trip and t'pol neuropressure episode

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Recap / Star Trek Enterprise S 03 E 15 Harbinger

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Trip is having a neuropressure session, but it's with Amanda Cole instead of T'Pol. Amanda then looks at him, kisses him, and leaves. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is on its way to the red giant star in search of the Xindi weapon. Archer calls Malcolm to his ready room to discuss training with the MACOs. Malcolm is none too keen about taking orders from Major Hayes, but accepts.

On the bridge, Travis notices that the stars appear to be moving. They check it out and find that it's a bunch of spatial anomalies, which Hoshi detects a transmission coming from. T'Pol identifies its source as a pod with a humanoid life sign on it. As they try to pull the pod out of the anomalies with a grappler, the disturbance expands and anomalies begin appearing on the Enterprise , but they manage to escape with the pod.

Phlox tells T'Pol that Amanda has been having headaches, which he thinks is because of Trip's neuropressure, and suggests that T'Pol do the neuropressure on Amanda and stop Trip from doing it. Meanwhile, Malcolm and Hayes argue over the timing of the training sessions. Later, Archer, Malcolm, and Trip open the pod to find an unconscious alien man who is connected to the pod with electrodes.

They take him to sickbay, where Phlox attempts to treat him, and T'Pol determines that the disturbance is in the centre of five spheres. Archer thinks maybe the spheres are what is making the disturbance. Hayes sets up a training session in the cargo bay, which initially goes well, until one of them goes too far with Travis, causing another argument between Malcolm (who thinks Hayes should control his soldiers better) and Hayes (who doesn't see a problem).

T'Pol and Trip find evidence that the pod is associated with the makers of the spheres. She tells Archer, who wonders if the alien man was sent to the anomaly as a test subject. Phlox then reveals that he can't wake the alien without causing him pain, making him reluctant to wake him, but Archer insists.

In T'Pol's quarters, she does neuropressure on Amanda and asks if she's attracted to Trip and Amanda affirms. Meanwhile, Phlox determines that the alien man is dying, even disintegrating, and he can't save him. Malcolm has another training session with Hayes, but doesn't do very well. In the mess hall, Trip wants to talk about the training sessions and Malcolm wants to talk about Trip and Amanda, but that just leaves both feeling awkward.

Archer interrogates the alien, who reveals that he's from a "trans-dimensional realm". They resume course for the red giant, and Trip goes to T'Pol for neuropressure. She denies that she's jealous, he admits he finds her attractive... and then she jumps his bones!

In sickbay, the alien talks with Phlox for a bit, then knocks him out. Afterwards, the alien's hand passes through Phlox's neck. Realising that he's intangible now, the alien walks through the sickbay wall and around the ship. He creates "localised failures" which T'Pol tracks, then Malcolm and Hayes's arguing escalates into a physical fight. Their fight is broken up when they're asked to track down the alien. They fire at him, but the blasts go right through.

The alien arrives in engineering and knocks out Trip, then Malcolm and the MACOs enter. The alien sticks his hand into the warp core, disabling the magnetic seals. Luckily, Malcolm and Hayes manage to reverse the polarity of the field coils, repelling the alien.

Tropes in this episode include:

All Myths Are True : Archer and T'Pol discuss the Triannon creation myth again, and begin to wonder if it has a basis in fact.
Bathos : Archer has just finished dressing down Malcolm and Hayes in a big What the Hell, Hero? moment when he's suddenly called to sick bay and leaves the room. Malcolm and Hayes continue standing at attention for an extra five seconds in silence. Malcolm: ... Think we're dismissed?
Canary in a Coal Mine : Archer compares the alien in the pod to a canary and explains the analogy to T'Pol.
Distracted by the Sexy : T'Pol sees Amanda slap Trip's ass during the sparring session, which distracts her long enough for her partner to deck her.
Explosive Instrumentation : Bizarrely crossed with Bullet Time —the helm sends out a burst of sparks in slow motion when Enterprise is in the Negative Space Wedgie .
For Science! : Discussed when T'Pol claims that she had sex with Trip as a way of exploring sexuality. Trip is unhappy with this idea, since he doesn't want to be a "lab rat".
Greater-Scope Villain : This episode formally introduces the Sphere Builders as the true villains of the Xindi arc.
Green-Eyed Monster : T'Pol is clearly jealous of Trip and Amanda, despite trying to deny it, with her squeezing Amanda's shoulder hard while giving her neuropressure when she tells T'Pol that Trip has nice hands.
Hypocrite : T'Pol insists that her objection to the amount of time Trip and Cole are spending together is that it's inappropriate for a senior officer to fraternize with a subordinate... and then she has sex with Trip herself, despite being his superior.
Inappropriately Close Comrades : T'Pol says that Trip and Corporal Amanda Cole are this. Trip counters by saying that since Cole's a MACO and not Starfleet, it's okay.
Interservice Rivalry : Things come to a head between Malcolm and Hayes. Malcolm even tries to say that the MACOs' combat experience comes from simulator training on Earth, ignoring that they have fought numerous skirmishes against the Xindi.
It Has Only Just Begun : Before disappearing, the alien test subject gives a last message to Archer: "When the Xindi destroy Earth, my people will prevail!"
Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique : Downplayed —rather than actively cause him pain, Archer makes Phlox hold off on giving pain meds to the patient to make him start talking.
Loophole Abuse : When T'Pol objects to Trip's potential relationship with Amanda on the grounds of Starfleet officers being barred from fraternising with subordinates, Trip points out that the MAC Os aren't Starfleet.
Making Love in All the Wrong Places : Trip and T'Pol have sex in her living room.
No-Sell : Energy weapons are useless against the alien.
Red Alert : An alarm is sounded when the Tactical Alert is activated, something that hasn't happened before or since.
Relationship Upgrade : Trip and T'Pol finally become an item after a few episodes of him crushing on her.
Remember the New Guy? : Amanda Cole had never appeared before. Some fans speculated that she was supposed to be the same character as the female MACO who had appeared several times, but she's played by a different actress.
Reverse Polarity : Malcolm and Hayes do this on the warp core to stop the alien from destroying it since everything else phases through him.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here : A Downplayed version — a Red Shirt happens to walk down the corridor where Malcolm and Hayes are fighting. Malcolm tells him "As you were" * military shorthand for "Ignore me and continue what you were doing." before taking a punch from Hayes. The crewman winces and goes back the way he came.
Sexy Discretion Shot : T'Pol strips and kisses Trip, then the scene changes. Later, it's implied that they went all the way.
That's an Order! : A pissed-off Archer orders Malcolm and Hayes to settle whatever problem they have with each other. "Settle it! That's an order! "
Three Lines, Some Waiting : There are three distinct plot threads in this episode: Archer and Phlox trying to solve the mystery of the alien test subject, Trip and T'Pol having a love triangle with Corporal Cole, and Malcolm and Hayes coming to blows over their rivalry.
Unwanted Rescue : The alien in the pod, who starts dying just after his rescue. Though it ends up being subverted , as it turns out he was sent to sabotage Enterprise before they can find the Xindi weapon.
Wham Episode : The Sphere-Builders make their debut, and Trip and T'Pol finally hook up after half a season of Unresolved Sexual Tension .
What the Hell, Hero? : Archer chews out Malcolm and Hayes for fighting. Archer: (to Malcolm) Doctor Phlox says you have a detached retina. (to Hayes) A bruised left kidney. We're in a dangerous region of space. We're trying to stop an alien race from destroying Earth. We face attacks from all sides, enemies everywhere we go. The last thing I need is to hear that two of my senior officers have been admitted to Sickbay because they suddenly regressed to the level of five-year-olds ! Malcolm: Captain— Archer: DON'T TRY TO TELL ME WHO STARTED IT! I don't know what the problem is between you two, and to tell you the truth I don't care, but I want it settled right now ! (gets in their faces) Settle it! That's an Order! ! (Malcolm and Hayes glance at each other) Malcolm: There's no problem, Captain. Hayes: It's settled, sir.
With Due Respect : Hayes uses this line on Malcolm, who does not consider his behavior very respectful.
Star Trek Enterprise S 03 E 14 Stratagem
Recap/Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek Enterprise S03 E16 "Doctor's Orders"

