(1x11) Soft, Scrambled, & From The Future: Cold Front!

[entkayjay]

This is the discussion thread for S1E11, Cold Front! All Delphic Expanse rules of engagement apply.

Written by: Stephen Beck (Oasis) and Tim Finch (also co-produced 9 episodes)
Directed by: Robert Duncan McNeill (The Breach, Twilight, Countdown)

Rewatch chat is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th at 8pm EST (12:00 am Thursday, April 7th GMT).

[Mistress Euclid]

Ah Daniels. You are so much more than a waiter.

This is a wonderful AT&T episode. The big three work very well together, with both Trip and T'Pol representing their respective points-of-view very well. T'Pol's skepticism is most welcome, and she provides a good foil for Trip.

Silik is so slippery and evil here.

Phlox is just a pure and utter delight. It's so refreshing to see a Trek character truly embrace other cultures with gusto. He's a wonderful diplomat, and it's nice to see Archer appreciating him.

[Honeybee]

I'll write more later, but yes, Phlox was terrific in this episode. I think he probably had an amazing trip on that liquid whatever the aliens offered him. He just was having a great time.

Lots of nice little TnT moments throughout, mostly due to the fact that they are each providing their input to Archer. I love their conversation about why she's skeptical of Daniel's claims.

[asearcher]

Darn it. Missed you guys again!!!!!

<heavy sigh>

I'll try for next week but that's the week of the wedding so not sure I can.

[Honeybee]

I've thought about the rewatch for awhile now, and it's very strange. I know the TCW was highly criticized back in the day, and this episode cited as one of the reasons. However, there's lots of interesting stuff and some great scenes.

You've got the relationship between the big three, with Trip and T'Pol each representing their own point of you.

You have the highly original idea that the bad guy saved the ship, but I do think it's not ever made really clear why Silik did that. This is a very gutsy and interesting creative move, and they try to exploit it - but it doesn't happen.

Silik is a very creepy figure. Am I alone in that he reminds me of F. Murray Abraham in "Insurrection" mixed with a sexually ambiguous Hitchcock villain?

As I said above, Phlox as enthusiastic diplomat is terrific. I would not have objected to the episode centering around his adventures on the alien ship.

Daniels has cool toys.

Malcolm is very much in control here, even though he's got a small role.

The whole decompression climax was oddly not exciting for me. Possibly because my mind was on that Southwest decompression that happened this week, and I just don't buy that Archer would have stayed conscious that long.

Porthos is awesome, especially when he is worried about Archer.

But, it's just not as exciting as it should be at the end, at least from where I sit. I think the blistering criticism it got was wrong but it's not outstanding, even compared to other episodes in the season.

Just theoretically, I would have liked it if rather than an action climax, a TNG style debate between SIlik and Archer had been the climax - really well, written and with Archer having to use his mind to outsmart Silik. Just a suggestion.

[tish]

I am catching up with my episode reviews....I should have more of 'me' time very soon!

I like that this is a segue episode that leaves you hanging for more infomation, which does come somewhat full circle in later storylines. The light touch for the religious aspect was welcomed here, and I also am refreshed by the meeting of nonagressive species' for once as well a one with no underlying conflict to address (Cogenitor anyone? )

Here are the scenes that resonated with me:

SILIK: (strapped into a device with tubes into his head) This wasn't part of our agreement.
FUTURE MAN: You failed in your last mission. The Klingon Empire is intact. You knew there would be consequences.
SILIK: Please, I won't disappoint you again.
FUTURE MAN: We'll restore it, but only if you succeed in your next mission.
SILIK: But you're disabling me.
FUTURE MAN: You won't need enhanced vision where you're going. Proceed with the extraction.
(a Suliban medic aims a long needle at Silik's eye)

YIKES! I so do not like these scenes ( Geordie, Picard come to mind as well )

REED: No. I'll take care of it. It'll only take a moment. You have the Bridge, Ensign. (leaves)
HOSHI: Aren't you going to take the chair?
TRAVIS: What?
HOSHI: You're in command.
TRAVIS: I'm fine right here.
HOSHI: Haven't you ever wondered what it's like?
TRAVIS: I can wait till I'm promoted.
HOSHI: Okay. (he goes and sits in the Captain's chair) Nice fit.
TRAVIS: Bridge looks a lot different from here. Think anyone would mind if I fired a torpedo?
REED: Permission to take my station?
TRAVIS: Sorry, sir. (returns to helm)

CUTE scene with Hoshi and Travis, giving us the Oh Wow feelings of the younger officers of being on Enterprise!

