This is one of my posts where I “review” Star Trek episodes. I will be giving each one a star rating. I sometimes will make some comments about non-political parts of them that I like or don’t like. I’ll sometimes use the issues raised in the episode to discuss similar issues in real life. And I will sometimes simply high-light the progressive politics of ST. ST is in-line with the three original themes of this blog, as I explain in the first ST post where I offer some general thoughts about ST.
I’m not very familiar with The Original Series and there might be some small amount of material there that would affect what I say about Star Trek (i.e. how often religion is mentioned)
Lastly. multi-culturalism is such a pervasive theme in ST that I only comment on it when it goes beyond the norm (i.e. inter-species partners).
These episodes are more or less part of the Xindi story line that lasts the entire 3rd season of Enterprise. For some introductory comments from me and a link to a plot summary of the first episode of this story line, see this where I discuss the episode “The Expanse” (which is the last episode of the 2nd season).
“Hatchery” See this for a plot summary.
If it wasn’t for one thing, there would be a fair amount of political stuff to comment on. But pretty much everything Archer said was when he was affected by some chemical. He does say two things that I want to comment on.
First, he says “I don’t know much about Vulcan ethics, but humans don’t throw morality out the window when things start getting a little rough.” First, during the 3rd season Xindi story line Archer frequently does exactly that, especially in the episode “Damage.” I know that even with some good causes, this happens, but every effort should be made to avoid such actions. At another point he says: “There are rules, Trip, even in war” about the need to avoid civilian casualties. I’d basically say the same thing. With both of these, many people will say that morals should be abandoned if necessary to avoid casualties among American soldiers. What many just don’t seem to get is that killing civilians pisses off a lot of people- they’re friends and families, some of whom are going to become insurgents. I found something among supporters of the US military that illustrates this problem pretty well. It’s the text of a shirt here. The 10th slogan is the main thing I want to highlight, but the 3rd slogan is also similar. They just don’t get it.
I give it three stars out of five.
“Azati Prime” See this for a plot summary
Although it is part of the Xindi story line, there’s not much that is especially political. At one point Daniels tries to convince Archer to try some more diplomacy instead of destroying the Xindi weapon, pointing out that if the weapon is destroyed without getting some of the Xindi to understand humanity is not a threat, they'll simply build another weapon. Archer disagrees- since he has engaged in some sort of diplomatic efforts, I assume he favors destroying the weapon since they have finally found it.
Also, about the destruction of the monitoring station. It’s not clear but it sounds like a military installation, in which case it was a legitimate target.
That’s about it for political stuff. In some ways the damage that Enterprise suffers is kind of neat.
I give this episode four stars out of five.
“Damage” See this for a plot summary.
This is a political episode. First we are reminded that at some point Archer said “we can’t save humanity without holding on to what makes us human.” T’pol quotes him on that after Archer decided to take an important piece of equipment (a warp coil) for the warp drive from another, friendly ship, by force. After losing the warp coil, the other ship faces a very log voyage home that they’re not ready for. T’pol at first strongly opposes Archer, but she is going through withdrawal from drugs and shortly afterwards retracts what she said.
There were some other ways Archer could have gotten the warp coil. He could have asked to BORROW it until the mission was over in return for the supplies he DID send them to pay for the warp coil. If that failed, I am honestly unable to choose what he should have done, they’re both unattractive choices. For now I have to leave it at that.
I’d say there are almost zero/zero progressive values on display in this episode. But as much as I don’t like the choice Archer makes, that does make it a bit more realistic. It’d be better if Archer received some kind of punishment for what he did, but as far as I can remember, that doesn’t happen.
I give this episode four stars out of five.
“The Forgotten” See this for a plot summary.
The only thing worth mentioning is the developing alliance of Degra and Archer. Convincing as many Xindi as possible that humanity is not a threat to them is very important- if they they destroy the weapon without that, the Xindi will just build another weapon. It also lays some ground-work for good relations in the future.
I give it four stars out of five.
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