A Pulp Trek-tion style script distortion opens the action with our bridge crew passed out and a voice-over Science Officer's Log detailing the past two days. Approaching some trinary system circling a black hole (not just any black hole - a Class 4 black hole), Enterprise intercepts an unpredictable effect that disturbs any non-Vulcan brain into a preoccupation with the trivial (this isn't a subtle joke at the expense of the production team now is it?). The resulting rather contrived circumstances reveal all manner of nasty things developing from the "singular" mindset of the crew.

That is, with the possible exception of Malcolm. As the only one (driven by paranoia it seems) fanatically focused on his job, Reed actually scrabbled ahead a little here, saving the day with his improved tactical protocols. The evolution of color-coded condition alerts manifests as yet another good idea on his part. Though it's doubtable whether officers need to be timed arriving to the bridge, I felt Reed deserved a commendation he didn't get afterwards in the Ready Room.

Of course Archer was preoccupied before the story even began. Asked to compose a preface for a biography of his father, the Captain can't manage anything else (not even feeding the dog!). He grows progressively grouchy as his work goes nowhere and soon he's fighting with everybody, even Hoshi. (Don't ask me how this chain of command works, but with "Chef" down, Hoshi becomes the Cook?) I liked seeing Archer physically manhandle (or Vulcan-handle) his crew to get their attention.

T'Pol seemed uncharacteristically slow about noticing the "uncharacteristic agitation" in the behavior of her shipmates. As clues she had the sensor readings and the accidental help of under-the-Mayweather's scans, not to mention everybody's bizarre behavior. (Should "Drill 'em" Phlox ever desire to cut into the crew again it's nice to have a neck pincher around!) She kept her mental focus and discipline despite Trip's insensitive delusions of throne-building. Strange - this struck me as a "Scotty" sort of Trip.

"Obsession" already taken as a title, alternatively this might be recalled as "The Crabby Time." The story is silly and forgettable as magic radiation stories are - all in all a set exercise to stretch a writer's, er, legs. I suspect we'll remember the "Reed Alert" and the "minor" debris clanging off hull plating but little else. And despite a "lousy coffee" excuse to hold hands, T'Pol and Archer have now officially shared a "cold shower" (in a scene out of TWOK, backwards). May the mutual sobriety last!