(1x17) Head Games: Fusion!

[entkayjay]

This is the discussion thread for S1E17, Fusion! All Delphic Expanse rules of engagement apply.

Teleplay Written by: Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong (both multiple episodes/seasons)
Directed by: Rob Hedden
Rewatch chat is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th at 8pm EST (1:00 am Thursday, May 19th GMT).

[mareel]

There were a few aspects of this episode that caught my attention more strongly than when it first aired (I'll confess it is not an ep I had rewatched since then).

It was fun to see echoes of Jonathan as a little boy in his enthusiasm for the nebula. It fits well with the relationship we saw between him and his father in the Broken Bow flashback scenes. And it ties into something that Entkayjay pointed out in the chat – Jon's reaction to the request from Soval (via Forrest) that he try to get Kov to contact his dying father. There seems to me to be a parallel to his reaction to meeting Malcolm's father and learning of their extremely limited communication. Perhaps it's just the obvious contrast to his own relationship with his dad, but interesting to me.

I also liked seeing the friendship that developed between Kov and Trip. They appeared to hit it off very well, even to the point of Trip convincing him to contact his father, and it would be interesting to know if they ever kept in touch.

[entkayjay]

Couple of things strike me with what you said. IF TPTB had any plan for consistency with Archer's background -- which I highly doubt considering the two different paths they took for his father not being around -- I didn't read Jon's reaction as not understanding as much as understanding a little TOO much. He closed up immediately, became Captain Archer, while talking with Forrest. That to me indicates a very personal, visceral response to the situation. (If I were a complete and utterly socially-inept nerd, I'd wonder if Scott could remember what he was using to play that scene.) I have those kinds of responses myself, unbidden and subconsciously, when certain situations come into play. At that point Jon hasn't had a lot of luck with Vulcans other than T'Pol... and being asked to relay a message and/or convince an emotional one to contact a dying parent sounds like it struck a very personal chord.

So now I'm wondering how Jon's relationship with his dad was in later years -- however much "later" that was, either pre-adolescence, adolescence or early 20's (in what I've figured with canon).

And in thinking about it... Trip is not your usual engineer. Think of engineers you know: fix it guys, focused on fixing you, the problem, whatever, fairly narrow in their thinking. Not narrow people, not unpleasant people... but not usually the most socially gregarious either (there are exceptions of course!). They see the world in terms of "what if we want to do this, can we do that, should make us happy." (Then they can't figure out why it didn't make for the happy, 'cause it's FIXED ya know, lol.) All that aside, I've also found that engineers understand other engineers best -- put two in a room at a party and they are in their element. So it made perfect sense for Trip to talk to Kov, not only because they had hit it off (as engineers) but because their thought processes and way of looking at the world is probably similar. Thinking back to Unexpected, Trip got along (a bit too well, lol) with the alien engineer. Are there other parallels i'm not thinking about at the moment?

I think I'll rewatch this ep, because I want to pick up on other little things I missed the first time around because of the controversial reaction from fandom, and even yesterday... I can't pause and rewind in a rewatch chat, and I did see a few things about T'Pol and her reactions that made me want to ponder a bit.

[Honeybee]

This episode disturbed me the first time, and it still disturbs. Archer makes a huge mistake in pushing T'Pol to spend time with their guests, Tolaris in particular. T'Pol goes against her better judgment, in my interpretation, partially because she's come to trust Archer. Thankfully, Archer seems to recognize his error in the last scene, and it is gratifying to see him come down so hard on Tolaris.

This is the episode that establishes that there was always something a little "different" with T'Pol. Later in home, T'Les remarks about her always having her emotions too close to the surface, and I think that is a callback to this. As harsh as the episode is, I've always loved the idea that she sneaked out of the Vulcan Compound and found her way to a jazz bar. Jazz is exactly the kind of chaotic music I would expect a Vulcan to be drawn to - and I wish they had done more with that.

This episode is a clear and effective date rape metaphor. T'Pol, who is a competent and smart woman, is initially attracted to Tolaris and at first consents to the meld, but when it becomes too much for her, she says stop. He doesn't stop. The results are ugly and brutal, and the really play Tolaris up as the sociopath there. T'Pol's error is going against her judgment and trusting this creep, but the wrong done to her is most assuredly not played as her fault.

