# Enterprise Breaking the Ice Spoiler

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 7, 2001, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058 "2001-11-07T21:55:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/21 "2001-11-08T14:23:06Z")

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[QUOTE]  
\*Originally posted by Ethilrist \*  
\*\*

> [@](#):
>
> Kira Nereise… Counselor Troi. You might want to watch some reruns.  
> \*\*

Yeah, and Gene wanted Troi to have four, er, yeats. And she didn’t wear a uniform. Maybe you’ve got something.  
Nereise (sp?) was supposed to be Ensign Ro, but the actress had turned down a Trek role and was axed. Anyway, Ro and Kira were strong characters themselves, not relying just on their looks. Whats her name could act when given something to do; the Voyager ep where the Doctor was hidden in her Borg transistors was very good.  
My point is that they were given acting parts, when SofN just stuck out her chest for the most part and pouted.

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**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/22 "2001-11-08T19:22:32Z")

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Well yeah, the inattention to basic science bugs me (especially since all us science geeks were so thrilled with that asteroid landing in real life), but I do like the parallel story lines. As alluded to in the thread title, breaking the ice, two seperate beautiful hunks of ice start to develop some cracks. I think that T’pol will develop nicely. I see her in the seven line but not as the lust object sense but as the “coming to grips with humanity” sense … like Data and Spock as well. She’s not the same caliber of actor as the others, but cut her some slack.

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**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/23 "2001-11-08T19:39:34Z")

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In terms of technical nitpicks, y’all are all over it. Gravity. Falling down a hole, hurting yourself, in what should be microgravity. The pod, with thrusters on, not having time to get away when the ice cracked underneath it.

They did allude to a nearby star in some lines in the episode, so that’s okay. But…

The _shuttles_ don’t have _airlocks_?

The _shuttles_ that they use for EVA don’t have _airlocks_?

So I’m supposed to believe that every single item in the shuttle is vaccuum-proof? They never anticipate a situation where one crew member has a working EVA suit, and the other doesn’t?

And then when they get to the comet, they leave the door open?

But I did enjoy the episode.

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**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/24 "2001-11-08T20:49:58Z")

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Gravity:

I was assumming that there was artificial gravity gear in their AV suits to let them work normally on the comet (working in microgravity is often much harder). Which doesn’t explain why, when they were trying to return to the shuttle, they wouldn’t turn the hurt guy’s OFF, but hey.

-LV

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**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/25 "2001-11-08T21:42:52Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by LordVor \*  
> \*\*Gravity:
> 
> I was assumming that there was artificial gravity gear in their AV suits to let them work normally on the comet (working in microgravity is often much harder). Which doesn’t explain why, when they were trying to return to the shuttle, they wouldn’t turn the hurt guy’s OFF, but hey.  
> \*\*

Nice thought but that would go against Star Trek continuity (horrors!). Remember in First Contact when Worf and the gang travel outside the Enterprise to battle the Borg trying to modify the deflector dish? They used magnetic boots to walk across the ship.

It boils down to the fact that it is really hard and expensive to simulate zero gravity (or near zero-g) in any convincing manner. Other than paying NASA a few million to turn the Vomit Comet into a sound stage like they did for Apollo 13 I don’t believe anyone has come up with a good special effect to offset that annoying 1-g pull that you just can’t get away from.

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**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/26 "2001-11-08T22:15:37Z")

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Why in Star Trek have they taken to making the hot, spandex-clad chicks so emotionally detatched!? Can’t go having any of that sexual tension stuff spicing up our Klingon story line, God forbid.

I mean, Seven of nine was a Borg (wasn’t she?) or half robot or something. This new one is an emotionless Vulcan. They managed to make Kira abrasive while simultaniously making her not-all-that-hot. Ensign Ro was a cold fish.

So I guess the last really hot chick on Star Trak was either Beverly crusher or Deanna Troi.

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**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/27 "2001-11-08T22:41:58Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Inky- \*  
> So I guess the last really hot chick on Star Trak was either Beverly crusher or Deanna Troi. \*\*

Ummm…both of the Dax’s were pretty hot (even if Ezri was too helpless) and Leeta was very eye-catching…even if she wasn’t in every episode and married a Ferengi…

And then there are the guest stars…

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/28 "2001-11-09T01:52:47Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Inky- \*  
> \*\*  
> So I guess the last really hot chick on Star Trak was either Beverly crusher or Deanna Troi. \*\*

Be sure the kids aren’t in the room when you select this link:

> **[Modern Men's Lifestyle Guide | Maxim Online](https://maximonline.com/lifestyle/)**
>
> Know how a modern man lives his life. Be a step ahead with our insightful guide from a modern man's interests to personal endeavors that will keep you at the top of your game.

