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"The Andorian Incident"
Topic Started: Jul 5 2005, 09:41 AM (220 Views)
Fesarius
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Admiral
The Andorian Incident - July 4, 2005

The episode begins in what looks to be a Vulcan temple. Four Andorians break into the shrine, and take control of the edifice and the Vulcans whom are there.

On the Enterprise, Vulcan star charts are being examined by Archer and Trip.

The temple is known as P'Jem, and is an ancient spiritual retreat, used by Vulcans for Kolinahr, spiritual retreat, and quiet contemplation.

We see T'Pol and Phlox sharing a meal together. Phlox suggests that T'Pol is looking forward to visiting P'Jem. However, T'Pol is not as convinced as is Phlox.

We learn of 'communal Kolinahr,' and of the significance of the Vulcan stone of J'Kah. Interestingly, ST:TMP also gives us a glimpse into the Vulcan concept of Kolinahr, this time relative to Spock.

Upon arriving at P'Jem, Trip observes that the door to the temple has been bashed in. T'Pol notes that the temple is over 3,000 years old, and as such, one cannot expect it to be in pristine condition.

Additional information on the stone of J'Kah reveals that it represents the foundation of all that Vulcans believe, and signifies a life of control through the pursuit of logic.

We learn that the leader of the Andorian landing party is named Shran.

After Shran has called Enterprise and voiced his suspicions, Reed asks Hoshi to find out what she can on 'these Andorians.'

The Vulcans suggest that a way of escape might be to go to the catacombs. As they and the humans proceed there, superb cello work may be heard accompanying the scene. The music creates a mood which is both somber and disquieting as they begin their journey to the crypts.

We learn that Master Haadok was one of the founders of P'Jem.

We are informed that the reliquary contains the Vulcans' most sacred artifacts.

It is stated in the episode that the Andorians do not have transporters. T'Pol provides this information to Archer, and when he learns that they do not have the technology, he believes that this will give he and the landing party the element of surprise.

We are informed that the Andorians are on P'Jem in order to find what they believe is a sensor array, which allows Vulcans to spy on their homeworld.

When Trip bends down toward the ground to demonstrate the three dim lights (by placing what appear to be stones in a specific order) that he has seen, this segues nicely into the face of one of the larger Vulcan artifacts, an artifact that we eventually learn is in the same room occupied by the Andorian guards.

Archer succeeds in throwing the object through the opening of the artifact. Trip, who is still held captive, eventually will hand the object back to Archer, proving that the cavern they are looking for is directly behind the artifact.

Notable lines:

