Fusion
Date: Unknown
Original Airdate: February 27, 2002
By Q

The Story

While on their way to explore a nebula, Enterprise receives a hail from the Vauntless, a Vulcan ship whose crew is quite different from the Vulcans we've come to know. Tavin, the Vulcan captain, smiles, is dressed more casually, and says, "It's very good to meet you". He tells Archer that the ship is on an exploration mission, and asks for help in repairing damaged systems. Archer agrees to help. During dinner, Tavin tells T'Pol and Archer that their mission is one of exploring themselves, and how they have learned to integrate emotions into their lives. T'Pol is also surprised to learn they eat meat.

Archer invites the Vulcan crew to join them as they explore the nebula, and Tavin allows them to use technology on his ship that will make charting the nebula faster and easier. Archer asks T'Pol to work aboard the Vauntless.

While working on the Vulcan ship's repairs, Tucker quickly develops a friendship with Kov, the Vulcan engineer. Their spare time is filled with the exchange of cultural information and the clearing up of some odd misconceptions about humans.

Through Starfleet, Archer learns that Kov is the son of an important Vulcan who is dying. It seems they stopped speaking to each other ten years ago, and Kov's father would like to speak to him again before he dies. Archer agrees to try to persuade Kov to contact his father. When he is unsuccessful, he asks Trip to try and convince his new friend to change his mind.

Tucker, trying one last time to persuade Kov to talk to his father, appeals to the Vulcan's newfound emotions. He tells Kov about regret, a painful emotion the Vulcan has probably not yet experienced, and should avoid at all costs, because it never goes away.

Aboard the Vulcan ship, Tolaris talks to T'Pol about learning how to experience her emotions and issues a challenge. He asks her to go to sleep without doing her nightly meditation. As an experiment, she agrees. She has a disturbing dream, and realizes she has made a mistake. The next day, Tolaris is excited when T'Pol tells him she felt emotion during her dream. He wants to know more, but she claims she can't remember.

Later, he talks her into joining him in a mind meld. He takes her back to the place in her dream. When it becomes uncomfortable for her and she asks him to stop, he refuses, and she has to physically force him to break the mind link. The resulting trauma to T'Pol lands her in sickbay. When Archer learns of his manipulation and abuse of T'Pol, he confronts Tolaris. After getting tossed around his ready room by an angry Tolaris, Archer needs no more convincing that their ‘unique' Vulcan friends are not entirely stable, and have outstayed their welcome.

Upon leaving, Kov tells Trip that his father is actually getting better, and thanks him for the advice that has mended the rift with his father. Once they have left, Archer visits a recovering T'Pol. Having seen a glimpse of the darker side of Vulcans, he tells her he has a better understanding of - and appreciation for - the lengths that Vulcans go to for their controlled demeanor and to maintain their discipline.

Review

Yawn. During this episode I finally discovered what other channels had to offer during this time slot. In my opinion, this is the worst episode of the series to date.

The Good

As usual, Scott Bakula did a wonderful job as Archer. I liked the way he stood up for T'Pol when she was in sickbay, refusing to let Tolaris see her. I'd expect any of the captains to do the same. It's too bad he let Tolaris throw him up against a wall, and for once I'd like to see him actually win a fight, but the Vulcans are supposed to be much stronger than humans, so we'll let it slide.

The nebula was beautiful, as was the Vulcan ship. As always, there were some great special effects.

I enjoyed the Kov/Trip storyline. It was nice to see them become friends so quickly, and to have them clear up some of the myths about their races. Trip learns about Pon'Farr, and Kov learns that humans don't eat six meals a day. All of their scenes were done nicely.

The Bad

No Porthos, again.

With the exception of when he was practically slobbering over T'Pol's feelings, even the "emotional" Tolaris had the personality of an oven mitt. Watching these two potted plants converse, and having it be the primary plot to the episode made for a long night. I was glad when it was over. Where each of the other Vulcan crewmembers had depth and interest, Tolaris had neither… simply a "mad-scientist" way of salivating at any mention of emotions. T'Pol would not have been drawn to the company of this particular psychopathic Vulcan over the other, more pleasant members of the Vauntless crew.

I was much happier when T'Pol was not taking center stage. Blalock's acting is horrible, and for the life of me, I can't understand why she has to walk around with that sneer on her face all the time. Spock never had it. Tuvok never had it. Why must T'Pol?

T'Pol had never heard of a mind meld? Um, ok. It's an ancient Vulcan ritual that obviously had the reputation of being somewhat dangerous. As much as Vulcans study, she should've at least heard of it.

What kind of reviewer would I be if I failed to mention the cheesy dream sequence and cheap sex scene? I suppose they have to do something to make Jolene Blalock more appealing. Her acting certainly doesn't do it.

And finally…
I suppose I can continue to hope for a story giving Mayweather more than 2 lines, or even another story to help us get to know Reed a little better, but until "the powers that be" realize that a lot of Trek fans are grown up, and not hormone-driven 17 yr. old boys, I'll just have to wait. Until then, I'm sure we'll see much more T'Pol.

Grade: 3/10

Cast:
Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer
John Billingsley as Dr. Phlox
Jolene Blalock as T'Pol
Dominic Keating as Malcolm Reed
Anthony Montgomery as Travis Mayweather
Linda Park as Hoshi Sato
Connor Trinneer as Charles Tucker

Guest Cast:
Enrique Murciano as Tolaris
Robert Pine as Tavin
Vaughn Armstrong as Admiral Forrest
John Harrington Bland as Kov

Creative Staff:
Director: Rob Hedden
Teleplay By: Phyllis Strong & Mike Sussman
Story By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga