Let's get him! He must die! They took our jobs! He's a Cylon!
--------
Dig deep piles of rubble and ruins
Towering overhead both far and wide
There's unknown tools for World War III
Einstein said 'We'll use rocks on the other side'
No survivors!
.
I find that the best part, if anyone paid close attention to, is the energetic trailer score (presumably also by Michael Giacchino), which I really dig. If Giacchino really did it, then I can tell now that he really proves his abilities as a very good composer.
I am not very seasoned in classical music terminology, so I apologise in advance for my misinformation in these things.
The best part is the energetic rhythm in violin strings stress the youthfulness, with brass in the background ominously shadowing what's to come.
I can already tell that Zachary Quinto is great as Spock.
With all the Kirkboy stuff, then keep in mind that you have to have kids watching the film, too.
I wonder who envisaged the ever-modern sets, hope Zaha Hadid had some say in it ;).
And never before a trailer like that ^_^.
The new Starbuck is still a man anyway...
Brannon Braga has been a thorn in the Star Trek saga since his involvement in "The Undiscovered Country." Since Frakes' brilliant direction of "First Contact," Star Trek has been in a steady decline due to lack of fresh ideas and creative management stifled by corporate greed.I believe what is needed is to return to Gene Roddenberry's "Wagon Train in Space" idea: Go back to the old series, ressurect the characters, and stick to a simple story line. The Nemesis ending of a replacement Data was pathetic!
I don't know why everyone's bitching. At least this episode is going to be different from the usual "a strange alien comes and a dark secret is revealed" type of story. This idea is very much in the vein of TNG's "Qpid." Sure it might be a little silly, but it's a break from the usual fare and it might be fun and entertaining.
--------
It's a rip-off. / We're stepped on, and cheated! / We're flat, stone-cold lied to / But we're not defeated / No!
Halen. "The Dream is Over."
Deus is right on with his criticism of the show when you take into account all the other episodes. There is no doubt its completely recycled. Watching the episode with the thought of a year long arc I also got the impression that we're also in for a rehash of the Dominion of DS9.
The episode on its own though kept my attention. Probably because I wasn't able to completely predict each move. I also was drawn to the MACOS, and this may not be a good sign for several actors contracts in the future. I also appreciated that the XINDI aren't some superhuman race. They seem to be unsure of their actions which is refreshing in an enemy (PREDICTION: Season end. We're okay, you're okay, we were lied to, let kiss and be friends) of Starfleet.
I could do without Trip's grief...I don't buy it. I'm also wondering what moon of Vulcan T'Pol comes from. Way to much emotion. I've bought into Phlox he's a bright spot on the show for me. The worst thing that happened in the show was the new rendition of the theme song. Ugh! Did someone actually think that sounds better?
BRING BACK THE GREEN GUYS!!!
Kilroy
Deuss is right on with his criticism of the show when you take into account all the other episodes. There is no doubt its completely recycled. Watching the episode with the thought of a year long arc I also got the impression that we're also in for a rehash of the Dominion of DS9.
The episode on its own though kept my attention. Probably because I wasn't able to completely predict each move. I also was drawn to the MACOS, and this may not be a good sign for several actors contracts in the future. I also appreciated that the XINDI aren't some superhuman race. They seem to be unsure of their actions which is refreshing in an enemy (PREDICTION: Season end. We're okay, you're okay, we were lied to, let kiss and be friends) of Starfleet.
I could do without Trip's grief...I don't buy it. I'm also wondering what moon of Vulcan T'Pol comes from. Way to much emotion. I've bought into Phlox he's a bright spot on the show for me. The worst thing that happened in the show was the new rendition of the theme song. Ugh! Did someone actually think that sounds better?
BRING BACK THE GREEN GUYS!!!
Kilroy
I love Star Trek.
Let’s get that out of the way right here. I have been an ardent supporter for a very long time (since the 1970’s revival period). Yet, this season opener was blah.
But not only was it blah, it turned tasteless. The opening Xindi council was good and interesting. The MACO (and boy, I was sweating these guys) were even good. I especially liked the old-fashioned military code (no, sir/yes, ma’am; standing for a lady, etc.). And it wasn’t the “I’m as mad as h*** and I’m not going to take it anymore” motif running with everyone (although we didn’t hear peep out of our young helmsman in the first outing).
No, it was the gratuitous, faux-orgasmic encounter with T’Pol. Wow, this even made the decon gel seem like a good memory. The scene didn’t smack with desperation. It screamed it.
Now, can I live with that: no. Can the series survive on that: yes, with the 13-18 crowd (and the 18-35 haven’t got a girlfriend/wife crowd). Will it get better: who knows for sure.
Only now this response haunts me: for the very first time in nearly 40 years, I want Star Trek to end.
Sad.
--------
I don't care what "they" say..... "THERE...ARE....FOUR....LIGHTS!"
I love Star Trek.
Let’s get that out of the way right here. I have been an ardent supporter for a very long time (since the 1970’s revival period). Yet, this season opener was blah.
But not only was it blah, it turned tasteless. The opening Xindi council was good and interesting. The MACO (and boy, I was sweating these guys) were even good. I especially liked the old-fashioned military code (no, sir/yes, ma’am; standing for a lady, etc.). And it wasn’t the “I’m as mad as h*** and I’m not going to take it anymore” motif running with everyone (although we didn’t hear peep out of our young helmsman in the first outing).
No, it was the gratuitous, faux-orgasmic encounter with T’Pol. Wow, this even made the decon gel seem like a good memory. The scene didn’t smack with desperation. It screamed it.
Now, can I live with that: no. Can the series survive on that: yes, with the 13-18 crowd (and the 18-35 haven’t got a girlfriend/wife crowd). Will it get better: who knows for sure.
Only now this response haunts me: for the very first time in nearly 40 years, I want Star Trek to end.
Sad.
--------
I don't care what "they" say..... "THERE...ARE....FOUR....LIGHTS!"
-
I wouldn't hesitate to take any animal to the clinic. There is a reason that the wait is a little long, they're worth the wait. There a lot of people take there pets to doctor. I know a lot of people that drive over an hour or more for the excellent service provided.
----------------
Tanyaa
massachusetts drug rehab
Poor Gene Roddenberry. Look what his child has become. A mindless shoot ‘em up where the most interesting character (Trip) is all about revenge, with gratuitous nudity meant to appeal to the lowest common denominator. And let’s face it, besides being cringe-worthy, the Trip/T’Pol scene wasn’t even true to itself. First, Trip doesn’t think anything sexual is going on until he is asked to undress - AFTER T’Pol has taken her shirt completely off and put it back on again. Huh? Then, the whole point was supposedly Trip getting over his nightmares, but the scene cuts away before we see Trip’s ‘treatment’ and we never see any resolution. Proof that this only existed to exploit poor Miss Blalock, who deserves much better.
What a poor excuse for a "sci-fi legacy" this franchise has become.
With the lamest heavy handed script that could have been written by Bill O'Reilly, this "Trek" has clearly lost it's way.
A true "Star Trek" has always been about diversity in it's infinate combinations, understanding and human compassion as demonstrated through thoughtful actions, NOT thoughtless agressions. And definately NOT thinly veiled Post 9-11 "terror politics". Jonathan Archer has become the complete opposite of every decent starship captain that preceeded him. An unthinking, uncaring and dispassionate war hungry tool.
Berman and Braga have done it again, and struck yet another nail to the "Trek" coffin lid. I'm just glad they didn't add "Star Trek" to the opening title sequence, because it's definately not related to any "Star Trek" I've ever seen.
Dear Paramount: Save your money and kill this trash today, you've lived long and prospered enough!
--------
PAY ATTENTION! Listen to DemocracyNow! , AirAmericaRadio and CrooksandLiars - Where the REAL truth hurts everyone!
If it has gotten off to this bad a start in the ratings, with no competition and with what was in my opinion a pretty mediocre episode, how can it possibly survive? When I heard it had gotten B/B+ reviews, I thought it would have a hard time. Now that I've actually seen it, I'd say the series is doomed. I'd give it a C+. And I'm a diehard fan! I'll be taping it this season and watching Smallville at 8. If the Nielsen families do the same, the ratings will be cut in half in a couple of weeks.
Did they order a full 26 episodes for the season, and if so can they cancel production prior to completing all the episodes?
I was fearing that ENT would go in some new direction I didn't like, but it went in the same old direction I didn't like. How could the writers and producers take such an exciting concept as a pre-TOS series and turn it into crap? I was expecting to see the Star Trek world in its infancy, but instead ended up with something infantile.
The show is simply boring, boring, boring. Having T'Pol shove her tits into the camera won't relieve that boredom for very long. And how many times does Archer have to get captured. How did this guy end up as captain of a starship if he doesn't have an ounce of common sense? Having him bark orders isn't going to help his character. I was almost hoping that they would kill off Archer so that a new cast member could be brought into the series.
I was fearing that ENT would go in some new direction I didn't like, but it went in the same old direction I didn't like. How could the writers and producers take such an exciting concept as a pre-TOS series and turn it into crap? I was expecting to see the Star Trek world in its infancy, but instead ended up with something infantile.
The show is simply boring, boring, boring. Having T'Pol shove her tits into the camera won't relieve that boredom for very long. And how many times does Archer have to get captured. How did this guy end up as captain of a starship if he doesn't have an ounce of common sense? Having him bark orders isn't going to help his character. I was almost hoping that they would kill off Archer so that a new cast member could be brought into the series.
I was fearing that ENT would go in some new direction I didn't like, but it went in the same old direction I didn't like. How could the writers and producers take such an exciting concept as a pre-TOS series and turn it into crap? I was expecting to see the Star Trek world in its infancy, but instead ended up with something infantile.
The show is simply boring, boring, boring. Having T'Pol shove her tits into the camera won't relieve that boredom for very long. And how many times does Archer have to get captured. How did this guy end up as captain of a starship if he doesn't have an ounce of common sense? Having him bark orders isn't going to help his character. I was almost hoping that they would kill off Archer so that a new cast member could be brought into the series.
So why does this surprise anyone? I thought DS9 was really a GREAT TREK series from seasons 4 through 7, yet "quality writing" didn't improves it's ratings. If quality writing doesn't bring back the fans, sex and action more than likely won't either. As far back as VOYAGER--actually as far back as season 2 and 3 of DS9--it was time to cut TREK TV and movie productions. The franchise and the market could no longer support both a TV series and movie series running concurrently. I felt from day one that ENTERPRISE was a D.O.A. series. TREK needs to go away for several years and hopefully an occasional epic TV movie or a possible theatrical movie series can be salvaged. I hate cliches, but there is a measure of truth in them: "familiarity breeds contempt," is certainly true in regards to STAR TREK. It can be seen EVERYWHERE and has been going on now for many years from the mainstream press to fans. Greed, over-saturation, overproduction of the same product, splitting the fan base with too many of the same heroes, ships, stories and plots (Some would say, badly written stories and plots, but I think its more than just that.), etc., has finally caught up with TREK. IT"S TIME TO PUT AN END TO THIS TREK THROUGH THE STARS!
So why does this surprise anyone? I thought DS9 was really a GREAT TREK series from seasons 4 through 7, yet "quality writing" didn't improves it's ratings. If quality writing doesn't bring back the fans, sex and action more than likely won't either. As far back as VOYAGER--actually as far back as season 2 and 3 of DS9--it was time to cut TREK TV and movie productions. The franchise and the market could no longer support both a TV series and movie series running concurrently. I felt from day one that ENTERPRISE was a D.O.A. series. TREK needs to go away for several years and hopefully an occasional epic TV movie or a possible theatrical movie series can be salvaged. I hate cliches, but there is a measure of truth in them: "familiarity breeds contempt," is certainly true in regards to STAR TREK. It can be seen EVERYWHERE and has been going on now for many years from the mainstream press to fans. Greed, over-saturation, overproduction of the same product, splitting the fan base with too many of the same heroes, ships, stories and plots (Some would say, badly written stories and plots, but I think its more than just that.), etc., has finally caught up with TREK. IT"S TIME TO PUT AN END TO THIS TREK THROUGH THE STARS!
My first disappointment was the theme song. I was one of the minority who actually liked to original theme song, and I found last night's version far cheesier.
