So far the only thing that is bothering me about this story is the fact the augments have been written with way too many resemblances to Kahn and his group of Augments for no apparent reason. One example is the conditions in which these augments lived. In the flash back scenes we see Dr. Soongs Augment living on a pleasing environment that somehow doesn’t seemed as pleasing at ‘present’ (Archer) time. Did something go wrong? If I remember correctly captain Kirk left Kahn and his augments on a planet so that they could develop their own race and culture away from earth and anyone else BUT as we all know things went wrong there and they faced unexpected challenges. And that was the reason they hated Kirk and humans. Did something go wrong with SOONG’S settlement as well? Is it the fact that they had to grow up by themselves and face numerous difficulties on their own the reason they are so angry now and want to annihilate everything that crosses their path? I think Enterprise missed the opportunity to show us what Kahn’s settlement might have accomplished if thing’s hadn’t gone wrong. Even at the end of TOS episode Kirk and Spock comment that it would be interesting to go back in a few years to see what has happened Kahn and his people. Why not show us what could have happen through Soong’s augments?
I think it would have been far more interesting to see a group of augments - truly superior human beings - that were able to turn their settlement in a sort of paradise. Now the problem is the story – what would be their motive to attack a Klingon cruise ship and leave their settlement? Just look for their father – no anger or vengeance just look for their father and make him proud of what they have accomplished. Now that might have bring some interesting twist to the story – Starfleet fears them just for the mere fact that they are augments and because they attacked a Klingon ship they assume the worse. It might make Starfleet realize their own preconceived prejudices and make them realize that – like the Vulcans they so much recent – they have prejudices and secrets that they want to keep under the lid.
Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE the story as it is being develop so far but I just wanted to put my two cents up for comment.
...why the augments are so aggressive when they have the double the amount of intelligence. They should be more like Jean Luc Picard who knows how to "talk" himself out of nearly any situation. Unless the augments are indeed an experiment that has gone wrong. But it would have been more intersting if they were victims of Earth law although nothing was wrong with them. This would make the story an "idea" against an "idea". Not clearly good against evil, where we can easily choose side. I understand there has been an Eugenic war, and that it caused people on Earth to fear the idea of genetic enhancement. But from what I see, Soong is a brilliant scientist and didn't teach his Augments to become violent. He taught them that Earth is the enemy. That the augments are superior. But if you are intelligent you won't just go to war.
I liked the episode, nevertheless. It's just that it focused so much on life-threatening situations and people getting themselves out of jeopardy. Where I long for some intelligent debate with emotion and uncertainity and reevaluation of the law, so everyone tries to establish a line between right and wrong. Even Archer.
Another great review Dues. Always appreciate your insight and your take on these stories even when they discent from mine. Although this week I think you are completely right. :)
He criticizes the much-loved "Borderland" and people complain.
He loves "Cold Station 12" and people still complain. Not necessarily about this review, mind you, but about the fact that he didn't love "Borderland".
*sigh*
You know, for a movie critic I might be concerned about finding one who shares my opinions, but for a series where I'm likely to see each episode regardless of the reviews, I kind of appreciate a dissenting viewpoint dissecting the show...
Besides, Deus proved I'm not the only one who liked "A Night in Sickbay." That's got to be worth something there. ;-)
--------
"You know what six movies average out to be really good? The first six Star Trek movies!" -- Fry, Futurama
Re: Episode 2 of the Eugenics arc: I have to compliment you on a review very well written. Your analysis made me reflect again on many portions of the episode, and see things I hadn't seen clearly or at all previously, And remarkably, that's true both for some of the positive AND for some of the weaknesses that you cite.
I can see that you set your expectations and standards for any STAR TREK episode at a very high level, and that is most definitely as it should be.
I have some disagreement with your overall evaluation of last weeks initial "AUGMENT" episode. My disagreement isn't so much with the content of what you wrote, but with a different, perhaps subjective, factor that I think may be a bit nebulous, but nevertheless, was most important.