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Screen Rant

Why enterprise’s trip & t’pol romance was so controversial (but still good).

Star Trek: Enterprise’s Trip & T’pol’s relationship was polarizing to viewers. Fans either loved it or hated it, and the reasons are surprising.

The romance between human Charles "Trip" Tucker III & Vulcan T'pol on Star Trek: Enterprise was very controversial for a few reasons, but still fun to watch. Star Trek: Enterprise , which ran from 2001-2005, has long been regarded as one of the least successful iterations of the franchise, but it introduced many unique story elements not seen in other Star Trek series. Nearly two decades since the series ended, their romance is still a subject of heated fan debate. For all that it remains controversial, Trip and T’Pol’s relationship was ultimately a good addition to the franchise, allowing Star Trek to explore relationships in ways it never had before.

This relationship was controversial for several reasons, and one big one is that it involved more obvious sex than other Star Trek relationships. In most Star Trek romances (such as Star Trek: The Next Generation 's William T Riker and Deanna Troi’s love story ), physical intimacy is more implied than shown. For instance, viewers see passionate kisses, and then the door is kicked closed. If a couple is in bed together, the light level is too low to see anything explicit. In Star Trek: Enterprise , however, viewers saw extended, well-lit love scenes, such as the infamous steamy shower scene. While some didn't enjoy this departure from the norm, others liked seeing a show for adults explore relationships in this way.

Related: Star Trek Just Missed A Perfect Enterprise Archer Cameo

The Problems with Enterprise's Trip & T'Pol Romance

However, Star Trek: Enterprise fans who enjoyed the more explicit aspects of the relationship could still see some problems with it. First, it seemed to come out of nowhere. T’pol and Trip had no lead-up to a relationship until the end of season 2 when tragedy struck with the Xindi attack on Earth. Their weapon killed millions, including Trip’s sister, Elizabeth. As a result of his grief, Trip couldn't sleep. T'Pol was asked by starship Enterprise doctor, Dr. Phlox, to use Vulcan neuropressure to help him relax. This was the catalyst for T'Pol and Trip developing feelings for each other, culminating in sex.

After they were somewhat improbably brought together, Trip and T'pol faced many threats to their relationship. Trouble and heartache existed around every corner. No sooner had T'pol confessed her feelings to Trip than she was convinced to go through with a long-arranged marriage to another Vulcan. She quickly divorced, but then she and Trip discovered that a rogue group had stolen their DNA and created a child. They warmed to the idea of raising a child, but it turned out that errors in the genetic engineering of the baby meant she would not survive. In the end, Trip’s self-sacrificial death for the Enterprise denied them both any chance of a happy resolution to their relationship.

Trip & T'Pol Are Defined By Their Romance (But That's Good)

Nearly 20 years after Star Trek: Enterprise ended, the romance between T’pol and Trip still defines them, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It was a controversial relationship, but it did allow the characters to explore and grow. T'pol was more emotional than most Vulcans but definitely more detached than most humans. Conversely, Trip was rash and arrogant even by human standards. These differences caused friction but also allowed them to learn from each other. T'pol had to really think about whether she wanted to pursue the Vulcan culture of duty or a human one of choice. Trip became a safe way for her to explore her emotions, and T'pol became that for Trip as she helped him through trauma and grief.

Ultimately, Trip and T’Pol’s failed Star Trek romance was important for Star Trek: Enterprise to explore. After all, the show was set in the pre-United Federation of Planets era of space exploration. This means that, chronologically, theirs would have been one of the first relationships between a human and a compatible species. As controversial as it was, it made sense for such an uncharted relationship type to be as full of drama as it was.