My next disappointment was the fact that nothing has really changed. Same rehashed story, same bad guys, same gratuitous sex scene, same non-use of Hoshi or Travis, same hammy acting from Scott Bakula. I'm sure the scene in the cargo bay was supposed to be foreshadowing for the weird things to come in the expanse, but it was laughable. Far "weirder" things happened in "normal" space on the other series, all the time! I also felt myself squirmming in my chair when Archer dresses down Malcolm, and conveniently gives us a tour and explanation for the command center. That is obvious and poor writing! The writers should let these things develop naturally, but they don't. I also agreed with another responder who noted that they weren't as uncomfortable with T'Pol's sexy scene, as they were with the introduction of another new Vulcan ritual/talent, that we've never seen before. Another loss of continuity with the franchise. And what would've been wrong with Trip struggling for a few episodes with nightmares? Maybe he could've struggled with nightmares for the entire season. That's what real people are really like.
The "human" type Xindi was extremely disappointing. There was NOTHING weird, stange, or different about him. He was just another schmuk stuck in a Rura Pente knock-off. Nothing about him was ALIEN, except of course, his forehead. I was hoping the first meeting with a Xindi would be ominous and mysterious. Oh well. I did like T'Pol's new eyebrows. At least now she LOOKS like a Vulcan.
I guess my entire problem with Enterprise is that it is NOT Star Trek. Continuity with the original series was blown out the window from day one. Everytime I see the hot-headed Vulcan from the High-Command, I cringe. He exemplifies the total loss of continuity between TOS and Enterprise. I really don't know what B & B hoped to accomplish when they took the approach they did with this series, but believe me, it has had the opposite effect than intended. Recently, I was talking with a friend with a passing interest in Star Trek. This friend had seen a few episodes here and there, of the various series, and thought Star Trek was OK. I asked her if she had ever seen Enterprise. She said, and I quote, "Yeah, I turned it on once, but I didn't like it! It's not like Star Trek. That Vulcan lady is not even a Vulcan!" I rest my case.
I'll probably watch a few more episodes to see if Enterprise improves, but for me, a fan of Star Trek since age 5, this is it. I've seen every episode of every Star Trek series, but I'm about ready to give up. I'm tired of thin story lines, I'm tired of characters who behave differently in every episode, I'm tired of the lack of continuity with the rest of the franchise, I'm tired of the poor writing, I'm tired of the lack of real character development, and the lack of relationship between the characters. I hate to say it, because I love Star Trek, but Enterprise is a mediocre show, and I find it nearly impossible to invest in it.
--------
anti_proton
So why does this surprise anyone? I thought DS9 was really a GREAT TREK series from seasons 4 through 7, yet "quality writing" didn't improves it's ratings. If quality writing doesn't bring back the fans, sex and action more than likely won't either. As far back as VOYAGER--actually as far back as season 2 and 3 of DS9--it was time to cut TREK TV and movie productions. The franchise and the market could no longer support both a TV series and movie series running concurrently. I felt from day one that ENTERPRISE was a D.O.A. series. TREK needs to go away for several years and hopefully an occasional epic TV movie or a possible theatrical movie series can be salvaged. I hate cliches, but there is a measure of truth in them: "familiarity breeds contempt," is certainly true in regards to STAR TREK. It can be seen EVERYWHERE and has been going on now for many years from the mainstream press to fans. Greed, over-saturation, overproduction of the same product, splitting the fan base with too many of the same heroes, ships, stories and plots (Some would say, badly written stories and plots, but I think its more than just that.), etc., has finally caught up with TREK. IT"S TIME TO PUT AN END TO THIS TREK THROUGH THE STARS!
I think Odie's review is a bit harsh but offers some good insights. The nearly perfect parallel with "Broken Bow" hadn't occurred to me, but neatly explains the sense of deja vu that nagged me the entire time I was watching.
In sum, I'd call The Xindi a middle-of-the-road show that did nothing to change my wait-and-see attitude about Season Three. There were several things that pleased and disappointed me about the show, some of which other posters have noted.
