Episode Report Card Keckler: F | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Tempus fudges-it
By Keckler | Season 1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 11.27.2001
On the turbo lift, Trip tries to wax philosophical about meeting people from other time zones, but T'Pol wanes him by stating, "If Daniels could travel through time, why not simply go back one more day into the past and prevent Silik from boarding this ship in the first place." My guess would be because, as he explained to Quantum, his instruments are not sufficient to locate the Suliban in disguise. I mean, assuming that Quantum told T'Pol and Trip everything, including the reason why Daniels needs access to Engineering and the command codes, she would already know that. Then again, it's hard to discern whether (a) the writers intended T'Pol to make this suggestion in order to show that she's not fully apprised of all the facts, as we are, which would then imply that Quantum wasn't completely forthright, or if (b) it's just lazy writing. I can't even think straight anymore. Trip asks why Daniels would make up "such a crazy story," and T'Pol suggests it's because he's concealing his "true intentions." Trip says, "I thought you scientists were supposed to keep an open mind." "There's a difference between keeping an open mind and believing something because you want it to be true," T'Pol responds before getting off the turbo lift. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Trip bumbles. It means no pee-can pie for you today. Seriously, Trip, man -- just go back to being governor of Texas. You don't have the brain nacelles for anything else.
Mess Hall. Quantum looks suspiciously around at the Heaven's Gate gathering, trying to suss out Silik the Suliban spy. Phlox has returned from his sleepover, and babbles to the captain in alien-speak. "That is a traditional greeting on the morning of Agosoria, Captain. It means: 'May the Plume light your way,'" he tells him, while waving his arms dramatically. "I take it you enjoyed your visit," Quantum says humorlessly. Phlox tells him it was "mesmerizing," and gives details about the four-hour prayer and the intense physical activities he participated in, which made him pull a leg muscle. Quantum asks how many Heaven's Gaters decided to watch from Enterprise, and Phlox guesses eleven. "So that leaves six on the transport?" Quantum asks, circling the room like a demented shark. Phlox says, "I didn't take a head count, but that sounds about right." Quantum asks if any of the Heaven's Gaters seemed out of place on the transport ship, or if they all took part in the rituals. Phlox says he assumes they did, but he can't be certain since their eyes were closed most of the time. "Is there something wrong, Captain?" Phlox finally asks, tired of this ambiguous line of questioning. "No, just curious," Quantum says, still scanning the gathering for Suliban slime. Phlox hazards, "You seem a little preoccupied." Quantum tells him curtly, "It's been a long night. I'm glad you had a good time. Enjoy the view." He leaves the Mess. "I will," Phlox shrugs to himself.