Star Trek: Foundations (temp thread)

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

“Bicinium” Foundations episode #12. Story by Rigil Kent and CJ Sitter. Screenplay by Rigil Kent. Script first released on 14 September 2007.
No date given. Enterprise and Ti’Mur face destruction as they struggle against an anomaly that doesn’t obey the laws of physics.

OK, I've been a little busy so it's taken me until now to read this episode.

It is clearly modelled after Breaking the Ice and as with your previous remakes it sometimes feels unnecessary. I mean, BTI is one of my favourites from ENT's season one and, as I've said before, I understand that you want to keep what worked but at the same time it covers no real new ground for us readers. The seetings are slightly different but the emotional core, especially as seen in the TnT conversations, are the same. They're good, of course, but I've already seen this. I suppose it's sort of a no-win situation for you. Don't do it and lose a good story, or do it and you give your readers no real surprises. And Bicinium felt more like BTI than Soli did.

That said, I did like the episode, and for the same reasons I liked BTI. The danger was greater (wormhole instead of comet). I liked that T'Pol turned out to be right about the danger of utilizing the warp bubble, and that it was she that came up with the idea of getting them out of danger. It shows her as being competent, something that too often wasn't the case on the real ENT.

Loved the idea of safety harnesses/impact seats. They make a real amount of sense - and real Trek never even had seatbelts!

I also like the progression of Trip's and Malcolm's friendship.


I'll give it 7 T'Bums.

[CX]

Don't do it and lose a good story, or do it and you give your readers no real surprises.

And as you've seen, I'd much rather do it and risk not surprising you than not doing it and missing out on one of the few things that made ENT worth bothering to reboot.

I liked that T'Pol turned out to be right about the danger of utilizing the warp bubble, and that it was she that came up with the idea of getting them out of danger. It shows her as being competent, something that too often wasn't the case on the real ENT.

Yeah, no Sidekick Polly here. I firmly believe that characters shouldn't be made to look good at the cost of making others look bad. That kind of drama is artificial, and as long as I have anything to say about it, FND will avoid that kind of nonsense like a plague. It should be a given that everyone on the ship has earned their place there through their own work and expertise.

Loved the idea of safety harnesses/impact seats. They make a real amount of sense - and real Trek never even had seatbelts!

Well, it is a prequel, after all.

I also like the progression of Trip's and Malcolm's friendship.

Something that'll continue throughout the series.

Thanks for reading this KTR.

[CX]

“In Memoriam” Foundations episode #13. Story by Rigil Kent and Erik Gustav Hanska. Screenplay by Erik Gustav Hanska. Script first released on 28 September 2007.
25 February 2153. The 25th of February holds special significance for Jonathan Archer. Something happened that forged him into the man his is, but haunts his soul.

[TSara]

Very nicely done!

[krn]

An interesting episode - it certainly does a better job explaining Archer. I don't know if I feel sorry for him - but that's probably residue from ENT.

I'm curious to see if you're going to hang onto the "schemeing High Command" story line from ENT - and if so, see how ya'll are going to make that play out

[CX]

It's a bit complicated, but it's not the same as on ENT, trust me.

Anyway, thanks guys.

[Reanok]

Nice story dealing with Archer backstory with his father .I'm glad you did a story why Archer felt so bitter towards the Vulcans.Trip telling the story to T'Pol and the others was well done.

[blacknblue]

I never would have thought that I could feel sympathy for Archer. Amazing...

Well done gentlemen.

[Asso]

I never would have thought that I could feel sympathy for Archer. Amazing...

Mah, perhaps a bit!

[CX]

Thanks guys.

I'm sorry to say that this'll be the last one for a while. We just haven't been able to finish all of the episodes yet like I thought we'd be able to, so I hope you'll bear with us until we can manage to finish the season up.

[Chris]

Enjoyed it a lot. Look forward to the next episode.

[CX]

Unfortunately you'll be waiting a while.

[Dinah]

I finally had a few chance to read "Bicinium." It was definitely an enjoyable read. The wormhole was definitely more dangerous than the comet; it was far better for the entire ship to be put in jeopardy instead of just two very slooow crewmen. I also liked the relationship you established between Vanik and Archer. They're both guarded, but -- seeing the larger picture -- willing to work together. It always bothered me that T'Pol had to practically beg Archer to accept the Ti'Mur's help, and then Archer never thanked Vanik for saving Reed and Mayweather. Just because Vanik was rude over dinner, didn't mean that Archer had to be a horse's ass, too.

I had no problem with T'Pol coming up with the solution to their dilemma, but I wish Trip hadn't caved in quite so completely when his plan didn't succeed. Instead of trying to come up with a different solution, he seemed to be immobilized by self-recriminations. That just seemed a little out of character to me.

I liked the interjection of T'Lyr into the "reading the letter" portion of the story. Being reminded of how the homefolks would view her decision made T'Pol's struggle all the more difficult.

Very well done. I look forward to reading the next installment.

[Chris]

Unfortunately you'll be waiting a while.

Well, it's turning into a great series, so I know it'll be worth the wait.

[CX]

Thanks, I'm glad that everyone is enjoying this.

I had no problem with T'Pol coming up with the solution to their dilemma, but I wish Trip hadn't caved in quite so completely when his plan didn't succeed. Instead of trying to come up with a different solution, he seemed to be immobilized by self-recriminations. That just seemed a little out of character to me.

I guess the idea there was to show some guilt on Trip's part since he was particuliarly headstrong in getting Jon to ok his plan. Not to mention that Trip is used to being right, so that makes being wrong that much harder on him. Still a very valid point though.

I liked the interjection of T'Lyr into the "reading the letter" portion of the story. Being reminded of how the homefolks would view her decision made T'Pol's struggle all the more difficult.

If you liked her here, she'll be showing up again in the future (say season 3).