Pleased:
The mine, though a carbon copy of Rura Penthe, was suitably alien and spooky. The actor playing the Foreman, sucking on his inhaler like Dennis Hopper in "Blue Velvet," enhanced my enjoyment of the entire episode by at least 50%. I liked it when he banged a pipe to summon his lackeys, liked the 1940-style microphone he used to ring up Enterprise, but was disappointed to see him subsequently using a touch-screen computer monitor like everyone else in the 22nd century.
Liked the plasma vent escape attempt and was genuinely surprised it didn't work. It occurred to me while watching that scene how far special effects have come the past few years. I thought it looked good, especially the plasma roaring up the tube and shooting past. Not even TNG could have afforded a scene like that.
Generally liked the MACO troops and their handling. As Deus said, why doesn't every future starship have a SWAT team like this? I was puzzled by the scene in which Hoshi introduces herself to the team apparently for the first time; haven't they all been together on a small ship for a couple of months now? I liked that the troops were allowed some humanity--getting space sick, hailing from Minnesota--and weren't immediately cast as the tight-ass gung-ho bad guys. I think it'll be important for us to *like* these guys despite the tension the writers obviously intend to build.
The mystery of the destroyed planet. I'm willing to see where that takes us. Was it really the Xindi homeworld? Did Earth somehow destroy it in the past from the future? And if so, doesn't that make us the bad guys?
Disappointed:
The Xindi Council in general. Though I appreciate the attempt to bring some alienness to Trek aliens (esp. re: the Aquatic Xindi), the whole council had too much "Legion of Doom" feel for my taste. One could easily picture Lex Luthor in the corner plotting with Brainiac. Does anyone think villains really spend all day sitting around a conference table spouting darkly mysterious exposition? None of the Xindi showed much personality or promise as a compelling villain in the way that Q, Dukat, or Seska (or, hell, even Harry Mudd) did. And the council didn't really *do* anything. As a poster said below, "I felt more threatened by Baltar and the Cylons." Exactly.
Back Massage. While I don't understand many Trek fans' puritan streaks (Star Trek has always featured beautiful women and sex, it's part of the formula), I get uneasy seeing T'Pol exhibit Vulcan skills we've never seen in 37 previous years. I don't like seeing a Vulcan lie. And, while I appreciated the glimpse of booby, I think her modesty was played completely wrong. I think a Vulcan would either logically conclude that there is no shame in nudity and disrobe without hesitation or, more likely, be so dignified that she would never consider disrobing in front of a human. But apparently T'Pol just gets more human all the time.
The Expanse: What's the point? It looks like regular space. Except for a few boxes in the hold, it acts like regular space. The only reason I can see for putting the Enterprise into an "expanse" at all is to cut off communication with Starfleet, but distance alone could have done that in the regular old galaxy. I guess we'll get to see people going crazy and turning inside out later--completely wasting an interesting opportunity to explore what it might *really* be like if the laws of physics changed--but so far I'm underwhelmed.
Summing up: I've enjoyed watching Enterprise with my family, particularly since this is the first Trek my kids are old enough to appreciate. They're big fans. However, the unanimous review of "The Xindi" by the three non-Trekkies in my home was, "Eh. It was okay." As my wife said after watching next week's preview, "I hope we're not going to spend all year watching Archer say, 'tell me what I want or I'll kill you.'" I thought that was a telling criticism.
I was also reminded of recent comments by both Shatner and Nimoy that Star Trek has lost its way; that its current producers have lost sight of what made Trek great. Star Trek was seldom straight-ahead shoot-em-up space opera. The best Star Trek was about society, our ethics, our prejudices, our dilemmas. It was about us. And when I ask myself what "The Xindi" had to say about us, I can only answer, "Not a damn thing."
Great to have you back, O. Deus, with another fair and balanced review.
I found this a pretty average episode, but a watchable episode. It helped that I watched it on video and could cut out the commercial breaks.
The Trip/T'Pol scene was quite frankly out of place, cringe-worthy and went too far in terms of tit-ilation.
I didn't think too much of the new Command Center either. Looked more like a Gateway store to me.
There's just enough to keep me coming back next week though - the Macos (even with their bird-shit outfits), the cool Xindi Council, the mystery of the destroyed Home World, the great SFX.
Great to have you back, O. Deus, with another fair and balanced review.
I found this a pretty average episode, but a watchable episode. It helped that I watched it on video and could cut out the commercial breaks.
The Trip/T'Pol scene was quite frankly out of place, cringe-worthy and went too far in terms of tit-ilation.
I didn't think too much of the new Command Center either. Looked more like a Gateway store to me.
There's just enough to keep me coming back next week though - the Macos (even with their bird-shit outfits), the cool Xindi Council, the mystery of the destroyed Home World, the great SFX.
Great to have you back, O. Deus, with another fair and balanced review.
I found this a pretty average episode, but a watchable episode. It helped that I watched it on video and could cut out the commercial breaks.
The Trip/T'Pol scene was quite frankly out of place, cringe-worthy and went too far in terms of tit-ilation.
I didn't think too much of the new Command Center either. Looked more like a Gateway store to me.
There's just enough to keep me coming back next week though - the Macos (even with their bird-shit outfits), the cool Xindi Council, the mystery of the destroyed Home World, the great SFX, Drakula's superb acting... well, strike that last point.
Great to have you back, O. Deus, with another fair and balanced review.
I found this a pretty average episode, but a watchable episode. It helped that I watched it on video and could cut out the commercial breaks.
The Trip/T'Pol scene was quite frankly out of place, cringe-worthy and went too far in terms of tit-ilation.
I didn't think too much of the new Command Center either. Looked more like a Gateway store to me.
There's just enough to keep me coming back next week though - the Macos (even with their bird-shit outfits), the cool Xindi Council, the mystery of the destroyed Home World, the great SFX, Drakula's superb acting... well, strike that last point.
But, I Liked it! As someone who's stood by Enterprise through thick and thin, I was really afraid they were going to extremeley overhaul and ruin the show. I was pleasantly surprised last night because it still FELT like the same show. I know some of you won't like that, but those of us who have always liked the show breathed a collective sigh of relief. I also think it was one of the best episodes to date and can't wait to see more of the slick looking Xindi. Oh, and I, for one, am glad they only tweaked the theme song instead of an outright change (another unpopular opinion, I'm sure). It is good to see that Enterprise is still the same show I've come to love.
USA ripped it a bit too. I just got my mitts on the new theme music. Ugh! What junk. Take the existing theme song, add a really crappy 4/4 drum track and a lifeless, uninspired acoustic guitar track and bingo! You have a song that the fans will dislike even more than the original. Paramount needs to get a clue.
USA ripped it a bit too. I just got my mitts on the new theme music. Ugh! What junk. Take the existing theme song, add a really crappy 4/4 drum track and a lifeless, uninspired acoustic guitar track and bingo! You have a song that the fans will dislike even more than the original. Paramount needs to get a clue.
You can question USA today's journalism all you want, but a review is an opinion - not an article on fiscal policy. All reviews are one person's opinion. Whether it's printed in USA today or the New York Times doesn't make it any more or less valid.
Of course, Nimoy is right and all of the various reviews (regardless of the grades) really just confirm the continuation of mediocrity.
Its not as simple as half-heartedly putting Earth in danger. That can be part of a dramatic approach but its not nearly as important as investing in the competence and charisma of the leading characters.
Have they improved on that front? Well, from the reviews we see a half naked T'Pal, Archer getting captured (AGAIN!?!) and everyone acting "pissy." Also, the description of Archer in his typical, angry at everything mode is enough for me to steer clear.
It will take sustained and convincing positive reviews and word of mouth to get me back on board.
Victor
Doesn't the MACO soldier look like a young James T. Kirk?! For a minute I thought he was. Weird and could be interesting....
[q]Bakula: "You can bring the parallels to the Middle East... it's kind of the history of STAR TREK to take issues and situations of today and enact them in the future." [e]
This is the best thing I've heard to date about Season 3. Trek at its finest, particularly TOS, was all about using Sci-Fi to comment on contemporary issues. As long as they don't go over the top and draw blatant parallels, this could be a very promising new beginning.
--------
"Commander, laws change, depending on who's making them. But justice, is justice" - Odo, "A Man Alone"
(1)
| 
