monkee reviews: Judgment
First impressions: Outstanding!
In Medias Res: The story starts in the middle, a device that I like when it's done well, as it is here. I enjoy having information doled out to me gradually. Sometimes, though, there are gaps in the story that are never filled in, and it can be frustrating. I'd love to know, for example, how Archer was apprehended, since he apparently wasn't on Enterprise at the time. Ah, well. I guess it'll just have to remain a mystery.
Kolos: When Archer is accused of inciting rebellion in the Klingon Empire, he's brought before the tribunal. Kolos (J. G. Hertzler, who also played DS9's Martok) is assigned as his advocate. I can't say much about Martok, since I missed a lot of DS9 (including most of the last two seasons) but Hertzler was terrific as Kolos. Enterprise has given me one of my all-time favorite Vulcans (Mestral, from 'Carbon Creek') and now a favorite Klingon, too! He was flawed, but brilliant and noble. And I thought Hertzler and Bakula worked beautifully together – they had nice chemistry.
Klingon Society: What we learn about the Klingons here fascinates me. According to Kolos, things were a lot different only twenty years ago, when 'honor was earned through integrity and acts of true courage, not senseless bloodshed.' How did things change so quickly, to the point where it's not unusual for them to 'annex' alien colonies, strip them of their resources, and leave the colonists to starve? And we know they'll still be struggling with some of these issues – overly aggressive warriors and dishonorable actions – up through the TNG/DS9/VOY timeframe. When Kolos asked Archer if he really thought all Klingons were warriors, it brought him up short. I have to admit that it brought me up short, too. We don't often get to see the other aspects of Klingon society. I liked it!
Irreconcilable Differences: I've been wondering – is it at all possible to reconcile the TOS Klingons with all the rest? It's more than just the bad 60's make-up; the very concept of Klingon was different then. They were intended to be two-dimensional villains, or comic relief (The Trouble with Tribbles). I think that we're just going to have to put them out of our minds if we're to enjoy Enterprise. Or pretend that the Kang, Kor and Koloth that we saw in DS9's 'Blood Oath' were the same characters that interacted with Kirk and company. It's not too big a leap, is it? Well, maybe it is, but we're Trekkers, and we can handle it.
Nods and Continuity: Lots of nice nods to Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country here. The tribunal looked much the way I remembered it, as did the penal colony, Rura Penthe. Kolos himself was a nod to the noble Klingons we'll see later: Gorkon, Worf, K'mpec, Martok, and even, to some degree, Kang. Nice continuity, too, with the events of both Broken Bow and Sleeping Dogs mentioned again. And there are bound to be repercussions. After all, Archer just escaped the Klingons, and from Rura Penthe, of all places! I look forward to seeing what happens next. And isn't it nice that Enterprise follows up on unfinished business on occasion? Voyager hardly ever did. Grumble, grumble. (I know, I know. It's time to let it go…)
Klingon/Taresian Connection? In the Tribunal Hall, the Klingon warriors were banging their staffs on the ground. This, of course, automatically brought to mind the spotted Taresian girls who tried to seduce and desiccate Harry Kim in Voyager's campiest episode, 'Favorite Son.'
Or was that just me... <g>
It would certainly make an interesting crossover episode, though. But perhaps that's a challenge best left to the fanfic writers. Taresian Babes at the River of Blood...
Ahem. Moving on...
Other Klingons: Captain/Second Weapons Officer Duras is obviously the ancestor of the TNG Duras, and it was interesting to see that some things never change. Perhaps dishonor runs in the family. The prosecutor and judge in the tribunal were both well cast, too. I particularly enjoyed the look on the normally smug and superior Orak's face when Kolos called him on his 'complacent research.'
Refugees: The refugees that Archer assists, setting all of this into motion, are not much more than a plot device. I don't remember even learning the name of the species.
