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Proving Ground - Official Review Thread; ***Warning - Spoilers****
Topic Started: Jan 21 2004, 04:15 PM (527 Views)
Wichita
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The Adminstrator wRench
Jmkeepingca
Jan 22 2004, 01:06 PM
Minuet
Jan 21 2004, 11:55 PM
As for T'pol rebuilding 30% of thier database - I wonder if I could get my husband aboard that ship. He could recover the entire thing. And all the time he would be screaming at them that they should always make backups!


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... now that would have been something to watch... see thats just stupid writing on behalf of the production staff. Sure in this day and age we "primitive humans" know to make back-ups of data. So Archer and his crew - which are 150 years removed from us - didn't???

Was someone asleep when they wrote that? LOL...

I think your husband should proceed to beat Archer as well as screaming at him... Lord knows I would!

Dumb, dumb, dumb... just shows how low the production staff considers the fans.

Maybe this is the reason for the three sets of redundant systems used in the 24th century Federation. There's a picture of this Enterprise and/or Archer on the wall somewhere in Starfleet Engineering that says "Never Again".
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gdog243
Rear Admiral
Last nights episode was another one of those mediocure C+ average episodes it seems ENT is fond of doing. However, did anyone other than me think that all the best qualities of the show were the Andorians again? I mean Combs is such a great actor that he single-handedly carried the show, and the women was great too. Hell, we learned more about the women and Shran than anyone of the ENT crew put together. I don't know, but I think this show might be a lot better if it was an Andorian crew, with Shran in command. The ENT crew is just not interesting enough.

Anyway, as for the episode it could have been one of the best episodes of the season but it missed out on so many opportunities. I think this is the first episode where they showed alot of Xindi all season. Its here the writers should have answered Questions regarding why the humans are a threat, who the Xindi are, and why they want to destroy earth. Hell, Degra (I think) mentioned "Human Threat" and all I did was just laugh. It goes to show how much the season has developed when the enemy talks about a threat and you just laugh at thier stupidity. That's almost what I did.

Also, this could have been a great episode if the writers followed through on the "Joint" mission between the Andorians and Enterprise. I mean we all see kind of a bond between Shran and Archer, and this bond could lead to more development in the birth of the federation. Instead the writers come up with another clieche plot we have seen before and in the final 25 minutes of the show, I somewhat had an idea of how it will end. It might have been boring, but I so wish they made the andorians the "Good Guys" for the entire show. Enterprise could use an ally, and it seems like the writers don't want to do that.

On to what was great about this show. Like I said above, this should be a trek series told on the Andorians POV. They continue to be one of the best things about Enterprise, and the actress and Combs just did a great job carrying the show. There were some times during the show where Combs sounded like Weyoun.

Grade: C+
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TribbleMom
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Commodore
Though there were flaws in this show, this episode seemed to be a nice little examination of the early stages of a developing relationship with new species. We want to trust, but do we dare trust? Will we be taken advantage of if we do? It was only Archer's past experiences with Shran that gave him any basis to work from. Individuals are more responsible for the beginnings of alliances than nations (or entire species) are. You had to kind of feel sorry for Shran -- he was under orders to complete a mission, but he had to betray someone he had come to grudgingly respect in order to do so. I believe it was Shran who sent the encrypted information on the weapon back to Enterprise later, sort of a way of covertly apologizing for having to take advantage of Archer in order to do his job.

Also thought that Shran's play-acting with the Andorian Mining Consortium would've made him a good Ferengi -- oh, wait, Combs already was a Ferengi. Never mind. The betrayal really was to be expected, and I don't think the writers were even trying to hide that in the script. It had, after all, been established in TOS that the Andorians were a violent and warlike race.

BTW, I just love what they've done with the Andorian antennae. (I'm conveniently ignoring the issue of the function of the antennae -- if they were really ears, or light-sensitive, or whatever). In TOS, they were just stationary and really plastic-looking (but they were on a shoe-string budget, so what could you expect?). Now we have moving antennae that seem to reflect the emotional state of the Andorian. Did you notice how they can flatten back, the same way an animal's ears do, when feeling threatened orgetting angry? And I just loved how Shran's antennae laid down close to his head when he walked under the bulkhead in Archer's ready room. Wonder how many takes it took before the remote-control guy got in sync with Combs' movement? Thought it was a bit humorous to see the shot of the back of Archer's head, while he was looking at the viewscreen, and see Shran's antennae peeking up over it.

