monkee reviews 'Home'
First Impression: Now THAT'S more like it! I could have watched this episode for another hour. In fact, I SHOULD have watched this episode for another hour. There was definitely enough potential material here to fill a two-parter.
A Hero's Welcome: Enterprise's senior staff shuttles down to an enormous pier/stadium in San Francisco where they are given a hero's welcome. Archer makes a nice speech honoring the twenty-seven crewmembers that were killed during the mission, and closes by saying, "It's good to be home."
Repercussions: But is it? The mission has changed the Captain and crew, and the waiting has changed Earth. The episode focuses on Archer's readjustment. He bristles at being referred to as a hero because he doesn't feel like one, and he struggles with his debriefing because it hits too close to home, and brings latent anger about the solitary nature of his burden to the surface. I have been waiting for this since early in the Xindi arc, so I was pleased to see Archer's moment of truth finally arrive.
Debriefing: We don't get to see many of these on Star Trek, and it's a shame. The Trek writers and producers want their captains to be heroic and above reproach, so they tend to gloss over their transgressions. DS9 fans, however, might have appreciated delving into Sisko's actions a bit, especially towards the end of that series, and Voyager fans were screaming for a Janeway debriefing which never came. So this was welcome. Unfortunately, it wasn't really enough. The only questioning we got to see involved the Vulcan ship 'Seleya' from 'Impulse,' an incident that Archer handled well. Soval didn't think so, but he was just being his usual obnoxious self. Or maybe he was just being a deliberate and thorough questioner. He was implying that Archer didn't do all he could have for the Vombies on Seleya, which wasn't true, but it was Archer's job to remain calm and convince him of that. Instead he loses his temper, and tells Soval that if humans had listened to him, Earth would now be a ball of dust. Admiral Forest calls for a recess, and orders Archer to take some time off.
I wanted to see Archer try to explain the torture in the airlock incident, or why he created a clone of a crewmember in order to harvest part of the its brain. I wanted someone to ask him how he obtained that alien warp core in engineering! Alas, we didn't get to hear the tough questions.
Captain Erika Hernandez: An old flame of Archer's, Erika Hernandez, has just been promoted to captain, and assigned to command the NX-02, Columbia. They run into each other in a bar, and immediately reestablish what was clearly a nice rapport. She ribs him about being a hero, and he tolerates it. She seems to understand him pretty well. She gives him a tour of the new ship, which includes upgrades, especially in weaponry, that he recommended.
When he's ordered to take some time off, Archer decides to go climb a mountain, and she turns up as well, telling him he should know better than to climb alone. The comfortable banter continues, as Hernandez kids Archer about having more high schools named after him than even Zefram Cochrane. As they climb, though, Archer begins to reveal more about his current state of mind. He encourages Hernandez to request an entire squad of MACOs, because she's going to need them, and speculates that perhaps the Vulcans have the right idea – don't explore, keep your ships close to home, just in case. "That's not the mission either one of us signed up for," she says. "Maybe you'll feel differently after you've delivered a few eulogies," he counters.
Talk about cynical! What's interesting about their exchanges is that we can see both sides. We understand why Archer feels the way he does; yet we wish he could go back to feeling the way she does. The situation comes to a head when he has a nightmare about being pushed off the mountain by reptilian Xindi. Hernandez wakes him up, but he's so agitated and reckless that she begins to believe he has a deathwish. He tells her that he came to the mountain to get away from the hero worship below, but what he mostly wants to get away from is her. She reminds him too painfully of what he was just three short years ago.
Wow! This is all really great stuff! Archer angst and introspection, a kick-ass girl captain (Starfleet's official first female starship captain, thank you very much!), and some great scenery. But there's a problem. It's all over way too soon! I mean, WAY too soon! Hernandez offers to help him 'find what he lost,' and they kiss. Before long, the fresh air and Hernandez's optimism (and maybe the sex, too) have given him a whole new perspective. He's cured! Just like that!
