the relationships between our characters and their erstwhile allies as it is to any game-changing plot machinations or high intensity conflicts.
That comes down to four scenes in particular, some of which are connected, but many are almost just little vignettes, nominally related to one another, but mostly just small sketches to give us character details.
The most effective, if not the most artful, of these scenes was the one where Archer and the rest of the bridge crew responded to the questions of an Irish elementary school class. It’s a good narrative device for providing exposition, answering queries about food, feces, and fraternization that fans may have been wondering about as well, like the impudent little schoolchildren that we are. But it also gives each of the bridge crew a moment to shine. Archer tries to project statesman-like certainty and assurance, but worries about how it went. Hoshi explicates the challenges of using the universal translator but expressing budding self-confidence. Proud but insecure Trip doesn't want the moppets to think he’s an intergalactic toilet-cleaner. And Dr. Phlox shows himself off as a delightfully nerdy blowhard.
It’s not much, and it’s a little cheesy at times, but again, it does what it sets out to do in a genial fashion. It explains some of the sundry details of Enterprise in a didactic way that’s swallowable given the context, and it gives several members of the cast to have those little character moments that are both fun and endearing.
But my favorite scene in the episode is the one between T’Pol and Trip where the Vulcan seeks her crewmate’s advice on what to do about her wedding. On the one hand, it’s a superb interaction from a character perspective. We see a different side of T’Pol, one who’s worried about her personal life to the point of insomnia and headaches, who’s taking Dr. Phlox’s advice to talk about her problems, and who is trying to balance her responsibilities to her people and her responsibilities to her crew. We also see a different side of Trip, one who is still blustery in his way, but who’s also apologetic and rueful about violating T’Pol’s privacy and who seems genuinely interested in connecting with her as a friend. (Methinks the Captain’s discussion about dating is not a coincidence.
Still, it’s also a great representation of the differences between Western and Eastern views of individualism. Trip represents the Western view of self-determination, being able to direct one’s own life and pursue life, liberty, and happiness. T’Pol represents the Eastern view of community, where one’s responsibility to a greater whole, one’s culture and family, comes before individual pursuits. Enterprise isn’t exactly even-handed in the debate, but it acknowledges both sides of it, which makes T’Pol’s inner turmoil, and eventual choice at the end of the episode to choose the Enterprise over her marriage, a much more meaningful one.
As much as this is, at heart, a T’Pol episode, about her being stuck between those two impulses, it’s also another human/Vulcan diplomatic kerfuffle episode. Archer feels like the Vulcans have had a contingent “looking over his shoulder” at least since the Andorian Incident. But he’s trying to kill them with kindness, hailing and greeting the Vulcan captain, trying to include them in the Enterprise’s expedition, and even inviting him to dinner.
That dining scene is impressively awkward, calling to mind a similarly touch-and-go effort at dinner table detente between humans and Klingons in Star Trek VI. Archer is bending over backwards to try to connect with Captain Vanik, who is begrudgingly polite but as curt and rude as any Vulcan you might expect. The sense of Vulcan arrogance, of seeing humans like the children Archer was just reaching out to, comes through loud and clear, with him not appreciating the good will behind each of these gestures if not the gestures themselves. The scene does a great deal of work to help justify the resentment that Archer and others feel for the Vulcans, showing him trying very hard to accommodate his green-blooded counterpart and getting nothing but dismissals and thinly-veiled insults in return.
That’s what makes the final major scene of the episode so impactful, and the culmination of Archer’s attempt to connect with Vanik and T’Pol’s efforts to connect (in her own distinctly Vulcan way) with Trip. When Archer tries to rescue Reed and Mayweather on his own, rebuffing Vanik’s offers, the echoes of that dinner scene are present. He wants to buck Vanik’s impression of humans as bunglers who need the Vulcans to save their bacon on routine missions. But T’Pol interjects that Vanik expects Archer to reject his help, that they see humans as prideful, but that Archer, being human, can choose to put his crewmen’s lives over his pride. It’s not the most elegant threading of the needle you’ve ever seen, but it’s sound and significant.
