Star Trek: Enterprise: Reviews
77 reviews
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Affliction (1) (4x15)
Pike May 23, 2021, 12:05 ET
Bang!
The season ends with a bang! The episode is extremely dramatic and works perfectly, as it is, somehow, a continuation of the previous one (spoiler alert).
And what about the final scene in the elevator? Just brilliant.
VERDICT
I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Home (4x03)
Pike May 18, 2021, 12:05 ET
Point of view
Directed by one of my favorite TV-filmmaker David Nutter (The X-Files, Game of Thrones), the episode is very good. Nutter shows a very interesting side of the episode, with a point of view from two patients.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Council (3x22)
Pike May 17, 2021, 12:05 ET
Good
A good episode, with Benton trying (and failing) to run the ER, Marc in a falling helicopter and Kovac trying to deal with the aftermath of killing his assailant.
VERDICT
I give it 5 out of 10. Good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
E² (3x21)
Pike May 17, 2021, 12:05 ET
Interesting
An interesting episode, especially because of the relationship between Kovac and Abby, as well as the story of Benton trying to find a new job.
VERDICT
I give it 5 out of 10. Good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Forgotten (3x20)
Pike April 25, 2018, 12:04 ET
Irrelevantly boring
BORING
The episode is totally boring and overall irrelevant. The characters of Malucci and Jing-Mei are not only not interesting, they are annoying.
ABBY/KOVAC
Abby quickly kisses Kovac, 'nough said.
SUMMARY
A very boring episode. I give it 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Damage (3x19)
Pike April 18, 2018, 12:04 ET
Slow paced and focused
This is a very slow paced episode, focused mostly on Abby helping a woman going through a terrible time, having to deliver her premature baby. Yet, the episode is not boring at all, on the contrary. By actually providing a slower pace, the episode is much more focused and therefore quite interesting.
SUMMARY
I give it 6 out of 10. Very good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Azati Prime (3x18)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
Weak season premiere
Season premieres are very difficult to write. Because most of the previous season is usually built and released during the season finale. Therefore, many season premieres have the extremely difficult task to start all over again. That is why the best way is to actually continue the story where it left off and not close all the storylines in the previous episode.
JING-MEI
Jing-Mei's character never worked. We can clearly see in this episode that the writers are trying to build on her character. But at least until that point, it was not interesting.
FIGHT
While the episode wasn't so bad, the last scene in which everyone fights in the ER was clearly over the top and not working. I really did not like it.
SUMMARY
A weak season premiere. I give it 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Hatchery (3x17)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
Dramatic conclusion
The episode focuses on John Carter, fading away to such a point that he decides to inject himself with some painkillers. The scene in which Abby sees him was really brilliant. The rest of the episode, while at times uneven, was excellent.
Meanwhile, the story of Kovac trying to save an unborn baby while the mother refuses was very dramatic as well and equally interesting.
SUMMARY
An excellent conclusion to an excellent season.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Doctor's Orders (3x16)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
$27 million reasons to leave
Written and directed by John Wells, this episode marks the final appearance of Carol Hathaway. What some of you may not know is that Julianna Margulies, the actress portraying Carol, was offered... $27 million to stay in the series. Outside of the financial and production topics, I think that having the character leaving the series was a great thing. Simply because we all know Doug Ross and even though the character is no longer in the series, we know for certain that he would never abandon her and their two little children. Therefore, it really made for a perfect ending.
This leads us to the final scene, in which Carol meets Doug. The fact that George Clooney came back for that scene made it very powerful, even though the part of Carol running at the airport on the cheesy song was definitely too much, but it felt good to have such joyful scene for once.
Coming back to Carol, I truly think that she was a great character. Not only that, but Julianna Margulies is beautiful in a very enigmatic way. She is not the typical good looking female actress. She really was something more and I liked her for that.
And I liked the way Carol chooses to leave. The fact that it was linked to a medical story was simply the perfect reason.
What is also interesting is that this does not happen in the season finale, but in the penultimate episode. And this is brilliant. Because the show continues, therefore, we don't end the season with just the reward of the character leaving on a dramatic moment, we actually get to see this moment and then move our attention back to the remaining characters and wanting to know more about them. This is clearly great writing.
JOHN CARTER
Meanwhile, the story of John Carter struggling with being back to work was very well directed and played. John Welles did a wonderful thing.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Harbinger (3x15)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
Elegant ending
Season six was an excellent and very solid throughout the year. This is yet another superb excellent, simply because of the relationship of Mark and his father. Every scene between the two is brilliant. And the way the death of David Greene was shown was simply the most elegant of all. This is one of the best father-son relationship that I have seen in any series or film.
