A solid, structured effort offering suspense amidst character development for the crew. Archer's Comet easily could have become Reed and Mayweather's deathtrap, victim to the Vulcan accusation of human inexperience and arrogance being our worst enemies.

Yet Archer ate humble pie and saved the day. And despite the ominous revelations last week, it seems the Vulcans were simply following Enterprise around to retrieve T'Pol whenever she came to her senses.

The (did I hear right?) Surak Class ship, the T'Mur, presents the contrast. A teasing marvel of the superior alien-ness of Vulcan technology, it's commanded by a living fossil, Captain Vanik. (Notice that Vanik's uniform resembles T'Pol's to a great deal. Note also that Vanik's been at space longer than Archer's been alive!)

This episode is really about freedom of choice. T'Pol chooses the human experience, making the interesting choice like Spock. Contrary to her assertion, Vulcans do change. Her lack of "affection" for her betrothed - the unluckiest fella in the galaxy - made me reluctantly appreciate T'Pring's decision (while questioning that of Sarek and Amanda - the groom's parents choose?).

I liked the effect where earlier melts had carved pedestals of ice around boulder shadows. The classroom message was a delight, as were the drawings from Trip's nephew's fourth grade class. No doubt confusing the long-winded Phlox, Tucker fields the expected but unglamorous "poop question."

Too bad Mayweather couldn't have been in that scene. But I'm happy he was active even if only to twist his knee, slowing the return to the pod. Not such a bad snowman built for just his third time in snow, even if the pointed ears were Reed's idea.

From Pak Tarr to iced tea, the hilarious dinner scene almost trumped Troi's reception in TNG's "Haven." The obsession this series takes with food goes all out (pecan pie ... cold milk ... green tea .. peanut butter and jelly ... turkey and dressing ... even onboard hydroponics!).

A few cracks in the ice. First, the unnecessary "ice-ilium" served only to unlock the grappler (nice to see it again). Next, they admit the comet was big, but was it really sufficiently massive to induce a recognizable gravity without adversely affecting the Enterprise? (Oh, and did Hoshi enter Engineering from a new door to the rear?)

Archer lectures the class on couples star watching on-board ... so who will now inform him that T'Pol and Tucker are sharing a sweet-tooth? "No open flame" indeed - but a smoldering one, maybe.

And please ... give "Chef" a name already!