So is the closer, where T’Pol sends (through official channels) what’s implied to be her message that she’s staying on the ship, allowing her wedding to be canceled, and getting to know these humans, and their different but potentially liberating customs, a little better. It’s not exactly subtle, but her trying Trip’s pecan pie at the end of the episode is a superb way to symbolize that. And “Breaking the Ice” is a great way for the audience to get to know all of these characters, T’Pol in particular, better in between the galaxy-shaping misadventures which will no doubt provide plenty of fireworks in the episodes to come. Taking this time to let us understand the people in those interstellar firefights, taking a breather where we can just spend time with them as people, makes the biggest blasts and dramatic twists worth caring about.
Kudos to the writers of this show, for dealing with covid, then moving on. Such a refreshing change from the likes of Grey's Anatomy and New Amsterdam. This show is still an enjoyable watch
What the f...?
I really loved that episode! Ethan Peck played that role fascinatingly good. What a blast this second season is.
love to see more of Dr. Lim
@ people who aren't happy about the trans storyline: this is literally a show about accepting people's differences. What are you doing here?
Ahh, the sound of the nattering naybobs of Trekdom furiously trying to clap with one hand. You see, unless a program meets the narrowly specific parameters of what they will accept as "proper" Star Trek lore. Reminds me of those YouTube videos of entitled 16 year old's getting a new Lamborghini or BMW, and then pitching an absolute fit because it wasn't the color they desired. "This is NOT the Trek I was looking for"...... OK Obi Wan Kensnobby you win, we'll all go sit in the basement and watch reruns of the original series, or better yet, just the SPECIFIC EPISODES in each series that meet with your awesomely discerning taste. They rest you may send to the cornfield!!!!
Personally, I thought the producers and writers did a pretty good job of giving us a brand new crew, a brand new ship, an at least interesting situation as far as the story arc, while maintaining the connection to traditional "Trek" with appropriate amounts of fan service and character call backs. The animation, stylistically, is light years ahead of what is offered on "The Lower Drecks, er...Decks", and, the storytelling is aimed more toward the dramatic rather than the comedic. If that's not your thing, cool, but, neither should it be dismissed out of hand.
Personally, I found the amount of tension, thrills and FUN just about right, and the mix of immediate story and long arc balanced enough to hold my attention and leave me wanting more. Again, for a show aimed at the Nickelodeon demographic, that's no small feat IMO.
So yeah, I plan to continue watching it, and, it will be interesting to see if this version of the "Trekverse", can go where the others haven't gone before, or if the naybob's will be successful in stirring up enough negativity to eject the warp core and leave the crew stranded.
The interview centerpiece is among the best things they've ever done. The way it just never stop escalating. "Trust me. Gay is in. Gay is hot. I want some gay. Gay its gonna be."
This episode just shows that you don't need action, just well performed dialog. I had a few moments that just had me on the brink of tears, but the "feels" were real. I love this series.
Time travel to a contemporary setting is one of the oldest tricks in the Star Trek playbook and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t still work like a charm. Very fun to get to see the newest Kirk portrayer really get to play with the character, and possibly the best character performance we’ve had from Christina Chong as La’an.
there are times when cliche doesn't work, and there are times when the elements of the cliche actually gives us some refreshing moments and feelings. the direction of this show knows what they're doing. this is actually more than expected, comparing to other famous netflix and disney+ shows.
okay Charlie acts like he's a shy boi but that kid is the boldest mf i've ever seen — sends full red heart as a text response, joins the rugby team just for the eye candy, "would you kiss me??". I mean.
also: help me, am currently hyperventilating over these boys.
At the end of the day. Janeway did it all for Seven
That was a strong episode. Some genuine excitement and one real shock moment. It helped that it devoted most of its time to one story thread rather than jumping around all the time. There was also some real emotion for the characters at long last.
I think I quite liked the Martian Navy, they actually seemed like decent people. A nice mystery is now fully set up as to who the mysterious attackers are and what their goal is.
