My Review- 'Shuttlepod One'

WARNING! YOUR TRAPPED IN A SHUTTLEPOD, RUNNING FROM THESE SPOILERS FOR 'SHUTTLEPOD ONE'.

Dominic Keating (Reed) describes filming this episode as absolute bliss. As he puts it the script is "50 pages of Reed and Trip". This episode is aimed at those who love characterisation, and lots of it. I am personally one of them, so let's find out what I thought.

STORYLINE  

If I were to describe 'Shuttlepod One' in one word it would be 'Sublime'. The entire episode is basically characterisation. The storyline is just secondary, it's just a way to get these two characters to open up to one another. As a result, this episode will succeed or fail, depending on:

A: How much two guys talking in what is technically a box interests you.

B: Your interest for these characters.

For me the episode succeeded but this type of episode is very much an acquired taste, and those of you with less.... sophisticated taste in episodes, no offence, will probably find this a little dull. However if you dont find yourself connecting with the characters even a little bit, you should go home, cos your never gonna like ENTs characters and as a result you wont like ENT. The direction is superb as is the script which is witty, intelligent and a great reflection on Brannon Braga's characterisation skills. Indeed looking high and low I could only find three problems, and all are basically tiny little nitpicks which dont take away anything from the power of the episode. They are:

Nitpick no. 1: It doesnt seem very Vulcan to believe in something, that has little to no scientific evidence. Now if they'd said there was little evidence but it was the only explanation I could accept that.

Nitpick no. 2: Why does Archer keep bourbon on the Shuttlepod? Later in the series will we find out he has an alcohol problem? And needs a drink on away missions?

Nitpick no. 3: How coincidental is it that the ship that crashed had not only markings (something we usually only see on Starfleet ships in Trek) but markings which looked exactly like 01?! I mean surely the Tesnians do not use the exact same symbols as humans!

However the episode is still brilliant, every line is a reflection on the character, the dream scene, while cheesy, is an excellent look on how Reed's mind works. As someone who wishes to be a therapist when he's older I found this episode, and the dream too, to be extremely fascinating (yes I know these ppl aren't real) The script was the funniest yet, and I laughed several times, as opposed to the self-declared funny 'Unexpected' while failed to even make me smile. The episode also features the most ingenious use of mash potato ever seen, I've had mash potato where you wouldnt NEED the valve sealant! Still, onwards.....

THE SHIP  

What was that small shuttlecraft thing Archer used to inspect the damage at the start? Looked like some kind of primitive workbee. Nice.

THE CHARACTERS  

Reed was typically excellent and Keating pulled of an excellent job. One small problem, he played things a little too broadly in the 'Trip and Reed get drunk' scene. The letters he sends home are great, you get a real feeling that Reed is trying to end his life with some sort dignity.

Trip too came of well. Unlike a lot of the fanbase I haven't really liked Trip that much so far. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy him, there's just been no moment I've said "Brilliant", I take that back. This episode made me change my viewpoint, Trip came of well and Connor Trinnear showed me just why he just got an award for a theatre performance of some Shakespeare (yes he did have a life before Trek)

STAR TREK NOTES.  

With the Mayweather/Reed friendship hinted at in 'Broken Bow' so far not being used (perhaps because THEY NEVER SHOW MAYWEATHER) I wonder if we'll now get a Bashir/O'Brien style friendship between Trip and Reed.

I feel really, really sorry for Mayweather, he doesnt appear at all in the ep, except for his voice over a Comm channel. Please give him another episode soon, 'Fortunate Son' was brilliant and Id love to see another.

This episode, although great, does smell a little of accountants. Lets see, no guest cast, no Mayweather, only 3 or 4 sets used, only one of which for an extended amount of time, very little cgi, no new sets. An accountants dream, indeed.

Rating (out of 10): 9.5/10. Absolutely sublime.