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Posted:
08:54:46 on September 26 2001
By: Steve Krutzler
Dept: Enterprise | www.stenterprise.com
Long-time 'Trek' expert, critic, and even writer/producer Mark A. Altman has reviewed the ENTERPRISE pilot for Cinescape, mentioning that with some exceptions the premiere is poised to bring 'Star Trek' back into the spotlight.
"In the wake of DS9’s less than stellar ratings and the widespread apathy towards VOYAGER, ENTERPRISE may be the best hope for revitalizing the moribund STAR TREK universe in a very, very long time."
"This is not to say that “Broken Bow” is without its flaws. It lacks the cerebral, philosophical underpinnings that characterized “Emissary,” DEEP SPACE NINE’s surprisingly effective pilot; the spooky, mysterious allegory of classic TREK’s “The Cage” and the scope and intrigue of VOYAGER’s pilot, “Caretaker.” However, what it does have is an ample abundance of humor, conflict and great character interplay, which is at the heart of any good STAR TREK series."
[...]
And the rest of the ensemble is filled out nicely, although John Billingsley’s Dr. Phlox falls dangerously into Neelix-like territory. Having an alien onboard the Enterprise, other than a Vulcan, for humanity’s first flight to the stars almost seems superfluous and may be one of the few missteps in staffing this starship (the classic TREK was great without anyone in rubber masks, unless you count Walter Koenig’s hairdo). Communication’s Officer Hoshi is also a welcome addition, but I would be wary of falling into Asian stereotypes with this character given the fact that she is established as demure and cowering, terrified of the strange new worlds they are encountering, in the premiere. Hopefully, she’ll prove a little more assertive in future episodes."
[...]
"The title sequence itself is phenomenal, a terrific pastiche of mankind’s history of exploration. Unfortunately, it is accompanied by one of the worst renditions of one of the most inane songs I’ve ever heard and will date this show worse than any other element of the series. In fact, it already feels like a relic of the late 70’s as it airs in the earliest days of the 21st century. It’s bad, bad, bad!!! Where’s Jerry Goldsmith when you need him? (Clearly he’s not providing the show’s score as Dennis McCarthy phones in another score lacking the brashness and bravado of the best of Fred Steiner and Gerald Fried’s work on the original.) Also, it was a mistake not to end the episode with the original Alexander Courage STAR TREK theme as the ship set out on its journey into space. Did I mention the opening song is atrocious?"
[...]
"Archer too readily accepts the idea of time travel (remember, this is before the umpteen thousand time travel episodes of later TREK) and you think he would be more astonished that time travel can even exist. The actual use of the word “temporal cold war” lacks the subtlety of what could be an interesting plot thread of the series and, ultimately, leads to a third act that is slightly muddled where so much is going on, you’re not quite sure what is actually happening."
[...]
"There’s a great moment where Archer confronts T’Pol talking about how much the human race has grown in the last 100 years; wiping out hunger, war and poverty. We can only hope it’s this philosophy which infuses the show with its energy in the future. If we’re very lucky, let us hope STAR TREK, which has been so prescient in showing us the future in year’s past, will also once again show us that the real future of the human race is made in a world united by peace and not war. Clearly, ENTERPRISE is a show that has all the ingredients to live long and prosper."
To read Mark's full review, where he analyzes James Conway's direction, the effectiveness of the provacative Decon Chamber scene, and 'Trek' tech, and other aspects, click here.
See Also: STENTERPRISE.com
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