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**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/29 "2001-11-09T05:38:46Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Sofa King \*  
> \*\*And now we know how the kitchen works, and where poop goes. \*\*

And not a minute too soon, because I’ve been losing a lot of sleep over those particular issues! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/30 "2001-11-09T07:45:55Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by vivalostwages \*  
> \*\*
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \*  
> > \*\*And now we know how the kitchen works, and where poop goes. \*\*
> 
> And not a minute too soon, because I’ve been losing a lot of sleep over those particular issues! 🙂 \*\*

Just don’t get them confused.

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**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/31 "2001-11-09T16:01:55Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Kilt-wearin’ man \*  
> **…both of the Dax’s were pretty hot (even if Ezri was too helpless) and Leeta was very eye-catching…even if she wasn’t in every episode and married a Ferengi.**

Touché. I entirely forgot about Dax, and you’ll have to remind me, who was Leeta?

> [@](#):
>
> _Originally posted by Carnivorousplant_  
> **Be sure the kids aren’t in the room when you select this link:**

Ckukka-Wow!

But that’s my point. Would you go to he Four Seasons and eat Big-Mac’s? Would you buy a Ferrari and hide it in the garage? So why get a super hot girl and cast her as sexy as a post box?

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**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/32 "2001-11-09T16:14:53Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> who was Leeta?

[Leeta](http://www.decipher.com/startrek/cardlists/rulesofacquisition/large/leeta.html) was the Dabo girl played by Chase Masterson, who was going out with Bashir, but ended up marrying Rom and is now First Lady of Ferenginar.

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**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/33 "2001-11-09T16:53:15Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \*  
> \*\*
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > \*Originally posted by vivalostwages \*  
> > \*\*
> > 
> > > [@](#):
> > >
> > > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \*  
> > > \*\*And now we know how the kitchen works, and where poop goes. \*\*
> > 
> > And not a minute too soon, because I’ve been losing a lot of sleep over those particular issues! 🙂 \*\*
> 
> Just don’t get them confused. \*\*

You didn’t notice? The poop goes into the biorganic recycler-thing.

The food was previously stated to come out of the biorganic recycler thing.

Ah, realism. Got to love it.

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**Author:** ![Yondan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/278dde/32.png) [@Yondan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yondan)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/34 "2001-11-09T17:41:05Z")

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_Originally posted by Etherist_

> [@](#):
>
> **Umm, hi. Before Voyager, there was this show called DS9, and a character named Kira Nereise. But before that there was STNG, and somebody named Counselor Troi. You might want to watch some reruns.**

I don’t think anyone said this already, but…

Hot chicks in tight uniforms goes all the way back to ST, TOS. Lt. Uhura in that tight miniskirt. Ensign Blondie something or other in another tight miniskirt. Nurse Chapman in a tight miniskirt and misty lens-shots every time she got hot about Spock…and what about that green-skinned babe, huh? Remember her? Or every other female humanoid Kirk managed to seduce on his merry romp through the galaxy?

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**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/35 "2001-11-10T00:05:12Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \*  
> \*\*
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \*  
> > \*\*
> > 
> > > [@](#):
> > >
> > > \*Originally posted by vivalostwages \*  
> > > \*\*
> > > 
> > > > [@](#):
> > > >
> > > > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \*  
> > > > \*\*And now we know how the kitchen works, and where poop goes. \*\*
> > > 
> > > And not a minute too soon, because I’ve been losing a lot of sleep over those particular issues! 🙂 \*\*
> > 
> > Just don’t get them confused. \*\*
> 
> You didn’t notice? The poop goes into the biorganic recycler-thing.
> 
> The food was previously stated to come out of the biorganic recycler thing.
> 
> Ah, realism. Got to love it. \*\*

I’ll never look at Trip’s pecan pie the same way again…

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**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/36 "2001-11-10T05:06:15Z")

