Agree to disagree | Report this post to moderator
By: Nuclearmothman (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:54:51 on Feb 11, 2005

I have to completely disagree with this review. "United" has the most TOS feeling of any episode this season. Archer's willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good, even before the discovery of the "loophole," is a very Kirk-like moment. (Yes, one may question the logic and wisdom of having the commander of the ship put himself in this position, but I thought it was clever how this was addressed in the episode itself, when Archer explains his reasoning to T'pol.)

The point of the duel was to provide a "test" for Archer and company. Just how far are the humans willing to go to forge the alliance? Archer realized that he the fight with Shran is a symbolic act as well. He could have easily stepped aside and allowed the alliance to fall apart, but Archer realizes that there's more at stake than just the single "maurader."

We know, of course, that a full-scale war with the Romulans is just a few years away, and it's possible Archer has already guessed that the Romulans want to destablize the quadrant.

We've seen the origins of the Federation at the end of "United." Perhaps we'll see the beginning of the Romulan Wars in "The Aenar."

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigar in one hand, favorite beverage in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!"

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Another jaw-droppingly off-target review | Report this post to moderator
By: Phaethon (Odo's file, contact) @ 11:50:22 on Feb 10, 2005

Like "The Forge", "United" was one of the finest episodes of the the entire series... jam-packed with drama, pathos, action... fully able to stand comparison with any good episode of Next Gen...

...and yet here we have yet another dismissive review, focusing on nit-picks. Unbelievable.

A cursory examination of O'Deus' reviews for this season leaves the impression that the high point so far is "Observer Effect"... not a bad show... but the best of Season 4? Can anyone take this guy seriously?

O'Deus should have been pink-slipped long ago...

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Deus, you tell it how it is! | Report this post to moderator
By: alexkidd (Odo's file, contact) @ 20:57:28 on Feb 09, 2005

Deus don't listen to most of these retards. They would say an episode of Enterprise was genious even if it showed a Turd orbiting Vulcan for 45min.

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Not a bad one | Report this post to moderator
By: NAFF (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:37:06 on Feb 09, 2005 | (1)

I found this episode much improved over last week and quite enjoyable.

And were they Battlestars in the group of ships at the end? :)

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uh... | Report this post to moderator
By: JediFonger (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:18:00 on Feb 08, 2005

this is the best episode of Enterprise and one up there with City on the Edge of Forever and the like... and yet a review that says it's just average. ah well, it doesn't matter i guess. count me as one indifferent fan =).

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"LET THEM DIE!!!"

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United | Report this post to moderator
By: Hunter (Odo's file, contact) @ 16:46:44 on Feb 08, 2005

This was a good episode! I thought it was a lot better than the setup episode last week. There were lots of moments that really made me think of TOS. I thought Archer was pretty darn good on this run as well.

First off, can anyone deny getting a bit of the chills when the Enterprise soared over Reed and Trip to pick them up? I always wanted to see that happen in Star Trek. The ship-as-character aspect has always been weak on Enterprise and I think that was redeemed here. As was seeing the entire Andorian/Vulcan fleet go to warp next to Trip and Reed. A neat persepctive.

Next, go Shran. I loved the love story. And I wasn't upset with the resolution because he really didn't want to kill Archer and he absolutely puts his faith in his own Andorian traditions. When he realized the trouble Archer went through just to adhere to traditions that weren't his own, I think Shran was impressed and his willingness to unite with the humans was solidified. He accepted, however reluctantly, the sacrifice he was dealt for the probable peaceful outcome and for the greater good. Very TOS. Not to mention the symbolism behind the loss of the antennae. While a very Kirk-ish way to get out of a morality jam (for Archer), it also symbolized the "loss of balance" Shran was experiencing by losing his partner.

Another enjoyable moment was when they were discussing the ships of the line. The past Enterprises and the past Andorian ice-cutter, what will the future bring? We all know, of course, and seeing them wonder about it, I would think hit home with many ST fans.

I enjoyed this one. There is a lot of tension ready to pop next week, although these promos really don't do the episodes justice at all. They made next week look like its out of this arc. We'll see.

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Congratulations, Deus! | Report this post to moderator
By: timmer33 (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:59:52 on Feb 08, 2005

Your constant meaningless criticisms and pointless nit-picking contributed to the cancellation of ENTERPRISE! You represent TrekWeb, a major internet discussion site and area for Trek fans to congregate on the web. Paramount Execs visit this site and read your reviews every week. You "represent" us, even though we pretty much hate your insipid reviews. They don't reflect actual opinions at all; you simply criticise because that's how you see your "job."