However much there might have been portions of that first episode where SPINER seemed to have "mugged" to the camera, or Archer had to spout self-righteous cliches, whatever problems there might have been inherent in the dialogue, I think that in the end, that episode nevertheless somehow also packed a remarkable impact. When Soong says at the very end of that episode, "there are thousands of your brothers just waiting for us,let go get them" (I know, that's a paraphrase), muggings and self-righteous dialogue to the side, that statement had motion.It instantly put things into a critical priority.
My point though is that this didn't just happen at the end point of that episode, there was something in the way the episode proceeded (granted it went through problems that weren't really involved in the point the arc is turning towards), not just then at the end, that involved one in what was happening. I know this is subjective but, there aren't rules for gaining the viewers attention.
So, I thought that despite the problems you mentioned in your review of that first episode, problems whose existence I agree with, that strangely nevertheless, the initial story had that special ability, which really doesn't happen as much as one would hope (anywhere), and that's to just somehow,get and grab the viewers attention. It may not be logical, but not everything is after all.
My point is that sometimes a story can go way past its own shortcomings. True, we always want to say that it would have been even better if it had done that too (not had those shortcomings). But, honestly, sometimes I wonder. Sometimes a story, book or any episode of some series can have all the slick or meaningful or all appropriate dialogue etc that it should have, and still not grab the viewer. Please note, I am by no means in any way suggesting that working towards the very goals in writing you almost spell out in your review of the second episode of the Eugenics arc should ever be disregarded. Not at all, and. in fact, I would argue that the reason second episode worked as well as it did is largely the result of all the things you point out. I agree completely with you on that one. The second episode also was a most appropriate contrast to the first. But, though I agree with your criticisms of the first, I think it succeeded on a level that can be so important, that it can surpass the errors within.That may not happen often, I'm not making any comment on how frequently that might occur, but I think it did in that first part.
-
You may be right. My point rests on a very subjective basis. I still think it managed to grab the view, but, I agree with you about the virtues of Episode 2 over Borderland. Mostly, (hard to admit) you've basically convinced me. However,I'm very curious to hear your analysis of the conclusion.
I read your review of "Borderland" and I must say that it was the MOST rediculus piece of filth I had ever read.
That being said... Allow me to pick apart what I don't agree with (which is a lot, to say the least)...
Quote:
"Cold Station 12"'s opening establishes precisely what was wrong with "Borderland" and why, by contrast, "Cold Station 12" works quite well.
There was NOTHING WRONG with "Borderland." The episode establishes the beginning of the arc quite well and was totally entertaining. This was the whole point of TV shows: ENTERTAINMENT. To appease and please the audience. Why so many people liked it and YOU didn't clearly says to me that you were totally unwilling to give ENT a fair chance. When they delivered, you said it sucked. And praised Season 3? That was the WORST season of STAR TREK EVER produced. So insane!
Spinner was TOTALLY believable in BL. His character really shines, especially in the brig scene. The augments were solidly developed characters well before the filiming of the episode took place, so their stage presence was overwhelming to begin with. Though the teaser had much to be desired, it was cool to see what they REALLY could do.
Quote:
Brent Spiner has also dramatically improved in "Cold Station 12". Gone is his comic performance of "Borderland" and his persistent mugging for the camera.
"Comic?" I found nothing COMIC about his performance in BL! He never "mugged" the camera for one second! You TOTALLY missed the point of Spiner's character in this episode - it shot so far over your head that not even Superman can retrieve it for you.
The first episode was supposed to establish SOONG in the arch. So naturally, SOONG took center stage. It established his personality, his dedication to the Augies - it was SUPPOSED to make the audience fell like they should LIKE Soong - to create a character who is just simply misunderstood totally. THAT is the SOONG character.
So sad that you missed it. Since this is the SOONG SAGA, it's obvious that the first episode be about SOONG. So he is center stage. It's perfect story telling.
Quote:
But Spiner is clearly committed to the material in "Cold Station 12" now that he has something to work with in the episode, unlike "Borderland" where he was primarily a foil for Archer to bounce self-righteous dialogue off.
What self-righteous dialogue? Every time Archer had something SMART to say, he got his ass kicked! First, morally: when Soong talked about Archer's father. Soong was totally right about it, and Archer felt like a complete ass. Plain and simple.