I've often accused Voyager of being formulaic and dull. I think that point stands (it's taken me close to a year to struggle through these final two seasons), but every so often an episode like this pops up. For once, the characters are given the spotlight and we get a fascinating and even emotional story with them. It happened earlier this season with the episode 'Lineage', and here it happens again.
In many ways, this is almost a complete copy of the classic TNG episode 'The Measure of a Man', in which Data's right to be recognised as a living being is put to trial, but here there's enough of a Voyager twist to make things feel different enough. In particular, the Doctor is one of the most original and thought-provoking characters in the Trek franchise. I do attribute that mostly to Robert Picardo's great performance, but his performance can't exist without the writing to back it up.
The episode actually flows through several things before arriving at the final hearing. My favourite parts were the holonovel that the Doctor had created which shine a fun and sometimes hilarious alternate light on what the crew of Voyager could be like. From there we get some good discussions on whether his work is offensive and damaging to the crew with the Doctor's position being sympathetic enough to make us be in his corner. But the crew do all have a point, and it's almost painful to see the way they forcefully inform the Doc how inconsiderate he's being.
It's also another frustrating example of Voyager's inconsistency, as we've had numerous episodes in which the crew - especially Janeway - don't seem willing to recognise the Doctor as a real person with feelings. This happened as recently as a couple of episodes ago with Harry Kim in 'Workforce'.
There's also a quite lovely B-story involving the crew finally getting to have direct communications with their families back home. I actually feel like this didn't get quite enough story time and held back a bit too much. The only conversation which really resonated here was B'Elanna and her father, although Seven speaking with her aunt did work well (anyone else think it was kind of creepy that Seven was always standing in the room while everyone was having their deeply personal conversations?). I would have liked to have seen Tom interact with his father - who was RIGHT THERE - and that feels like a missed opportunity.
Forgot they met here. Nice to see Kaylie and Dranzel.
And the backstory for Grog is as brilliant as Travis's performance tends to be. The big ass brute with a heart of gold. In fact all three of these episodes have been real solid on the Grog stuff.
I adore his friendship with Pike. it will never get old seeing them together.
With even more examples of Matt picking some of the best roles to play. Every single one is a pleasant surprise and a delightful delivery.
Nice ruse for entry. With some excellent face paint. Grog even gets two cool entrances in the episode. Very nice.
I sometimes find myself wondering which is better, the animation or the voices in this show. Both are sublime.
Yep, this pretty much reinforces why Grog is best character ^^
Funny how they went through a whole challenge to wound him then gets wounded immediately by a dragon :joy:
"No one cares about you. I am no different."
… "Well, damn."
What a performance by Bella Ramsey! She has been amazing from episode one but, this episode she delivered everything!!
Sexy. Perceptive. Strong. Beautiful. One of a kind.
This is it folks, this is peak television. What we have here is one of the most gut wrenching and masterfully crafted episodes ever brought to screen. Absolutely fucking phenomenal with career best performances from Murray Bartlett and Nick Oferman. Holy shit this will stick with me.
THEY PROMISED ME ZOMBIES AND ALL I HAVE NOW IS DEPRESSION
What a beautiful episode, I don't remember an episode like this for years, very well done, just perfect.
Which version do you prefer? The Game or the Show? I will have to go with the show, its more happy, kinda.
"a story of a Scottish drag queen who faced off the entire English army"
End of this month I'll turn sixty. I really like this show. I am reminded of when I was twenty-eight, and really liked Doctor Who, and, then learned, in England, it was primarily a kids show.
Begs the question: What is the target audience of this Nickelodeon show? Just don't beat yourself up if you also.... Or, is the question, "You may be a Trekkie if...you enjoy everything Star Trek"...?
And, be gentle, with yourself and others. (quote from Shunryu Suzuki: "Instead of criticizing, find out how to help.")
The best episode yet. However, I believe in workplace boundaries. Coworkers aren’t your friends.