Argh! Come on – the climb and the company were a good start, but the man should have needed many months of intensive therapy, too. It's just not realistic, even for television. I won't complain too much, though. It was better than nothing, and believe me, 'nothing' was a definite possibility with this franchise. We've seen Trek captains from ALL of the other series bounce back from trauma with nary a repercussion.
Justifiable Questionable Morality: At the conclusion of the debriefing, Soval tells Archer that although many of his actions were morally questionable, they were necessary. Not only does he absolve Archer from guilt, he also thanks him for saving Vulcan and many other systems, as well as Earth. I expected this to happen, but I'm still disappointed. I thought many of his actions deserved more scrutiny and some form of punishment. For now, I'll have to content myself with the knowledge that even though we didn't get to see any of the hard questions asked at the debriefing, at least Archer was asking them of himself, and thoroughly beating himself up over them.
A Troubled Planet: "Earth has been holding its breath for the last year," Hernandez tells Archer, "waiting to see if Xindi were going to come back and finish the job." Apparently, many on the planet have also developed xenophobia, and want nothing to do with alien species now. This disappoints me, because I LIKE to think that we're above that even now in 2004. But then, I've always been hopelessly naïve, and let's face it – I don't know what it's really like to survive a massive planetary attack by an alien species.
Phlox doesn't heed Reed's warnings, and goes down to the surface anyway. While he's enjoying a drink with Reed and Mayweather, a loudmouth at the bar starts harassing them. The obligatory bar fight ensues, and is just about to get out of hand, when...
Puffer-Phlox! Feeling threatened, Phlox has an instinctive defensive response. His face inflates to twice its normal size, effectively shocking the entire establishment, including Reed and Mayweather, into stunned silence.
Hee. Now, I know this was utter silliness, and did little or nothing to further the plot or develop the character, but it still cracked me up. The looks on Reed's and Mayweather's faces alone...
Later, in a wonderful scene, Sato chastises Phlox for letting the incident get to him. He's decided not to go get egg-drop soup at Madam Chang's with her and Mayweather. "This isn't the way to deal with prejudice," she tells him. "The best thing is to show your face and remind people that there are aliens who don't want to blow up the planet!" He appreciates her outrage on his behalf, but has a rather calm, pragmatic approach to it all. "Earth has survived a horrific attack," he says. "It will take time for the trauma to heal." He seems confident that will be the case. It makes me feel confident, too. Sato agrees to bring him take-out.
I just love scenes like that – scenes that show that these people have developed genuine friendships. And I just love the notion that Hoshi will later walk through the corridors of Enterprise to bring Phlox his little cardboard containers of Chinese take-out! Awww...
Both of these story lines were decent enough, but I've saved the best one for last...
Red Skies and Fire Plains: T'Pol invites Trip to go to Vulcan with her, and he gratefully accepts. They stay at her mother's house. Trip is surprised by how beautiful everything is, and so am I. We've gotten brief glimpses of Vulcan over the years, on TOS and in the films, and an occasional matte shot on some of the other series, but never anything this extensive. The place is stunning! Heck, I'd move there right now, if, you know, the place actually existed. The sky is red and there's a lot of picturesque volcanic activity going on amidst the ancient statues. The buildings and homes are a lovely blend of modern technology and traditional native materials. It's certainly a planet they can be proud of, and no doubt are.
Vulcan Pride: Do they carry this pride to illogical extremes? Perhaps. T'Pol's mother, T'Les, is not entirely pleased to see Trip. She discusses his presence with T'Pol, in Vulcan, while he's standing right there. She reigns in her distaste enough to be polite, offering him hospitality and the guestroom. T'Les also seems less than thrilled with T'Pol's decision to join Starfleet rather than return to the High Command. Vulcan children are supposed to stretch their wings, then return home to better Vulcan society. It's the same argument that will play out a hundred years hence between Spock and Sarek. Their relationship was always strained because of Spock's decision to pursue a career on Enterprise rather than with the Vulcan Science Academy (which is where, incidentally, T'Les works, or used to work). Perhaps the Vulcans on Enterprise aren't all that different from the TOS Vulcans. Their society, in both series, seems isolationist bordering on xenophobic. It makes them seem snobby – with their comments about 'off-worlders' and 'OUR ways.' It's lucky for Starfleet, and for us, that both Spock and T'Pol consider their desire to be involved in galactic community and diplomacy to be compatible with their desire to 'better Vulcan society.'
