1) Very good episode.
2) Still the Xindi bickering lacks substance. They are just yelling at each other with short sentences, much like barking dogs. Only Degra seems intelligent.
3) Archer's yelling doesn't work. It's overdone. Bakula surely gives it all the power he can, but it sounds forced (and hurt my ears!). If the words are worth saying, they don't need to be shouted.
O.Deus and I are in complete agreement. This episode is one of the top five episodes of this season which automatically makes it one of best episodes for the Enterprise franchise. Any Star Trek episode with Jeffrey Combs in it is always better. The rest of the cast of Enterprise have to do their collective best to keep him from stealing every scene he's in!
This was a mediocre effort, yet still better than most of the steaming crap usually served-up by this show.
A wafer thin plot with such an obvious twist it was untrue.
Cringe-worthy acting from Bakula and the ponce who plays Reed.
Yet, I was transfixed at the Andorian antenna for the whole hour. Just how are they done? CGI, animatronics? How ever they are done they deserve a show more than this current cast.
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The antennae are done as wireless animatronics and I think in a recent interview with Combs, he mentions the guy who operates his remotely and how he and this guy eventually came to sortof bond with each other in terms of the operator being able to anticipate Comb's gestures, coupled with the dialog, in order to match the antennae movements to fit the character's mood.
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
I would have said Tuesday as well, prior to the return of the ratings powerhouse that is American Idol. That show hurts EVERY network, and if Fox follows it's pattern from last year, it will air on Tuesday and Wednesday each week, with occasional specials on Monday. Which then, is why I suggested Thursday. There isn't any major competition for ratings on Thursday except for NBC's lineup, and as I suggested, I don't think the Friends crowd is quite the same as the audience Enterprise is looking for. And Friday kills the ratings of otherwise good shows, so I don't think it would be helpful either. With the show's rating already so low, I don't know that it would hurt, but it certainly wouldn't help. No, a careful examination of what's on which night leads me to conclude that Enterprise would have the best chance if UPN swapped their Thursday and Wednesday schedules.
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Um... as you can see from the subject line, this was supposed to be a reply to a comment in "No Argument Here" down toward the beginning of the responses to this review... Not sure how it got posted all the way up here, because I clicked the reply button of the post I wanted to reply to... So Steve, how did i start a whole new thread?
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Wasn't Next Generation originally on Fox before UPN was formed back in 1994? If UPN is not willing to advertise Enterprise & has no intention of re-newing the show this Sping, maybe Fox can be coaxed by Paramount to buy the rights of the show and give it the creative freedom it needs to succeed that UPN isn't giving Enterprise. It's just a thought......
Once again, Coombs dazzles us. I bet I'm not the only one who had a permanent grin plastered on their face throughout this episode. He just needs a regular role on the series. Weyoun was on just about every DS9 episode after the war began. With a probable Federation Formation arc just over the horizon, and an alien race (which is now my favorite) that hasn't been touched on since TOS, there's the perfect opportunity to really break some ground. And unlike some recurring characters, you can watch Jeffrey on a fairly regular basis and he just keeps bringing more to the table.
On top of not having any lines, I don't even know if Mayweather even had any camera time this ep. I hardly notice him anymore. He's almost become a fixture, like Morn. He might as well be sitting at a barstool instead of the helm.
Quick question... do we know if it was Shran or his Lieutenant who secretly transmitted the schematics?
Who would have thought that the little green... er... blue men would turn out to be so interesting? Especially on Star Trek!
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"A billion robot lives are about to be extinguished! Oh, the Jedis are going to feel this one..."
-Hubert Farnsworth (Futurama: Crimes of the Hot)
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"The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one!"
-Shran (ENT: Proving Ground)
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Finally an Enterprise episode that felt like a StarTrek Episode.
I have to agree Coombs is an excellent actor, but kudos to the actress who plyed Lt. Talas. I thought she had more sex appeal than T'Pol, i hope she becomes a recurring character I would really like to see more of her.