Meanwhile, we can sense that Carol will leave soon, which provides for some interesting drama between her and Kovac.
As for John Carter, he is finally back and it feels very good. We can sense that he is no longer an apprentice. He is now taking the authority and doing some great job.
Finally, the medical stories were extremely well written, whether the anorexic lady, the raped little girl or the black man facing an amputation.
SUMMARY
A superb episode. I give it 8 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Stratagem (3x14)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
Beautiful
This episode is beautiful. The more it moves forward, the more beautiful it is.
On one side, Carol and Kovac are spending the afternoon looking for a used car. What starts as a fun afternoon (and fun sequence) becomes very powerful, especially when Kovac explains the story of how his children passed away.
Meanwhile, while Mark's father is slowly getting sicker, Mark finally understands, when helping a patient, that he should actually listen to his own experience and decides to stop the heavy measures with his father and simply tries to spend some quality time with him. This leads to one truly sublime scene, where Mark goes to the sea with his father. The writing of that scene is simply brilliant and extremely emotional, yet very simple. This is the reason why ER is better than most of the other soap. Because it is true. Of course, the series is a drama and goes the extra mile into the dramatic moments. But overall, we believe in the characters and hence in their stories.
I really loved the arc of Mark's family, which started beautifully when we got to see Mark's father for the first time. This was one of the best characters of the entire series.
SUMMARY
A truly beautiful, simple, elegant and emotional episode. I give it 8 out of 10. Superb.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Proving Ground (3x13)
Pike April 17, 2018, 12:04 ET
Average
An average episode, but with some good parts, such as the father of Mark, once again. I also liked the relationship between Kovac and Carol, especially knowing that Julianna Margulies will leave the series in just a couple of episodes.
SUMMARY
I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Chosen Realm (3x12)
Pike April 16, 2018, 12:04 ET
Average
An average episode. The only interesting moment is when Dr. Romano tells Kerry that she is suspended until further notice after she disobey him.
Also, I liked the opening scene, with Mitch Pileggi (famous for his role of Walter Skinner in The X-Files) portraying an agressive man fighting with another.
SUMMARY
An average episode. I give it 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Carpenter Street (3x11)
Pike April 15, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good low-key episode
After the incident of Carter and Lucy, the pace of the current episodes is extremely slow. This isn't particularly bad, but it's not extremely exciting either.
A few points:
- I very much liked the scenes between Mark and his father, as usual.
- Benton is getting some interesting romance!
- It was interesting to see John Carter back spending some time with his grandmother.
SUMMARY
A good low-key episode. I give it 5 out of 10. Good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Similitude (3x10)
Pike April 15, 2018, 12:04 ET
Lost opportunity
After the wildly dramatic precedent episode, I was expecting to see kind of an epilogue of the previous one. But actually, we move past it and go directly to the moment after. I think that the absent center should have been definitely Lucy Knight. She was one of the main characters of the series since season 5.
Surely, there is the scene where the mother of Lucy comes to check her stuff in her locker, but that was about it. I think the series could have easily go into it, show the funeral service and the effect on the staff. I think this was a lost opportunity.
Meanwhile, I loved once again every single scene with Mark's father. John Cullum is a wonderful actor, truly terrific.
SUMMARY
A lost opportunity, all the drama disappeared. I give it 5 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
North Star (3x09)
Pike April 15, 2018, 12:04 ET
At loss of words
THE HIGHEST OF STAKES
This episode is beyond great. I would say that this is my favourite episode of the entire series so far, simply because the stakes have never been that high before. We have all rooted for Mark Greene when he was attacked, and the story arc was similar. Mark would be attacked at the end of an episode, with much surprise from the audience. And then we would discover him slowly in the beginning of the next episode.
While the format is the same, the stakes are much higher. Because it is live and death. And because it affects not only one of the major characters, but two.
VISUALLY
The directing of Jonathan Kaplan is outstanding. Truly magnificent. At times, he takes the time to calm down the action and focus on true emotions. And in some other moments, the pace is extremely fast. As an example, we can see Benton coming down from the OR and running towards Lucy and Carter. This is just brilliantly crafted. It's the ultimate theater-like episode. Artistically, ER was at times really great and beyond a medical soap.
LUCY
This episode marks the final appearance of Lucy Knight. While I truly hated her character in the season premiere of season 5, looking back, I think that her character was actually great and even more than this. In the end, I think that she arrived in a place where the stories weren't that great.