Next: How Old Would Enterprise's T'Pol Be If She Returns In Strange New Worlds

The Xindi (episode)

View history

Six weeks into the Delphic Expanse , the crew is tipped off by a freighter captain who knows a lone Xindi working on a remote mining colony. ( Season premiere )

1.2 Act One
1.3 Act Two
1.4 Act Three
1.5 Act Four
2 Memorable quotes
3.1 Story and script
3.2 Cast and characters
3.3 Production
3.4 Continuity
3.5 Reception
4.1 Starring
4.2 Guest Stars
4.3 Co-Stars
4.4 Uncredited Co-Stars
4.5 Stunt Doubles
4.6 Stand-ins
4.7 References
4.8 External links

Summary [ ]

The Xindi Council is discussing the coincidental arrival of the " Earth ship ." The Xindi-Reptilians and Xindi-Insectoids believe it is the beginning of an invasion. Jannar asks when the weapon will be ready. Degra says he needs time to run some more tests, but Dolim believes they will accomplish nothing if " all you do is run tests ". Dolim is asked to learn everything he can about Enterprise .

Act One [ ]

Archer, T'Pol and Reed in command center

Archer, T'Pol and Reed in the new command center

Enterprise is en route to a trellium mining facility . A freighter captain of " questionable character " (according to Reed ) has provided them with a tip that one of the miners there is possibly Xindi . Reed wants to proceed with caution. Archer turns to Reed and asks him what room they're in. It is the new command center , which used to be a storage bay for conduit housings. Archer tells Reed that they don't have the liberty of being safe or cautious anymore. In six weeks they haven't collected any data, so the lead given to them by the " freighter captain of questionable character " is all they have, then Archer is satisfied.

In the mess hall , Hoshi Sato approaches a table with MACOs sitting round it, so she joins them. They introduce themselves as Major Hayes , Sergeant Kemper , and Corporals Romero and Chang . When asking Kemper about Phlox , Sato surprises him by saying where he was from, Duluth , Minnesota . Major Hayes tells Kemper that Sato is a linguist, and that, given enough time, she could probably tell him which street he grew up on. Chang asks where they're headed, but Sato says that the captain will let them know at the right time. Excusing themselves, the MACOs leave for a briefing.

Archer and Tucker look on as cargo is flung from wall to wall of the cargo bay

Tucker takes Archer to cargo bay 2, where all the equipment has stuck itself to one of the walls. Archer wonders if it is the grav-plating , but Tucker says it isn't. They watch for a moment as suddenly the equipment is sent flying to the opposite wall, where again it attaches itself. Archer asks Tucker to seal it off.

T'Pol enters sickbay where Phlox is studying epithelial cells taken from the corpse of the Xindi pilot recently recovered. It turns out that he has Reptilian characteristics. T'Pol asks Phlox why he needed her. Phlox tells her about Tucker, who is struggling with sleep because of the death of his sister . He has been using sedatives, but wants T'Pol to try Vulcan neuro-pressure with him. T'Pol thinks that Tucker wouldn't have the patience for it. Reluctantly, she agrees. Unfortunately, Phlox has already asked Tucker if he would like to try the neuro-pressure, and he declined.

Enterprise arrives at the mining facility

Enterprise arrives at the mining facility, and Archer and Reed go down in a shuttlepod , to meet the foreman at the mine. When talking to him, he wants Archer to give him something so that they can meet the Xindi miner – half a liter of platinum . Reed says it would take some doing, but it is possible. Archer demands to see the man and confirm that he really is Xindi, however, the foreman gives them a finger belonging to the Xindi, claiming it was an " unfortunate accident ."

In the meantime, Tucker wakes up from a nightmare of watching his sister die when the Xindi probe fires its weapon.

Act Two [ ]

Jonathan Archer hands over liquid platinum

" I brought you what you asked for. Now let me see the Xindi. "

Phlox has studied the finger and found that he is and is not Xindi. In relation to the corpse however, the base-pair sequencing is much closer than that of Humans and chimpanzees. He notes that while the corpse was of a Reptilian, the finger isn't. Tucker enters, and tells Archer that 200 relays must be stripped, but it'll be done by the afternoon. Archer leaves, while Tucker asks Phlox for " something stronger " to help him sleep. Phlox tells him to return at 2200 hours, and he'll see what he can do.

Archer questions Kessick

Back on the planet, Archer prepares to hand over the platinum, but the Xindi's work group is still asleep. Archer tells him that he can wake them early, because it took his people half the night to get the platinum. The foreman agrees. Taking them down to one of the lower levels, Tucker asks the foreman what trellium-D is used for, to which the foreman replies, " insulation, mostly for interstellar vessels ." The Xindi, Kessick , is shoved into the area, and Tucker gives the platinum to the foreman, who tells them to take their time, and promptly leaves with his guards. Archer gets straight to the point, asking him if he is Xindi and where their homeworld is, as he has " important business " with them. Kessick says he'll tell them, but only if Archer helps him escape. Tucker confronts Kessick angrily – and rather forcefully – prompting Archer to tell him to take it easy. T'Pol contacts Archer, telling him that three warships are on the way. Realizing that they have to leave, albeit without the information that they wanted, Archer and Tucker make their way to the door – only to find it locked from the outside. Kessick says he can take them back to the shuttlepod, but he has to go with them.

T'Pol is contacted by the mine foreman, who tells her that Archer and Tucker will be " slightly delayed ", as they've had to start deionizing the landing decks for the three incoming " cargo ships ." He explains that the ships are heavily armed because trellium-D is highly valuable, but Reed doesn't buy it.

Archer, Tucker and Kessick wading through sewage

Archer, Tucker and Kessick wade through sewage in an attempt to escape the mining facility

Archer, Tucker, and Kessick are wading through waist deep sewage and reach an access port. The trio gain access, and start climbing.