The second time was when he was barking at the Augie. For his insulence, he got ATTACKED. And NO, it was NOT another "ho-hum capture," like you said it was. The Augies are stronger, faster, and smarter. They can take out everyone on ENTERPRISE should they feel like it. That's the type of characters these Augies are, as it was established in the teaser.
I am starting to think you need to go take some drama or screen writing classes in college. I've taken a few, so I can appreciate the value of what good story telling is all about.
Quote:
There are of course weaknesses in the episode. Starfleet's ruthless willingness to wipe out the entire crew of the station over what amounts to a hostage crisis, particularly in a somewhat more pacifistic period seems dubious;
Why does it seem "dubious?" You need to explain this further. From what I have understood, in established TOS lore, the Augies were the most VILE WEAPONS EVER CONCEIVED. Only a small handful were let rampid on the planet Earth, according to established Trek lore, and look at what they apparently did! Starfleet wanting to take them all out (especially a top-secret research facility, which carries these said weapons, and a helluvalot more in the way of WMD stockpiles) is PERFECTLY SOUND.
"Dubious?" You need to do more research in the STAR TREK universe, and THINK a little more, before you make remarks like that, which are totally unsupported and unfounded.
Quote:
as is T'Pol and the crew's willingness to toss away Archer's life along with that of their crewmembers rather than look for another solution especially since the Augments were essentially bottled in.
You're damned right she was ready to do so! It's Starfleet's orders. Plus, on top of that, she AGREES with them.
Look for another solution? Can I have the crack you're smoking! The decision to follow through and strike made PERFECT sense. Because, if T'Pol had followed your suggestion, it would have Turned Iraq.
What does Turning Iraq mean? A history lesson: Iraqi Militants want 1 thing - the military to leave Iraq. So they capture people. While TPTB negotiate with the militants, the militants CUT OFF THE PEOPLES' HEADS, AS THEY TALK.
So, knowing that, the Augies have NO PROBLEMS killing these people while negotiating with T'Pol. It would have wasted her time to do so. They are dead anyway. And it is Starfleet's orders to do so. Thusly, she did the logical AND morally right thing.
Look at what they did to Doc Lucas's poor assistant? And you want them to LIVE?
Quote:
This kind of ruthlessness narrows the moral gap significantly between Soong and Starfleet since ultimately both are prepared to kill innocent people. But where Soong is prepared to kill people to arguably create life, Starfleet is willing to wipe out a station full of people to prevent a race they consider to be a threat from being created.
Umm.. yes! They aren't just threats. The Augies are WEAPONS! Just like a gun or a knife or a nuclear missile is a weapon, these Augies clearly fall into the category of WMD. They are MUCH WORSE than a nuclear weapon.
Militarally, they will kick your ass. Mentally, they will rule you with their superior intellect. Physically, they are supposedly more beautiful than anything you can ever possably dream of (just look at Persis and tell me I'm wrong). In combat, there is no force greater than they. They strike by terror, rule with great prejudice. And they are faster, better, and more willing to do what it takes so that THEY have dominate control.
They are the WMD. They MUST not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Hence Cold Station 12's existence. And Starfleet's willingness to take it out!
Quote:
And while the Augments are certainly a threat and a menace, so are the Klingons and the Cardassians and many others. At what point, after all, does it become a genocide?
See above. Klingons, Cardassians, and many others, are all RACES of intelligent beings with a unique culture, imprefections, weaknesses, etc.
The Augies are NOT. They are vicious psychological and physical Weapons of Mass Destruction. And while they are people, they can take out EVERYONE you mentioned, INCLUDING the Borg. Though, if the Borg were to assimilate one Augie, god help the rest of the galaxy.
Still wanna keep the Augies around?
Look at Khan, the first true Augie we ever see. And tell me that you would rather have Kirk spare his life.
Add political sciences to the list of classes I suggest you retake at college or something.
You still have a LOT to learn.
Quote:
But then for all its dramatic strengths, "Cold Station 12" is notably weak on engaging in the moral issues.