SUMMARY
A masterpiece of writing, acting, music and especially directing from Jonathan Kaplan. I give it 10 out of 10. A masterpiece.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Twilight (3x08)
Pike April 15, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
I really liked this episode. Every storyline was interesting, and the original soundtrack was really powerful.
And then comes the final scene. Oh boy! This could easily have been a season finale. And when rewatching the series, I actually thought that this scene would indeed take place at the end of the season. This was really not only a brilliant move but an exciting one. Because we need drama, otherwise we get bored. But at the same time, we need realism and not too much drama, otherwise we get a series like Nip/Tuck, where the characters get crazy things happening to them every couple of episodes.
So, in this final scene, John Carter gets attacked by a patient. The way it was shot was simply outstanding. And not only this, but the final moment, when we see that Carter is surprised, was marvellous. In front of him... Lucy... in blood. Just perfect.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode with an equally excellent soundtrack. I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Shipment (3x07)
Pike April 14, 2018, 12:04 ET
Abby and Shia
ABBY
The character of Abby, portrayed by Maura Tierney, is formally starting in the ER as a major character. I think that she is a great character, as the actress provides something interesting that I cannot quite describe.
Also, her relationship with Carol Hathaway was really interesting.
Finally, I liked the fact that she is on a journey from a nurse to a medical doctor. Therefore, this provides for interesting character development.
SHIA LABEOUF
I was quite surprised to recognize Shia Labeouf portraying a young kid in a wheelchair in this episode. I was even more surprised when I saw that he actually was terrific and portrayed beautifully the character. I have not seen all the films from Shia Labeouf but I wouldn't be surprised if this would be by far his best performance.
SUMMARY
A very good episode, especially because of Abby and her relationship with Carol. I give it 6 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Exile (3x06)
Pike April 14, 2018, 12:04 ET
Very good
A very good episode, with most of the storylines being interesting.
SUMMARY
I give it 6 out of 10. Very good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Impulse (3x05)
Pike April 13, 2018, 12:04 ET
Deb (or Jing-Mei) is back
The episode is slightly better than the previous one. The stories are slightly more interesting, but mostly, it's mainly about Deb returning, or Jing-Mei, or whatever her character's name is. It is for sure an interesting move to take back a character that appeared in the very first season and introduce her back five years later.
And as usual, the scenes between Mark and his father were brilliant, but unfortunately too short, as if Anthony Edwards had agreed to have more freedom during these couple of episodes.
EDIT: And now I just saw that this episode was actually directed by Anthony Edwards (sic!). There goes my theory... Anywhoooo...
SUMMARY
A good episode, slightly better than the previous one. I give it 5 out of 10. Good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Rajiin (3x04)
Pike April 13, 2018, 12:04 ET
Average
After eight straight good episodes in this sixth season's beginning, it was just logical that there would be an average one. And this is the episode. Once again, Christmas episodes in series are often clichés and not that interesting. This is one of those, even though it actually does not focus too much on Christmas.
The big missing link is that Anthony Edwards is nowhere to be found (Mark Greene). This is kind of abrupt, since he was a key member of the storylines in the last episode, with his father and daughter meeting Elizabeth for the first time.
In a way, this proves that ER is always better when there is character development. Actually, the best ER is when there is a good mix of both interesting character development as well as compelling medical drama. In this episode, we have neither.
SUMMARY
I give the episode 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Extinction (3x03)
Pike April 12, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent!
What a great episode! Carol delivers her babies in a very interesting episode and not overly dramatic one, even though of course we get some drama.
The tone of the episode was perfect, with the excellent opening scene. The sub-story of Mark inviting his father and daughter to meet Elizabeth was also great and well written.
Meanwhile, the humour in this episode was simply brilliant and very mature and intelligent.
ABBY
This is also the first episode in which we get to see Abby Lockhart, portrayed by Maura Tierney. Overall, I am very surprise by the high quality of the sixth season, compared to the previous one.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Anomaly (3x02)
Pike April 12, 2018, 12:04 ET
Very good
A very good episode, with some interesting cases. Also, it seemed to me that the opening scene was shot without any cut.
SUMMARY
I give it 6 out of 10. Very good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Xindi (3x01)
Pike April 11, 2018, 12:04 ET
Amazing performances
This episode was brilliant, really. There are two key moments that were just outstanding. In the first, Peter Benton is saying to Carla that whatever happens, he will be the father of Reese. The way Eriq La Salle played the scene was simply superb. But then, there is an even more impressive scene, in which Alan Alda's character explains to Kerry Weaver that he was diagnosed with a brain condition. It all starts with some excellent writings and then proceeds with a beautiful performance by both Alan Alda and Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver). This was truly a magnificent scene, which I really loved.