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I don’t know what show you guys have been watching but I always thought that one of the main reasons to watch Star Trek was the funny ways they portrayed women to the mainly sexless geek audience (me included of course). I think they need do develop more of those sexy babes in tights.  
I’m not saying I get hot when I watch Star Trek, but the whole thing is kind of funny. I refuse to take seriously the idea that mankind will break light speed within the next one hundered years. Let’s face it, Star Trek was developed by screen writers in the 60’s who didn’t have the faintest idea about the laws of physics, and it is not much better now.  
When I watch Star Trek I’m not looking at some attempt to describe a real futur. I’m looking at what some entertainment executive thought the futur might be back in the nineteen sixties. It’s fantasy!  
So now they have somewhat adapted this theme to the 2000’s, but it is still the same show. As far as I am concerned they need to put T’pol in the decon chamber at least once an episode. It could be one of those running jokes. Some people have suggested that Hoshi should go in, but I think she is just too much of a good girl it wouldn’t have the same effect. Also, if any natives were to punish them by chaning them to the wall in their underwear and whipping them, commander T’pol had better be there.  
Perhapse it’s just my natural tendency to go against the grain but I think that commander T’pol is my favorite character on the show. She is stif, snoby, and unnemotional just like a Vulcan should be. I think she is doing an excelent job of playing a Vulcan.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/37 "2001-11-10T15:25:08Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> _Originally posted by Christopher \*  
> \*\* She is stif, snoby,_\*

It is tacky to criticize spelling, especially for me, but please define “snoby”.

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**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/38 "2001-11-10T17:48:52Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Christopher \*  
> **Let’s face it, Star Trek was developed by screen writers in the 60’s who didn’t have the faintest idea about the laws of physics, and it is not much better now.**

That’s not strictly true. Roddenberry had a far better grasp of physics than, say, most newscasters do. He knew he needed a transporter because a shuttle was too slow (plus it made a great deux ex machina). He knew that you couldn’t just go faster than light; you needed a trick to do it. Etc etc.

One of the current writers for Enterprise was the science advisor for Trek for many years. He has a degree in physics and did postgrad work in astronomy. He did what he could within the confines of what TPTB wanted. I have noticed in Enterprise a distinct rise in the level of scientific accuracy, and really, it’s my job to notice such things. 😉

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**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/39 "2001-11-10T18:28:41Z")

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I don’t think anyone is saying there shouldn’t be sexy babes on the ST series; we just want them to have a personality and add something to the plot besides looks. Maybe T’Pol is to men what Spock was to us women – a challenge. I had the hots for Kirk, but boy I sure wanted a crack at Spock: “I could get thru that aloofness and get those Vulcan hormones stirring…” And I was always hoping he and Christine would get together. He didn’t give Kirk orders – he was respectful and advised. And he acted superior only in the general sense of asserting that Vulcan logic is superior to human emotional responses. I liked the little spats between him and McCoy (and many times, I agreed with Spock). T’Pol comes off as disliking everyone, feeling superior to everyone, and not respecting Archer. She’s not a likable character (but I guess men don’t care if a woman has a personality or admirable traits as long as she’s hot, hmmm?) Maybe there’s hope for her, since she didn’t want to leave the ship to return to her betrothed.

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**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-breaking-the-ice-spoiler/92058/40 "2001-11-10T21:22:50Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer \*  
> \*\*I have noticed in Enterprise a distinct rise in the level of scientific accuracy, and really, it’s my job to notice such things. \*\*

I see your point. Alan Shepard has a cameo appearance in every episode, and Alan Shepard was in fact a real guy. Totally accurate!

But it’s the maddening inconsistencies that bother me, the ones I can’t believe nobody involved with the production noticed. Like the blooper in “Broken Bow” that puts the Klingon Homeworld closer to Earth than Alpha Centauri. Or the terrible backstory in “Terra Nova,” which ignores how far away 20 light-years is.

Or in “Breaking the Ice” – did they ever explain how those childrens’ drawings were delivered to Earth’s fastest, most remote starship? (Maybe they did; I quit watching around the time Hoshi was doing the video postcard instead of her “top priority” decryption job.) More irritating – they were all jazzed about a comet, when there are plenty of these in the Solar System, and presumably easy to find elsewhere. Oh, they say it’s amazing because it’s 82.6 km across – big, but within the range of comet nucleii [already known](http://encke.jpl.nasa.gov/hale_bopp_info.html#big). And they’ve never heard of anybody landing on a comet before? This’ll probably turn out to be an anachronism by the end of the 21st century.

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