Reed and Hayes are discussing their plans as T'Pol enters. Hayes thinks Reed's security team is too valuable to send on the mission, saying that they'd be better off defending Enterprise should an armed force come on board. T'Pol agrees with Hayes, but leaves the decision to Reed. He asks Hayes to select six of his men, but Reed himself will lead the mission. After Hayes leaves, Reed tells T'Pol that coming from a military family, he's seen men like Hayes all his life. Hayes just thought his team would be more successful than Reed's.

Act Three [ ]

Back on the planet, one of the guards reports to the foreman telling him that Archer, Tucker, and Kessick have escaped. The foreman tells the guard to put a security force at the shuttlepod.

Meanwhile, the escapees are scaling a vertical wall, with small indents so they can hold on to it. Archer asks Kessick why he hasn't used the duct before, but the atmosphere is about 30 times more toxic on the surface and there has never been a ship " waiting for him " before.

Mayweather pilots the second shuttlepod down to the planet's surface, and tells them that they only have half an hour to complete the rescue mission.

The plasma flow engulfs the access duct

Meanwhile, the foreman has detected the escapees. He asks the guard to reroute the plasma flow into their section.

Kessick tells Archer about the five species of Xindi. Their conversation is interrupted by the emergency baffles being closed, and the sound of the plasma coming towards them. As they don't know how far up the next access port is, Tucker suggests they go back to the previous one, which means sliding down – and fast. Archer makes it in time, and Tucker and Kessick push each other out of the way to get in safely as well. Both are pulled in by Archer, who closes the port just in time. Tucker fumes at Kessick, who can only stare open-mouthed at the guards who have just arrived. Kessick tries to feign innocence, claiming that they took him with them. He thanks them, and receives a hit in the face by one of the guard's rifles.

The MACOs come to the rescue

Archer and Tucker carry Kessick to an open area, where the foreman says that they are too much trouble – so they must be killed. As they are taken away, the MACOs abseil in, starting a firefight. The foreman gets away, but the Earth commandos make short work of the mining guards, killing several. One of the MACOs is injured, but Archer helps him up. When the firefight is over, Kessick begs Archer to take him back to Enterprise as well, promising him the co-ordinates of the Xindi homeworld . Archer agrees. As Reed contacts Mayweather, telling him to set down, more shots come from the mist. One hits Kessick, who collapses. One of the MACOs uses his scope to shoot down their attacker – who just happens to be the foreman.

On Enterprise , T'Pol asks Sato to tell the shuttlepods to dock simultaneously, as the warships are closing. The Enterprise then goes to warp.

Act Four [ ]

Phlox enters Archer's ready room and apologizes, telling him there was nothing he could do. Kessick has died. Fortunately for Archer, Kessick told Phlox something with his dying breath, saying that Archer would know what he meant. They are the co-ordinates.

Phlox injects Tucker with a placebo

Tucker tells Reed that he's been in the shower for two hours, but still can't get all of the trellium out of his hair and from under his nails. He also tells Reed that the rescue team did a pretty good job, but he's sure that Reed's security team could have done just as well, which Reed dismisses with a smile. Reed says goodnight to Tucker, who enters sickbay. He asks Phlox for something to sleep, so Phlox gives him an injection. He then asks Tucker to deliver some bioscans to T'Pol's quarters, as he is busy with work. Tucker says it is no problem. As he leaves, Phlox walks to a comm panel and contacts T'Pol, saying that she has her work " cut out for her. " He also says that he injected Tucker with a placebo .

Tucker arrives at T'Pol's quarters, giving her the bioscans. T'Pol asks him to sit down. Tucker says he wouldn't be very good company, and still needs to take a few showers. T'Pol offers him a cup of tea, but he graciously declines. T'Pol says that she has been having trouble sleeping as well. She says that Vulcan science teaches them to prompt their own bodies to create medicine, but she can't reach the neural nodes that need stimulating. She asks Tucker to help her, then offers the same in return. Unfortunately, Tucker thinks she's making sexual advances, before claiming that his 'sedative' is starting to kick in, but T'Pol tells him about the Vulcan neuro-pressure that Phlox wanted him to try. T'Pol says she told Phlox this wouldn't work, that Trip is intransigent and unwilling to compromise. Trip protests that he is too willing to compromise. "Then take off your shirt." He does, and T'Pol begins the treatment.

Enterprise arrives at the debris field

Enterprise arrives at the co-ordinates given to them by Kessick. There is no sign of technology, ships, or even planets. Archer fumes that he lied to them, but Trip questions why the Xindi would use his last breath to lie about the location of his homeworld. Mayweather detects a debris field, too big for a ship. T'Pol discovers that it was a planet, 120 years in the past . Trip detects indicators that there had been a civilization there, including an alloy that matches the probe that attacked Earth. Archer orders them deeper into the Expanse, although Reed detects more concentrated spacial distortions ahead.

In the Xindi Council chamber, Dolim reports that Enterprise has scanned the debris field and left. They are headed for the Orassin distortion field . Jannar laughs, saying that it is unlikely they'll survive. The Xindi-Insectoid councilor thinks they may survive, and wants to destroy them instead. Degra says it would be best to remain hidden, in case it is the first ship of an invasion force. The Xindi-Insectoid tells them to finish the weapon quickly or he will destroy Enterprise , with or without the council's approval.

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Military Assault Command... " " Captain Archer said he wanted the best. "

" Try not to breathe. "

" I'm certain, with your delicate guidance... " " 'Delicate' is not a word I associate with Mr. Tucker. "

" Why would you do this? " " Unfortunate accident. "

" You know, I'm not sure why but I'm just itching to kick the hell out of you! " " Trip – take it easy. "

" If they get back to their starship, I'll lose nearly a hundred new workers! "

" Sewage takes on a whole new meaning when it comes from... a dozen different species. "

" The son of a bitch lied to us! "

" The doctor injected you with a placebo. He sent you here because he wanted me to persuade you to try Vulcan neuro-pressure. As I predicted it was a pointless exercise. " " Why didn't he just ask me? " " He did. You refused. "

" Please disrobe. "

" The doctor knows how intransigent you can be. " " Intransigent? " " Unwilling to compromise. " " I know what it means, but it just so happens, it's not true. I'm as willing to compromise as everyone else... " " Then take off your shirt. "

Background information [ ]

Story and script [ ].

This was the opener for the third season of Star Trek: Enterprise and the beginning of the year-long Xindi incident story arc. ENT co-creator and Executive Producer Brannon Braga recalled, " We looked at 'The Xindi' as a pilot of sorts. We were re-establishing an Enterprise that was going to be a little bit different this year, so we had to think of it in those terms [....] We wanted to set the new tone right away, that this isn't going to be your typical season, and get everything rolling. So we really wanted to set up the MACOs and to establish the Xindi right away. We thought it would be kind of startling to just plop them out and say, 'Here they are.' " ( Star Trek: Communicator issue 151 , p. 27)
This episode's final draft script was submitted on 17 June 2003 .

Cast and characters [ ]

Stephen McHattie , Randy Oglesby and Rick Worthy all appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . McHattie starred as Senator Vreenak in " In the Pale Moonlight ", Oglesby starred as both Ah-Kel and Ro-Kel in " Vortex ", as well as Silaran Prin in " The Darkness and the Light ", and Worthy starred as Kornan in " Soldiers of the Empire ".
Scott MacDonald previously appeared as N'Vek ( TNG : " Face Of The Enemy "), Tosk ( DS9 : " Captive Pursuit "), Goran'Agar ( DS9 : " Hippocratic Oath ") and Rollins ( VOY : " Caretaker ").
Steven Culp appeared in a deleted scene from Star Trek Nemesis , as Commander Martin Madden .
Daniel Dae Kim previously appeared in VOY : " Blink of an Eye ", as Gotana-Retz .

Production [ ]

The " Trellium-D dirt" in the mine was created by throwing lots of blue-painted Styrofoam into a wood chipper. Bits of the Styrofoam stuck to everything, and was tracked all over the Paramount Pictures lot. It continued to be found on set for some time, even when the main sets were being taken apart after the series finale, " These Are the Voyages... ". ("The Xindi" text commentary , ENT Season 3 DVD & Blu-ray special features)
The Xindi-Reptilian uniforms were actually Reman costumes from Star Trek Nemesis with metal coils added to the shoulders.
This is the first episode to use the newly modified version of " Where My Heart Will Take Me " in the opening credits.

Continuity [ ]

This episode marks the first appearances of some of the Xindi regulars: Degra , Jannar , Commander Dolim , Kiaphet Amman'sor , the Xindi-Primate councilor , the Xindi-Insectoid councilor and the Aquatic councilor . The Aquatic and Insectoid species are subtitled; the other species are heard in English.
This was the first episode to feature T'Pol and Tucker 's neuro-pressure sessions.
This episode features the first appearance of Enterprise 's new command center as well as T'Pol's new civilian look. In addition, her eyebrows are now swept up in the traditional Vulcan manner.
An orange Benzite -looking species can be seen in the trellium-D mining facility.
The miltary personnel Archer requested in the previous episode, " The Expanse ", are shown and identified for the first time as members of the Military Assault Command Operations , or "MACO". Even though Major Hayes would outrank a Lieutenant, he calls Reed "Sir", suggesting the MACOs agreed that Enterprise ' chief of security would have authority over them while they serve aboard a Starfleet vessel.
The scene where the MACOs descend on ropes and fire their weapons (during the rescue of Captain Archer from the mining facility) was reused in an altered opening credit sequence for " In a Mirror, Darkly " and " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II ".
When asking T'Pol to give Tucker neuro-pressure, Phlox asks if she has any siblings, and says, " Commander Tucker had one sister ", seemingly ignoring the brother Tucker mentioned "practicing the two-step with" in ENT : " Fusion ", although Phlox might just have wanted to emphasize the sibling Tucker lost. Nonetheless, the brother is never mentioned again in the series.
The concept of abducting crews from passing ships, and forcing them to work at the mining facility was previously visited in the Star Trek: Voyager episodes " Workforce " and " Workforce, Part II ".
This episode takes place six weeks after the events of " The Expanse ".

Reception [ ]

Brannon Braga commented about this installment, " It was a big episode, [...] very ambitious. " Braga more specifically remarked that – because this outing established the MACOs and the Xindi, as well as featuring "an adventure with us and the Expanse" – the episode set up "a lot of stuff." ( Star Trek: Communicator issue 151 , p. 27)
The costume worn by Adam Taylor Gordon as the young Trip Tucker in the Florida dream scene was auctioned off in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction . [1]

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer
John Billingsley as Phlox
Jolene Blalock as T'Pol
Dominic Keating as Malcolm Reed
Anthony Montgomery as Travis Mayweather
Linda Park as Hoshi Sato
Connor Trinneer as Charles "Trip" Tucker III

Co-Stars [ ]

Chris Freeman as Alien Head Guard
Adam Taylor Gordon as Young Trip

Stunt Doubles [ ]

Shawn Crowder as stunt double for Connor Trinneer
Vince Deadrick, Jr. as stunt double for Scott Bakula
Derek Mears as stunt double for Chris Freeman
Tom Morga as stunt double for Richard Lineback

Stand-ins [ ]

Stand-in for Stephen McHattie
Stand-in for Anthony Montgomery
Jef Ayres – stand-in for Connor Trinneer
Dominic Calandra – hand double for Scott Bakula
CGI stand-in: Xindi-Insectoid councilor
Stand-in for Dominic Keating
Utility stand-in
Stand-in for Richard Lineback
Stand-in for Steve Blalock
Stand-in for Steven Culp
Stand-in for John Billingsley
Andre Rhodes – stand-in for Chris Freeman
Richard Sarstedt – stand-in for Scott Bakula
Jessica Vash – stand-in for Jolene Blalock
Stand-in for Linda Park
Hand double for John Billingsley
Hand double for Stephen McHattie
Stand-in for Nathan Anderson
Stand-in for Daniel Dae Kim
Stand-in for Adam Taylor Gordon
Stand-in for Scott MacDonald
Stand-in for Randy Oglesby
Stand-in for Marco Sanchez
Stand-in for Tucker Smallwood
Stand-in for Rick Worthy