Meanwhile, this was Jeanie Boulet's last episode and I also enjoyed the way she left the show. She left the same way she arrived, and the same way her character was. Discrete. And this discrete manner to make her leave the show, without any drama, without any exaggeration, was simply perfect.
SUMMARY
A superb episode. I wonder if the episodes will still be as good after Alan Alda leaves the series, but his character will surely be the most memorable moment of the beginning of the sixth season. I give the episode 8 out of 10. Superb.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Expanse (2x26)
Pike April 11, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good
A good episode. The sixth season is definitely interesting, although the freshness and the renewed energy from the season premiere are slowly fading away.
SUMMARY
A good episode. I give it 5 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Bounty (2x25)
Pike April 11, 2018, 12:04 ET
Very good
Season six is continuing on its nice course. The small stories of this episode were quite interesting (the young girl passing away from iron poisoning, Elizabeth having to report on Benton and Anspaugh, etc.) and the new characters are interacting quite well with the old ones. Alan Alda is playing beautifully his odd character.
SUMMARY
A very good episode. I give it 6 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
First Flight (2x24)
Pike April 10, 2018, 12:04 ET
The new season starts with a BANG!
What a beginning of a new season! It literally starts with a bang. There is definitely more drama and suspense than in most of season 5.
KERRY
Kerry has become the most evil character, along with Romano. She is just a character that we love to hate. But her actions are true and there is always a logic rationale behind every of her decision.
OSTRACISED
I also loved the fact that Mark Greene is totally ostracized. Not only he was the one who hired Kerry Weaver, but now he's just referred by Romano as "one of our docs".
ALAN ALDA
And the introduction of the character portrayed by Alan Alda was just a brilliant idea. I loved it as well.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. It feels damn good to have a new season starting fresh and new, compared to the extremely boring fifth season.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Regeneration (2x23)
Pike April 10, 2018, 12:04 ET
Superb
Finally, a superb episode of ER. It had been a while, since the two part episode where George Clooney left the show, actually.
KERRY/MARK
The DNR situation was simply brilliant and extremely powerful.
BENTON
The final scene, where Carla tells Peter that Reese may not be his son was simply brilliant. Eriq La Salle provided a really terrific performance there.
SUMMARY
A superb episode. I give it 8 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Breach (2x21)
Pike April 10, 2018, 12:04 ET
The most boring season finale ever
I have rarely seen a season finale where so little things happen. I don't expect the ER to explode per say, but at least having a kind of suspense at the end, or something to look forward to. It's really a dull episode and the only thing I was really interested was the story of Benton losing his child. The rest, I really did not care one bit.
SUMMARY
An average episode. I may would have rated it as good, but as a season finale, it really misses the point entirely. 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Horizon (2x20)
Pike April 9, 2018, 12:04 ET
Very boring
I don't have anything to say about this episode. Because there isn't anything happening, besides Carol thinking about her future child.
Oh, and there's an interesting scene of a dying patient calling his family that was very moving.
SUMMARY
I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Judgment (2x19)
Pike April 9, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good episode
I liked this episode, mostly because of the scenes where there is no power anymore in the hospital.
SUMMARY
A good episode. I give it 5 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Crossing (2x18)
Pike April 9, 2018, 12:04 ET
The beginning of Mark and Elizabeth romance
The only thing remotely interesting in this episode is the final part, where we witness the very beginning of the romance between Mark and Elizabeth.
SUMMARY
A good episode, simply because of the final part with Mark and Elizabeth. I give it 5 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Future Tense (2x16)
Pike April 9, 2018, 12:04 ET
Totally boring
This episode is the first real episode without George Clooney (not counting the special episode just before), and it is extremely boring and uninteresting. There is nothing happening at all.
SUMMARY
An extremely boring episode. I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Cease Fire (2x15)
Pike April 9, 2018, 12:04 ET
Worst episode of the first five seasons
This episode was an original bet, but it really did not work - at all. The episode is filled with clichés from another century. I really, really disliked it.
MUSIC
The music was also quite cliché and unappealing.
SUMMARY
A very bad episode. I give it 2 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Stigma (2x14)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good bye, Dr. Doug Ross
SUPERB FINAL EPISODE
This episode (along with the previous one) feels like a series finale - and maybe it should have been. The final three episodes of George Clooney were really well done. I really loved this episode, from end to finish. The final moment between Doug and Carol was beautiful. Julianna Margulies, which usually played the character of Carol Hathaway, showed true emotions. Therefore, since it was so rare, we could only truly feel her sadness.