Meanwhile, Back on Enterprise...Their hands are tied, but they manage to help anyway. Phlox tells the Klingons that Archer has polycythemia as a ruse to visit him in prison to see if he's all right. When Archer is sentenced to Rura Penthe, T'Pol and Trip debate about how they can rescue him. Trip is tired of the ineffective 'diplomatic channels,' until T'Pol reminds him that there are 'other' diplomatic channels. Apparently, Vulcans don't have a problem with bribery, if it's for a logical cause, and T'Pol's old connections come in handy. And Reed gets a piece of the action, too. He's the one who gets Archer past the bribed guard.
Character Interactions: The episode belongs to Archer and Kolos. Over the course of the episode, Archer gets Kolos to see that he doesn't just have to accept the status quo – he can try to make a difference. And I'd like to think that maybe Kolos got Archer to see that he doesn't always have to be so self-righteous, but that probably isn't possible. If pain sticks didn't get the message through, nothing will! Watching the two of them together was a treat, and I'm glad we got to see them forge a real friendship by the end. I hope we see Kolos again. It would be great to have another recurring DS9 actor on-board, in addition to Jeffrey Combs (Shran the Man!)
PAIN STICKS! I have nothing to say about them, I just like to say 'PAIN STICKS!'
'shipper Watch: Nothing overt, although I'm sure A/T ers could read something into T'Pol's concern for Archer, and T/Tu ers could read something into Trip and T'Pol's debate at the end. You'd have to be looking pretty hard, though...
Archer Watch: I liked him a lot this week, much more so than usual. Maybe it was just the way Bakula and Hertzler worked together, but I really don't see how Archer could have done anything differently, so I have no problem with his actions. Yes, he's too self-righteous, but he had nothing to lose by being that way in the tribunal, since they were all banging their sticks for his execution! It's always nice to watch a character have his preconceptions challenged, and come out with a greater understanding of another species, as Archer does here. He has a true friend in Kolos, now. If he survives a year at Rura Penthe, that is.
Best Lines:
"From what I can see, you're all perfectly happy to ignore what you don't want to hear." (Archer, to Kolos)
"This human is guilty of more than inciting rebellion. He has committed an ACT OF WAR!" (Orak, playing to an audience at the tribunal)
"Yes, he may be self-righteous, but his meddling has saved a Klingon ship, and perhaps the fate of the Empire itself." (Kolos, to the tribunal)
"He is guilty of nothing more than being a nuisance, and hardly worth the attention of this tribunal. And if he is to be punished, let the punishment fit THAT crime." (Kolos, to the tribunal)
"I ask for no special treatment, only that my client be judged fairly, as any Klingon would be. But it has been many years since anyone stood in this chamber and received justice." (Kolos, to the tribunal)
"Since you have such admiration for the prisoner, you will join him on Rura Penthe for a period of one year. Remove them both." (The tribunal, to Kolos)
"You're a fool." "You're welcome." (Kolos and Archer, after Archer gets beaten for attacking a guard who was attacking Kolos)
"Haven't you learned your lesson? This is why you were sent here in the first place – for interfering in affairs that have NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!" (Kolos, to Archer)
"Are all humans like this?" "Like what, fair?" "STUPID!" "It's in our nature." (Kolos and Archer) (HEY! Speak for yourself, Archer!)
"You said on your world, a few courageous people made a difference. I'm not sure I have the courage, but I know I'll never be able to restore honor to my people as a fugitive." (Kolos, explaining to Archer why he won't leave Rura Penthe)
"You said most prisoners don't survive a year." "Most prisoners here have very little to live for." (Archer and Kolos)
Klingon Cuisine Quotes:
"What IS this?" "Targ." "It's a little underdone." (Archer and Kolos)
"What's it the blood of?" (Archer, to Kolos, regarding the blood wine. And it's certainly a fair question!)
Rating: 9.5/10. I really liked this one. And Kolos gets a 10!
Next Week: Could it be?!?!? An actual MAYWEATHER episode? It's about time! Looks good, too.
Note from the monkee: As you may have noticed, I haven't reviewed 'The Crossing' yet. It may take me a while. And when I do review it, I'll have to watch it again, as I've already forgotten most of it – kind of an unmemorable outing, eh? The month of May is looking a little hairy for me, so my reviews may be delayed here and there. Please bear with me!
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