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Feature Story

Features

Deus Finds "The Forge" More Suggestive Than Substantive

Features

By O. Deus / 18:36, 22 November 2004 / ENTERPRISE Reviews

Reviews Ex Deus

Title: "The Forge"

Overall: 6.5
Performances: 5.5
Writing: 7
Direction: 5
FX & Prod Value: 5.5


Synopsis: Archer and co. investigate the bombing of the Earth embassy on Vulcan.

Review: The premise of the three-part Vulcan arc is an interesting one, especially considering the need to bridge the gap in continuity between ENTERPRISE's mangled portrayal of the Vulcans and the STAR TREK portrayal of the Vulcans, two often quite outrightly incompatible. "The Forge" itself also tosses out a variety of interesting ideas into the mix, which may or may not be delivered on properly in future episodes. However, "The Forge" itself is nearly impossible to review on its own because it's simply more a fragment of an episode than an episode.

As with the Augments arc, "The Forge" appears to be part of an attempt to return to the prequel concept as a bridge to the Original Series and has a nice selection of continuity references to TOS. While it still continues to be filled with negative Vulcan stereotypes, the arc appears to be moving towards the argument that these Vulcans are bad primarily because they are the Vulcans in authority and prefiguring a social upheaval on Vulcan that will bring it more in line with the Vulcan we know. Of course the entire
premise that such events had occurred in recent memory fly in the face of all of STAR TREK, as we know continuity and ENTERPRISE even in the best of situations go together about as well as oil and water. And for those troubled by that, ENTERPRISE's own premise renders it as being outside of STAR TREK history via time-tampering from the future, rather than a continuing part of STAR TREK history as a whole.

The actual Vulcan drama is hit and miss with Ambassador Soval returning as a strong character but the Vulcan high command crudely portrayed and poorly acted. Soval's speech to Archer, though, sounds like recycled deep throat cliches. Admiral Forrest is somewhat unnecessarily killed for shock value where having him severely injured in sickbay would actually have been more far more effective. Trip's reaction of callously not caring about the embassy guard's body but his mind is out of character for him. Trip has many failings but inhumanity hasn't been one of them until now.

STAR TREK has more traditionally done three-part episodes and ENTERPRISE's new attempt to carry out these arcs has its flaws. Like "Borderland," "The Forge" feels like less of an episode and more of a preview to an episode. But where "Borderland" had more content and a solid ending, "The Forge" strings together exposition scenes and some action with the end result being more of a snack than a full dinner. Considering that the episode begins with a bang, the succeeding action mostly drags in scenes in which various people discuss or argue with Vulcans. There is no real sense of loss or catastrophe aside from Archer's scene with the coffins.

Once in the desert the pace does not actually pick up any but the interest level increases mainly because we are finally exploring Vulcan. Some elements such as the sandfire are well done, though the special effects for it and the Sehlat are quite inferior. The Sehlat in particular looks like CGI from the early 90's. The editing attempts to compensate for this by showing it only in quick shots is effective to a degree but still would have been better done with the Sehlat entirely out of sight. Just as the electrical sandstorm worked much better as flashes from behind rocks, so too the Sehlat worked better as a growl than a cgi creation. Special effects problems also plague the embassy bombing with the pillar collapsing blast scene looking just downright silly. I don't know if ENTERPRISE's budget has been cut or just stretched (in light of the lower UPN licensing fee) but in such a situation, suggestion is better than showing poor effects.

All in all "The Forge" raises some interesting ideas and possibilities but lacks real meaning until future episodes pick up the ball or don't.

Next week: I've got Surak in my head and I can't get him out.



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Talkback

44 comments Post New | Help
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DaVinci Code-esq | Report this post to moderator
By: Ang (Odo's file, contact) @ 22:30:38 on Nov 24, 2004

Love the new story arc! It's a nice little "DaVinci Code" take off (a secret society guarding repressed secrets about a revered spiritual leader from 2000 years ago!)

It's been a long time since I read "Spock's World," so I'm a little fuzzy on Vulcan history, but I'm enjoying this story very much.

Ok, so Tripp's outburst about not caring about the security guard's body was unnecessary, but otherwise great work. The DNA-aging thing was interesting too. And Mayweather actually got a couple of lines in the episode.


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Lil' harsh on an arc episode, aren't we? | Report this post to moderator
By: Bucky (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:34:58 on Nov 23, 2004

This episode was all setup and it set it up the next two episodes nicely, you shouldn't dock it just cuz its not a full episode. Besides, it used the katra, something I hadn't even heard mentioned since Star Trek 3. That's good enough in my book

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An elephant never forgets . . .TO KILL!