References [ ]

alloy ; analogy ; antimatter relay ; Atlanta ; base pair ; boarding party ; cargo bay ; Celsius ; centimeter ; chimpanzee ; cobalt ; command center ; conduit ; corporal ; cup ; debris ; Delphic Expanse ; Denobulan ; dozen ; Duluth ; duranium ; Earth ; emergency baffle ; epithelial cell ; ETA ; EV suit ; finger ; flattery ; foreman ; freedom ; freighter captain ; grav-plating ; hypospray ; insomnia ; insulation ; junior high school ; Kiaphet Amman'sor ; landing craft ; lever ; lie ; line of fire ; linguist ; lining ; liter ; logic ; MACO ; maintenance cycle ; major ; McFarlane ; meter ; Minnesota ; modern medicine ; Neanderthal ; neural node ; neuro-pressure ; Orassin distortion field ; physiometric profile ; placebo ; platinum ; precious metal ; prison break ; REM pattern ; reptilian ; saliva ; scale ; sedative ; sergeant ; sewage ; sexual advances ; Shuttlepod 1 ; Shuttlepod 2 ; skin pigmentation ; sleep ; spatial anomaly ; steel ; tactical alert ; tea ; tissue sample ; trellium-D ; trellium mining planet ; vertebra ; Vulcan ; Vulcan (planet) ; wind turbine ; worker (aka workforce / labor force ); Xindi ; Xindi-Arboreal ; Xindi-Aquatic ; Xindi-Aquatic councilor ; Xindi Council ; Xindi-Insectoid ; Xindi-Primate ; Xindi probe ; Xindi-Reptilian ; Xindus

External links [ ]

"The Xindi" at StarTrek.com
" The Xindi " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
" The Xindi " at Wikipedia
" The Xindi " at the Internet Movie Database
3 Star Trek: Discovery

Dr. Plastic Picker

The star trek enterprise romance of t’pol and trip: i’m going to give them the ending they deserve.

May 23, 2020 | Dr Plastic Picker | Posted in COVID-19 , Mr. Plastic Picker (My Real Life Romance) , Star Trek/ Philosophical Tangents

May 23, 2020

by drplasticpicker

I’m not sure how you have been dealing with the COVID-19 quarantine, but I have been watching Star Trek. I mean A LOT of Star Trek. I grew up watching reruns of the original Star Trek. Spock, the Vulcan Science Officer, spoke to me. Even then, the action scenes were corny and the alien world settings unrealistic – but the storylines and the pseudophilosophical delvings into space and time and logic, touched something in my teenage heart. Then Star Trek the Next Generation ran 1987-1994, right during my middle school and high school years, I watched that too. I became a big fan of Captain Jean Luc Picard and his Shakepearan take on a Starship Captain. But there was not a great Vulcan on the show, so I have always been more of an Original Star Trek fan and of course Spock.

Right after Star Trek the Next Generation ended, I graduated from High School. I was Valedictorian of my high school class and my Star Trek adoration (which was common among the Academic League and Science Fair kids) was well known. I had many classmates and teachers request that I not talk about Star Trek during my Valedicctory address. The past several Valedictorians had referred to Star Trek extensively during their speaches. The Valedictorian right before me somewhat alienated the audience with the extensive Star Trek references, but he returned to our community and founded a very successful biotech company so I think he did okay. I gave my commencement speach without any Star Trek references and it went over well. I had been a state level speech competitor and always did well in the Impromptu category. But I slipped into the end of the speech “As promised, I did not make any Star Trek references” which got some laughs.

For the next 25 years, I was busy with college and life and was anchored firmly in the real world. In fact, I now realize that I got my happy ending and married the man who combines the very best of Spock and Captain Jean Luc Picard. Mr. Plastic Picker is not a trekkie at all. But he actually looks more like a Vulcan than not and studied Shakepeare in college – so gives him the essence of Captain Jean Luc Picard.

When the COVID-19 quarantine descended upon us about three months ago, Mr. Plastic Picker signed me up for CBS All Access commerical free (totally worth the extra $2 since I’ve been watching so much). I finished Star Trek Picard (2 seasons), Star Trek Discovery (2 seasons), and then I settled into Star Trek Enterprise (4 seasons). Star Trek Enterprise ran from 2001-2005, right during the time I was in medical school and residency. I honestly was so busy with actual life, that I don’t think I watched actual TV for that entire time. So the actors and I are the same age as Mr. Plastic Picker and I.

I finished the last episode last night, and I was disappointed. I had been drawn into the the relationship of T’Pol, the Vulcan science officer, and Trip Tucker, the chief engineer. I fell in love again while they were falling in love. Dr. Plastic Picker is a sucker for romances. But the ending was awful. I even started watching some fanfiction montage videos and was searching for fan fiction on them last night, to salvage the storyline. I can honestly say of all the Star Treks, I have come to love Star Trek Enterprise right after S tar Trek the Original albeit the last episode. The actors that played both T’Pol and Trip really did not end up doing much more work outside of this series, and both went on to have happy marriages thus far with other people and have healthy children. For that I am so grateful.

I honestly needed the distraction these last three months, and had the right mindset to accept new characters into my heart. And so I will always love T’Pol and Trip and Star Trek Enterprise and that they helped me get through the last three months. I remember reading all of Victor Hugo the summer after college while my sister and I were traveling through Europe on one of those pre-packaged budget bus tours. It was the right time and right author. The summer after senior year of high school, I read all of Charles Dickens. I remember being enraged while reading Tale of Two Cities. And now my daughter is twelve, and we’ve begun reading my old time favorites outloud together from Madeleine L’Engle. We are midway through Arm of a Starfish. And the first three months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, I watched all of Star Trek Enterprise.

