Enterprise 1.15 FAQ

1.15? Wasn’t last week’s 1.13?

It was. For some reason UPN seems to be airing its “Enterprise” episodes out of order.

What’s it called?

“Sleeping Dogs.”

Who’s responsible?

Teleplay is credited to Fred Dekker (“The Andorian Incident”).

How does tonight’s installment stack up to “The Andorian Incident”?

It represents a marked improvement.

What does TV Guide say?

“Archer dispatches a shuttle to the aid of a disabled Klingon vessel, whose leader orchestrates an ambush that leaves Reed, T'Pol and Hoshi stranded aboard the aliens' unstable ship. Bu'Kah: Michelle C. Bonilla.”

What is TV Guide not telling us?

We learn in the teaser that the NX-01 carries something akin to a primitive, portable holo-emitter! (Hoshi and Reed utilize it for target practice.) Also: TV Guide is playing fast and loose with the term “leader.” The Klingon vessel’s chief engineer is actually the only one behind the ambush.

The big news?

Hoshi, very prominent again this week, seems to be warming up to her new life as space adventurer. (She and T’Pol even do a little Vulcan-style bonding as things grow tense.) Also: it turns out that Klingons do more with Targs than keep them as pets.

Ew! These Klingons "do it" with their Targs??

Eh, no. If the sons and daughters of Q’onos have taken to bestiality, it’s not suggested in this episode.

Wait a sec. What was that about Hoshi and Vulcan-style bonding?

It’s not a mind meld, exactly, but it’s definitely mind-meld adjacent.

Hmmm. What did Herc say about this episode in his Nov. 23 spoilers?

Due to air during February sweeps is an "Enterprise" episode titled “Sleeping Dogs.” The title refers to a raptor-load of unconscious Klingons in orbit around a gas giant, apparently victims of an Orion biological weapon. After Enterprise crew members board in an effort to help, a female Klingon cook named Bu’kaH arrives in a scout ship and accuses Archer & Co. of raiding the vessel and infecting its crew. The episode will feature a return trip to the infamous “decon chamber” from the pilot, so we’ll get to see Hoshi join Trip in stripping down to her undies!

Did Herc get it right?

Not fully. A number of details have changed since last autumn.

Like what?

Well, for starters, it's no longer a "sweeps" episode; February sweeps don't kick off until Thursday. The Orions are now “Xarantines.” Bu’kaH is now an engineer, not a cook, and there’s no scout ship. (Bu’kaH avoids contamination via other circustances.) The good news is Hoshi does get her first on-camera strip-down; the better news is she’s joined in half-nakedness by T’Pol (instead of Trip)!

Any other surprises?

Aboard the Klingon ship, Hoshi translates some written Klingonese on a weapons monitor and learns that the Klingons have something called a “photon torpedo.” Reed confesses he’s never heard of anything like it. Also? Bu’kaH is kind of hot!

Is the cute beagle back?

Porthos stays off camera this week.

What’s good?

“Sleeping Dogs” benefits mightily from the new chemistry shared by Hoshi and T’Pol – to say nothing of Linda Park and Jolene Blalock’s typically fabulous performances generally. The visit to the Klingons’ derelict galley is predictable but fun, and one can’t help but love T’Pol’s surprising willingness to conspire with Reed and Hoshi in the episode’s final moments. (Nice to see they’re starting to write some satisfying epilogues.)

What’s not so good?

Longtime viewers may find the relentlessly bull-headed Klingons and the dire race against time a little too familiar. Trip continues to be used to good effect, but his role feels diminished of late; it’d be nice to see more of him.

Herc’s rating for “Enterprise” 1.15?

***

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:

• ***** better than we deserve
• **** better than most motion pictures
• *** actually worth your valuable time
• ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
• * makes you quietly pray for bulletins

I am – Hercules!!

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