- September 22, 2002
Shockwave II -REVIEW
By Kevin Knight
Special thanks to Paul Pytlik for the screencaps.
The Story:
Last season we end with Captain Archer stuck in the 31st century and the Enterprise surrounded by hostile Suliban vessels. The episode opens with Archer in the 31st century demanding answers from Daniels, who doesn't have any useful answers. He admits to Archer that his purpose was to bring him to the 31st century to protect the timeline, not destroy it. Daniels informs Archer that there's a library that might could be used to retrieve information about the past 800 years, but it probably wouldn't be useful since the information is stored electronically. The two set off to the library.
Meanwhile in the 22nd century, Silik hails Enterprise and demands they reveal Archer's location. T'Pol, previously placed in command, informs Silik that they do not know the whereabouts of Archer and insists they board the ship to see for themselves. Silik is reluctant at first, but agrees. Tucker protests at first, but T'Pol reminds him that they're still surrounded by Suliban vessels who are targeting their warp core.
Back in the 31st century, en route to the library Daniels discovers that a monument appears to be missing. At first he is reluctant to discuss it, but tells Archer that this monument has been built to remember a government organization - The Federation. Daniels concludes that as a result of Archer being taken to the 31st century that the timeline has been altered and the Federation no longer exists. The two continue on to the library.
On Enterprise, Silik's men have searched the ship and have found no trace of Archer. Silik asks Hoshi if the data discs recovered from the Suliban ship have been altered and she says there was not enough time. One of Silik's men reports that a temporal signature has been found in the turbolift, making Silik believe that perhaps T'Pol was telling the truth. He then orders all the Enterprise crew confined to their quarters and takes the ship to the nearest Helix.
Meanwhile, Archer and Daniels reach the library and discover that there's actually books inside, not computers. Daniels immediately begins looking at information from the past and discovers that everything after the warp five project isn't right. He then comes up with an idea for Archer to contact the Enterprise with means similar to Future Guy.
In the 22nd century, the Suliban are torturing T'Pol to find out exactly what happened to ARcher. She isn't able to give any new information so they send her back to her quarters. While she's inside, she receives a message from Archer. In a drugged state, it is difficult for her to believe she is actually seeing ARcher, but she regains her senses and he gives her a plan of action. Trip has been able to bypass the comm system and is planning a means of escape with the other senior officers. This requires Malcolm to enter Daniel's quarters and retrieve a device of his. During the attempt, he is captured and the Suliban retrieve the device. After beating Malcolm up, Silik demands to know what it is and why he was getting it. Malcolm insists he doesn't know what it is, but was ordered to destroy it. Silik takes the device and proceeds to contact Future Guy.
As Silik tries to contact Future Guy, his men contact him to inform him that the Enterprise's warp core is about to breach. Silik orders the other ships to tow the Enterprise out of the nebula so the helix would not be harmed. Just as the Enterprise is about to explode, it jumps into warp and escapes from the Suliban; the warp core breach was fake!
Silik begins to make contact with Future Guy as he sees an image appear on the projector. The figure is saying something to him, but he cannot understand what he is saying. As Silik tries to communicate with the figure, a pair of legs emerges from the projection and kicks Silik in the chest; it's Archer! Archer beats up Silik and demands to know the whereabouts of Enterprise. Meanwhile, the rest of the Suliban have determined that the warp core breach was fake and begin attacking the Enterprise. The ship takes severe damage, and just when the end is near, the Suliban stop attacking and veer off. A lone Suliban pod approaches and it's Archer with Silik as a hostage.
Afterwards Starfleet Command holds a meeting to determine the future of the mission of the Enterprise. After much debate, and strong opposition from Soval, Starfleet decides that Enterprise's mission will continue...
The Good:
Overall I was quite impressed with "Shockwave Part II." I think it was a good resolution to a good cliffhanger. Everyone's acting abilities seemed to be there as it appears that the cast is getting into the roles of their characters. The effects were spectacular, as always. It was refreshing to see Archer actually win a fight this time. Also I liked the mention of the Romulan Star Empire, perhaps foreshadowing of events to come?
The Bad:
This episode is not without faults. The pace of this episode seemed a little uneven. One moment we had fast action, then things seemed to slow a bit. The scene with a topless Hoshi was not really needed, and I would have liked to have seen more Doctor Phlox. I also would like to have known how Daniels seemed to be unaffected by the timeline changes. I also didn't like all the mention of the Federation by Daniels to Archer. I'm not too fond of the possible idea of the Federation coming into existence because of someone from the future, I think it would be best to have humanity discover it on its own.
Grade: 8/10
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