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Talk About Depressing... | Report this post to moderator
By: Vashta (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:32:33 on Nov 23, 2004

Wow. I watch what I think to me possibly the best Enterprise ever, and I come to this website...supposedly a pro trek one, and see this review. The Forge had everything you could want. It had repeated TOS references and an interesting story. You could not ask for more Trek minded writers. You could not ask for more TOS like music and style.
I 'm really not trying to be pissy, but I don't see what Coto could do to make Dues and the other Enterprise haters happy. They fix the TCW and...you hate it. They come home to earth and...you hate it. They bring Spiner back and...you dont like the character. They bring back eugenic supermen, and you don't like how they are played. They go to a real TOS alien homeworld and explore it...and again you hate it.
Please give Coto a chance to fix things. He can't do it in one or two episodes. When/if Enterprise dies, Star Trek is going with it for many years. Is this what we really want?
Next week..Dues tells us how much Awakening sucked..


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RE: Talk About Depressing... by IceHunter @ 02:45:42 on Nov 27
RE: Talk About Depressing... by Sisko2375 @ 00:35:40 on Nov 24
RE: Talk About Depressing... by NAFF @ 18:40:41 on Nov 23
    RE: Talk About Depressing... by Sisko2375 @ 21:30:42 on Nov 25
       RE: Talk About Depressing... by NAFF @ 16:54:45 on Nov 26
    RE: Talk About Depressing... by Vashta @ 09:20:44 on Nov 24
    RE: Talk About Depressing... by Brabbel @ 05:03:33 on Nov 24
       RE: Talk About Depressing... by NAFF @ 08:54:24 on Nov 24
          RE: Talk About Depressing... by Brabbel @ 15:54:37 on Nov 24

Forge was improved | Report this post to moderator
By: Postdoc (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:51:27 on Nov 23, 2004

The show had some interesting bits in it; the beamout from the embassy and the storm were interesting. I can't figure out where T'Pol's character is, her deference to Archer on her own planet suggests she hasn't recovered from the drugs yet.

Unfortunately this show came off as somewhat leaden in the modern trek way, just a bunch of people talking in the dark. Home was better. In light of Blalock's note that her attempt to be in character by not eating with her hands was rebuffed, how can this thing improve?

Who decided that Star Trek had to have characters that barely cry, yell, or laugh? Has Archer even cracked a smile in four years? I don't think so.
I still think this show is like Law and Order in space minus seventy percent of the cynicism. Whether that is good or bad depends on the viewer.

Using TOS to back up Enteprise is risky. It's like contradicting yourself every week. There were some good parts, but I have no idea what Enterprise is about anymore.


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If you want a 'Cliff's Notes' on Trek history--go read Okuda's encyclo | Report this post to moderator
By: Ensign Ro-Your-Boat (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 14:04:14 on Nov 23, 2004

Alright, I'm starting to suspect that this backlash against Deus suggests something about the continuity-pornographers of our little community.

For the record, this 'XXX Continuity Porn' (which is what Cotto is seeking to give us) is STILL not an improvement on the cardboard characterizations, larthargic plotting and unremarkable dialouge that has plauged ENT for years.

Excusing the glaring flaws still present in this show (from the acting on up to the writing) just because Cotto is now doing all this "prequel stuff" doesn't make the show any better from a dramatic standpoint.

If you want a 'Cliff's Notes' on Trek history--go read Okuda's encyclopedia; I thought ENT was supposed to be a 'dramatic one hour presentation'...a series, not only about the early days of human exploration, but also a show about seven characters living and working together in space.

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"The autumn days swung soft around me, like cotton on my skin, but as the embers of the summer lost their breath and disappeared...my heart went cold and only hollow rhythms resounded from within."


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Oh, Deus! | Report this post to moderator
By: Captain Chris (Odo's file, contact) @ 12:10:34 on Nov 23, 2004

I usually agree with your reviews. And when I don't, I at least understand your points. But here, you've missed it.

This episode was exactly the kind of episode I expected when the series started. It laid the foundation of the Human-Vulcan aliance, while explaining the current distrust between the two species. We learn a little more about the planet Vulcan and some of their geo-political issues. It made a heroic attempt at connecting the dots to answer the continuity questions that the show raised over the last three seasons.

Were there flaws? Yes, and if I'm going to pick nits here they are: The earth embasy looked like a model. After noting the irony of some vulcan laws, the Vulcan stranger in the desert laughed. But overall, this is the prequel I wanted to see. After this arc, bring on the Andorians!


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hmm | Report this post to moderator
By: Daniel (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:31:29 on Nov 23, 2004

Well...I hated the first 2 seasons of Enterprise. HATED. Last season was much more entertaining...but not really what I wanted Star Trek to be. This season has been perfect, they are telling the kind of stories that I could have told them from the begining that they needed to tell.