Trip shows his "human" instincts are pretty good in that he doesn't appear to like Tolaris much, though he clearly likes Kov. Their friendship is a high point of the episode, especially Trip's exasperated patience with Kov's wild misconceptions about humans. I also like that Archer, who knows a little something about Daddy issues, seems legitimately concerned for Kov and isn't just doing a favor for the VHC. Archer, we know, has a lot of emotional investment in his father's engine, but we really don't know what his actual relationship with his father was like when they were adults. Could it be they were estranged at some point?

But in the end, it's Trip who convinces Kov to contact his father, and it shows those "human" instincts are good. Trip's ability to read people both helps and hurts him over the course of the series.

But in the end, this is a really strong T'Pol episode. Personally, I wish it hadn't been the beginning of many T'Pol-as-the-victim plotlines, but as a stand alone, it shows a lot about her character's interest in humans and just how dangerous it is for her to be on a ship full of them.

[Aquarius]

I'm going to talk about T'Pol for a minute, since the story's actually about her.

For me, one of the best parts was at the end, when she asks Archer if he dreams and if it's pleasant. When he says it usually is, she says she envies him. In other discussions of this episode, I've seen folks miss the nuance of that scene. She wants to dream, and she wants to enjoy it. For everyone who's ever said that she doesn't belong with Trip because he's too emotional, too opposite, I submit this episode as evidence that they're not opposites at all, that rather, T'Pol is just less experienced at the emotion thing. That she messed with her meditation routine, that we learned that she isn't above breaking the rules for the sake of a personal experience, that she wishes she could do something beyond the "normal" Vulcan experience (enjoy dreaming, that is) tells us waaaaaaaaaaay before Trellium that there's something very emotional going on in that head of hers. (And think about it. For the sake of Television, she can't be the Perfect Little Vulcan who did everything right and never felt anything and never succumbed to temptation. That would be boring. Every character must have some kind of dramatic need.)

Also, for as much flack as Archer has taken for over the years for pushing her to go hang out with these people, he gets very little recognition for the fact that he realizes he screwed up and is genuinely sorry. That said, HE is not the one who violated T'Pol, so it's not exactly his fault, y'know? T'Pol, evidently, sees that, and she and Archer are good by the end of the episode, but I'm constantly frustrated by fellow TnT fans who can't take off their 'shipper glasses long enough to see and/or are just too stubborn to acknowledge what's happening here. Archer made a mistake--because he cared about her--and then he did everything he could to make it right--because he cared about her. This, really, is the true test of a relatively new friendship: the "I screwed up, please don't hate me" test. And she doesn't hate him.

The actor who played Tolaris did a good job selling me on the fact that he's a creeper, a sociopath. So much so that I almost feel dirty *for* T'Pol. What that poor woman must've felt after, and then to be treated in a future episode like it's her fault. Damn, if that isn't a metaphor for the way rape used to be commonly viewed, I don't know what is. We're definitely being told that despite all the technological advancement, the Vulcans are definitely behind the times socially.

The stuff about Jon's father--I know that if I found out that someone had been estranged from their family and that their relationship with a parent was bad, I"d probably react with concern and sadness, even if I didn't know them very well. I don't think it necessarily reflects on anything that was going on in my family. I only mention this because I don't really remember anything mentioned in the show about Jon's dad not being around. (Doesn't mean it wasn't, I just don't remember that.) I mean, as an engineer on one of the most important projects on the planet, I'm sure he had to put in a lot of long hours and such, like any other dad with a big important job. But, Jon never struck me as the "it's all about me" kind of character; I think his reactions were more about sympathy/empathy for Kov. He's demonstrating something for Kov here that he has also demonstrated for his crew to show he's not a hardass, he cares about people--like letting Hoshi switch quarters or letting a couple of his crew have beer on duty after a job well done or trying to do something nice for a bridge officer's birthday.

Just my loose change. Your mileage may vary.

