A thoroughly enjoyable alternate reality reset episode ala TNG's "All Good Things...", DS9's "The Visitor", and Voyager's "Before and After." This one serves a more effective purpose by showing us what exactly happens if they do not stop the Xindi super weapon from destroying Earth thereby setting up the consequences for the entirety of season three. If they do not complete their mission Earth will be destroyed, only 6,000 humans will remain in the galaxy, and the future of the entire quadrant are in serious question.
The episode begins with probably the single greatest teaser ever in Star Trek with its only competition coming from TNG's "Cause and Effect". The viewer is treated to the fulfillment of the Xindi plan and the destruction of Earth on a scale not even seen in big budget action movies of the present day. From there the episode kicks in, but with a truly interesting and telling story of T'Pol's sacrifice and caring for the man that saved her life instead of explosions and high powered action. This is really T'Pol's greatest performance in the entire series and she excels in every part of it. Whether it is her caring for Archer, her hidden love for the man, or just the desire to help her Captain for saving her life she gives an amazing performance which is highlighted several times in her conversations with Phlox, Trip, and Soval. This episode may center a round Archer and the parasites, but the rest of the crew really shine in this one and getting to see all the crew(except Mayweather?) years later and who they have become is really a treat with this one. The episode ends with an amazing battle against the Xindi where we get to see the bridge destroyed and the reset button pushed, but that does little to harm this charming story about T'Pol's character. This one is a true treat and a large standout in the series.
The episode begins with probably the single greatest teaser ever in Star Trek with its only competition coming from TNG's "Cause and Effect". The viewer is treated to the fulfillment of the Xindi plan and the destruction of Earth on a scale not even seen in big budget action movies of the present day. From there the episode kicks in, but with a truly interesting and telling story of T'Pol's sacrifice and caring for the man that saved her life instead of explosions and high powered action. This is really T'Pol's greatest performance in the entire series and she excels in every part of it. Whether it is her caring for Archer, her hidden love for the man, or just the desire to help her Captain for saving her life she gives an amazing performance which is highlighted several times in her conversations with Phlox, Trip, and Soval. This episode may center a round Archer and the parasites, but the rest of the crew really shine in this one and getting to see all the crew(except Mayweather?) years later and who they have become is really a treat with this one. The episode ends with an amazing battle against the Xindi where we get to see the bridge destroyed and the reset button pushed, but that does little to harm this charming story about T'Pol's character. This one is a true treat and a large standout in the series.