(2x02) Stuck To It Like Velcro: "Carbon Creek"

[Aquarius]

Sorry the initial post is kind of lean here but I'm running out the door to go to work. Discuss "Carbon Creek" here.

[Honeybee]

This is one of my all time favorite episodes. Is it low key? Sure. But it celebrates everything I love about Trek - including hope for the future in the face of terrible things. With everything going on in Norway and elsewhere, it was a pleasure to watch.

Also, I love the wrap around scenes with the big three. They are obviously all friends at this point. The way the guys tease her is adorable and clearly done with affection. Plus, she gives as good as she gets.

I know a TnT dry spell is coming this season, but the looks Trip gives her over dinner are priceless.

Jolene does an outstanding job making T'Mir a different person than T'Pol. I think we all agreed in the rewatch it was a shame they didn't give T'Pol T'Mir's hair, as it looks amazing on JB. Her 50s clothes are wonderful as well. They look true to the time, and it's amazing she can look sexy in Vulcan leather as well as 50s housefrau clothes.

The guest stars are all wonderful. Mestral is a one episode character that is so memorable. I'd love to see a long fic or even a profic novel of his adventures (by a writer that doesn't suck *cough*). Everyone from "Moe", Maggie and Jack does a great job. A great deal happens and they all get their moments to shine.

Plus, in a BSG reboot world, it's so refreshing to see a well-written and forward-positive bit of Sci Fi that doesn't gloss over the difficulties humanity faces. I know this was nominated for a Hugo Award, and it deserved it.

And, I'm utterly delighted that the story turned out to be true. One, it clearly indicates that the historical record can be wrong (*cough* *cough* TATV) and it's just a wonderful character detail that T'Pol carried that purse with her to Earth.

I am just sorry that the story was never revisited with T'Pol revealing the truth. I wrote that into my story Family Secrets, and it was fun to do.

[creek_chub]

I love the dynamic among Jon, Trip, and T'Pol in this episode. The "say when" opening cracks me up because, honestly, I don't think she's joking. Oh, I think she probably gets it, but the fact of the matter is, he said say when. So she does.

I also agree that Mestral's life on Earth is a veritable goldmine for an author with the chops to take him on. I'd love to read it.

Finally, thanks to Netflix, I'm making my way through Voyager. I'm about halfway through season three and in the episode I watched today, a Vulcan character named Vorik shows up. A descendant of "Moe" perhaps?

[Hummingbird2]

Yet another all-time favorite episode!

Honeybee, have you read the story 'Mestral' in Strange New Worlds vol.9? I found it to be very interesting.

[Honeybee]

I have not read Strange New Words 9 - but now I'm very curious. I suppose I need to get that one and the one our own HopefulRomantic is published in (Volume 10).

[Brandyjane]

Until Netflix started offering Enterprise streaming, "Carbon Creek" was one of the few episodes that I could not find legally for free online. I haven't seen it since it first aired, but I remember loving it. I'm off to visit my parents tomorrow, so I won't be able to watch it for a few more days, but I'm really looking forward to it.

[Aquarius]

First, I want to say that last night's chat was an absolute blast! One of the best we've had, I think. We had a surprise guest -- CBryanJones from Trek.fm. There was so much T'Mir/T'Pol worship going on, he changed their banner to their T'Pol graphic, which you can view here.

A little bummed that they never gave T'Pol great hair like T'Mir, but Jolene just rocked the role. I bet that was so much fun for her to do. She looked great in the wardrobe. I especially liked the suit and overcoat she wore when making the trip to the patent office. Absolutely stunning on her.

I also like how T'Mir had the parallel to T'Pol in that she developed a soft spot for these particular humans, risking "contaminating" our culture with the velcro thing so Jack could have college money. All three Vulcans actually got somewhat attached, even "Moe", continuing to fix things for that lady.

Mestral...he's just six kinds of awesome. And I love him more every time I see the episode.

The scenes with the Big Three woven in between were just priceless. Love how Jon and especially Trip were reacting to T'Pol's story.

And of course, there's the famous outtake of them playing it drunk. I wish I could've found just that bit on YouTube, but it's in this outtake video from Season Two.

[Mistress Euclid]

For sentimental shippy reasons, I just love the dinner scenes.

But I must admit, the Mestral and T'Mir adventure is utterly captivating. Jolene looks utterly stunning as T'Mir.

[EntAllat]

And of course, there's the famous outtake of them playing it drunk. I wish I could've found just that bit on YouTube, but it's in this outtake video from Season Two.

Here's one YouTube vid that just that scene: drunk at dinner. It's as much fun to watch as the actual episode!

I ditto everything already said - Carbon Creek was a real gem of an episode, with some memorable characters and lots of fun moments. Some of the best stuff was so subtle: the look that Stron ("Moe") gives Mestral when the latter says, "And look how we've been made to feel welcome." T'Mir's look when Jack says, "Are you just trying to clear your mind, or reach a higher spiritual plane?"
Mestral's quick "I did say very pleasant." The guy's face at the patent office when he plays with the velcro. The changing expressions Trip has on his face as the story comes up and then evolves, and especially at the end, when "And it was a good one. But did it really happen?"

Loved it. And I'm glad we're getting some more people to join the live chats! This one was a lot of fun.

[Putaro]

I liked this episode. The only thing I would change is I think it would have been much funnier (and probably realistic) if Mestral had gotten his clock cleaned at pool his first time. Cut to T'Mir having dinner with that guy and Mestral washing dishes in the back would have been classic.