More Shadows of P'Jem: T'Pol eventually discovers that T'Les did not 'resign on schedule' from the Science Academy, as she claims. Instead, she was forced out. The Vulcans held T'Pol responsible for the incident at P'Jem, and apparently decided to punish T'Les for it. T'Pol is outraged, as well she should be. This is preposterously illogical, and goes beyond a little bit of isolationism. This is political. It's clear that there's a lot going on behind the scenes over there at the High Command. I suspect we'll be learning more about it in the months to come.
Koss: Enter Koss, T'Pol's betrothed. Back in the first season, she 'postponed' her wedding to him. I think she was hoping he'd moved on. But he comes from a very influential and traditional family, and he still wants to honor their commitment. T'Pol tries to get out of it by telling Koss that she's been 'ill.' She doesn't go into specifics. He says that his family can get her the best medical care in the province. His family can also get T'Les reinstated at the Science Academy. T'Pol wonders why he would be willing to have an 'absent wife,' since she still plans on staying with Starfleet, but he says he would want her to be happy. He seems to genuinely care about her, or at least to believe that he will come to genuinely care about her after they are wed according to tradition.
The Human Friend: Both T'Les and Koss infer quickly that Trip is more than a colleague to T'Pol. They may even understand that better than she does! It doesn't seem to phase them, though. He's just something she's going to have to give up, as far as they're concerned. T'Les does not approve, and says so, but Trip kind of grows on her with time.
It's interesting that although T'Les and Koss figure out that T'Pol and Trip are involved, they don't seem to see what's even more obvious, which is that T'Pol is impaired. Her emotions are not just 'close to the surface,' they're on her sleeve! Her Pa'nar syndrome and Trelium addiction are not discussed at all.
Or maybe they see it and just figure it would be rude to mention it...Naw, that can't be it. Vulcans don't seem to have any qualms about being rude on this series!
T'Pol's Choice: On a visit to the stunningly beautiful fire plains, T'Pol tells Trip that she's decided to marry Koss. She feels honor-bound to tradition and to the commitment, and she also feels obligated to help her mother out of the situation that T'Pol's own actions caused. Trip is upset and angry, although he's careful not to take it out on her. She apologizes, and even calls him 'Trip.'
Trip's Choice: On the morning of the wedding, T'Les and Trip have a frank discussion. T'Les tells Trip that she didn't know her fiancé well, either, when they married, but that they came to care about each other a great deal. She believes this will be true of T'Pol and Koss as well. She does, however, encourage Trip to tell T'Pol that he loves her. She still doesn't approve, but she does feel that T'Pol should have all the information available. Trip goes up about forty-seven notches on T'Les's respect-o-meter when he declines, saying he doesn't want to add to T'Pol's confusion and distress.
Awwww! Now how sweet is that? The Trip and T'Pol/Vulcan story line got me right here (monkee points to her heart). I found the planet beautiful, the society intriguing, and the love story poignant. T'Pol is making a mistake, but she's a woman torn right now between two cultures, and I think she's doing the best she can.
The episode closes – brilliantly, I might add – with T'Pol and Koss kneeling before an alter as a somber Trip looks on, reciting the words we remember so well from TOS's 'Amok Time.' "What thee are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning..."
Happy sigh.
Character Interactions: The episode properly focuses on the regular characters, which is good, because I was heartily sick of Nazis, alien or otherwise, and cutesy mobsters. There were a lot of small moments of friendship – Sato and Phlox's conversation, Reed's warning to Phlox, and Reed, Mayweather and Phlox's time at the bar.