[Honeybee]

No, my point about Jon maybe being estranged from his father was pure speculation. As far as I know, it was never played that way in the show. But it wouldn't knock me over with a feather if it turned out that Henry became obsessed with his engine to the detriment of his relationship with his son and his son went off to be a starship pilot and a rift formed only to be healed as he was dying. Pure. Speculation. Nothing in text indicates or doesn't indicate it.

Archer made a mistake--because he cared about her--and then he did everything he could to make it right--because he cared about her. This, really, is the true test of a relatively new friendship: the "I screwed up, please don't hate me" test. And she doesn't hate him.

Right. And Archer isn't wrong about T'Pol being interested in exploring her emotions, his mistake is in misjudging the danger to her, especially when it comes to Tolaris. And he's truly, genuinely sorry.

And I agree that this episode is often misinterpreted. We know from as far back as TOS that Vulcans suppress their emotions, it's not that they don't have them. Their emotions have always been played as more dangerous and more intense than human ones, and this episode explores that. I don't think it's an accident that there's all that imagery with T'Pol and a candle. She's the moth. Emotions are the flame.

For all we know, Tolaris might be the first man she's ever attracted to or thanks to her dream experiment, realizes she's attracted to. And this is how it turns out. No wonder she's later skittish about being involved with Trip. But in many ways, they have more in common than you would think. Trip's gregariousness does hide a dark side, which we have occasion to see now and again. His emotions are also deep and dangerous; he just uses a different method of covering them up.

[Aquarius]

No, my point about Jon maybe being estranged from his father was pure speculation. As far as I know, it was never played that way in the show. But it wouldn't knock me over with a feather if it turned out that Henry became obsessed with his engine to the detriment of his relationship with his son and his son went off to be a starship pilot and a rift formed only to be healed as he was dying. Pure. Speculation. Nothing in text indicates or doesn't indicate it.

I see what you're saying. For me, though, applying a little psychology here, I think that Henry becoming that kind of dad is in conflict with what we're shown in "Broken Bow." Henry was already on the Warp Five project when we see those snippets from Jon's childhood. The obsessed workaholic dad doesn't take time out of his busy day to build models with his kid and teach him how to fly it. He hands the kid the kit, says have fun, then heads for his home office and shuts the door.

Could something happen later to change their relationship? Sure, I guess so--but if it was important to explaining how/why Jon became the man he was, I'm sure they would've told us. Sure, I guess it's workable, but for me personally, it doesn't wash textually.

[entkayjay]

I'm going to talk about T'Pol for a minute, since the story's actually about her.

That's one of the reasons I'm going to re-rewatch it this weekend, without distractions however pleasant they may be.

Fandom was in an uproar over this ep and the date-rape aspect of it when it first aired, so I saw it through that lense. This time I wanted to see any subtlety the writers may have put in, since I've been writing now since this first aired and can apply that kind of focus. Unfortunately I can't do that when I'm having such fun.

I will say that I didn't see it as exploitative of T'Pol (the ep, not the subject matter) as most of the fandom corners I hung out in did at the time -- they were more interested in being outraged at the show than directing their anger at the character (which I can partially understand, as women are regularly made into victims on TV). It was/is a controversial subject and finding a way to deal with it is difficult at best (aaaaand... I consider the actual story writers, B&B... not always the best imho).

Re: Henry Archer: Memory Alpha helped me remember some of the details of the continuity issues.

"There appears to be some contradiction as to when he died. Although "Cold Station 12" stated he passed away when Jonathan was only 12 years-old, dialog in "Daedalus" suggests that he was still alive when the younger Archer entered flight training. In a deleted scene from ENT: "Home", Jonathan Archer visited his father's grave on Earth. According to Henry's grave marker, he was born in 2077 and died in 2133. This would have further contradicted Jonathan's claims that his father died when he was only twelve, in 2124."

I tend toward the latter scenario, Henry passing away when Jon is older. Jon's motivations come from more of a young adult reaction, 12 vs 21. Especially when Jon discusses fathers with Danica Erickson, and says he was "demanding" in a tone of voice that does not sound particularly empathetic to Henry. Young adults can be at odds with parents and also pursue vindication of their views/work out of love.

Jon's reaction just seemed a bit at odds with his compassionate nature, that's all.

