Thoughts On 'The Augments'

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

Ah and you thought you'd never see one of these again. Well, tisk, tisk. ;)

 

Time to give your thoughts on the latest adventure of Star Trek: Enterprise.

 

For those who have memory problems, episode 406 is "Enterprise pursues Arik Soong and his Augments across hostile Klingon space toward a planet where the geneticist intends to go back into isolation and raise an army of genetically engineered superhumans. But Soong's "children" revolt against him and plan a biological attack upon a Klingon colony, in order to incite retaliation against Earth. "

 

Personally, I loved the episode. I sat back in the middle of it and found myself saying "This is real, hard core, Star Trek." I honestly think the show's finally found it's legs and is going full speed ahead. I loved the tie in and mentions throughout the show to future events. The entire concept of the Briar Patch was an interesting one. To a certain extent, I would have liked to have seen some more fall out between Earth and the Klingon Empire. In any event, was good to see Brent Spiner again. I'm certain he and Levar Burton (who directed) had some good times on the set.

 

Apparently, many people seem to be agreeing. Star Trek: Enterprise came in fourth for the night, beating the WB's What I Like About Yout and Grounded For Life. It also beat FOX's Craziest Home Videos TV show. It looks as if most of the three part episode held similiar ratings.

 

Looking forward to the next episode...which supposedly will answer the question why the Vulcans we see in the 22nd Century seem more "emotional" than those we see in the 23rd Century. I think I read somewhere that Vaughn Armstrong's character dies...which if true, I won't be happy about. Is interesting the photo on startrek.com (click here) shows the pre-Federation Earth logo. Something we've never seen before.

Edited November 14, 2004 by FredM

[Dumbass 0]

2 things I didn't get about this episode.

 

1) Soong's final lines were about cybernetics, meaning organisms that are part mechanical and part organic. However, the end result of the Soong line (Data) was entirely mechanical - unless we are talking about another creation. Is it possible that a Soong created the Borg? It sounds far-fetched, but the Borg are the only cybernetic life-form we have seen in Trek to date.

 

2) Why was a 22nd century Bird of Prey more maneuverable and with more armarments than the 23rd/24th century B'rel class?

 

I liked the use of the grapling hook as an offensive weapon. A tractor beam wouldn't have been as effective for what they used it for.

[Aaron_Westler 0]

1) Good observation.....hmmm.

 

2) Because the producers/writers didnt do their homework ;) tsk tsk

[LoAmi 0]

2 things I didn't get about this episode.

 

1)  Soong's final lines were about cybernetics, meaning organisms that are part mechanical and part organic.  However, the end result of the Soong line (Data) was entirely mechanical - unless we are talking about another creation.  Is it possible that a Soong created the Borg?  It sounds far-fetched, but the Borg are the only cybernetic life-form we have seen in Trek to date.

 

2)  Why was a 22nd century Bird of Prey more maneuverable and with more armarments than the 23rd/24th century B'rel class?

 

I liked the use of the grapling hook as an offensive weapon.  A tractor beam wouldn't have been as effective for what they used it for.

Overall, I liked these episodes. I agree with Fred... this show has now found its space-legs. I thought it would give us more of a hint as to the bad relations between the Klingons and the Federation, but the Klingons still seem pretty happy with Earth. Of course, the history has already been "changed." I recall a reference to the bad blood having to do with a cultural mistake in first contact.

 

(1) Could have been a mistake. Or, it could have been that his "stroke of brilliance" took a very different direction than what he intended when he started out. Remember, it took three (?) generations to get it to work. I always thought the Borg were older than 22nd century, but it might just be a "feeling" rather than based in Trek-fact.

 

(2) Good point.

 

About the grappling hook - it was a very interesting use, but I don't get the physics. Unless the Klingons were actively pulling against it (a bad move on the part of the Klingon captain. The best move would be to turn *into* the hook, match speed w/Enterprise and keep blasting away), I don't see why the cruiser's engine ripped apart. Shouldn't the cruiser have been pulled by Enterprise (albeit at a lower velocity)? Assuming it was the captain's mistake, you should be able to do the same thing with a tractor beam. If you have two tractor beams (like the Klingons seemed to when the BOP dropped the Denobulan shuttle), you should be able to do something even worse: aim one at the front of a ship and the other at the rear, then pull in opposite directions. The weakest structural link in the ship will then experience maximum strain.

[Seiben 0]

I definately did like the Augment series of episodes on Enterprise.. very suspenseful and action packed, enjoyed it thoroughly. Hope many more episodes like it in the near future. ;)

[Grom 0]

I tuned in for Spiner. How un-fanish of me. ;) Overall...decent at best.

[Tachyon 0]

I just watched it, and I thought it was superb. Both Brent Spiner and Alec Newman are great actors, and I enjoyed the last half hour immensely.

 

1) Soong's final lines were about cybernetics, meaning organisms that are part mechanical and part organic. However, the end result of the Soong line (Data) was entirely mechanical - unless we are talking about another creation. Is it possible that a Soong created the Borg? It sounds far-fetched, but the Borg are the only cybernetic life-form we have seen in Trek to date.

 

In the Voyager episode "Dragon's Teeth", Gedrin mentions that the Borg had a lot less territory back in his era, and he had been in stasis for over 900 years. It wouldn't be the first time that Trek contradicts itself, of course, but I still find it a little far-fetched.

