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ENT Goes Back to Babel in Potential Blend of Two Classic Episodes: "Babel One" (SPOILERS)

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By Steve Krutzler / 00:43, 24 October 2004 / Enterprise

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE is about to get a heavy dose of ST:TOS. With stories involving the Eugenics Wars, 'Arik Soong', a Vulcan Civil War, and the creator of the transporter already coming up, the series plans a huge homage to the original series in the episode "Babel One." TrekWeb has obtained some early plot information on the episode, which seems to contain elements reminiscient of two classic episodes: "Journey to Babel" and "Balance of Terror."

The episode picks up as Enterprise hosts a Tellarite delegation to a conference on behalf of Starfleet and an organization called the United Earth Council, presumeably on the planet Babel One. Lead by Ambassador 'Gral', 'Archer' quickly impresses his guest with customary byplay, and a reception is held for the Tellarite party. Similar to "Journey to Babel," a large spread of alien foods plays backdrop to underlying tensions between the human crew and the visitors. When the Tellarites insist on the room's temperature being pushed up to uncomfortable levels, 'Trip' is near his last nerve.

Archer's patience is thinning too, as Gral openly questions whether humans can be trusted to mediate a dispute between the Tellarites and the Andorians, who Gral points out were integral in saving Earth from the Xindi. Archer assures Gral of Earth's neutral interest in resolving the dispute and Gral, for the moment, is satisfied.

But soon the ship comes across an Andorian debris field and 'Shran' suggests that the Tellarites are responsible. When Archer confronts Gral with sensor data, the rotund ambassador is defiant and insists Andorian ships are more powerful than Tellarites'. MACOs start guarding the Tellarites' quarters, convincing Gral and his party that the humans have sided with their Andorian adversaries.

Another twist lies, however, as the villains from "Balance of Terror" are waiting in the wings. A Romulan Commander 'Valdore' rushes to make repairs to his damaged ship, the "pride" of the Romulan fleet (just as in the classic TOS episode starring Mark Lenard as the Romulan Commander). If they can't mount an acceptable defense, Valore will have to self-destruct his vessel to prevent its capture. He soon learns, however, that Trip and Reed (who somehow have made it aboard the Romulan ship) are sabotaging the vessel. Meanwhile, back on Enterprise, Shran himself has shown up to raise the tensions (and stakes) even further.

This information is preliminary and subject to change. Until confirmed as always, cum grano salis. "Babel One" will air in 2005.



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RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... | Report this post to moderator
By: SirTrekker (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:26:05 on Oct 24, 2004

I think Manny Coto needs to take his head out of the "Let's make ENT more like TOS" clouds and understand that tossing the fans all this TOS-related eye candy can't be a substitute for quality, legitimate characterization and storytelling. Enterprise should be able to regain some footing on its own merits, not by riding on the coattails of the Original Series. If Coto can't make me care about the main characters on this show, if he can't make this series something exciting to watch, something worthy of the Star Trek moniker, without relying on references to TREKs of the past, then I'm sorry to say that he's nowhere near the "savior of Enterprise" that some people are touting him to be.

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You're right, there's such a thing as going too far ... | Report this post to moderator
By: rumandchocolate (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:34:03 on Oct 24, 2004

Like comparing the origins of MAJOR incidents in Federation history like the Andorian/Tellarite relationship and the origins of the Romulan Wars to historical footnotes like the planet killer, the salt vampire and the Guardian of Forever.

Personally, I think it was more to swallow that between Picard and Data they've managed to encounter Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Sarek and Doctor McCoy (and Data was, what? about twenty years old?)

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RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... | Report this post to moderator
By: SirTrekker (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:26:23 on Oct 24, 2004

I think Manny Coto needs to take his head out of the "Let's make ENT more like TOS" clouds and understand that tossing the fans all this TOS-related eye candy can't be a substitute for quality, legitimate characterization and storytelling. Enterprise should be able to regain some footing on its own merits, not by riding on the coattails of the Original Series. If Coto can't make me care about the main characters on this show, if he can't make this series something exciting to watch, something worthy of the Star Trek moniker, without relying on references to TREKs of the past, then I'm sorry to say that he's nowhere near the "savior of Enterprise" that some people are touting him to be.

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RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by Steve Krutzler @ 12:18:13 on Oct 24
    RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by SirTrekker @ 17:13:07 on Oct 25
    RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by dx31701 @ 13:14:43 on Oct 24
    RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by jstewart_2k3 @ 12:33:35 on Oct 24
       RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by Steve Krutzler @ 13:09:17 on Oct 24
          RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by egyptianguy @ 14:16:15 on Oct 24
RE: There's such a thing as going too far ... by PokeTrek @ 11:57:58 on Oct 24
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