I will surely miss George Clooney / Doug Ross. But at the same time, it actually provides for much interesting changes - changes that were drastically needed at this moment in the series.
AUTOPILOT
This two-part episode proves that by putting the work and taking the time, the series is still as beautiful as during the first seasons. But only if it doesn't play as autopilot. Most of the episodes from the second half of the third season as well as the entire first half of the fifth season were in autopilot mode. A few small storylines ending soon after they started, a few unorthodox medical cases (i.e. a horse), and that's it. Good storytelling takes time.
MUSIC
The soundtrack of this episode, which is almost continuous throughout the episode, is really interesting and intelligent. I really enjoyed it.
SUMMARY
A perfect ending for a great character. I give it 8 out of 10. Superb.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Dawn (2x13)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
Penultimate wow!
WOW
After 11 totally irrelevant and boring episodes and only two good ones, it feels so rewarding and even odd to see a great episode. During 11 episodes in this season, nothing was happening. At all. And suddenly, this episode is packed with high stakes actions. I really loved it.
PENULTIMATE GEORGE CLOONEY
This is the penultimate episode of George Clooney. To the contrary of Anna Del Amico's character, not having and sort of out, in this case, Doug Ross' last episodes were really well crafted.
Meanwhile, George Clooney played his part beautifully. I think that George Clooney had quite some uneven performances in this series, especially in the beginning. But here, there is an amazing scene where he shares his story to the policeman. This also brilliantly summarize his own character.
CAROL & MARK
I also loved the way it impacted Carol (her clinic is closed) and Mark.
LUCY & CARTER
While I really disliked Lucy Knight's character, I think that in this episode, her getting with Carter was a revelation. It suddenly made all the previous episodes important. The scene where they look at each others was brilliant. Once again, John Wells did some excellent work in that episode.
SUMMARY
Things are moving, stakes are high. And the episode is carefully crafted, both written and directed by John Wells. I give it 8 out of 10. Superb.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Catwalk (2x12)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
Here we go
As mentioned in my previous review, we could sense that something was starting. After such a bad first half of the fifth season, season 5 is finally starting to become interesting. The episode is great from the start. The opening scene is well built and very interesting.
The entire episode is great. Whether it is the story of the kid in pain, Romano or the janitor, I really liked it very much.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Precious Cargo (2x11)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
The beginning of something
After a very boring half season, we can sense that things will soon change.
Meanwhile, I found the scene in which Carol helps a patient with his suffering very delicate. I will let you see this scene on your own to judge, but it was original.
SUMMARY
An average episode but slightly better than the previous two. I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Vanishing Point (2x10)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good riddance, Amanda
Amanda Lee was by far the worst character of the entire series so far. It was really a badly written character. Her last scene is really terrible. Good riddance.
SUMMARY
I give it 3 out of 10. Bad.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Singularity (2x09)
Pike April 8, 2018, 12:04 ET
Season 5 is boring as hell
The first 10 episodes of the fifth season are boring as hell (except for one). Season four was very interesting, but all stopped directly from the season opener.
BAD
But now, this episode goes a step further and provides the first utterly bad example of the series. The new female chief is in love with Mark Greene and stealing some of his stuff. This was just beyond standards.
SUMMARY
An overall average and boring episode ending with a very, very bad scene. I give it 3 out of 10. Bad.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
The Seventh (2x07)
Pike April 7, 2018, 12:04 ET
Finally!
Finally an excellent episode this season. This is the eighth episode and the first good episode of the fifth season so far.
The episode is very good from the very first second. There is no horse or any wild story. It is a very compelling story of a girl arriving and her father leaving the premises. The story of Lucy and Carter looking for the father and doing their own kind of investigation was great fun.
SUMMARY
I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Marauders (2x06)
Pike April 7, 2018, 12:04 ET
Still the same
This season is continuing to be quite dull and boring. I wish there would be drastic changes to shake things up. I truly miss Anna Del Amico.
SUMMARY
Once again, a dull episode. I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
A Night in Sickbay (2x05)
Pike April 7, 2018, 12:04 ET
Soporific
Once again, an average episode in this soporific season. The storylines are stuck and not moving anymore, except for the beard of John Carter. That says it all.
It is a shame to use the talent of the great director David Nutter for such a poor script.