The episode is NOT about the "moral issues." It's part of a saga that has to do with establishing the players, and building the situations, for the climax.
Star Trek is about the moral issues, but it doesn't always have to FIT that bill in every single outting. Besides, this ep makes people THINK about the larger issues, instead of throwing it down our throats.
Thank God for that.
Quote:
Its strength is in the characters and their choices, which are less morally than personally driven.
EVERYONE has a personal adjenda. Morality is just an excuse to launcch into your own personal missions in life.
Add Philosophy to that list of classes as well.
The rest is just your closing arguments.
Before you start telling me "You need to take these classes," or "I don't need them," or this or that, I HAVE taken these classes in school. They are REALLY helpful. Especially the Philosophy class. Really helpful and good to take. So I, unlike you it seems, can appreciate good drama, a good narrative, and how to establish the way of things in a particular circumstance.
BL and CS12 do a wonderful job at telling the stories the way they SHOULD be told. Your beloved S3 of ENT, on the other hand, falls short of everything that makes a good and compelling story.
I truly... truly believe that you need to reexamine your list of things that make a good story work and happen. Real critics make critiques on the performances and the STORY, NOT based on a formula as to what they think makes a perfect movie. If that was the case, they would write their own movie and shove it down everyone's throats, ala Michael Moore.
Take my advice: education is a good thing. It really is.
--------
"If any one of you question my Chinese or American heritage as a negative, I will have your f**king head." - O Ren Shi Ii "KILL BILL Vol 1"
O.Deus... lay down the crack pipe.
Cold Station 12 was Cloudminders awful. I half expected Dr. Lucas to ask the augments if they wanted to see his "Jump to Conclusions" mat. Where is Cordovan Leatherman when you need him?
All of a sudden Sung's Lector Wannabe character has lost his spine (compared to last episode) and the charisma challenged Mullets O' Superior DNA turn into garden variety sadists.
Bleh, 0 Charisma, 0 Charisma!
Even the fistfights were lackluster. It makes one yearn for the Original series campy Bonanza style barn burners of the day.
And the space battles? Sheesh, Star Trek has turned into outer space combat central. Forget Forehead of the Week, we have Space Battle of the week. I challenge some geek to go catalogue all the episodes of the last 28 years and see how many episodes of the respective series had space battles. It seems like Enterprise has one every week. Gene must be rolling over in his grave constantly to see how his optimistic view of space exploration has mutated into incessant space CONFLICT.
Forget Coto, he's not the answer to Berman and Braga. Dan Simmons was right, soulless hollywood types have no idea what good science fiction could be.
When is the last time we saw an episode of Star Trek which held a candle to the Original Series best? Trek isn't controversial any more, it is conventional action pablum which is incidentally set in space.
Remember the mantra "To Explore Strange, New Worlds..."?
That hasn't happened in years.
Ironic, isn't it.
No matter how the final episode of the Soong arc ends (Let’s assumed that the Augments are stopped), a nice ending, I think, would be to have Captain Archer and Co. relieved that the Augment threat is over, then have the camera pan away from Enterprise, across the stars and zoom in on Khan’s ship, The Botany Bay, then on Khan sleeping his hibernation chamber. This would be a wonderful treat for the viewers, insinuating that the threat is just beginning.
I know that cost would be an issue, but how hard could it be to digitize Ricardo Montalban’s image and place it in the episode?
Starfleet's ruthless willingness to wipe out the entire crew of the station over what amounts to a hostage crisis, particularly in a somewhat more pacifistic period seems dubious.
Much like the pre-September 11th mentality that President Bush referred to John Kerry as having, O'Deus' comment regarding Starfleet's pacifism could be interpreted as a pre-Xindi attack mentality. One could argue that the socio-political landscape on Earth has changed since then.
A few comments.
Spiner turns in another great performance. I still don't understand where Deus gets this idea that he was "hamming" it up in BORDERLAND. The new character he's created is incredible: do we hate him? Love him? He's done for us what others fail to do, and that's make a guy who's willing to break the law and do what we consider amoral, likeable. He's a likeable guy despite his failings.
