Director Dawson, producer Stella, and writer Dekker deliver Enterprise's first "classic" show, flawless as the pilot and seamless with the original series. A must-see combination of action and intrigue on a detailed stage mixed with old and new. Antennae in a twist awesome! If anyone cares to point out a better episode so far, like Archer, "I'm all ears."
We start with the splendid Andorians. You'd think this gifted team of actors were old friends, having beaten people up for many years. Their diverse characterizations were all credible, from Combs' creepy commander Shran to the slimy Tholos (?) leering after T'Pol.
And shame on me, I bought the pointy-eared agitprop right away. Watching them shove monks around evidenced enough of a "suspicious and volatile nature" for me. But the Andorians are not stupid and the clues were all there. (By the way - is the stone of G'Kaa the triangle part of the IDIC?)
From incomplete Vulcan star charts to the suspicious ancient reliquary, the secret base was indeed present - funny that Vulcans complain about the smell of others while something rotten lies concealed among themselves. Heck, where is the sentinel base for Terra?
The cast begins to gel pleasantly. We see T'Pol established canonically as Science Officer and more importantly, as a loyal member of the crew. (I loved the not-so sotto voce loyalty argument amongst the not-so sleeping monks.) And Reed is clearly a serious, dutifully nervous Tactical Officer - the John Bull bravery seen in Terra Nova now eagerly defends the captain - or at least, "before we change our minds."
In fact, about the only crewmembers neglected this week were Mayweather and Porthos in the NX-01 doghouse. Phlox showed us his arm markings and atrocious table manners, and Hoshi (hilariously mis-characterizing Archer's beating as a "meditation exercise") now operates the transporter console. Speaking of, she worked (absolutely NO one is better qualified with cargo equipment than a bridge officer?) from the left side of the booth whereas before it was on the right. Either more transporters are onboard or the console itself is portable.
We now know why Andorians like humans but rub on Vulcans, and why Vulcans grow to appreciate human tenacity. Sixty-seven days after 16 April 2151 the oracular mask of Vulcan logic was finally shattered by the humans (a century before Spock also found it hollow - note Archer literally throws the icon of Surak back into the very mouth of the oracle).
Both entertaining and symbolic - this episode satisfies me completely as good Trek.