Archer Watch: The Archer introspection was a good thing. I'm glad he actually mentioned the torture specifically to Erika, as well as stranding that ship of innocent people. These are things that should haunt him. It wasn't enough, though, and his recovery was way too quick and neat. I hope we get to see more. I'm still hoping he'll encounter that ship he stranded, and something awful will have happened to its crew because of his actions. When a captain does something wrong on Star Trek, there should occasionally be some lasting and serious consequences.
'shipper Watch: I liked Erika as a character, and really enjoyed her rapport with Archer. I wouldn't mind seeing her return now and then as a semi-regular, both as a love interest for Archer, and as the captain of the NX-02. The big 'shipper story this week, though, was T'Pol's marriage to Koss. I think it was a really good call. If either Trip or T'Pol had professed their love for the other now, it would have ruined everything. Now they can both be full of regret, loving each other from a distance – it'll generate a lot of nice tension. As for Koss, well...he might be a decent guy, but I'm afraid he's doomed. See, he's standing in the way of True Trek Love. He's a dead man! A dead Vulcan. Whatever.
Mayweather Watch: He got to be in a bar fight! Plus he got to say "Step AWAY from the table!" in a menacing tone of voice. I loved seeing that side of him! And I'll tell you what – if he told me to step away from the table, I'd step the heck away from the table! You go, Travis!
Random Musings: Is there anything remotely logical about hot pink capri pants? Also, will people actually use the word 'snazzy' in the 22nd century when they don't even use it now? Just a few new items for our 'list of things to ponder...'
Best Lines:
"Whadda we goin' afta next, the Loch Ness monsta?" (Hahahaha! I'm kidding. That was last week, of course. I just enjoy typing it. It's kind of like "Brain and brain! What is brain?")
"The bar's reserved for regular customers. Galactic heroes have to sit at a table." (Erika, to Archer)
"Your Mom's house, huh. What does she know about me...'bout us?" "I've never mentioned you." (Trip and T'Pol. And Ouch!)
"You did everything you could to sabotage our mission. I got more help from the Andorians than I ever got from the High Command. This planet would be a cloud of dust RIGHT NOW if we'd listened to you!" (Archer, to Soval)
"Vulcans appreciate beauty." "Well, I had no doubt about that. You always were a snazzy dresser." (T'Pol and Trip)
"They renamed my old high school after you. How many is that – two, three dozen?" "I'm not counting." "And that's just in North America! Zefram Cochrane doesn't have that many schools named after him..." (Erika, Archer, Erika)
"If I can recalibrate a warp reactor, I ought to be able to handle a kitchen appliance." (Trip, to T'Les)
"You weren't stirring up trouble; you were exploring." "I'm not sure there's much of a difference." (Erika and Archer)
"You did what any captain would do." "Does that include torture? Or marooning a ship full of innocent people? Because I don't remember reading those chapters in the handbook." (Erika and Archer)
"All I'm trying to do is get away from you! I look at you, and I see the person I was three years ago – the explorer that my father wanted me to be." (Archer, to Erika)
I lost something out there. I don't know how to get it back." "Whatever you lost – maybe I can help you find it." (Archer and Erika)
"You're sorry. You brought me sixteen light years just to watch you marry someone you barely know." (Trip, to T'Pol)
"I may not condone your relationship, but it's important for her to have all of the facts." "She's got enough pressure on her as it is. I don't want to make things any more complicated." (T'Les and Trip)
"What thee are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning without change. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. This is our way." (the opening of the Vulcan marriage ceremony)
Rating: 9/10. Solid, with a lot of nice development for the three leads. The Archer story was resolved too quickly, though.
Next Week: Brent Spiner as a Soong ancestor! More on the Eugenics Wars! It sounds promising, although Spiner's 'evil' characters never did much for me. We'll see what happens! Oh, and don't forget to vote on November 2nd! This one actually feels like it means something...
And one more thing...CONGRATULATIONS, RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!
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