Countdown, Prod#ST:ENT 175
Synopsis:
With help from Xindi allies, the Enterprise crew attempts to stop the arming of the Weapon aimed toward Earth.
MJC Review:
The Drama -

I didn't think that the producers and writers could have topped their last action-based episode from last week, but they did! An OH-WOW did they ever!! The quick and rapid successions of one scene to the next made for a well paced drama-action and suspense episode. This process continues smoothly throughout the show with the climax at the end that leaves the viewer anxiously waiting for the final conclusion next week. There was enough tense moments to give one a migraine and still keep watching.

Archer makes yet more difficult command decisions. One has to wonder what kind of wear and tear this must be doing to his personality. It should be interesting to see how this character changes next season as a result of the Xindi plot. Rescuing Hoshi certainly had risks in losing additional MACO crew members. Bringing her along for the final mission to stop the super weapon and knowing that she may be forever mentally killed has to be an agonizing pain internally for Archer. Yet, as throughout the course of the Xindi story arc, he does or rather sacrifices when necessary to accomplish the mission.

The Reed character really matures quite well in this episode. It seems as though he has finally come to respectable terms with Hays, if not started a friendship. Hays death certainly had a personal somber for Reed to deal with. It seems like Read will be commanding a small MACO group for the final assault next week. It will be a sure thing that he won't let Hay's MACO team down and one can be rest assured that they will fight with honor and glory (just like a Klingon!).

As for the Xindi, it looks like the reptilians have shown their true color. The reptilian commander has betrayed and killed his Insectoid allies. He truly has been succumbed to the dark side of the force and bought into the sphere builder's propaganda about reptilian dominance if they destroy earth. A great climax would be if Archer and the reptilian commander go head-to-head in one final battle.

Tid Bits -

1)  Mayweather keeps Enterprise out of danger from the hazardous anomaly during the final battle scene.

2)  The Aquatic ship looks really cool when it blows up!

3)  Hoshi is rescued.

4)  After two ship-to-ship battles with the super weapon, it looks like Archer will send in the commandos to finally destroy the weapon.

5)  Very nice special effects on the battle scene and sphere!

What it all means -
The clock is ticking......
5 cool peace signs
MJC 200405.23
Copyright 2004