SUMMARY
An average episode. I give it 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Carbon Creek (2x02)
Pike April 7, 2018, 12:04 ET
Utterly boring pace
The pace of this new season is extremely slow, to the point of having stoped almost every major storyline.
And I won't mention the story of the horse...
SUMMARY
An average episode. I give it 4 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Shockwave (2) (2x01)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
Equinox
ODD FEELING
The new season is having a very different, and odd, feeling. Jeanie Boulet is nowhere to be seen and Anna Del Amico, who clearly became a very interesting character, is, as we know, no longer in the series. And we can see this effect. Suddenly, the series is becoming boring, the same way it did in the second half of the third season, soon after the character of Susan Lewis left the series.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Ironically, the episode ends with Peter Benton playing a vinyl of John Coltrane. The name of the record, Equinox, is quite revealing. In a way, it may be also the equinox of the series. Susan Lewis left the series. Anna Del Amico simply vanished without any character closure. The excellent Dr. Morgenstern left as well. And George Clooney will leave soon.
SUMMARY
I give it only a 5, and just because of the very short final scene of Peter Benton putting a vinyl of John Coltrane. The series become boring.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Shockwave (1) (1x25)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
Lucy Knight
ANNA'S DISAPPEARANCE
Season five starts and all of the storylines from season four completely disappeared. Vanished. The biggest of it all being Anna. I didn't understand the disappearance of Anna Del Amico. It seems that the actress left the show, but I thought that it was clearly not well managed. Her character started in a dull way but gradually became interesting, especially since the moment we got to see her place and her relationship with John Carter.
LUCY KNIGHT
The season starts and focuses heavily (almost solely) with the introduction of the character of Lucy Knight. The baby-like actress, Kellie Martin, is definitely providing a new kind of character. We will see throughout the season how interesting she will be. Adding a new main character is always a tricky situation. By default, most characters are not appreciated by the main audience, which is always rooting and longing for the original characters. When the main actors will slowly leave the show, the "replacement characters" will usually be slightly to heavily less interesting.
But there are misses, and then there are misses. As an example, both Dr. Romano and Elizabeth Corday, introduced in season four, were excellent characters right from the start.
SUMMARY
A very good episode but at the same time very frustrating, because it doesn't continue any of the storylines we had at the end of season four. The time gap is too big to enjoy it. I give it 6 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Two Days and Two Nights (1x24)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent season finale
HIGH STAKES
This season finale gets the job done. The stakes are higher than usual and it delivers, especially at the end.
SEASON 4
Season four was definitely much well-managed than season 3, where the second half was going nowhere. In this season, we got nice storylines going through the seasons. I feel those storylines like veins, joining, going somewhere, small, big, etc.
SUMMARY
An excellent season finale. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Desert Crossing (1x23)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
Four bad storylines but...
I really disliked the rationale of Benton trying to say that he has some things against Elizabeth Corday. It was really interesting when he was blocking her and trying to play hard to get. But now, he is just plain boring with his feelings.
I also did not like the storyline of Anna Del Amico's ex-boyfriend. I think it was not believable that he would join the ER and work alongside John Carter.
Finally, I also much disliked the story of Anna's patient, as well as Anna's involvement and her faith.
But... the final scene was really brilliant!
SUMMARY
I give the episode 5 out of 10, just because of the final scene. Good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Fallen Hero (1x22)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
An excellent episode directed by Anthony Edwards
I really enjoyed the medical story of the man who is facing a certain death in just twelve hours. This was quite interesting and dramatic.
SUMMARY
I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Vox Sola (1x21)
Pike April 6, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good bye Dr. Morgenstern
Once again, an excellent episode in this interesting fourth season. What I liked the most in this episode was the relationship between Benton and Dr. Morgenstern, and I am quite sad to know that it is his last episode. I think that William H. Macy is an outstanding actor. He provides a sense of an almost childish vulnerability, which was exacerbated in the movie Fargo.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode - the last of William H. Macy as Dr. Morgenstern. I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Detained (1x20)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
I found the episode excellent, whether it was Jeanie Boulet and the son of Dr. Anspaugh, the lame party organized by Mark and Jerry or the relationship between Carter and Anna Del Amico.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode in an excellent season. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Oasis (1x19)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
I liked this episode, in which we see the return of William H. Macy as Dr. Morgenstern.
SUMMARY
I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Acquisition (1x18)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
An excellent episode, especially regarding Carter and his cousin arriving at the ER in respiratory arrest.
It was also interesting to see Mark going to Cindy's place and trying to win her back.