Dr. Lucas was good. It was nice to see the bus driver from The Fugitive again! It was a nice touch bringing in something from Phloxx's life in order to utilize the character more. Maybe the writers could do the same for Mayweather and Hoshi.
Love Archer's new chair, BTW. It's a lot more "Kirk-like". Nice touch, Manny.
Love the female augment.
The tension was great. The struggle between Maalik and Soong, Soong and the scientists, Lucas and Soong ... all great.
The order to destroy C-12 is totally understandable. Imagine if the Augments escape? Not only will you have the ones Soong has raised running around, but you'll have a brand new batch as well! Combine interbreeding into that, and you've got a serious threat to contend with. Better to just blow the station and be done with it. I found nothing odd with this decision. Deus is nitpicking again. The Augments were intended to remain frozen, not running around causing problems.
The only thing I didn't really like about this ep. was the bit where Phloxx seems to understand the engineering on the station. WTF? Where's Trip?
This episode was actually an improvement over BORDERLAND, which was itself an immensely satisfying ep. To give BORDERLAND a 5/10 and this an 8/10 is really bizarre. They are both over 8/10 in my opinion. I still don't understand Deus's last review. It's like if there's the slightest mention of T'Pol and Trip, Deus goes off on it. 5/10? Gimme a break.
Manny is creating a worthy prequel to TOS. He's doing a great job. It's too bad it's taken 3 years to start!
Now just get T'Pol into a Starfleet uniform, PLEASE. Oh - and change the opening.
double
Quote:
Brent Spiner has also dramatically improved in "Cold Station 12". Gone is his comic performance of "Borderland" and his persistent mugging for the camera.
Aside from the fact that the physical resemblance of Arik Soong, Noonien Soong, and Data add fuel to Brent Spiner's performance, the sick humor, subtle mood swings, and well timed quips are a Spiner specialty. The payoff of seeing Soong struggle with the morality of his cause in CS12 would not be as great if he hadn't been so light-hearted and goofy in Borderland. The other benefit of Arik's snide humor was that it reinforces the Soong family line. I caught echoes of Noonien and Lore in Arik's words and attitudes.
Quote:
There are of course weaknesses in the episode. Starfleet's ruthless willingness to wipe out the entire crew of the station over what amounts to a hostage crisis, particularly in a somewhat more pacifistic period seems dubious; as is T'Pol and the crew's willingness to toss away Archer's life along with that of their crewmembers rather than look for another solution especially since the Augments were essentially bottled in.
The whole "destroy the station" part did seem a bit rushed, probably due to time constraints, I don't view Starfleet's ruthlessness as a weakness in the story. I think it underlines for the viewer a couple key points:
1. The Eugenics Wars were devastating. 35 million killed. I would bet that Starfleet would much rather have the guilt of killing a few dozen people and several thousand embryos than have the chance of history repeating itself. The augments had already commandeered a Klingon ship and killed 25 people.
2. This willingness to destroy the station with all hands also illustrates that ENT is a period piece. Starfleet is in its infancy, there is no Federation, and the EU government is still wiggling itself out from under the thumb of the Vulcans. There seems to be a lot of moral ambiguity about the situation they're in, judging from the fact that these augmented embryos still exist, but I think the fact that Starfleet is still a fledgling organization not willing to take a chance on this paints a compelling tableaux.
Besides that, spot on Deus. The exchanges involving Malik with all the other characters gave a lot of depth to what could have amounted to a 2 dimensional bad guy. Persis seems to be somewhat of a commodity, exemplifying that though the augments are advanced in ability, they are not advanced in civility. The scene where Archer gives the "forgotten augment" (Styme?) information about his parents was very Picard-esque. I love that Phlox has much to do and say in this arc, as he is always a treat to watch. Great guest casting and beautiful new sets. I'm also starting to notice the slight changes made to the NX-01 bridge, very nice touches.
Now if they'd just give Mayweather a line! What are they paying Anthony for? The Doctor that gets killed in CS12 had more lines than Travis has had all season! This is just silly for somebody whose name is in the opening credits!
--------
"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)
----
"The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one!"
-Shran (ENT: Proving Ground)
(1)
| 