This was a perfect episode that kept me interested and excited from the first frame. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.


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simply a good show | Report this post to moderator
By: neshama (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:48:50 on Nov 23, 2004

O. deus (too aptly named) is again being too hard on Enterprise. He (or she) reminds me too much of the parents of a kid who are angry and disappointed when he brings home only an A minus on an exam or makes second violin in the school orchestra or JV in soccer - unless it it exactly what he is looking for, he is angry and ready to turn his back on the whole enterprise, so to speak. This show is good, and The Forge was really good. There was mystery, adventure, surprise, interesting characters and yes continuity too. Was it Hamlet? No. But it was quite simply better and more intriguing than anything else you could have seen on TV that night. For the younger generation, who aren't as focused on 40 years of continuity and simply want to be excited and introduced to the wonders of good SF, this show is the best thing out there. Apparently, for reasons that elude me, the actors, writers and producers of Enterprise seem to read these notes, and because O.Deus is your lead reviewer, his negative and depressing reviews get the most attnetion. He is killing something wonderful. Look at the audience votes and you will see a truer picture of what people think - Enterprise is (most of the time, and especially under Manny Coto) excellent TV. Because of the nature of SF, requiring invention and surprise and novelty, it isn't as easy to create a top-notch show week after week - you can't rely on stock jokes and stock situations. Enterprise does a good job of exciting and entertaining. Please let it thrive by letting it be what it is - good SF - and condemning it for what it is not, some impossible ideal combination of theatre/literature. Be a little forgiving and appreciate what you have.


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The Forge review | Report this post to moderator
By: Timmer (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:27:23 on Nov 23, 2004


Sorry but I happen to think Deus is right in his reviews. That's not to say the shows aren't watchable. But when Jolene Blalock & John Billingsley openly disagree with the direction of the show & it's characters, it reveals there's trouble in paradise. Both actors have problems with the way the Vulcan's are portrayed, including the failure of the Trip/T'Pol love angle & the overall recycling of storylines among other things.
We're all Trek fans here after all but some of us understand that in an industry where ratings=money & money=survival, that Star Trek is fighting for it's very life. Changes must be brought in before it's too late. Remember that Gene Roddenberry was around to push for Star Trek's revival in the 80's but if the plug were pulled now we may lose it for good. No one will be there to revive it in 10 yrs time & 3 million fans cannot keep a franchise afloat forever. Ratings must rise, the whole franchise depends on it.


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RE: The Forge review by IceHunter @ 02:49:13 on Nov 27
RE: The Forge review by Ghost of Sam Kirk @ 09:21:56 on Nov 23
RE: The Forge review by Ghost of Sam Kirk @ 09:21:34 on Nov 23

Continuity error? | Report this post to moderator
By: Cap'n Calhoun (Odo's file, contact) @ 03:03:42 on Nov 23, 2004

Quote:
Of course the entire premise that such events had occurred in recent memory fly in the face of all of STAR TREK, as we know continuity and ENTERPRISE even in the best of situations go together about as well as oil and water

This comment is completely uncalled for. While Enterprise has certainly had some continuity problems before, I don't see how the events of this episode breach continuity. Actually, it appeared to me that one of the primary reasons for this trilogy was to set continuity back on track after all of the questionable decisions with the Vulcans over the past three years.

Just because we haven't heard of an event doesn't mean it didn't happen. If we assume otherwise, then Enterprise has little choice but to be irrelevant and deadly dull.

--------

"You know what six movies average out to be really good? The first six Star Trek movies!" -- Fry, Futurama


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Can't take much more | Report this post to moderator
By: alexkidd (Odo's file, contact) @ 01:45:50 on Nov 23, 2004

I seriously cant take many more episodes of Enterprise. This episode was so friggin boring. I think the only reason I keep watching is that I have seen every episode thus far. I keep hoping it will somehow get better. This show is barely science fiction. Its more like a cheesy action show in space. If T'pol wasnt so goddamn hot I dont know if I would still be watching...


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RE: Can't take much more by IceHunter @ 02:51:02 on Nov 27

The difference between Star Trek fans and real Star Trek fans ... | Report this post to moderator
By: Locutus (Odo's file, contact) @ 00:11:28 on Nov 23, 2004 | Edit History (2)

I am convinced that the same people who love this episode are the people who love TOS.

I love what Enterprise is becoming because it is looking more and more like TOS. It has been truer to the spirit of The Original Series this season than all seven seasons of Voyager ever were. Enterprise is loved by the real Star Trek fans, the original fans, the fans of The Original Series.

I certainly wouldn't waste my time griping about special effects. Since when has Star Trek really been about special effects. Have we fogotten The Original Series completely. I don't know why people spend so much time complaining about it. I look forward to the continuing improvement of storylines this year. "The Forge" was wonderful, and I look forward to the rest of the series.


