The bingo-drum formerly known as Vulcan history takes a scrambling roll impacted by another "renegade Vulcan" episode, like "Fusion" with better production values. That T'Pol reads some scribbled crib-book in bed is a minor change reflecting the Vulcan mind. That they would intentionally engage unstable agents - further, in order to create political puppet worlds - may take more getting used to.
What could have served as a Mayweather/T'Pol vehicle expires since for no expressed reason she doesn't trust Travis. As Archer is shanghaied this particular story gains, at the expense of the ship's developing backstory of a friendly and familiar crew. After all, an observant Mayweather spots the important clue and carries much of the action; instead Travis literally stands around silently much of the time. It's pleasant to consider that he's not stupid, merely internally adding a new shocking ghost story to his repertoire, one about a race of killer psycho Vulcans.
The early performance on-board the ship, right down to the Captain's Log entry, had a delicious TOS feel. Creative directing from director David Livingston was burdened by too many flashbacks to Risa. The conclusion was more like a methane atmosphere with xylothoric acid spilt all over it. (So soon again with another ring of fire! Can we bring back the caves?) Let it be added to the Great Warrior's reputation that he's willing and unafraid to use phase pistols in a crowded bar.
The scenes with Tucker playing his captain were fun and right on, down to the thoughtlessly rude treatment subordinate officers receive in the Captain's Mess. ("Thank you 'crewman'" simply must go - give these people names or call them nothing at all!) Oh and it's tasteless to force potty humor in at his and Phlox's expense. The talent of actor Bruce Davison holds many too many expository scenes together, played off against what we've been left with, one mutilated and incompetent Vulcan. More Vulcan mind-rape: Been there, done that. (No wonder humans don't smell so bad.) Given this "obsolete" Vulcan ritual to suppress memory and emotion - which seems to work just fine - how much else has she forgotten?
Applying Archer's advice both to unsavory emotions and similar episodes, shall we just deal with them and move on? (Like that time-war thing - remember the future? - only different.) Re-staging itself as a show about T'Pol's "past life" instead of humanity's "future" one may or may not make "Enterprise" better as a series. Speaking for myself it doesn't make it any easier to watch.