SUMMARY
I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Rogue Planet (1x17)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Disaster Plan
The episode is excellent, even though it is too big and has this serial cliché all over it. In this episode, for the first time, John Carter is clearly taking the lead and becoming the leader of the ER.
The story of Elizabeth playing the rescuer was way too much and unneeded.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Fusion (1x16)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Outside the ER... in a hospital
Even though I liked this episode, I wished that it would have been not focus on a medical aspect. Mark Greene is once again outside the ER, but he is taking care of his mother and father and the entire focus is about health.
But still, I loved the relationship between Mark and his father.
SUMMARY
I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Shuttlepod One (1x15)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
The realistic choice
I really appreciated the main story from this episode, being Dr. John Carter faced with the choice of saving the life of a raper, even after knowing what the patient did. This was a very compelling story.
The rest of the episode was a bit of a filler.
SUMMARY
The story on Carter was interesting, the rest not very appealing. I give it 6 out of 10. Very good.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Sleeping Dogs (1x13)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Good
The episode is better than the last, but still, the main storylines are not moving. The interesting bit was mostly around Kerry Weaver as well as the son of Dr. Anspaugh.
SUMMARY
A good episode. I give it 5 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Dear Doctor (1x12)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
I see an average episode
On one side, there is progression in the main characters' storylines. On the other, the smaller stories are uninteresting in this episode.
But the worst part of this episode is without any doubt the story of Benton magically curing the ills. This was really beyond the series standards.
SUMMARY
I give it 4 out of 10. Average.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Silent Enemy (1x11)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Carter in jail
JOHN CARTER
An excellent episode where John Carter goes to jail. I really think that this character is extremely funny and interesting. No wonder many fans loved him.
JEANIE BOULET
I also liked the way Jeanie was fighting for her career. I actually thought that her character would leave a couple of episodes before. So I'm looking forward to see what will happen to her.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Cold Front (1x10)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
Once again, an excellent episode in this fourth season. I really enjoyed watching Jeanie Boulet fight for her job, especially the moment when she learns that Kerry Weaver got a raise of 25k in the process.
Also, the storyline of the young boy with the organs at the opposite place and the relationship between Benton and the kid's father was also well written and produced.
SUMMARY
Excellent. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Fortunate Son (1x09)
Pike April 5, 2018, 12:04 ET
Open space
ATYPICAL
This is an excellent episode. As we know, the show is mostly about the characters and less about the medical. Therefore, when we get to watch a complete episode taking place entirely outside the ER, we can only feel relieved in some way. Because the world is full of opened possibilities.
OPEN SPACE
Since the first shot, we are in the open space and it feels damn good. Because we live through the characters. And being outside in a beautiful location is therefore the place we are as well. The locations are great.
DOUG'S FATHER
The first part of the episode is about Doug's father. In a way, this episode is actually an investigation. We get to see the characters looking for clues and discovering the truth on what happened to Doug's father.
FRIENDSHIP
Through it, we see the beautiful friendship between Mark and Doug. Out of all the relationships in the show - whether lovers or friends - this one is one of the most interesting.
MARK'S FATHER
Even though the title is self explanatory, I was surprised that suddenly we get to see Mark's parents. And the episode becomes even better. The scene between Mark and his father was sublime. The little moments between the two and the way the actors played it was perfect. Really interesting and worth every movie scene.
MARK'S JOURNEY
Finally, this episode perfectly resolves the journey of Mark after his attack in last season.
SUMMARY
One of the top 5 best episodes of the entire series. I give it 9 out of 10. Outstanding.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Civilization (1x08)
Pike April 4, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
Season four is still great.
FUNNY
The entire sequence of John Carter at Anna Del Amico's place was brilliantly funny. Watching him sitting on the floor or being afraid of the cockroach was a delight.
JEANIE
I think it was time for the Jeanie character to leave the show. I think her character was great, but I don't think it would have been fair or even interesting to follow her only through the prism of her sickness. I think her arc was complete and that it was a perfect moment to remove her from the equation.
SUMMARY
I give the episode 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Breaking the Ice (1x07)
Pike April 4, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
This season continues to be great. This time, we get the introduction of the excellent character Romano. From his very first appearance, we can sense that he will be quite the character.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode introducing the also excellent character of Dr. Romano. I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Terra Nova (1x05)
Pike April 4, 2018, 12:04 ET
Excellent
Season four is starting much better than the second half of the third season. In this episode, I liked all the storylines:
- the medical case of the woman suddenly waking up as well as her husband having to sign a consent form under pressure.
