Episode Report Card Keckler: C- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Grease Fire
By Keckler | Season 2 | Episode 15 | Aired on 02.11.2003
Sh'pod heads back to the mother ship. Soval deems Quantum's deal of "delivering" him into the Andorians' hands unacceptable, and firmly believes that Quantum just doesn't understand the complexities of the situation. It turns out there are some Andorian vessels on their way to the planet, and the Vulcans can only suppose their purpose is to replenish the troops on the surface. T'Pol points out that "engaging" the Andorian ships could be seen as an act of war. "That will be their decision," Soval comments. Quantum blows hot air about the Vulcans being inflexible and refusing to talk when the Andorians are ready and willing to open a dialogue of peace. "The ball's in your court now," Quantum finishes. Oh, I can't wait to see where they go with this. Sure enough, Soval looks perplexed, and T'Pol explains, "It's a human expression. It means the next move is yours."
Sh'bay. A random ensign restocks the sh'pod with peanuts, magazines, and airsick bags. "This isn't wise -- the colony hasn't been secured," Subcommander Lackey drones to Soval. "Didn't you hear the Captain? The ball is in our court," Soval tells him, carefully clutching at his robes as he descends the stairs. Hee -- that's his new favorite saying now, isn't it? He even managed to deliver it without looking like he was weaned on a pickle. Can't you just see him going back to Vulcan and trying it out at his next Ambassadors Anonymous meeting? He'll laugh down at them from lazy eyelids, flick a speck of dust from the irreproachable Mechlin lace at his wrists, and say to the terra-bound Vulcans, "Oh, you wouldn't have heard of it -- it's a human thing." Eventually, it would make that moronic sheet of Jessica P'Shaw's in their EW. Trip comes all the way to the sh'bay to tell Quantum he doesn't like the fact that they'll be out of comm range. "They're expecting us -- we'll be fine," Quantum assures him, zipping up his quilted Starfleet puffer jacket. Trip reminds him how close the Andorian ships are getting. "I plan on being back long before then," Quantum famous-last-wordses. Trip makes one last attempt at keeping Quantum on board: "T'Pol said that Territorial Compromise took eight years to work out." Quantum promises not to dilly-dally. God, separation anxiety much? If Trip had just told him there was a water polo match on, I'm sure Quantum would have forgotten all about those pesky Blue Men and their whining about having equal opportunity to live on a dead planet.
Excedrin PM's office. Excedrin PM orders some escorts to bring Quantum and Co. directly to him and to treat "the Vulcan" with respect. Which Vulcan? Suzy Blue and Excedrin PM engage in some banter that spells out in ten-foot-tall graffiti how much of a wimp Suzy Blue thinks Excedrin PM is for agreeing to discuss matters with the Vulcans rather than continuing on with the violence. Suzy Blue argues that they really know nothing about the "pink-skins," and that with some strategy, they could get the Vulcans on the defensive before their back-up ships arrive. "Enough! I value your opinion, Tarah, but that does not allow you to question my commands. Dismissed," Excedrin PM orders. Suzy Blue wriggles her antennae at him and stomps out. Gee, do you think she's going to disobey him at some point? I must position myself very carefully on the edge of my seat before all becomes clear.