TV: Star Trek Enterprise

Awakening

Captain Archer and T’Pol finally arrive at the base of the Syrranites hidden deep within the forge. T’Pau is shocked to learn that Arev died in the storm as he was really Syran, their leader. When she learns that Syran implanted the Katra of Surak into Archer, T’Pau tries to retrieve it from him. Meanwhile, V’Las talks the Vulcan High Council into attacking Andoria...


Once again in Enterprise we see the Vulcans not as the cool, logical creatures of Original Series Star Trek but as manipulative and devious as the Ferengi. While they cling to their claims of following logic, the leader of the High Council V’Las does as he pleases to get his way. It seems that, like Isaac Asimov’s supposedly foolproof robotic laws, logic can be used to justify some very disturbing actions. The Iraq War connotations are obvious – a leader waging war because another race that may have weapons of mass destruction.

The Syrranites aren’t seen through rose-tinted glasses, however, and T’Pau is willing to force Archer into a mind meld in order to retrieve Surak’s Katra without any worry of the damage it may cause him. Hardly the action of a peace-loving leader, but the religious mania is the other side of the coin to V’Las’ quest for power. While this is an average episode, it plants the seeds of an excellent finale.

Buy Star Trek Enterprise on DVD at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com