But I wanted to write this post to give Trip and T’Pol the ending they deserved. I wanted to write this post to wipe away the travesty of the last episode.

This is my ending for them. T’Pol and Trip finished serving on the Starship Enterprise together for the full 10 years. On the show they had two children on the show, Baby Elizabeth who was a baby cloned by the human terrorist faction Terra Prime. Baby Elizabeth was cloned from stolen DNA from the human Trip and Vulcan T’Pol. She died because the terrorist scientist had made a error in the process to clone her, and therefore died of genetic instability. But Doctor Phlox had told Trip that there was no reason to believe a half Vulcan and half Human baby could not exist. Spock who was born Stardate 2230 about 100 years later is proof of that. Trip and T’Pol also had also a son Lorian in an alternate universe that was formed when Star Trek Enterprise entered into the Expanse and was loss in a vortex.

In my ending, those above scenarios happened. But T’pol and Trip finished servings for the full 10 years but remained together after Baby Elizabeth (the cloned one) died. T’Pol continued to have more emotions than other Vulcans due to the neurological damange she sustained from the Trellium, but her relationship with Trip helped her manage her emotions. They married and were given larger quarters from Captain Archer. I think he probably gave them adjoining quarters and they were the first married couple on a Starship. Captain Archer allowed Trip to just put a door between two single rooms so they could have larger quarters. I think they married on the Enterprise maybe 2-3 years after the Cloned Baby Elizabeth episode. Captain Archer presided over the weeding, and Lietenant Reed was the best man and Ensign Soto was the bride attendant. But then Vulcan Ambassador to Earth Soval found out, and they had a special second ceremony on Vulcan.

T’Pol would have been careful, and she asked Doctor Phlox to research more to make sure the Vulcan DNA and Human DNA would combine. T’Pol would have been smart, and would not have wanted to have children on a Starship. Trip lived and survived and was not killed off in the last episode, and he and T’pol would have been married about 5-6 years after Star Trek Enterprise ended it’s last mission.

T’Pol and Trip would have had contact with Trip’s parents who were still alive in Mississippi. Remember Florida was destroyed during the Xindi attack on earth, when 7 million people died including Trip’s sister Elizabeth. T’Pol and Trip maintained two homes, one in Mississippi near Trip’s parents and one on Vulcan that T’pol rented out as an Air B’nb. Perhaps her former husband Koss helped maintained it for them. Remember T’Pol and Koss were bonded as children, married but never really had relations. He loved her too, because how can anyone not love T’Pol.

T’Pol and Trip had two children. The oldest was a girl, who looked very much like Elizabeth. I believe they named her T’Les Elizabeth Tucker. T’Les after T’Pol’s mother, and Elizabeth also after Trip’s sister. And they had a little boy they named Johnathan after Captain Johnathan Archer. Both children were healthy and Vulcan DNA and Human DNA combined just fine and T’Pol had natural childbirth and fully vaccinated her children and raised them vegetarian. T’Pol and Trip became academics and diplomats and concentrated on raising their two children between Mississippi and Vulcan. The children were beautiful with Vulcan ears, and Trip’s hair and eyes. They smiled like Trip but had their mother’s beautiful posture. They both were very intelligent and accepted to Starfleet Academy.

Trip and T’pol, this is the ending you deserved. You had two beautiful children, half Vulcan and half Human. And with that my heart is full.

And below is my happy ending. I’ve been living in this Star Trek Enterprise world and curled most of the time in bed, watching it on my iPhone. I’ve been making random nonsensical comments to Mr. Plastic Picker who has been sitting at his work station mostly reading xrays from home, and does not understand any of the Star Trek references. I look over to him and he’s my real life Vulcan come to life.

I had a decently busy day at work yesterday and was pretty tired. I just wanted to feed the kids a quick pizza and watch some more Star Trek. But I walked in and Mr. Plastic Picker had purchased this outfit and the kids were in on it too, without my knowing. And I laughed and I laughed, and it was one of the best days of my life.

I got my happy ending, and I live the “happily every after” every day at home. I am happy I was able to give T’Pol and Trip their happily every after. I think they probably had a dog too, that would hang out with Captain Archer’s Porthos.

Live Long and Prosper my blogfriends. Live your authenic self.

LOL. I just submitted this blogpost to several of the Star Trek top fan sites. We’ll see if they pick it up.

For those that also have come to love T’pol and Trip, this is the best FanFiction continuation I have read. Its a really fun read and several chapters. Excellent writing. http://guardian-of-forever.scifi-online.org/fics/ENT/alelou_commander_tucker_proposes_ch1.php

Tags: Dr. Plastic Picker drplasticpicker Star Trek Enterprise

44 thoughts on “The Star Trek Enterprise Romance of T’Pol and Trip: I’m going to give them the ending they deserve”

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Fascinating history you’ve added to this epic. Trip reminds me of George W Bush who took on challenges and gave hope when all seemed lost.. Plenty people remember 9/11 and Enterprise was a ship of inspiration which many of us do remember. T’pol strips and Trip is hypothesised by her beauty which I expounded about in 2007 – Star Trek Fun Facts Part2 not that I was digressing butt the point being stories and characters are well scripted in Star Trek and conversely unscripted.

Thank you spacerguy for stopping by the blog! This was one a blogpost near and dear to my heart, and to have a bonafide trekker/trekkie blogger stop by and comment – is a dream come true! I have bragging rights now to a certain fellow pediatrician who works one hallway over! Thank you thank you. I’m rewatching Enterprise yet again, and enjoying the evolution and Trip and T’pol’s relationship in a more subtle way. So many layers to their relationship. I’m thinking of making a trashart piece ode to vulcans soon with ocean platsic pollution. Love your blog and thank you for compiling all this trekker/trekkie. I’m a trekkie for sure, old school.

