681. The XindiFORMULA: The Search + Detained
WHY WE LIKE IT: T'Pol's new look. The deepening mystery.
WHY WE DON'T: The new, bouncier theme music.
REVIEW: A new season, a new mission, a new format. The switch to a longer narrative nonetheless split into relatively stand-alone episodes is held together by a couple of new subplots and indeed, the framing sequence of the Xindi Council. It's a bit odd for us to see the Xindi before Enterprise does, but it's a treat to see such non-humanoid types as the Bug Xindi and the Manatee Xindy among them. Do we believe five separate species could evolve to sentience on the same planet? Maybe if they remained completely isolated in their ecosystems. For now, it creates an interesting dynamic among the enemy leaders, and many potential friends and foes for Enterprise.
Other changes include a new command center set, which hasn't really proved its worth yet; a new, softer look for T'Pol which is rather fetching, and plays well with her subplot (we'll get to it in a moment); and the addition of a SWAT team on Enterprise, which will create competition between Malcolm and the new character, Major Hayes. Must I mention that the girl SWAT is the coolest one there? Yeah, she kicks ass in this first appearance. I should also mention that Archer is much more on edge than he used to be, playing it safe no longer.
While the Delphic Expanse has yet to deserve its reputation, Enterprise has already lost 6 weeks looking for the Xindi. Cool, but dangerous-looking gravitational anomalies have been encountered though, and more are to come. Finally, a clue: A Xindi is supposed to be working in a dank mine. The mine is atmospheric, if never pretty to look at, and turns out to be a trap (oh Archer, again?), but the Xindi is willing to give up the coordinates of his homeworld if Archer and Trip help him escape. Enterprise's usual level of action is maintained, if not exceeded, with a suspenseful escape from a plasma-filled shaft, and a later attack by the SWATs.
The whole adventure is underscored by Trip's hatred of the Xindi he's helping against his better judgment. We understand completely - his nightmares, seeing his sister killed in the attack on Earth, are actually shocking. Phlox, once again pushing the his crewmates into intimate situations, prescribes Vulcan neuropressure for his insomnia, which sparks what will become an unlikely romance between T'Pol and Trip. Yes, there's titillation here, T'Pol being topless at one point, but the scene is played rather more tactfully than usual, sensual and even comic. Perhaps because I know that this is the start of an ongoing relationship, it doesn't feel gratuitous like similar instances in the first two seasons.
Meanwhile, back in the plot, it looks like Enterprise is going to pull a Voyager by having the Xindi die before he can give Archer his coordinates. For a minute, you're almost afraid the season will be a series of close calls as Enterprise never quite gets to the Xindi. But no, Archer gets his coordinates with the Xindi's dying breath. But once they get there, they only find the planet's rubble. So is this as bad as not getting the coordinates? Not quite. While it doesn't really get Enterprise closer to its target, it does add to the mystery. Just what happened here? Did an earlier version of the superweapon destroy their world? Is it all a hoax? Keeps us guessing and watching.
LESSON: Don't bite the hand that feeds you information.
REWATCHABILITY - High Medium: Juggles well the introduction of new elements, continuiing subplots and a done-in-one adventure.
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