Archer is knocked out as the Enterprise encounters another anomaly and wakes up to a quite disturbing situation.
This is the strongest episode of season 3 so far as it reverts to a more traditional Star Trek concept and applies this to the serialised Xindi narrative. It's all done in a way that works quite well for me.
The plot is not in the slightest bit original but its unfolds in quite a plausible way. I accepted Archer's situation wholeheartedly and even though it is obvious from the start that everything will be resolved by the end of the episode, I found the next 40 minutes pretty compelling.
What lifts it above most standard Enterprise episodes are the performances. Jolene Blalock not only nails T'Pol's emotional repression but she also made me really like the character. Scott Bakula is pretty much back in Sam Beckett mode playing Archer in such a highly disoriented condition. This is something he does particularly well and is a joy to watch. Dr Phlox and Trip Tucker are also excellent during their moments.
It also contains some great references to the Star Trek universe, particularly the Mutara section and Ceti Alpha V. This isn't just written into the plot as a bit of fan service, it gives a nice level of black ironic humour to the situation.
I had mixed feelings initially after watching this one. It doesn't say much for the crew's ability to function without Captain Archer and that bothered me but hey ho they aren't my characters. In my head it is a 7.5/10 so I'll be nice and round upwards.
This is the strongest episode of season 3 so far as it reverts to a more traditional Star Trek concept and applies this to the serialised Xindi narrative. It's all done in a way that works quite well for me.
The plot is not in the slightest bit original but its unfolds in quite a plausible way. I accepted Archer's situation wholeheartedly and even though it is obvious from the start that everything will be resolved by the end of the episode, I found the next 40 minutes pretty compelling.
What lifts it above most standard Enterprise episodes are the performances. Jolene Blalock not only nails T'Pol's emotional repression but she also made me really like the character. Scott Bakula is pretty much back in Sam Beckett mode playing Archer in such a highly disoriented condition. This is something he does particularly well and is a joy to watch. Dr Phlox and Trip Tucker are also excellent during their moments.
It also contains some great references to the Star Trek universe, particularly the Mutara section and Ceti Alpha V. This isn't just written into the plot as a bit of fan service, it gives a nice level of black ironic humour to the situation.
I had mixed feelings initially after watching this one. It doesn't say much for the crew's ability to function without Captain Archer and that bothered me but hey ho they aren't my characters. In my head it is a 7.5/10 so I'll be nice and round upwards.