[Honeybee]

I agree that T'Pol was too often made a victim in the show - this episode, Shockwave, Stigma, Impulse, Rajiin, Damage…the list goes on. Of course, there's plenty of episodes where she's not a victim and Archer and Trip both have their fair share of awful experiences - it just plays differently when it is happening to a woman. Plus, JB plays the suppression of pain really, really well, so it's always hard to see the character suffer.

However, this episode really does nail the sociopath, predator, control-freak that lurks beneath some arrogant and charming men. Something, I might add, that has been in the news lately. Tolaris thinks he's acting in her best interest. He's more than happy to help her, but when she dares draw a line, he's also more than happy to hurt her.

[Aquarius]

I agree that T'Pol was too often made a victim in the show - this episode, Shockwave, Stigma, Impulse, Rajiin, Damage…the list goes on. Of course, there's plenty of episodes where she's not a victim and Archer and Trip both have their fair share of awful experiences - it just plays differently when it is happening to a woman. Plus, JB plays the suppression of pain really, really well, so it's always hard to see the character suffer.

However, this episode really does nail the sociopath, predator, control-freak that lurks beneath some arrogant and charming men. Something, I might add, that has been in the news lately. Tolaris thinks he's acting in her best interest. He's more than happy to help her, but when she dares draw a line, he's also more than happy to hurt her.

I agree, except I would refine the point about Tolaris believing he's acting in T'Pol's best interest to say that he's using it as justification to act in *his* own best interest. But yes, Tolaris absolutely exhibits characteristics of a serial killer, serial rapist, and/or cult leader. For Tolaris, I often draw the comparison to someone like Ted Bundy. Nice guy on the outside, charming, would help old ladies cross the street or give you the shirt off his back...but he had a beast inside and he took it out on women. Lots of them. In terms of Tolaris, I'd be interested to know if T'Pol was the first...or the last. Or if he eventually went all Jeffrey Dahmer and tried to mind-meld himself a sex zombie. I totally would not be surprised.

As for T'Pol being made a victim, I get the outrage about that -BUT- in terms of this particular story, fans have to come to terms with a couple of facts. First, since Vulcan culture is obviously different from what we were shown in all the series and films up to this point, they had to have a way to EXPLAIN that--and to do that they needed a group of people in the know but less tight-lipped about such things than your white bread Vulcan. Enter the hippie Vulcan cult. Second, for the purposes of character development, certain details about T'Pol's maverick streak need to come out. Since, up to this point, aside from telling her betrothed to take a hike, she's basically trying to be a mainstream Vulcan, she's not about to give that information all that easily, especially given the nature of said information--going against the grain, breaking protocols, the existence of sexual needs and desires, etc. So, it makes sense that this kind of information would somehow need to be forced from her. I'm not advocating rape--telepathic, sexual, or otherwise--but I'm saying that it's a no-brainer that getting this kind of information from such a character isn't going to be tidy or pretty or easy. It's got to be something pretty dramatic.

Furthermore, in the context of this episode, it's a cautionary tale against criminalizing something that's a normal part of life. If mind melds weren't taboo, A) T'Pol would've likely been able to defend herself against such a predator, and B) there would likely be fewer predators. For example, some studies show that in countries that are more open about sexuality and less repressive about things like nudity on TV, etc., there are statistically fewer crimes against women, vs. here in the US, we still try to be all puritanical about sex culturally and largely treat it as a dirty little secret, and we have often been shown to have a higher percentage of violent crimes against women. I am not saying this to be all political or anything, I am just making a point about something that this episode might have been trying to tell us. We know that touch telepathy is a normal part of being a Vulcan, but T'Pol doesn't have the benefit of that knowledge or world view, so they're showing us what happens when you culturally shame people for something that's natural, it's a recipe for disaster, as some would argue that a cultural view that shames people for nudity and sexuality is likewise damaging to individuals as well as society.

The message I'm seeing in this episode is that T'Pol was victimized by her society as much as she was victimized by Tolaris, which we see played out later on in "Stigma", when she's treated like a pariah for having picked up the brain equivalent of an STD from her attack. It recalls back to the Dark Ages when we used to tell rape victims it was their fault because their skirts were too short or they had on too much mascara or they had no business being in a parking lot at night, never mind the fact they were trying to come home from work.