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better than o.deus | Report this post to moderator
By: johniccp (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:48:20 on Nov 22, 2004

Watching the episode twice was more entertaining than the o.deus review. I liked this episode because:
a. the character actors didn't steal the show. They acted their parts and told the story.
b. the special effects told the story. I agree they were not the same quality as a feature length movie budget allows, but hey, it's a TV episode, not a feature movie. And finally,
c. I wanted more when the episode was over. I'll be there, tape recorder ready, next Friday.

My only complaint... the entire episode was only 40:30 long. Ugh. Far too many commercials that distract viewer interest. In my daydreams, I'd argue with UPN the idea of expanding each episode to 48 minutes and increasing the cost per 20 or 30 second commercial spot to more than compensate and then, (this is critical) market ENTERPRISE as a "low commercial zone", much like American Express did for the Bourne Identity.

The truth is, I like ENTERPRISE enough to sit with the family and we watch it together. Between the 3-4 episode story arc, the positive image for humanity, and the reduced commercials, I believe ENTERPRISE would stand a fighting chance in any time slot. I'll check back latter to see what the cynics have to say....

Long days and pleasant nights.


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Hit & miss saga continues..but can they afford it now? | Report this post to moderator
By: Peacekeeper (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:01:06 on Nov 22, 2004 | Edit History (1)

Right on review by Dues.
After two terrific episodes; we were subjected to a boring, dragging and lack-lustered enterprise episode as usual. Except seeing them kill off(uselessly) Admiral Forrester, I found nothing in the episode to talk home about. Just one more hour of enterprise gone by. No wonder the ratings dipped. Hopefully, next week Awakening would be much, much more intresting.
We(fans) can only pray for a Season 5....


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no substance? | Report this post to moderator
By: daddy oh (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:20:12 on Nov 22, 2004 | Edit History (1)

I would have to say this episode of trek is at least going somewhere. True , Enterprise poses some continuity problems, but it is only a story and any problems can be easily dealt with. However, this story dealing with political and social change on Vulcan is not out of continuity with TOS or any other Trek that has been written. It must be looked at as part of a whole story that we simply haven't been told. Vulcans have emotions, surpressed, but there. Even Mark Leonard plays an emotional vulcan, his logic was "uncertain" where his son was concerned. So Enterprises so called emotional Vulcans or misguided Vulcan charecteristics doesn't really surprise me. Any questions?

--------

What will the next trek bring to the screen? (large or small) I think I hear the fat lady warming up.


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WTF!!! | Report this post to moderator
By: zhuneycutt (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:12:30 on Nov 22, 2004

Is there nothing out there (besides DS9) that can please this guy? C'mon dude WTF? The Forge is for the most part universally (except Deus) tauted as the best Enterprise episode ever. Other than this review have not seen a real bad attack on this episode even at StarTrek.com. I have to point out one thing, Deus says that this feels like the set up for an episode, of course it is, it is a three parter you are not supposed to tell the entire story in one episode WTF would be the point of a three parter then. C'mon this is 9.5/10 episode i don't give it a ten simply because nothing is absolutly perfect. So c'mon Deus lighten up a little bit and let yourself enjoy the episode alittle more.

--------

Today's forcast: a few sprinklings of genius with A CHANCE OF DOOM!!!!



Stewie Griffin


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RE: WTF!!! by Neighborhood Changeling @ 20:00:50 on Nov 22

AGAIN SPOT ON | Report this post to moderator
By: NAFF (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:08:53 on Nov 22, 2004

Well reviewed.

With rubber rocks and a equally rubber lead actor, things are not looking good.

Again, Archer is center-stage - and the character is just not up to it.

This week we exchange Star Trek 2 nuances for Trek 3 and 4. Its going to take more than that.

This show has no sense of excitement or humor - oh, how well DS9 was done, my friends.


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RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by The Burninator @ 19:18:30 on Nov 22
    RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by Ogden @ 22:34:18 on Nov 22
       RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by Scorned @ 09:16:10 on Nov 28
       RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by NAFF @ 09:02:10 on Nov 23
    RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by NAFF @ 19:32:52 on Nov 22
       RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by zhuneycutt @ 19:35:17 on Nov 22
          RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by NAFF @ 19:53:30 on Nov 22
             RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by zhuneycutt @ 22:02:35 on Nov 22
                RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by NAFF @ 07:50:17 on Nov 23
                   RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by Jadzia-Dax @ 08:40:02 on Nov 23
                      RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by NAFF @ 08:57:44 on Nov 23
                         RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by Jadzia-Dax @ 10:26:29 on Nov 23
                RE: AGAIN SPOT ON by Hepkat @ 22:16:32 on Nov 22

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