monkee reviews 'Dear Doctor'
First Impression: Excellent episode, in a quiet and thoughtful way.
Recommendation: Before I begin, I'd like to recommend an interview with John Billingsley, which I read on Wednesday, just before the episode aired. It's a good interview, and Billingsley sounds like a decent guy with a realistic approach to the show. He also describes an absolutely hilarious prank that he pulled on his cast-mates, particularly Bakula, when this episode was being filmed. You can find the interview by following THIS LINK.
I'll start off my review by discussing the one little thing that bothered me, then move on to the good stuff.
Dear Doctor: The episode unfolds, in large part, as voice-over narration of a letter that Phlox is writing to a human Doctor that he's befriended on Denobula. While I enjoyed this approach in TNG's 'Data's Day,' I didn't think it worked as well here. I can't quite put my finger on why perhaps it was just a little too much medical jargon for me. At times, it sounded more like a documentary than a letter, and I found it distracting, especially when it kept cropping up and cutting into the action. One of the first laws of storytelling is 'Show, don't tell,' and I would rather have interpreted Phlox's reactions to the events instead of hearing them spelled out for me. It didn't bother me that much, really, but I thought it did detract from the episode. Just a tiny bit.
Now, onto the episode's real strengths, which were considerable...
Playing God: Since TOS, the Prime Directive has been one of the most interesting things about Star Trek. Starfleet is not supposed to interfere in the natural evolution of any of the species they encounter. We've seen each one of the Captains struggle with it, in one way or another. Why non-interference? Why can't we interfere, when all we want to do is help? Well, this episode did an outstanding job of showing how incredibly complex the issue is. Enterprise encounters a ship carrying two dying Valakian astronauts. Their people are all dying, as it turns out, and they ask for Phlox's help, which Archer permits. Once Enterprise reaches the Valakian's home planet, however, Phlox discovers that their disease is the result of genetic mutation that has been going on for thousands of years. The Valakians are, according to Phlox, undergoing a natural extinction. Complicating matters is the fact that the planet is also home to the Menk, a 'lesser' humanoid species that co-exists peacefully with the Valakians. Phlox realizes that the Menk are actually in the midst of an evolutionary awakening, intellectually and physically. Although Phlox is able to find a cure for the genetic mutation, which would save the Valakians, he is reluctant to use it. He thinks it unwise to interfere in the natural evolution of this planet. He and Archer butt heads over the issue, and in the end, an extremely reluctant Archer is forced to agree. It's got to be the most difficult decision he'd had to make thus far, and it's not going to get any easier at all. This is one of the quandaries that any space-faring race must address at some point. I think, personally, that the directive that Starfleet is eventually going to come up with is the best answer possible, though not perfect. Arguments can be made for interference, in some cases, certainly. As a physician, Phlox himself, as Archer points out, interferes on a smaller scale whenever he cures a patient. But you've got to draw a line somewhere, and nature usually knows what it's doing. Or maybe it doesn't, but at least it's...well...natural.
In Archer's situation, his decision may have been made easier when the Valakians requested warp technology so they could contact other races that might be able to help them. Archer can clearly see that the Valakians are not yet capable of handling the dangers of anti-matter. Knowing that he can't interfere in that way may make it easier for him to accept that he shouldn't interfere in other ways, either.
What's great about an episode like this is the discussion it generates. On mailing lists and Trek bulletin boards everywhere today, people are debating this episode. Some point out that yes, Archer isn't God, but then, neither is Phlox, right? He could be wrong. Two thousand years isn't all that long, in evolutionary terms. Maybe the Valakians will bounce back, despite the ticking clock. I hope so, because they seemed like nice people, which was another thing the episode did right. The Valakian's were behaving in much the same way as humans would (I hope) under similar circumstances, with dignity and determination. "You might find that not everyone you meet wants to help you," Archer told the Valakian astronaut. "Still," the astronaut said, "we have to try." You could see how much Archer admired and respected these people.
Understanding Different Cultures: Even though the episode's ethical exploration of non-interference was outstanding, it wasn't even my favorite part! My favorite scene was Phlox's discussion with Ensign Cutler about understanding different cultures. In the episode's B-story (which ties in appropriately to the main plot, unlike last week), Phlox begins to suspect that Cutler may be developing a romantic interest in him. He is wary about this, and he tries to impress upon Cutler how very different their cultures are. As an example, he cites that both she and Sato are distressed that the Valakians seem to be taking advantage of the Menk, yet, near as he can tell, the relationship works perfectly fine for both species, and the Menk are healthy, happy and evolving naturally they don't consider themselves ill-used at all. As T'Pol has so often pointed out, they are interpreting what they see based upon human biases. Ah, this is what Star Trek is all about. Wouldn't it be nice if human beings could just accept cultural differences here on earth, and not constantly judge them and try to decree one culture right and the other wrong?
Denobulans: Speaking of different cultures! We learn many new and interesting little tidbits about the Denobulans, but not nearly enough, yet, to understand them. Phlox has three wives back at home, and he hasn't mentioned them to anyone! Does he miss them, or is marriage more like a business arrangement for them? Mating season on Denobula is apparently a long and violent one, involving combatants and long hours for the doctors, yet normally Denobulans do not like to be touched. I look forward to learning much more about them as the series progresses. We've only skimmed the surface, so far.