And I guess this did indeed answer last week's question of whether of not those fools made a back-up disc of the REALLY IMPORTANT database. **(Drops head into hands, groaning.)** How did these people get through Starfleet Academy?

I noticed, too, that the theft and destruction of the prototype weapon has removed the evidence of Gralik's sabotage with the contaminated kemocite. Lucky for Gralik! This Degra character seems to be losing his appeal with his associates.

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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
Looked in at ST.com this afternoon. Next Week's Episode is:



Twilight! Yes, another rerun!
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bonja
Commodore
Yep. Next new episode is on Feb. 4th.
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Dandandat
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Time to put something here
I think they do the rerun thing to get a more anticipated showing. That way it looks like ratings are up. I just hate it.
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gdog243
Rear Admiral
Dandandat
Jan 23 2004, 01:50 PM
I think they do the rerun thing to get a more anticipated showing. That way it looks like ratings are up. I just hate it.

I think it has more to do with 2 things. One, Feburary is sweeps month and thats when ratings do matter. Also, they are trying to extend the season, and with only 24 episodes, they have to go to at least May or June.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
I agree TribbleMom. I love how the antennae of the Andorians move with the change in moods or tone of voice. I think I read somewhere that the antennae somehow allow Andorians to have some kind of extra perception sight that lets them see into the fourth dimension. I don't know where I read this, but I prefer to think of them as air tasters like snakes. They get some olfactory/chemoreceptor info from them. Just a theory.
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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
All I can say is that my recollection regarding Andorian antennae goes back to something (an article or something) that predates the TOS movies. At the very least, it made sense to me then...
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ImpulseEngine
Admiral
This episode was ok, but not too exciting. As some others have already said, I found the Andorian ulterior motive to be predictable right from the beginning.

I too was disappointed about the database. I did finally see last week's episode and was wondering how they were going to resolve this. 30% is unacceptable! We do better than that today! This was completely stupid writing.

If I remember correctly from Twilight, the Xindi weapon was huge next to Enterprise. But here we have the test weapon (which presumably is supposed to be close to the finished product) and Archer was considering bringing it on board? It shouldn't fit...

Also, I agree with Tribblemom regarding the antennae. I liked the scene with the Andorian drinking his ale and the antennae movement that went along with the "kick" from the drink. :lol: (But it's sad when that's the best thing I can find to compliment.)

Btw, I don't remember female andorians in TOS. So how come they are on Andorian ships in an earlier period? I don't mind, but it does seem like another inconsistency.

:) :) out of :) :) :) :) :)
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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
Finally got to see the episode last night. The best part I saw in it was Shran arguing with his superior about it being a bad idea to screw over the humans. I am really enjoying his character (a compliment to Combs talent for sure). I also liked the reference Archer made to the earlier episode with the Xindi Sloth who promised to impair the shipment of crucial material to the development of the weapon. Now if they (producers and writers) could just develop consistency with where the ealier series went.

This was another sign that the series has gotten better this season. It still needs to a ways to go...
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Jmkeepingca
Master Chief
I too managed to see "Proving Ground" last night, and I have to say that I liked it a lot. I dunno... maybe I am acclimating to ENT, but the show seemed to be much better then some of the trish-trash they have been putting out.

I liked the foreshadowing between Archer and Shran regarding their alliances and the possibility of further co-operative efforts. I even liked it when Shran gave his General grief over trying to screw the humans. Of course the tension between T'Pol and the Andorian crew was easy to see... and Shran brought up many good points about the Vulcans. Maybe the pointy-ears aren't as benign as what we would like to think they are?

One thing that I kinda am starting to get miffed about is the Xindi. I think by now, we the viewers should have some idea who this race is and where they come from. Nothing big... like if there is some big surprise connection between The Xindi and the Humans, keep that a secret. I would like to start seeing some development on what exactly this race of creatures is... are they each from alternate timelines? Are they from the future? Are they the results of genetic experimentation? I really think its time to reveal some points of interest to the viewers.

Anyway, overall I liked the new episode and I am a bit frustrated that we are back to re-runs already.
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24thcenstfan
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Something Wicked This Fae Comes
I just watched Proving Ground last night and I have avoided reading the Review thread so I am sorry if any of this has already been mentioned. Here goes…

Overall, I liked this episode. Why? The Andorians. If not for the uniqueness of the Andorians, this would have been just another mundane Enterprise episode.