Some things you missed that really put this over the top:
The tension between T'Pol and Shran was very real, not manufactured with silly soap opera dialogue. Did anyone notice that Shran rarely, if ever, spoke directly to T'Pol? In fact he almost always had his back to her! Good directing.
There were also distinct motivations from all species that hinted at deeper story lines, again without dialogue contortions.
In addition to bringing the Xindi arc one step closer to closure, this ep also laid some more ground work for the formation of the Federation. Probably more than all of Season 2.
Great job!
The antennae reveal when Shran first contacted Archer? VERY well done. They need to do some more visual touches like that in the future. Read my overall comments here .
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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."
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You know what's funny? My mother called me right when ENT came on. So I told her to turn it on (LOL). And so we're talking and watching and then that scene occurs with Archer standing in front of the viewscreen and suddenly Shran's antennae appear on either side of Archer's head... And my mom's like - "Oooo... look at that!". And we were rollin' because that setup was just so silly, but it was great. She actually liked the ep too because of all the "creatures" (she's into creatures and I figured she'd like the Xindi-Insectoids because she likes those old bug pictures...lol)
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
I loved "Proving Ground." It was great having the Andorians back again and learning a little more about them.
And about Shran, too. Assuming the story about his brother was true, it was a great character moment. Jeffrey Combs still rocks. His "assumed" personality when he was talking to Degra was really funny.
Given the enormousness of the Expanse, it was a bit of a stretch believing that the Andorians could locate Enterprise, but no matter. I'm used to "stretches" in Star Trek.
My one disappointment? I wish there'd been an epilogue about the Xindi Council's reaction to Degra losing the prototype. Guess we'll have to wait for that explosive conversation.
Too bad they didn't save this episode for February sweeps. That must mean they have some kick-ass shows waiting to air (one can only hope).
Good job, B&B! This was a great, entertaining hour!
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LORD EDZO
Imperious Leader - Paramount Ruler - Master and Commander
I would agree about the direction and would really underscore the editing. Yes, there was that epic-like feel, particularly during the prototype test scene, with the POV shifting around the various ships, etc. And even within the various POVs, there was a unique overhead perspective of the Andorian ship, the inside-looking-out water perspective for the Xindi-Aquatics, several scenes showing groups of Xindi-Humanoid workers all monitoring their equipment, etc. I would say that this was probably the most Xindi, of all the types, that we have ever seen in one ep. LOL
The imagery that came to mind was that the ep was like a train roaring down a track, with everything progressing forwards to an initial climax (the Xindi test and realization that the prototype most likely WAS sabotaged by Gralik). And then similar to a roller coaster, progressing through a small dip, only to make that final big push to an even higher climax representing the double-cross of Shran and the bluff (or was it?) of Archer, near the end.
I don't think any other ep comes close in progressing a story along (at least from a threat level perspective) except ENT "Silent Enemy".
The one weakness that stands out, is that I feel more attachment to Shran than to any of the primary NX-01 crew. Now I don't know if that is partly because Jeffrey Combs (and his acting style) is so familar when compared to the primary cast, or whether the primaries are just so inconsistent that I can't even predict what they might do next and so have lost any connection that I originally had to them.
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
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The Enterprise crew really did not. Even Archer was just very task oriented, while Shran was having a conflict between his feelings and his duty and genuinely wanted to do the right thing, which can produce empathy from viewers. Which is probably why you related more to his character.
That and the fact that he dominated pretty much every scene he was in.
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Quote:
The Enterprise crew really did not.
Actually, the NX-01 DID have something emotional for us to emphathize with... the fact that they were about to witness the test of a prototype weapon, and IMHO, this SHOULD make the threat more "real" to them regarding what could potentially result after this. Plus Archer had to wonder whether Gralik was really on his side or not with respect to the kemocite in that prototype. And after the tests confirmed that the results were way off, then there should have been some better reaction from our stalwart crew regarding this.... other than Archer sortof smiling and commenting almost to himself, that Gralik must have come through for them after all.
But all of that was overshadowed by Jeffrey stealing the show... ;-) And our NX-01 crew were off to the side like mannequins. Literally.