It's All in the Details: The first fifteen minutes of the episode centered around Phlox's observations of the human crew, and featured some marvelous moments. There was poor Porthos on the biobed with a cheese-induced bellyache, and a concerned Archer looking on. And isn't it nice to know that a reluctance to undergo dental work is somewhat universal? I think that shot of T'Pol on the biobed with her mouth open may be my favorite of her scenes yet, especially when Phlox was asking her questions she couldn't answer because his fingers were in her mouth! I guess alien dentists do that, too! It's always nice to see our Trek crew's leisure activities, so I loved the reprise of movie night, especially Phlox's desire to watch the audience instead of the film! I thought it was a wonderful touch that the one blubbering was none other than Trip Tucker! It even makes some sense, given that he was just dumped by Pensacola Natalie last week! My favorite of the episode's lighter scenes, however, was the Sato/Phlox lunch, with Sato's attempts at the Denobulan language. "Eggplant's not a vegetable, it's a nostril." Hehe. I've always suspected as much!
Crewman Cutler: Continuity be praised! We get to see a lower decks crewman return, and she's still an exobiologist! And since she's an exobiologist, it even makes a lot of sense that she might develop a bit of a crush on Phlox. Yet she wasn't portrayed as a giggly, two-dimensional love interest at all. She's an intelligent, reasonable person, with a likable personality. When she finds out that Phlox is married, she maintains her dignity, and offers her friendship, along with whatever else might develop as they learn more about each other's cultures. I thought it was quite touching when Phlox reached out for that friendship at the end of the episode. I hope to see more of Crewman Cutler.
Hoshi! Hoshi Sato is getting to be a real bright spot of the show for me. Of all the characters, she seems the most like a real person to me, and I've been quite impressed with Linda Park's natural style. I just love Hoshi's friendship with Phlox, and their easy conversations. She can even tease him! "In Denobulan, Doctor "
Alternate Ending: In the interview that I mentioned earlier, Billingsley mentioned that the ending to this episode was originally edgier, with the conflict between Archer and Phlox more dramatic. He said it was changed because they didn't want anyone to defy the Captain and make him look weak. Now that's a shame! Hey Trek producers risk SHOULD be your business! Stop playing it so safe all the time! I can understand not wanting to have the Starfleet crewmen disobey him, but Phlox is not in Starfleet. This would have been an interesting opportunity to show some legitimate dissent. Archer is the first Captain, it's OKAY for him to be flawed, especially at first! It didn't bother me too much, but it did make lines like "I came very close to misjudging Jonathon Archer, but this incident has helped me gain a new respect for him," fall a bit flat for me.
A Word about Billingsley: This was the first episode in which he was really allowed to shine as an actor, and he certainly made the most of the opportunity. Phlox's reluctance to reveal too much to Archer was palpable in several scenes, even the earlier ones. And you knew exactly what he had seen when he looked up from the microscope, even though he didn't say a word. I liked some of the subtler touches, too like the way he unconsciously brushed off his arm in the final scene after Sato touched it.
Bookends: The opening and closing scenes of the door leading into the darkened sickbay were a nice touch, and Phlox has the first and last words in the episode, "Good morning," and "Sweet dreams."
Crew Interactions: Phlox's scenes with Archer, Sato, and Cutler stood out, as did the brief scene with T'Pol in sickbay. T'Pol warned him that a human might pursue a romantic relationship with him just to satisfy her curiosity, a suggestion that he found cynical, but rightfully didn't dismiss outright. It was a good moment for both of them T'Pol's concern was genuine. Archer and T'Pol had a couple of good scenes, too. It's clear that they are both beginning to respect each other more as time goes on.
Archer Watch: He's a good man, and is getting to be a good Captain as well. I like that he leads with his heart, but is still willing to do some difficult soul-searching and think hard about not 'playing God.' It was clear that this was his toughest decision to date, especially since he admired the Valakians, and wanted so much to help them. I do think they could take a few more chances with his character, though. He simply HAS to make a big mistake or two, and soon. That's not risky, it's just realistic.
'Shipper Watch: Phlox and Cutler is a possibility. I wouldn't mind if they explored it a little more.
Best Lines:
"See all the trouble you cause?" (Archer, to Porthos, although it's not Porthos' fault Archer can't say 'no!')
"I think you make a very cute...washboard." (Sato, to Phlox)
"They tend to be easily infatuated with things they find...new. This crewman may simply be trying to satisfy her curiosity at your expense. Be careful." (T'Pol, to Phlox)
"You need to know that my culture is different." (Phlox, to Cutler)
"That doesn't matter." (Cutler, to Phlox)
"It doesn't? This culture is different that seems to matter to you a great deal." (Phlox, to Cutler)
"I'm not interested in becoming wife number four I just want to be your friend. Let's just...see where it goes." (Cutler, to Phlox)
"They have no experience working with antimatter. I doubt they even realize how dangerous it is." (Archer, to T'Pol. I guess they've learned something since they launched the old 'Friendship One' probe...)
"The Vulcans stayed to help Earth ninety years ago. We're still there." (T'Pol, to Archer)
"I'm beginning to understand how the Vulcans must have felt." (Archer, to T'Pol)
"My compassion GUIDES my judgement." (Archer, to Phlox)
"I'm also a scientist, and I'm obligated to consider the larger issues." (Phlox, to Archer)
"Someday, my people are going to come up with some sort of a doctrine, something that tells us what we can and can't do should and shouldn't do out here. But until somebody tells me that they've drafted that...directive, I'm going to have to remind myself, every day, that we didn't come out here to play God." (Archer, to Phlox)
"Of course it's not good - there is no good. It's what there is. It's how you behave if you're the most powerful nation in the world. It's proportional. It's reasonable. It's responsible. It's merciful. It's not nothing. It's what our fathers taught us." (Leo McGarry to Jed Bartlet, 'A Proportional Response.' Oops. Wrong show. I just wanted to slip a West Wing quote in there! And it fits, sort of.)
Rating: 9/10. Terrific episode - one of the season's best!
Next Week: All right! A feisty Klingon female, a Targ, and lots of people in their underwear! I'm looking forward to it!
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