"Remember that proto-star we ran across last week? I'm not seeing it here." (Archer). Trip questions Archer, wondering if the Vulcan star charts are accurate. This is one of many lines (these occur in several series) which demonstrates that various missions have taken place that are not canonical (i.e., have yet to make it to the screen). When our son Zack heard this line, he pointed out that he had never seen any such episode.
"It could create a certain ... awkwardness." (T'Pol). The statement refers to T'Pol arriving at P'Jem with a ship full of humans.
"What is diversity ... but a celebration of our differences?" (Phlox). The line is intriguing, as T'Pol and Phlox have just discussed IDIC (infinite diversity in infinite combinations) relative to humans visiting P'Jem. It is evident that Phlox's statement has challenged her to think on this for a time.
"Your service honors us." (T'Pol). This line furnishes some continuity with TOS.
"This is the main atrium. There should be more than one member of the Order present." (T'Pol). This is one of the first signs that something is amiss in the temple.
"The Vulcan Elder seems ... agitated." (T'Pol). This is quite humorous, as the Elder seems very calm, and yet T'Pol notes that he appears to her to be agitated.
"Friends of yours? Somehow I didn't think so." (Archer). This line is spoken right after three Andorians have pulled their weapons on Archer and Trip, whom prior to this have tackled an isolated Andorian to the ground.
"Why did you come here? Answer me, pinkskin!" (Shran). This is the first instance of that endearing term, one which will occur several times throughout the series.
"I'll admit I have a Vulcan Science Officer." (Archer). The line is in response to Shran, who thinks it very suspicious that Archer has a Vulcan as part of his crew.
"You're very well-armed for people who came for a visit." (Shran).
"They're Andorian, Captain. They're known for their suspicious and volatile nature." (T'Pol).
"You can't expect them to check-in every ten minutes." "Maybe that should be standard procedure as well." (Sato and Reed). Hoshi thinks it unrealistic to expect a communication every ten minutes, and Reed believes that it might be a good idea to suggest that this be standard procedure.
"He's a prisoner of the Andorian Imperial Guard. We know you're in collaboration with the Vulcans." (Shran).
"Have launch bay put Shuttlepod Two on standby." (Reed). Reed is thinking about a rescue attempt at this point.
"I don't take orders from a Com voice, Ensign. Not unless that voice belongs to the Captain." (Reed). Whether intentional or not, this line is a nice homage of sorts to TOS, as Scotty uttered lines similar to this one on a couple of occasions relative to Kirk.
"Knowing him, a heavily-armed landing party." (Trip). Trip knows the armory officer quite well, and in his estimation, believes that if Reed were to launch a rescue attempt, he wouldn't come down empty-handed.
"So if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears. No offense." (Archer). The line is spoken in the company of several Vulcans.
"I've never met a busted radio I couldn't fix." (Trip). Shran has destroyed at least one of the landing party's communicators. Archer has suggested that Trip get to work on an alternative method of communicating with the Enterprise.
"For people without emotion, you sure have a flare for the dramatic." (Trip).
"Tensions between Andoria and Vulcan are high." (T'Pol).
"I admire your ethics." (Archer). This same line was uttered by Kirk to the Halkans in Mirror, Mirror. The line refers to the Vulcans on P'Jem not willing to put up any military resistance to the Andorians.
"I have never ... disobeyed your orders." (T'Pol). T'Pol wants to know if Archer is questioning her loyalty to him. This is one of the first 'loyalty statements' made by T'Pol throughout the series. She states it somewhat emphatically (for a Vulcan). The viewer understands that she is being sincere, but it takes Archer et al. quite a bit longer to realize and accept that she is being sincere.
"I bet their robes haven't been washed since the time of Surak." (Archer). This is the opening of a prelude by Archer which he hopes will serve as a distraction. Shran et al. believe that he has asked to see the Andorians in order to share information. Instead, Archer is trying to get closer to an artifact which contains three open orifices, and he eventually succeeds. But before this can occur, he jokes about the robes of the Vulcans, and about Tycho Brahe having a supposed duel over the result of a math equation. He also discusses other non-sensicals, such as bacteria on earth, and a ball of yarn. During this segment, he continues to be punched and bruised quite effectively by the Andorians for providing what they believe to be insufficient answers to their questions. Eventually, he is able to get close enough to the artifact, at which time he throws a small object through one of its openings.
"I've heard the same stories. Now get up here." (Reed). Reed is on the transporter pad, and a crewman is reluctant to step on to it in order to transport down to P'Jem. Reed leaves him no choice, ordering him to get up on to the transporter pad.
"I hope you're pleased, Captain. You've turned a place of solitude into a war zone." (Vulcan Elder).
"If he wakes up, stun him again." (Archer). An Andorian (Keval?) has been knocked out, and this line is spoken to T'Pol and Trip, just to be certain he doesn't get up any time soon.
"Hold your fire! You may want to take a look at this." (Archer). The line refers to the sensor array, which has been discovered to exist during the crossfire.
"Violence in a sanctuary, Captain?" "Very disrespectful. Boy, did it feel good." (Reed and Archer). The lines are spoken right after Archer turns around and clocks a Vulcan who was holding a pistol to his back.
"They've got enough equipment down there to see what any Andorian is having for breakfast." (Reed). The sensor array is gigantic, and Shran is duly noting Reed's assessment of it.
"The Vulcans violated your treaty. Your people ought to know about it." (Archer). The line is spoken to Shran. Since there is no Prime Directive at this time, there is not too much concern that Archer has interfered in the affairs of the Andorians and the Vulcans.
"We're in your debt." (Shran). An astonishing line spoken by Shran, and one that will be revisited throughout the series. It will become the subject of friendly comaraderie and banter between Archer and Shran, as each tries to 'one-up' the other with regard to debts and payoffs.
"Thanks for the tour." (Archer). The line is spoken sarcastically toward the Vulcans. The look of shock on the face of T'Pol is meaningful and disturbing. She had no idea that the sensor array existed, and now must try to understand what it is her people have done. Archer looks at her a couple of times, and when she is asked if she has any trouble with the Andorians being free to go, she asks for Reed's communicator. She contacts Travis, and informs him that the Andorians will be leaving the surface shortly, and are free to leave without further incident. While she is conveying this information to Travis, she does not take her eyes off of Archer. She then closes the communicator, her eyes still transfixed on her Captain, to whom she remains loyal to the core. It is a very moving and impressive sequence.
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captain_proton_au
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A Robot in Disguise

One of my favourites from season 1, when they finally get into inter-species relations
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fireh8er
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I'm Captain Kirk!
Once again great review! This episode showed that Vulcans can be as secretive as their Romulan cousins. I was shocked myself to find out the Vulcans had a sensor array at the shrine. T'pol was even shocked. As usual Archer takes a good beatin' for the team I loved those Andorian Antenna. This was good episode!

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Fesarius
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Admiral
Fire,

Thanks a bunch. :) I am finding out that in order to do them justice, I will have to cut back somewhat. I have been doing these entries since about May 30 (at least one per day), and I don't have any time left for my other work, like finishing a book. So, I will continue to do them, but the frequency will be reduced. :)
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