Episode Report Card Keckler: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Blue Swayed Crews
By Keckler | Season 3 | Episode 13 | Aired on 01.20.2004
The Xindi of the Round Table watch as the weapon fires on the moon. A lot of dirt is kicked up and huge chunks slough off, but the moon doesn't explode the way Earth did in "Twilight" (which is being repeated next Wednesday, by the way). This seems rather anti-climatic for all involved. Although, Quantum looks down, all disturbed in his mind.
The Xindi of the Round Table are very unhappy with the lack of total destruction. Mr. Man explains that the weapon was building to an overload and they had to shut it down. The Xindi complain. Mr. Man makes excuses. The Xindi complain -- even Aquaman gets in on it from his tank -- and say they don't want to "peck away" at the humans, bit by bit. Peck away? Isn't that a bit insensitive considering they killed off the Birdmen of Xinditraz lo, those many years ago? Mr. Man makes more excuses.
Enterprise. In the Stella Cartography room, T'Pol, Quantum and Shran McCain look at a replay of the moon not blowing up, and T'Pol opines that something went wrong with the weapon: "It is clear it was building to an overload." Shran McCain clarifies that this means the weapon failed. Quantum chuckles (it really gave Dr. Mathra the creeps when he chuckled, since it's the first time he's done anything like that all season) and says, "Gralik," and then explains who Gralik is and why he's funny. It sort of bothers me that he calls Gralik an "Arboreal Xindi" here, because that was never actually said in "Shipment" or at any other time. And it's not like Mr. Mugato was being obvious about hanging from trees by three toes or anything. "He promised to help us," Quantum goes on. "Looks like he kept his word." Because the sphere is emitting high levels of radiation, it's not safe for anyone to get close for another six hours. "We've gotta get to it before they do," Quantum says, and starts figuring out ways they could bring it aboard. T'Pol delivers the unhappy news that their ship isn't sufficient to protect crew from the radiation. Shran McCain offers up the use of his ship -- the Andorians will keep it in their launchbay until it's safe to transfer it to Enterprise. Quantum thanks him but asks if they're just supposed to sit back and "cheer [them] on." That's a good point. You're a great cheerleader, Quantum, and you're cute as hell. Maybe you're just not "captain" material. Shran McCain tells him it would be a "joint venture." Quantum gets a weapons update from Reed, who tells him that, thanks to Andorianna, they should have their phase cannons back within the hour.