This is one of my favourite episodes purely because of the interpersonal dynamics and, of course, Fionnula Flanagan's wonderful acting.
These aspects overcome some of the more nonsensical scenes, such as T'Pol discussing sexuality - a subject Vulcans consider virtually taboo - or Archer deciding to head back to the Mazarite planet because V'Lar won't tell him her secret. Um, did he notice that in his bid to put pressure on her, he's disobeying direct orders AND placing his ship and crew in danger from an entire fleet because he's moving away from the Vulcan warship that can protect him? Yeah, right.
These niggles aside, this is one of the best episodes of the earlier seasons, for all the little insights and character growth we experience. And of course Malcolm prefers the firing back part!
These aspects overcome some of the more nonsensical scenes, such as T'Pol discussing sexuality - a subject Vulcans consider virtually taboo - or Archer deciding to head back to the Mazarite planet because V'Lar won't tell him her secret. Um, did he notice that in his bid to put pressure on her, he's disobeying direct orders AND placing his ship and crew in danger from an entire fleet because he's moving away from the Vulcan warship that can protect him? Yeah, right.
These niggles aside, this is one of the best episodes of the earlier seasons, for all the little insights and character growth we experience. And of course Malcolm prefers the firing back part!