Star Trek: Enterprise might not be the best show, but it’s the most modern of all the ‘OG’ Prime Trek shows, which might explain why we’re occasionally surprised by it. When it misses, it’s a big miss. But when it hits, it can be an entertaining jaunt.
One of the more interesting aspects of this episode is the perfunctory exploration of the tenuous relationship between Vulcans and Humans. Vulcans consider Humans to have barely emerged from societal infancy since First Contact, and so, therefore, don’t value or respect them as much, making for an interesting dynamic. Going deeper, one might say it’s a reflection of real-life society and its problems with disparate cultures with power imbalances being forced to coexist.
“Fallen Hero” Synopsis:
Enterprise is planning a trip to the relaxation planet Risa when it gets an urgent request from the Vulcan High Command.
Ambassador V’Judy V’Dench proves to be a disappointing Vulcan in T’Pol’s eyes. She doesn’t meditate, scowl, or marginalize humans nearly as much as she should. But her mind is eventually changed when she learns there’s more than meets the eye with this M-from-James-Bond stand-in.
Another disappointing aspect to Ambassador M is her character is a bit derivative. It happens often where we’re introduced to a Vulcan or even Romulan who rebels against the seemingly extreme behavioural boundaries prescribed by whichever alien society for the sake of a plot point. Probably every Prime show has at least one of these episodes.
Somehow we continue our “Where Silence Has Lease” discussion from last week. We don’t know why. We just do. It’s like when you think of a retort to an argument you had last week.
The most revelatory tidbit to come from this episode is that Risa is a sex planet. T’Pol, the most buttoned-up member of Enterprise, insinuates it’s basically a planet designed to get your rocks off (whatever that saying means). The Next Generation was apparently downplaying this particular feature of Risa in favour of sandy beaches and a no-judgment zone for any and all who wish to wear short-shorts in public (looking at you, Picard).
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