[OHNO 0]

I did injoy it but thought there should have been more. Just 3 eps didn't do it for me. They were in then out just like that. I need more action, distruction, blood and so on. There should have been about 6 or 7 Eps. ;)

Edited November 15, 2004 by OHNO

[FredM 0]

Of course, the history has already been "changed." I recall a reference to the bad blood having to do with a cultural mistake in first contact.

Hey there,

 

Well, depending on how they continue to play this subplot, I think the idea that "cultural errors" during first contact is still a solid remark with existing Trek lore. I mean, after all, being shot by a farmer isn't exactly a positive cultural exchange. ;)

 

As far as the Borg go, no, I don't think so. According to everything we know, they are at least 1,000 years old by the time of the 24th Century. Remember though, the concept of having a pure non-organic lifeform probably wasn't the original goal.

 

About the Klingons, I guess the question would be, in relation to what? These ships are a lot "smaller" physically than anything seen in later centuries. As the ships increased in size, I suppose one might imagine changes in their ability to move like the wind. Furthermore, I'd question what "major interplanetary" conflicts the Klingons have had up to this point. I mean, the "Federation/Klingon" Cold War hasn't started yet. It might be similiar to comparing a 1920's U.S. warship to something built some twenty years later.

[aswe 0]

I love the last enp to,....it want great and naxt week show look good as well and I hope is be more acton to,.....because is need more acton .....so IM hope for the of great enp's and more actoin. :) ;)

[Dumbass 0]

I know the next one is supposed to take place on Vulcan and will include the death of one of the Enterprise crew. Is this the start of the Vulcan Civil War episodes?

[Travis Kroells 0]

::Apears after absence::

 

Yeah. I think thats how it's running. And as to the deal with the BOP, I think it's because in ENT's timeline, the Bird of Prey was the backbone of the Klingon fleet. As time went by, the Klingons concentrated more on their heavy crusiers, and dreadnaughts. The BOP, while still an important time in even TNG times, just isn't the backbone anymore.

 

Why put all your R&D into something that isn't the focus of your fleet?

[FredM 0]

Why put all your R&D into something that isn't the focus of your fleet?

Hey there,

 

This is true. One interesting thing is that I the "non-BOP" ship was saw in this episode was identified as a "Klingon D-5" cruiser. Now, the Klingon vessels seen on TOS were listed as the "Klingon D-7." That production design seems to have remained (though perhaps modified internally) for a solid 30/50 years. It wasn't until the TNG era the Klingon Empire seems to have developed a completely new vessel, though as we can tell from the Dominion War...D-7 "types" were still in use.

 

From the TOS era until the TNG era (100+ years), all evidence seems to suggest the Klingon Empire has had only had three major class configurations. This is in stark contrast to others, such as the Federation and Romulan Empire which have had more than we can count.

[Dumbass 0]

This is a point I have made numerous times elsewhere. The Klingons are simply better ship builders and designers than the Federation. They are more durable and more easily upgraded internally than Federation ships, which seem to create a new ship class for every mission.

[Brian Graham 0]

They are more durable and more easily upgraded internally than Federation ships, which seem to create a new ship class for every mission.

Maybe there are lots of Federation ships because fans like that stuff. Well, at least I do. :P

[Tachyon 0]

This is a point I have made numerous times elsewhere. The Klingons are simply better ship builders and designers than the Federation. They are more durable and more easily upgraded internally than Federation ships, which seem to create a new ship class for every mission.

Perhaps it's also because the Klingons have had more experience. If the Klingon Empire has been around long enough for it to be a major power during the Enterprise time period, then they've probably had warp capability for awhile, unlike Earth which has only had it for about 90 years or so. What's amazing is that by roughly the 23rd Century, Federation engineers have managed to equal the Klingon level of technology (although probably with no small help from other species in the Federation).

[FredM 0]

Perhaps it's also because the Klingons have had more experience. If the Klingon Empire has been around long enough for it to be a major power during the Enterprise time period, then they've probably had warp capability for awhile, unlike Earth which has only had it for about 90 years or so.

Hey there,

 

I have to seriously question that. What "major conflicts" have the Klingons dealt with by 2156? It isn't until the Federation develops and they begin to have major interaction with the Romulan Empire that any real "threat" develops. Their handling of that threat could easily be seen as idiotic.

 

As for technological developments, let's not forget that some of their "best" technology was "borrowed" from the Romulans during their brief alliance.

[Darrik 0]

I find that ST is stuck in a Catch-22. the Klingons are not capable of making a warp drive on their own. so, i've seen it stated that the Romulans may have given it to them. but, we supposedly had better warp and beaming capability then the Romulans did. so, Oy.

 

that and BB needs to make 160 more ships in the next few years so they can reach the Daed's number on 163.

[Cougar 0]

I find that ST is stuck in a Catch-22. the Klingons are not capable of making a warp drive on their own. so, i've seen it stated that the Romulans may have given it to them. but, we supposedly had better warp and beaming capability then the Romulans did. so, Oy.

 

that and BB needs to make 160 more ships in the next few years so they can reach the Daed's number on 163.

I don't think so............ 100 something in a few years? I think they just at the time put a made up registry.

[Dumbass 0]

you have to remember that each shuttle, freighter, and workbee probably has it's own registry number.

[Johnny Unitas 0]

I want a workbee....