Quote:
Even Archer was just very task oriented, while Shran was having a conflict between his feelings and his duty and genuinely wanted to do the right thing, which can produce empathy from viewers. Which is probably why you related more to his character.
Well I don't know about you, but I always felt that Sisko was a task-oriented type of character. But Archer has been so all over the map with his personality at this point, that I can't even see him as that. Perhaps within this Xindi arc, but certainly not before then, where he was a bit of a micromanager.
I will need to rewatch, but it seems that it could have used some more reaction shots of the crew - perhaps closeups as the test was underway. That might have helped connect us to their emotional conflict - and particularly someone like Trip. Note that none of them had ever witnessed one of those probes in action before now... They were away when that one let loose on Earth, and it took them weeks to get back home to finally see the effects of it and the devastation.
So here was their first chance to actually SEE one in action. And that could have possibly evoked some fear and horror and grief and so forth, as they connected what they were seeing, in person, to what the people of Earth had experienced first hand.
Quote:
That and the fact that he dominated pretty much every scene he was in.
He most certainly did. With aplomb too. ;-)
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
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Actually, the NX-01 DID have something emotional for us to emphathize with... the fact that they were about to witness the test of a prototype weapon, and IMHO, this SHOULD make the threat more "real" to them regarding what could potentially result after this.
Yes, a show of the crew's faces lingering on Trip as the test happened, would have been important and effective; but it never really happened and the focus was on Archer and Shran's Buddy cop bit.
But all of that was overshadowed by Jeffrey stealing the show... ;-) And our NX-01 crew were off to the side like mannequins. Literally.
Well there are always actors who can steal the show and Coombs had much looser restrains on him than in previous episodes and he really managed to make the absolute most of every single scene.
Well I don't know about you, but I always felt that Sisko was a task-oriented type of character. But Archer has been so all over the map with his personality at this point, that I can't even see him as that. Perhaps within this Xindi arc, but certainly not before then, where he was a bit of a micromanager.
The problem is that Archer has two modes, stiff and task oriented and ruthless or casual and off duty let's be buddies. And there needs to be a better overall mix.
I will need to rewatch, but it seems that it could have used some more reaction shots of the crew - perhaps closeups as the test was underway. That might have helped connect us to their emotional conflict - and particularly someone like Trip. Note that none of them had ever witnessed one of those probes in action before now... They were away when that one let loose on Earth, and it took them weeks to get back home to finally see the effects of it and the devastation.
Wow, I really should read an entire post before writing responses commenting on sections of it because apparently we had the same thought.
So here was their first chance to actually SEE one in action. And that could have possibly evoked some fear and horror and grief and so forth, as they connected what they were seeing, in person, to what the people of Earth had experienced first hand.
Possibly an opening nightmare for Archer and Trip flashing back to the probe attack STFC style might not have been a bad idea. If not in this episode than in the previous one. All in all Trip's grief storyline has already been squandered.
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Wow. We agree 100%? LOL
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
Deus was right on with all of his comments. It was a great episode and I'm glad they're back on track with the Xindi arc.
HOWEVER,
UPN has stopped running a promo of the following week's show during the credits, even when it's a new episode. Anybody else notice that? Ladies and gentlemen, this is a VERY BAD sign about the future of this series, unfortunately. When you elect to run previews of a horrid reality show over a first-run episode of the show you just finished watching, then it's time to start preparing the resumes.
It's a shame because, from what I can tell, this is by far and away UPN's best property. They think their ratings are low now? Just watch what happens when there is no STAR TREK series. That may be Moonves grand design, anyway. Less competition.
Live long and prosper, Star Trek.
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It's the only thing that she can really point to as any kind of success. Enterprise by contrast is something Dawn Ostroff doesn't like, doesn't get and wouldn't mind being rid off, except that it's a convenient scrapegoat for all that's wrong with UPN.
Still for now Enterprise rerun episodes aren't being preempted in favor of America's Top Model as has happened to Jake 2.0
When that begins to happen, then you know the end is near...