So, I say a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to you for contributing to the death of Star Trek. Your name is up there with Berman and Braga's! I hope that makes you feel warm and fuzzy tonight when you gloat to your friends that you helped kill Trek. Well done.

As for Steve, thanks for running this site. It's too bad ENT is gone, because your site is now going to suffer. However, you kept Deus on even after many posts complaining about him and what he was doing to Trek's reputation. Why? He doesn't have sole blame for killing Trek, obviously, but he's a contributer. All bashers are, but he's the "voice" of your webiste. Why, Steve? WHY?

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Lackluster Episode Reviews | Report this post to moderator
By: Kunk (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:54:48 on Feb 08, 2005

I recommend going to TREKTODAY for episode reviews. Regardless of whether you agree with O Deus or not, the reviews over there are far better written, thoughtful and detailed. Deus' recent efforts are half-baked and lackluster and just reek of indifference. That's a shame since the episodes are getting better.

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I firmly disagree! | Report this post to moderator
By: Hbasm (Odo's file, contact) @ 02:10:33 on Feb 08, 2005

Deus, you never ceize to amaze me. Shrans personal feelings of loss is what I consider the best part of this episode. It fleshes out the character like never before. This was about "Shran" being a living creature and he didn't let the Tellerites get away with murdering his friends and his beloved one. For once, death isn't watered down to a "lets just move on from here" attitude. Shrans sense of dignity requires he takes revenge, as does his cultural background, as does his feelings of sorrow. He uses his own importance, to get what he wants. That's the kind of character oriented development that makes a story come alive.

The rest was great too. Seemed like a perfect blend of meaningful conversation, action, and humour. Loved the acting.

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Drone weak?! | Report this post to moderator
By: Three of Nineteen (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 00:17:53 on Feb 08, 2005

Quote:
Especially as the drone proves to be little match for even Enterprise, let alone Andorian or Vulcan ships which are supposed to be more powerful, and its only ability to cloak itself is quickly neutralized.

Huh? Once the drone dropped the holographic shenanigans it was more like Enterprise was no match for it. Enterprise couldn't even hit it.

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"Ich habe es satt allein aufzustehn // als Erster zu sehn // Dass ich noch leb"

"I'm fed up with getting up alone // To be the first to see // That I'm still alive"

- Rosenstolz, "Ich will mich verlieben"

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Why even bother at this point | Report this post to moderator
By: jamesrkirk (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:51:24 on Feb 07, 2005

I know that O and I have had our battles going back more than a few years. But really, why even bother to review at this point, it is truly a fruitless exercise.

Enterprise is dead. They did the best they could. No matter how you feel about that, it's the truth. I doubt anyone, especially this season, was just phoning it in. I can see where it might be helpful to review if it would have any sort of meaningful impact on the future, but it won't. The reviews at this point, like the remaining episodes, are exercises in futility............

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4 out of 5 | Report this post to moderator
By: Merlinus Ambrosius (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:03:30 on Feb 07, 2005

United was a decent episode, though nowhere near as strong as Babel One. Part of the problem, I think, is that its a "middle episode". It doesn't start anything, it doesn't finish anything, and it just serves to push the action along to the conclusion.

That being said, there are some great parts here, and once again I'm impressed with the special effects. That scene of the Enterprise coming into view above Trip and Reed was awesome, and I thought the "flitty" movements of the drone were pretty cool.

Not a bad episode, but not groundbreaking.

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There were duels on TOS all the time | Report this post to moderator
By: Bucky (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:30:16 on Feb 07, 2005

I thought it was a nice throwback to Amok Time & the like. and instead of "reducing" the alliance of the Federation to a shran/ archer duel, I thought it served as a nice metaphor for all the crap that these two spieces would have to deal with when they joined together to form the federation -- having to learn how to live insde each other's cultures without having it completely evaporate.

That and there was good camera work in this episode as well, Archer's pre-duel bit was great. Also the scads and scads of in-continuity references, that didn't overpower the episode, but gave it a very nice texture that was sorely missing from ENT's prequel in past times.

PErsonally, I liked this more than the preceeding episode.

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An elephant never forgets . . .TO KILL!

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