The Andorians are great! Their blue skin, their cute little antennae (ears?< ---- this aspect seems to have changed since TOS), Jeffrey Combs as Shran and Lt. Talas (strong female role).

I think this was an ok episode...and it could have been a great episode if the underlying problems that the series contains, had already been addressed by now (poor character development, Archer's inability to play a convincing Captain, the lack of attention to details and the absence of a more definitive direction to the show).


Dislikes

--Ok, I have been harping on this all season long, and here I go again! How in the Sam heck does B&B expect us (or at least me) to legitimately think that the five different Xindi species can all communicate with each other? There obviously isn’t a universal translator (UT) installed in the Chamber Council or anywhere else the Xindi communicate with each other. If there were a UT installed, sub-titles would not pop-up every time the stupid water Xindi spoke. Instead, when the aquatic Xindi spoke it would come out (albeit dubbed in) in water garbled ENGLISH. Now I know this is just TV and UTs do not exist, but COME ON!!!! IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS!!!!!!! [/small rant over]

--Only 30% of the Enterprise Redundant Memory Core (what an inspiring/creative term) could be (or was it has been…insinuating that more is to come?) recovered? The inadequacy of Enterprise’s back up systems is shockingly unrealistic. Today’s back-up capabilities seem to far exceed what B&B are trying to pass off as 22nd Century advanced technology. Maybe I am wrong...any computer/database inclined individuals care to weigh in on this subject?


General Comments

I think I am starting to come to the conclusion that Enterprise needs a new Captain. Scott Bakula doesn’t go with this series. For two and half years I have been trying to put my finger on the one key ingredient that is making this series go astray the most (besides B&B). It is Bakula…at least this is my theory for the moment. Bakula has made great strides toward making Archer a believable character. Or should I say he has made great strides toward shedding his Quantum Leap persona. However, I am still not convinced that he is a Captain.

Not only do I not see Archer as Captain material, but also there is an interpersonal quality missing that was present between Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway and their crews. That is the problem. I shouldn’t still be questioning the validity (believability) of the role of Captain 2 and ½ years into the series. This is just the tip of the iceberg though. Chemistry between the characters (not romantic chemistry) has been developing between specific crewmates…but not as a whole. I think it takes a strong leader character to create/facilitate the chemistry among the entire crew. Bakula in the role of Archer, is not that person (IMHO).


A tad humorous (to me at least)

I am sure it was deliberate camera work, but it was kind of cute anyway...

When Archer first ordered the view screen on to speak with Shran after the Enterprise was pulled out of the anomaly field, the first shot we saw was the back of Archer’s head and Shran’s little antennae poking up (not Shran’s face). I thought that was funny. :D I wonder how they get those little things to move around? There is obviously something mechanical inside causing the movement, but wouldn’t that make them heavy and a little difficult to stick to their heads? Or maybe they were attached to the wig? Hmmm…food for thought.

Mayweather Sighting

Wow! Mayweather actually had a couple of lines in this episode. Something needs to be done with this character. Either axe him or give him some lines. As is, he is filler. If I were Montgomery, I would be outraged that my on-air time has diminished to such a sorry state over the last 2 and ½ years. <_<


I give this episode :) :) :unsure: out of 5 :)
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24thcenstfan
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Something Wicked This Fae Comes
Tonight's repeat episode of Proving Ground,and the Andorian ear/antennae controversy that took place when the episode first aired, reminded me of something I noticed while watching ST IV two weeks ago.

The Movie: ST IV: The Voyage Home

The Scene: The end of the movie. The first few seconds after the camera switches from the San Francisco Bay to the Federation Council meeting where Kirk and the crew were "reprimanded" for disobeying orders, etc.

Look For: Look at the Andorian in the Starfleet uniform standing around talking to the other Starfleet personnel.

What will you see? One Andorian who looks like the Andorians in Proving Ground. About 5 seconds later you can see another Andorian (who had the traditional TOS look) preparing to sit down when the Council was being called to order. You will see both kinds of Andorians when everyone is standing up clapping for Kirk.

Just checked again, and if you are watching the movie on VHS, the time when you will see the Andorian is about 1:48:42.

Hmmm…I should have made this into a trivia question. :P
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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
^^^
See, I always figured the one with ears was a different species. Sort of an Andorianoid (as in humanoid or vulcanoid, such as the Mintakans). Or crossbred human andorian combo.
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