My Review- 'Fallen Hero'

WARNING! THOSE WHO DETEST SPOILERS STAY AWAY, OR ELSE BECOME A 'FALLEN HERO'

So far on ENT any episode with Vulcans/T'Pol has been doomed to being mediocre at best. The only exception is 'The Andorian Incident' but that focused more on Andorians than Vulcans themselves. That said none of them have been absolutely AWFUL either. 'Fusion' got the lowest score of 5, but while a 5 isnt exactly great it isnt unwatchable but I have been awaiting a really terrible Vulcan episode and so I come to 'Fallen Hero'. A Vulcan episode with a large amount of T'Pol, unsurprisingly I approached the episode with a large amount of cynicism, despite my American counterparts waxing lyrically about how good it was. After all one of these same people declared 'Silent Enemy' one of the series best. OK, it was entertaining enough and a solid episode, but I wouldnt say it was on the level of 'Cold Front', 'Dear Doctor' or even 'Fortunate Son'. Still I persevered and watched the episode in as open a mind as possible.

STORYLINE  

Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was worried at the start, T'Pol's preparations suggested we were going to get some sort of 'Breaking the Ice' mark 2, an episode that I would not like to repeat, especially as the Vulcan part was the weaker stuff. However as soon as V'Lar arrived the episode quality literally jumped into orbit. V'Lar was a Vulcan as Vulcans should be. This was not your Enterprise Vulcan, who seems more arrogant than calmly superior, and has a habit of claiming they repress all emotions that exist. This is more a Spock Vulcan, who obviously has emotions but in her in own words "We simply hide them better" Combine some Vulcan characterisation that I would actually describe as 'fabulous' with some great action and you do have a fabulous episode. There are only three things I would describe as flaws.

1. What the hell is V'Lar doing on Mazar anyway? So far all the way throughout ENT we've been told it's against Vulcan policy to interfere with other worlds development. Surely this would count? Yes, it's for the good in the Short Term, but who knows what the interference will do? If however the corruption affects the entire region then it would most certainly be a good idea, but it would of been nice to have one or two lines verifying that for us.

2. Did we really have to have the 'bond of friendship' thing at the end, I prefer things more subtle than 'LOOK! THEY DONT HATE EACH OTHER ANYMORE! THEY EVEN LIKE EACH OTHER! SEE?! SEE?!?!' 

3. At no point during the sickbay scene was I in the slightest bit convinced that V'Lar was in the pod and as a result I was completely unsurprised when the door opened to reveal a perfectly healthy V'Lar.

4. The Mazarite Captain is a wee bit smug. Even when it's apparent he's lost, he's overly smug.

Still otherwise the episode is brilliant. T'Pol, Archer and V'Lar all came off brilliantly and intelligently. The combat scenes come off well, though I did notice it appears that the first time the Mazarite's attack with three ships at warp, and when they damage the nacelle, appears to be the same shot. Someone at Paramount is obviously concerned by the cost of CGI :) So on with the ship?

THE SHIP  

As I said, some nice combat. I particularly liked the Phase Cannons not being 100%. It makes sense considering that for them the last time they were used and when they were installed was only 5 months ago.

THE CHARACTERS  

As I keep saying V'Lar came of well. Fionnula Flanagan has had two Trek roles before, both as Data's 'Mother' in TNG's 'Inheritance' and as Elina Tandro in DS9s 'Dax', she acted beautifully in both of those and this was no exception. Kudos.

Anyone else think that Phlox's 'NOOO!' seemed a little Over The Top considering the others in the room seemed to not be caring?

I actually find myself enjoying T'Pol and Blalock's acting! What next? Next Week: A really bad Reed scene.

STAR TREK NOTES.  

So we're now into 2152? Considering they launched in April that seems about right, especially when there is supposed to be two weeks between episodes and 1 season is supposed to equals one year for them.

So the episode is about criminals corrupting the government at the expense of normal civilians. OK, best Enron joke wins a prize! :D

Nice lead up to the upcoming 'Two Days and Two Nights' which features Risa, also I enjoyed Trip's "You need this as much as I do Cap'n" "NOBODY needs this as much as you do!"

Rating (out of 10): I couldn't decide whether to give it a 9 or a 9.5, so I flipped for it. 9.5/10.