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Yes, I noticed.
Yes, I am concerned.
Yes, I posted the same on BBS earlier.
No, I don't care about SMACK DOWN or TOP MODEL. But I do care what happens next week.
O.Deus liking an ENT episode!!!!
OMG...has hell frozen over...I'm running to my window to see if pigs can actually fly...etc, etc..
O.D. -- just having some fun, but honestly, I never thought I'd see the day you'ld write a review like that. I don't know if that says more about my expectations of ENT or you.
But, glad you liked it.
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Fist fights are hugs turned inside out!
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It's happened plenty of times. Because I've made fun of Enterprise on the board, I've gotten some sort of reputation. But I've given plenty of Enterprise episodes positive reviews.
Even glowing ones.
Take a look at my reviews for Fight or Flight, Twilight, Shuttlepod One for example and there are more. I'm more than happy to praise Enterprise when it does something right.
Unfortunately that just doesn't happen nearly often enough.
Great review Deus! I believe this might be the first time I agree fully with one of your reviews. But enough of that. You touched on all the best parts of the episode. Since I try and keep myself as spoiler-free as possible, I have no idea what the next episode will be about, but whatever it is, I'm looking really forward to it. It will also be my last episode in Japan, since I'm returning Feb. 8. Yay, I can finally start watching on TV again! But then again, downloading has no commecials :)
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"Oh my God! I hit William Shatner!"
"Light...growing...dimmer. Can't...breathe. Beam me up...God."
I recently mentioned in a response to another article that I continue to watch Enterprise each week because I keep hoping for one of the series' rare standout episodes. Proving Ground was one of them. It was one of those few episodes in the series history that managed to break through the mediocrity that has beleagured the series and damaged the franchise.
Proving Ground was the kind of episode Enterprise needs to deliver consistently if Paramount wants Enterprise to survive its third season.
Basically, Enterprise now needs two things in order to survive. First and most importantly, it needs more well-written scripts like this one, backed by better acting than a typical Enterprise episode. And second, it needs a new night. It needs to air on a night when it doesn't have such strong competition. With the return of American Idol, Thursday or Friday would probably be best. I know I for one would most prefer Enterprise on Thursday, because there are no other shows that really compete for my attention on that night. NBC's lineup is strong on Thursday, but I don't think Friends and the like draw from the same audience pool as a sci-fi show like Enterprise, certainly not to the degree that a show like Smallville does.
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Thursday is more open these days since NBC's lineup wrecked so many other network's shows that not that it's weakened, there are oppurunities there. And Enterprise of course has to get away from Smallville.
I don't watch Superboy myself but I keep hearing so many people saying that they tape Enterprise and watch Smallville. Not good obviously.
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This May will be the finale of "Friends" as a series, so that would release some of its audience as well.
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"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
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"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701
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Thursday does sound like a good day to use. Friday is not so good, since many shows go there to die. Everybody is out somewhere on Friday night. Tuesday sounds like the best day to go to though, as long as it's out of the 9:00 slot. 24 comes on then :)
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"Oh my God! I hit William Shatner!"
"Light...growing...dimmer. Can't...breathe. Beam me up...God."
Finally O.D. and I agree with an episode. This must be only the 3rd or 4th time since the series started that we agree with an episode.
I loved it! Shran was fantastic. The writing was spectacular. The direction was pure class.
I can say nothing bad about this episode!
Dues summs it all up so nicely.
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"This man thinks like me"
-- Rico the Columbian Drug Lord, in "Crocodile Dundee II"
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Probably more. I've given plenty of positive reviews to Enterprise before. Even glowing ones.
Fight or Flight, Twilight, Cease Fire, Shuttlepod One?
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well . . .see . . . there you go. 3 or 4 other episodes.
And actually I had to agree with you on one I didnt like - I believe it was called extinction. If I never see that episode again, i will being doing just fine.
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"This man thinks like me"
-- Rico the Columbian Drug Lord, in "Crocodile Dundee II"
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