Episode Report Card Keckler: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT A Hero Ain't Nothing But A Sandwich
By Keckler | Season 1 | Episode 23 | Aired on 05.07.2002
Quantum's Ready Room. Admiral Forrest tells Quantum they need to bring aboard V'Lar, a Vulcan ambassador who's been ambassadoring on Mazar. Quantum, never one to want to help that green-blooded race, asks why they need be involved. Forrest explains that it's "imperative" V'Lar be removed from Mazar ASAP, but the closest Vulcan vessel is a week away. To Quantum's further query, Forrest tells him they'll rendezvous with the Sh'Raan, who will take the ambassadress back to Vulcan. Quantum wants to know the cause for the urgency. "Well, this may come as a surprise to you, Jon, but the Vulcans aren't talking," Forrest smiles. "Imagine that," Quantum -- well, I'd like to say "Quantum deadpans," but when he's not Of The Furrowed Brow, he's always deadpanning, so there's little point to mentioning it.
Cabin. Hoshi packs a bag, while T'Pol looks on and thanks her for volunteering her cabin for V'Lar's use. Hoshi says, "I'm happy to do it. I look forward to meeting her." T'Pol squashes that notion by telling her that she suspects V'Lar will be disposed to spend most of the journey alone, meditating. "But if it's appropriate, I'll ask if she'll meet with you," T'Pol concedes to her disciple. Hoshi thanks her, tells her she's at her disposal, and goes to leave, but T'Pol stops her and asks her to remove a photograph. "Ambassador V'Lar is accustomed to a Spartan environment," T'Pol drones. Hoshi pauses a moment as if she's going to comment, decides against it, and removes the photograph. On her way out, Quantum is on his way in. Instead of letting her out of the cabin first, he actually pushes by Hoshi and enters the cabin, thanking her for giving up her cabin. I wouldn't have mentioned something that seems so minor, but to me it's the little things that are done seemingly unconsciously that really define a character. If Quantum was polite, he would have stepped aside to let Hoshi leave, as she so clearly is about to do, before entering the cabin. It's the same rule with entering and exiting elevators or public transportation. And I guess that's why I remark on it, because every day I notice the people who push onto elevators or subway cars before people have a chance to get off, and they strike me as being the inordinately rude and selfish types. Okay, rant over for now, but that kind of stuff really sticks in the small spaces between my molars and festers there. Hoshi snarks that she hopes her cabin is "Spartan enough," and throws T'Pol an amused look before leaving. T'Pol hands over her e-pad and says, "I've prepared this to familiarize the crew with the necessary protocols. We should assign a steward to attend to her needs." Quantum reads aloud from T'Pol's e-pad, "'Don't address the Ambassador unless spoken to first. Don't offer to shake hands. Refrain from laughing in her presence.'" Sounds like the mantra of Itchy, The Evil Managing Editor at my receding publishing company job. T'Pol concedes that her list is merely precautionary, as she doesn't believe the Ambassador will be very accessible to the crew at large. Quantum comments that she's "pulling out all the stops." But T'Pol corrects him saying that she's just following protocol used for "an ambassador of V'Lar's distinction." Quantum tells her to let him know if he can help, and leaves. T'Pol sniffs the air and grimaces. Yeah, Quantum had that concentrated look on his face like he was cutting the cheese.