I’ve heard “Live long and prosper” a lot, but the “Needs of the Many” only in The Voyage Home.
That’s an example. The last few episodes are stuffed with Trek references like a Hannukah Turkey.
The writers are not producing good episodes because they write well, but because they pander to our knowledge of other Star Trek episodes.
I return to my example of the IDIC medal, a marketing tool of Roddenberry that should have been replaced by a teapot or PDA.
Nitpick: “Needs of the many” first appeared in Wrath of Khan, not Voyage Home. And it was in Search for Spock, too.
Anyway, I agree that they can take it too far with the references, but I don’t think having a few things in each episode that we’ve heard of before does that. To me, that’s just a reminder that we are in fact still in the same universe as all those other shows (and I’d had my doubts in the previous seasons.) References aside, I’ve been enjoying the story of these past few episodes. I think they stand on their own – the nods to what’s come before just help establish a bit of Star Trek flavor to it all.
But it’s just a matter of taste, I guess.
On a related note, you said:
What would you consider a good reason?
I liked the episode. The constant references to Classic Trek are as cute as they are annoying - like too much candy.
Overall, the sense I get is one similar to when America began embracing racial equality. We all became equal; some were just more equal than others. So Vulcan has embraced the teachings of Christ, uh, Surak, and some are just more logical than others. Arev wore his Vulcanicity more comfortably than other Vulcans I’ve seen and I’m interested to see how the rest of the Syrranites behave.
Arev commented “Vulcans do not lie”. Archer replied “the High Command can lie and cheat with the best of them.” Then Arev says “that’s why you get along with them.” These and other points bring the idea that all these Vulcans of the High Command may be following a corrupted form of Surak’s teachings and aren’t as devoted to pure logic as they would have the humans believe. If the writers can portray the Syrranites as Vulcans comfortable with logic and being Vulcn then they might be on to a good characterization of Vulcans.
[ul][li]Did I see “AS” carved into the cave wall in the opening scene? (NoClueBoy will give you a prize if you get this obscure reference (not to Trek):))[]Why do the explosions occur right when the characters finish their important conversation? :p[]I liked the segue of saying “Captain!” as they transitioned to the basketball game.[]Hoshi sucks :eek: as a basketball player.[]“Captain’s Log: Suplemental” says Archer after their 3 day trip to Vulcan. If that’s “suplemental” what does Archer consider the start of a new log entry?[]I respect the show more for killing Admiral Forrest instead of having him magically survive (like Soval).[]How is it that Reed and Mayweather are qualified to investigate a bomb site?[]Nice explanations of why they can’t transport the bomb and why scanning is risky! :)[]I liked Soval giving his support to Archer. It shows he respects the truth more than appearances.[]I’m hoping Koss turns out to be in on the bombing so T’Pol candivorce him. :)[]Soval gave Trip the satellite gaps, but isn’t it convenient that a gap occurs right then so they can beam out?[]T’Pol dresses sexily even when going to a Vulcan desert.[]I liked the exchange with the Sehlat and T’Pol’s comment about how Vulcan children are never late with a Sehlat’s dinner. :)[]My wife, an RN, commented that the medical dialogue about telomeres was a nice mix of real and sci-fi. :)[]Arev seems comfortable being a Vulcan.[]“The Forge” is this tortuous desert; so why is T’Pol pretty comfortable marching through it? Shouldn’t “The Forge” be a hard place even for Vulcans? And why isn’t Archer reapplying sunscreen; and wearing more head and body cover; etc.?[]“The needs of the many” from Soval (pass the insulin, please) stemmed from his belief that Phlox had valid evidence of a conspiracy; but it was a huge step to “come out of the closet” and admit to mind-melding.[]I liked Archer tripping while running from the FireStorm when T’Pol didn’t trip; but Archer didn’t fall down like they have the heroine do in most movies.[]I liked Arev’s comment (re: Vulcans), “I think you have been told many things that are not true.” :)[]When T’Pol was struck by sand-lightening I thought, “Archer - plug up the door, don’t comfort her” and sure enough, Arev is hit.[]Does Arev mind-meld to give Archer himself - or Surak ? :(On the desert at night, they comment that the patrol planes can’t use sensors but can use visuals, so they better hide. Then why don’t the patrol planes use infrared? A desert a night will emit its heat, but Archer and T’Pol looked comfortable at night so their body heat should be like flares on the landscape.[/ul][/li]I still worry about how the writers don’t understand Vulcans, but there’s still hope.
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Aes, I am saving tapes until I have a box of them to send to you, since you won’t be able to watch them for a while. Let me know when you have VCR access again, though.
I liked this one and I think the arc will play out well. I just hope everything doesn’t get solved with one mindmeld, though.
Archer should have had his dark glasses on even before he beamed down to Vulcan.
There was indeed Hoshi, people, just not very much of her. She was seen early playing basketball. In her shorts, I might add. Why is it that only the bridge crew and Phlox were playing? Aren’t they sick of each other yet? They should involve some of the other folks on board.
I don’t know if we’ll be seeing Daniel Dae Kim anymore. He’s busy on Lost. But maybe he can beam off the island for a bit.
Dammit, they did something wrong that they’ve been doing since the show began. Archer says “Porthos doesn’t try and eat me when I’m late with his dinner.” It’s not “try and.” It’s “try to”! How many freaking times do I have to say it? Why are they not listening to meeeeeeee???
All that said, I look forward to the rest of the arc.
One thing I’m not clear on: Why did the explosion kill Forrest and not Soval? I mean, Forrest was right on top of the guy. Did he manage to shield the Vulcan from the deadly forces?
Second best episode ever.
You guys should know what the first is.
Wow! Now I am so ready to see this episode, which I will when it re-airs tonight (Sat.) on my local UPN station. Aesiron, you’re right; we do agree that Enterprise can definitely stand to show more of Porthos 
However, on the interconnectedness (LOL) between Trek versions we part company. I love seeing tie-ins between the various shows and yes, even the movies… 
I think Manny Coto has done a great job, so far. Crossing my fingers that they’ll be able to get to the founding of the Federation which I -really- want to see. Also hoping that perhaps we’ll see more of the Tellarites. But first give me my Vulcan-centric arc!!
Will be back with specific comments, naturally, after I’ve seen the show. 
More precisely, what Spock (apparently) didn’t know in Balance of Terror was that the Romulans were Vulcan relatives. They’d never been seen before, after all.
First episode I’ve actually watched since the show premiered, and I thought they pulled off a pretty decent story. I may even watch next week, if I can manage to scrub that goddamned theme song out of my head. I hate, hate, hate that fucking song. It is the single biggest reason why I have not watched this series.
There’s always the mute button.
He probably caught a piece of shrapnel that he probably would have caught anyway, even if he had just dived for the floor without taking the Vulcan with him, so it’s arguable that he didn’t actually save Soval’s live. Although, those robes would probably would have absorbed a lot of the blast and shrapnel, so maybe Forrest would still be alive if he had been willing to use Soval as soft cover.
I would also just like to say once again that I continue to be shocked at how good an actress Jolene Blalock is turning out to be.
[wanders off, humming…] It’s been a long while…
I must dissent.
I couldn’t stay awake through this episode. I wanted to, what with all the cool Vulcan stuff going on–or rather, what SHOULD have been cool Vulcan stuff going on. But Archer’s acting was soooooo bad, and there was so much of him! He’s been better than this in times past. I don’t know what happened. The whole thing didn’t seem to have any momentum at all.
The Vulcan desert looked pretty cool, though.
All in all, I’ll give it a C-/D+. I hope they can salvage the arc next week.
A possible answer to the question of why MerryDocMayWeather and IwannaDieMalcolm were the ones doing the CSI on the embassy:
Soval explained to Quantum that the embassy was considered Earth soil (as with embassies around the globe today are considered home soil, yada yada). So the investigation being handled by Earhters seems appropriate, perhaps even a point of treaty.
Since NX-01 is available, it makes sense to use its resources. Malcolm knows a lot about killin’. Merry hasn’t had a speaking part in months. And…, they have (perhaps) more up to date equipment with which to do their WCSI (war crime scene investigation).
Besides, they’re a military vessel, from a military orginization, dealing with an attack which ‘took out’ part of their military. So, let the military guys handle it.
Flag draped coffins
Did anyone get a good look at the emblem? I didn’t record it, so now I can’t go back and look. Were they StarFleet? Or an evolved form of the UN icon?
Searching now for pics…
It’s the United Earth emblem. Planet, with a half-wreath curving around one side.
I don’t even know what to say to this. Are you okay? Feeling feverish? Maybe you should see a doctor. I’d drive you to the ER myself but it’s a little hard with the broken leg. Anyone else? This man needs immediate medical attention.
The one where Hoshi lost her top?
Thanks for the correction.
If theycevelop the character or use something of her to further the plot, just as long as they aren’t throwing paint at the wall and selling it as art.
Of course.
I still haven’t seen the episode though and have to content myself with the still shots. 
See, now I would call that pandering. 
We call it Panda.