Episode Report Card Keckler: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Phlox's Runaway Imagination
By Keckler | Season 3 | Episode 16 | Aired on 02.17.2004
In the Situation Alcove, T'Pol points out a thing that wasn't there before. It's a trans-dimensional thing and will take two weeks to go around it. When the idea of going through it is suggested by T'Pol, Trip responds with, "You said nothing from our universe could survive inside these things." Is Vulcan part of "our universe"? It's important because it's never expressly said that Vulcans couldn't survive the thing, which is why they get away with the Imaginary Vulcan for so long. T'Pol turns the discussion over to Phlox, who, with a lot of medi-babble, suggests that if everyone was put in comas, they'd be okay. Trip doesn't like that idea at all. Quantum asks how long it will take them to get through it, and T'Pol tells him, "Less than an hour at warp four." Trip doesn't want to go to warp in the thing, because they don't really know what's going on in there, and suggests they stick to impulse, even though that will take them four days. I'm making a prediction here and now that they will go to warp before the episode is over, but while everyone's still asleep. Phlox confirms that they can keep them under for that long. Trip makes a face. I know he's thinking, "What if I have to pee?" It's a valid question. Maybe that's why Phlox got out the leeches -- they weren't just a snack for him; he stuffs them down everyone's throats every day and they suck up the waste material. I mean, he did say they clean intestines. Oh, but not bladders. Hm. How to explain that one away? Oh! I got it: I don't care.
As he walks to another door (now in slippers, so I hope he trimmed his toe-talons), Phlox tells Dr. Lucas that no matter how wary Trip was, Quantum was convinced. He checks on May-Comatose-Again and says that his Denobulan phys renders him immune to the neuro-disturbance, which is why he volunteered to look after the crew. Although the computer is set to control the ship, Phlox did have to learn a few things. Cut to May-Comatose-Again giving Phlox pilot lessons. The ship jolts under Phlox's tender touch, and the good doctor admits, "I soon developed a newfound respect for Ensign Mayweather." Maybe the writers could develop that newfound respect for Mayweather as well. Trip likewise gives him a few pointers about the engines, and tries to impress upon him how serious a thing it is to even breathe the same air as the engine. Trip also tells Phlox that if anything goes wrong that Phlox can't handle, he's to be awakened in order to save the ship. Phlox won't expose Trip to permanent damage. "If it comes down to saving me or the ship..." Trip insists, "Look, I'm making it easy for you, okay?" Yeah, needs(the many) > max(needs(the few), needs(the one))= Dead Spock/Dead Trip. We get it, but just in case, anvil us later in the episode, okay? Thanks.