- Kerry Weaver working her way up to the corporate ladder.
- Benton's child being circumcised without his knowing.
- Carol feeling jealousy over Elizabeth Corday.
- Jeanie's husband having to inform his boss he is HIV positive.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Strange New World (1x03)
Pike April 3, 2018, 12:04 ET
LIVE!
LIVE THEATER
As you probably know, this episode was shot live - twice. Once for the East coast and once for the West coast.
That ambition alone can be only highly respected. But it is not such a coincidence, as ER is actually almost theater performance on its own. Indeed, many scenes in the series are shot without interruptions.
So, here, the episode goes full scale. While the beginning feels definitely odd, after twenty minutes or so, the episode grows and becomes insane! It is to me the most exciting episode since Love's Labor Lost (S01E19).
A TRUE SEASON PREMIERE
Not only that, but the episode is also important, as Morgenstern is having a stroke and most importantly, we get the introduction of a new major character, live! The new character of Elizabeth Corday is having her first appearance in that episode. Imagine the actress (Alex Kingston) learning that she got the part, only to learn later on that she would actually have to start live.
RESOURCEFUL
Because of this new format, this episode actually finds countless original ways to tell the story.
SUMMARY
The season 4 starts with a LIVE BANG! I give it 9 out of 10. One of the top five episodes.
(I based my review on the East coast version.)
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Fight or Flight (1x02)
Pike April 2, 2018, 12:04 ET
An excellent slow paced season finale
The pace of this season finale is quite slow, compared to the last episodes, which is a good thing. The opening of the episode is exactly what we should have had in the last episode. We see Mark Greene at home feeling obviously bad. The writers should have explored this traumatic event much more. They just touched on its surface, which I still do not understand.
For instance, when Mark trashes the ER lounge, with a touch of jazz music, it was marvellous. It directly sent me to Citizen Kane, with Charles Foster Kane getting angry and trashing his wife's room. But in Citizen Kane, this is beautifully built. The camera is staying and do not cut. Here, the sequence is way too short and there are cuts. What a wasted opportunity. This is the difference between good and great. ER has usually great potential but is rarely able to fully go at it starting the second half of the third season.
But still, I also liked the scene where Mark freaks out in the L and takes out his gun!
CARTER v ANSPAUGH
I *loved* the short scene in which Carter is screaming at Anspaugh. And most importantly, the way he acts just after screaming. That was really fun!
OLD COUPLE
We get to see an old couple where one of them dies. This is at least the third time we get to see it in the series. Therefore, I ask, what's the point? What is the point of seeing the same cases over and over again?
SEASON REVIEW
Season 3 marks already the beginning of the end of the series. The moment Sherry Stringfield left the show, the series was never the same. After having rewatched the season, I truly believe that the main characters were Mark and Susan. And while Mark is still there, he feels desperately alone and I think that we feel the same as an audience.
SUMMARY
A slow pace and excellent season finale. I give it 7 out of 10. Excellent.
Oh, and Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway finally kiss. Well, there's that.
Star Trek: Enterprise:
Broken Bow (1x01)
Pike April 2, 2018, 12:04 ET
No continuation
MARK
I was surprised that we didn't get to see Mark Greene living the next moments after his attack. Suddenly, he's already back at the hospital. I am not sure if this would have been a good or bad decision to see the continuation, but at least I was surprised not to see the continuity of it all.
For such a traumatic and dramatic event, I was expecting to actually have to live through it.
BENTON
Meanwhile, as if Peter Benton did not have enough drama going on, with his mother dying, his ex-girlfriend getting AIDS and having a baby with a girl he not even dated officially, he now has a baby with a birth-defect.
FAST-FORWARD
ER is once again the proof that if there is one constant in tv series, is that there should always be a beginning, a middle and an end. Any series has a limited amount of episodes in it. Because you have to understand that a series is just a long movie. And a movie cannot last forever.
Michael Crichton's script was amazing, because it was a completely original concept. But after watching a trauma getting treated in the ER for the gazillionth time, it becomes totally boring. And the only thing I want to do is to fast-forward the trauma, consultations and medical parts in order to just understand what happens to the main characters and hopefully see the storylines moving forward. If I am already at that level in season 3, with still George Clooney, Eriq La Salle, Juliana Margulies and Anthony Edwards, I don't imagine where I'll be in the later seasons.
SUMMARY
We don't get to see the continuation of Mark's attack. Therefore, I give the episode 4 out of 10. Average, but could have been much better and focused entirely on Mark Greene's recovery outside of the ER.
