Enterprise | Season 4

Affliction

Directed By: Michael Grossman
Teleplay By: Michael Sussman
Story By: Manny Coto

Rating:

Reviewed on: 30 March 2005
Reviewed by: Michael Axe

In Brief:

Review: (Contains Spoilers)

I think the greatest flaw with this episode is that, at the end of the day, was it really necessary to “explain” the change in the Klingon's appearance? I mean, we all know that the reason why the TOS-era Klingons looked so different is simply because the make-up techniques (and budgets) were not nearly what they are today – so was it really necessary to concoct some threadbare plot to justify it within the Star Trek universe? Where do you draw the line – with a three-part mini-arc explaining why there are mechanical countdowns and no touch-screen displays onboard TOS-era ships?

But that's not to say the “explanation” isn't very clever, as it manages to combine the genetically engineered DNA from earlier this season with a realistic Klingon response to the perceived “Augment threat”, to produce a credible reason for the Klingon's more human-like appearance during the TOS-era. But does an explanation for a “real life” inconsistency, no matter how clever it may be, really warrant one episode to be built around it, let alone a two-parter?

There are plenty of good bits to this episode, don't get me wrong. Trip's subplot onboard Columbia is very interesting, and Captain Hernandez is a nicely rounded and believable character. The first appearance of the often-mentioned Rigellians is a treat for the fans, and the shared dreams of Trip and T'Pol keep that storyline bubbling along nicely.

Of all of these character threads, however, probably the most significant is Reed's, as we learn that he is clearly not quite what he appears to be. The writers have a nice escape hatch for any inconsistencies in his past behaviour (he did not believe he was an “active” agent any more), but the implications for this character and his future onboard Enterprise are severe. The shadowy division he receives his orders from appears to be an early version of the “Section 31” organisation, but at this point in history it seems somehow more official (even if only “unofficially official”) than during DS9's era. Certainly, Reed's only hope of remaining onboard once this two-parter is over is if his orders came from some k ind of legitimate source…

But despite the enjoyable character elements and the intriguing conspiracy element, there's still a feeling that the episode serves no higher purpose than the make the writers feel good about the fact they're dealt with the whole bumpy-forehead issue once and for all. The end result for me, I'm afraid, is that while the episode is enjoyable, I was left feeling ultimately unsatisfied once the uninspiring cliffhanger heralded the end of part one. All I can hope is that part two has a bit more meat on its bones…

Michael Axe is the author of a number of novellas and screenplays, and is a main reviewer for ST Universe. All his reviews are copyright © Michael Axe and are used here exclusively with his permission.