This episode just proves what we've known all
along. Soon the whole world will fall under the spell of Connor
Trinneer, men included. Heck, kitchen sinks included.
Gripes first, as always:
1. "Talking to his personal log" as a means of exposition is a
tired old horse. :-) They dropped that quickly. :-) Yay!
2. Alien bad guy looks like a guy in a mask and suit. It didn't work
for me. Eh.
3. NO Archer + Trip bonding or angsting or anything. Lots of
formality, and "Commander Tucker" this and "Captain" that, and
no Archer holding him ala Desert Crossing. Pooh!
NOW, THE SHOW!
Intro: Great. Funny. Trip disses Travis, then quickly takes it back
when his ship starts to nosedive. Actual tension and drama
*before* the titles. (Alien ship crashes right next to his,
apparently.)
Part One: Techie Trip! *someone* got our memo over there.
Finally, we have an engineer who can do all sorts of engineery
things. That's probably why Mr. T. R. X. is so upset. Trip tries to
fix the com. It won't fix.
Alien attacks. Trip flees to shuttlepod. Trip peers out of the
shuttle window (nice nose shot, Myst!) and yells, "SON OF A
BITCH!!! {{That's #4!}} He stole my transceiver!"
Trip watches alien from afar, discovers infrared perimeter alarm,
returns to shuttle. Trip sneaks into alien's camp, using the
Sneaky!Trip patented Mary Had a Little Lamb speech. Works
every time.
but Stupid!Trip sticks around too long and almost gets caught.
but Toughman!Trip tussles and gets control of the gun.
but Trip gets Tripped up and phasered.
Our poor boy. This is just the start of it. Should keep evay and
triphammered.com in business for years.
<side note: Trip IS on UPN's Funky Flubs, a blooper show, next
Tuesday at 8 pm (here, anyway).>
Part Two: Alien kicks tied up Trip in the ribs. And again. And
again, twice. Ouch. Trip's response as he's hauled to his feet is
priceless --- "I'm no good til I've had my coffee."
Archer is angry and agitated. Very. But that's about it. He was in
Part One also. Also angry and agitated. But where's the love?
TRIP QUOTES IN ALIEN LANGUAGES!
The alien Arkonian learns his first English word from Trip!
DAMMIT! He says it quite well, just after Trip says it. DAMMIT.
Trip then has to explain, "No, I'm <points at self> Trip."
Trip gets thirsty and tries the alien's canteen. It appears to be full
of motor oil mixed with chocolate Quik. Trip gags and spits it all
out. Yecchh. But seriously, who looks that cute spitting and
gagging? Huh? Huh??!?
*First Appearance of TankTop!Trip. Prepare to thudd.
Somebody *has* been working the arms.
Trip rips a long gash in his forearm. Blood everywhere. The
alien looks at it, grabs his arm and sprays a stream of
lordknowswhat on the wound. Alien SalivaGoo everywhere. The
cut vanishes before Trip's eyes.
More fumbling communication and gesturing like mad, on both
sides. TripQUOTE: "It's like talkin' to Porthos." :D :D :D
Part Three: Trip EATS! It's a habit of his, apparently.
ALIENS KNOW TRIP ALL TOO WELL. Trip learns the Arkonian
word for "Food" very quickly.
Trip almost electrocutes himself (2nd time). Alien laughs.
Serious comment: This is a different Trip. He is serious,
determined, and very willing to cooperate or fight, whichever is
necessary. It may be because Redcat and I have been emailing
about Trip's maturity level, but in this episode, he is not the
bumpkin or the captain's buddy. He is his own man, and he's a
man. Solid, honest, and mature. I haven't seen much of this
grownup Trip before, but I like it.
More fighting. Goo-in-the-eyes!Trip, and more fighting. TOS fight
music, I swear it was.
They run out of energy and collapse next to each other, unable to
fight any more.
+++S.O.'s interruption at this point in the show:
"Is he getting pudgier?"
Now we have Beaten-To-a-Pulp!Trip, followed quickly by
SHIRT OFF! TRIP. (Lady C, do not watch this with Precious
Cargo.)
Now, *I'm* thinking, "So, is he?"
Part Four: Trip isn't complaining about the heat. Odd. Does he
only complain when he knows he can get a reaction/sympathy/a
hug from Jon? Hmm.
Chest. Sweat. Mmmm. *dizzy spell* Trip and the alien sit on a
sunny hot ledge and sweat/swoon as the transceiver starts to
work.
+++S.O.'s interruption #2:
"He's definitely put on some weight around the middle."
The radio works, Hoshi says, "hi", Archer says, "We're getting you
out, screw the alien!" Trip says, "No way. I'm not leaving him
here!" <for those wanting defiance, that was it; notice the
immediate repercussion in Trip's mind.>
Engineering!Trip again, with the isotopes and the filters and the
shuttles.
Trip, slipping into heat delirium, worries about how the Capn will
be angry at him for defying orders. Thus begins the "My life is
passing in front of me" speech. It's hilarious.
"I spent the night with a Princess." Oh, is that what they're calling
it in 2152? "Spent the night"?
This line got me, right there, seriously. I have my teary death
scene now: "Hell of a ride." That is the death line of a much
older man. This voyage is aging Trip quickly.
Conclusion: As noted, no Archer running to the pod. >:-(
Still, there *was* a conclusion. And Trip *did* have a nasty black
eye and bruise. And he got to wrap up his friendship with the
alien. I liked it.
+++Me: That was another one directed by the one who played
B'Elanna Torres, you know, Roxann Dawson. She's done four
now.
S.O. That was produced by Roxann Dawson?
Me: Directed by! <and then I thought... Hmm...."What if she took
over the show from B&B?????"> Is my S.O. prophetic or hard of
hearing?
Later comment as I typed this review (from the living room):
+++
S.O.: Brett?
Me: Yes (typing).
S.O.: Are you talking to people about Enterprise?
Me: Yes (rising intonation.)
S.O.: You should ask them if any of them think he's put on
weight.
Me: Oh, I will (all too knowingly).
DONE
I like this ep and it is TRIP TRIP TRIP from start to finish, even
more than Unexpected. This was his show, his chance to shine,
and he DID. What a performance! Nuanced, funny, solid from
beginning to end. Time to start another "Connor Trinneer is an
Extraordinary Actor" thread.
Sigh.
Swoon.
A4T ('night!)