I like the way Fraddock is portrayed as a no nonsense businessman, getting the job done, staying with his ship, warning of the plasma storm, yet looking for that 'make a buck' opportunity when possible.....very realistic.

FRADDOCK: I spoke with every one of them.
TUCKER: How about the warp theorist?
FRADDOCK: Him, too. None of them went anywhere near that conduit. If I told you I did it, would there be some kind of reward?
ARCHER: Thank you, Captain.
FRADDOCK: Maybe it was the Cycle of Renewal.
ARCHER: If anyone comes forward, you'll let me know?
FRADDOCK: Oh, you'll be the first.

TUCKER: I thought you scientists were supposed to keep an open mind.
T'POL: There's a difference between keeping an open mind and believing something because you want it to be true.
TUCKER: What the hell's that supposed to mean?

Still arguing, and giving off those sparks all the while....there was no doubt about this from BB on!

TUCKER: Right. What's this? (picks up Daniels' device)
DANIELS: It's very delicate. Please don't. (a holographic screen is being projected from it) Please don't touch it.

Trip and his curiosity, gotta love the boy in the man!

T'POL: One of the power relays is offline.
TUCKER: Must have been damaged during the plasma storm. J-37. It's about three metres behind that bulkhead.
DANIELS: (slipping a device over his hand) I'll take care of it. (goes to bulkhead) J-37? (activates device and walks through the wall, a few moments and back he comes) Try it now.

It's not scripted, but here Blalock and Trinneer had one of their perfectly acted silent looks, which added so much to the scene, and further proves their brilliant grasp of their craft.

I like the way Phlox is so delighted to learn more of another culture and species. Also, I like the way Reed was tolerant of Travis and Hoshi when they were on the bridge. Gave some more insight to all the characters, in a wonderfully subtle character development way.

[Hummingbird2]

Tishkajaku, I have to say that I agree with everything you said there! 'Cold Front' is one of my favorite episodes.

[Brandyjane]

I like Daniels. At first, when I first saw Cold Front, I thought the casting was weird since the actor just doesn't look like my idea of a "time cop." But Daniels really grew on me throughout the series, and now I can't imagine anyone else in the role. I think Daniels (cool job or not) is just kind of a weird, awkward guy. For example, it's just goofy when he tells Archer, "You like your scrambled eggs soft. Have I ever brought them to you any other way?" That's kind of refreshing when you consider how physically attractive and/or charismatic the other human characters are. Daniels almost reminds me of a stereotypical Trek fan whose been cast in the series, and since the character has been sent back to spend time with a few of his heroes, it really does seem fitting.

I wonder what they told the crew about Daniels' abrupt disappearance? Did they tell him Daniels was killed in a freak accident, that he left with the religious pilgrims, or did they just say, "We're not saying, so don't ask!" If they said it was an accident, then how did they explain sealing up his quarters? Though I doubt anyone would guess the truth (time travelers!), I'm sure the ship's rumor mill was really active about it.

I've often wondered what it would have been like if Daniels hadn't disappeared in "Cold Front." I think it could have made for some interesting drama if he just went back to his old role as steward. Daniels would go back to serving Archer his eggs and cleaning up after him as if nothing had ever happened, but Archer would know that he had this man aboard his ship who he could never fully trust, someone who knew what was going to happen but wouldn't tell him. Under those circumstances, how would Archer react when Daniels doesn't warn him about the Xindi attack on Earth in time to stop the initial strike? How would Trip react, knowing Daniels had information that might have saved his sister's life?