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I so agree! I was so very upset with the ending. I do not know why they wanted that ending. I kept thinking I know they get married because of the episode of the future when we saw T Ppl old and her and Trip’s son a grown man! That was NOT the episode of the alternate timeline. Thanks for your ending.

I am truly honored that you read my alternate ending! It’s not the typical fanfiction but it helped me put that storyline to rest. I am also hoping that at some point they revisit it!!!

I am new to the Enterprise. What a miss I had over the years!

I watched all of the episodes in about 3weeks. I feel very upset now… T’pol and Trip didn’t deserve such an end… I searched everywhere to see if they would come together and have a Vulcan-Human family with cute kids. I can’t find much info other than some hinting… I guess your version is the one I could accept…till we get something better, if ever…Sad…

I felt the same way! As a fellow Trip and T’Pol fan, I am honored that you read my alternate ending.

I am so glad you wrote an alternate ending for Trip and T’Pol! I loved it!! And I loved your background history on yourself – thank you for providing that. I’m a MAJOR fellow Trek fan, myself being 69 and in high school when the original Star Trek series came out. Always being a sci-fi lover, I was immediately hooked and have seen every incarnation of the Star Trek franchise (plus movies). I always loved Roddenberry’s vision for humanity – he promoted women before anyone else, valued animals; in general he always saw the best that the human species could be. I hope someday we actually live up to what he thought we were worth. My favorite of all the series was probably TNG, but I came to really love Enterprise for being what seems like a very accurate envisioning of the first foray into space. Of course, I’m in love with Discovery too, for boldly going where no franchise has gone before! At any rate, kudos for providing the ending Trip and T’Pol SHOULD have had. Reminds me of the ending that the creator wrote after the series ended, for Susan Ivanova and Marcus Cole in Babylon 5 (another huge favorite of mine that I highly recommend if you never watched!)

The enterprise should totally continue. I too watched it during quarantine for the first time, cried over baby Elisabeth as intended, but that last episode just did not make any sense on any level. The way they killed off Trip was game of thrones level senseless… Thanks for this ending, I especially liked the airbnb house on Vulcan and the vaccinated half-half kids 🙂

It made absolutely no sense. This was partly due to the internal strife going on at Paramount and CBS in 2004/2005. UPN network was going bankrupt and they axed Enterprise announcing it’s cancellation after the mirror mirror episodes if i remember correctly.

Halfway through season 3 Manny Coto took over writing and production from Berman and Braga both of whom were producer and writer for TNG (really their best work), DS9 (2nd best), Voyager (very distant 3rd) and initially Enterprise.

Unfortunately, Berman and Braga took almost no risks in seasons 1 and 2 of Enterprise despite having all kinds of directions they could have gone with the episodes and stories given where this series took place in the Star Trek universe, long before the Original Star Trek Series.

But no they didn’t take ANY risks and wasted almost 2 full seasons recreating Voyager like episodes that went nowhere and were sooo slow. Don’t get me wrong, some of the material was good but it was very Voyager like and it drove fans away in droves due to shear boredom. The temporal cold war episodes were agonizing.

As a result of their lack of preparedness and refusing to bring in fresh writers the ratings flatlined at the end of season 1 heading into 2 and that’s when Paramount and CBS really started to take notice that things were not going well. They began pushing for changes and everyone started pointing fingers at one another. At one point they wanted to get rid of Bakula (Archer) blaming him for the lackluster ratings when it fact it was poor writing, uninspiring stories, etc. of Berman and Braga who had clearly run out of ideas from writing and producing soooo many Star Trek series. This really was evident in the last 4 years of Voyager but Paramount kept going with it despite the mehhh ratings.

All that said, Paramount eventually forced them to hand over writing and production to Manny Coto midway through the Xindi story arc and he made some major adjustments that really started to turn the series around. Unfortunately, it was too late and Enterprise was going up against reality TV which which became all the rage in the early 2000’s and the show got cancelled despite the pleas of Manny. He even brought in concept scripts for season 5 episodes that outlined episodes about the Earth Romulan War, etc., but Paramount wasn’t interested and had made up their mind. I think a lot of it had to do with UPN going bankrupt. You can see midway through season 4 that despite having great material from Manny that the episodes are rushed and the budget got cut almost in half. Watch the camera action in the Romulan drone episodes where the camera is jumping around like crazy.

Once it became evident that the show was cancelled Terra Prime was partially rewritten to have Trip and T’Pols baby die (that was not the plan had a season 5 happened). The final scene of them holding hands in her quarters in a moment of grief was meant to be the final scene of the series, implying that despite the tragedy there was hope for the two of them and the future of humanity and vulcans together after Phlox’s findings that human and vulcan DNA was in fact compatible.

Unfortunately Berman and Braga were not happy with this being the final episode and intervened despite the vehement protests of Coto. They insisted on an episode reliving Berman’s TNG glory days and wrote that final horrible episode “these are the Voyages Episode” that blew up the whole Trip T’Pol relationship and killed off a major character (something Berman had become obsessed with doing during season 3 of Enterprise but Paramount refused to let him do for whatever reason). Years later both Berman and Braga admitted that they had made a huge mistake in that final episode and openly apologized to Trek fans about it in conventions, etc. They realized just how badly they screwed up that episode and the series early one.

What a shame. Enterprise had a great cast, good chemistry (actually the best out of all five series to that point if you read some of the accounts of DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise actors and actresses) and they messed it all up. Makes me more angry thinking about it. Enterprise was such a squandered opportunity. Sigh

I’ve been a Trekkie my whole life but never really knew the details like that. OMG that helps explain so much. That there was possibly going to be an Earth Romulan War arc and that Trip and T’Pok’s baby wasn’t always intended to die, that is just tragic. Are the scripts for Manny Coto’s other 5 episodes available to read at all? Wow. Thank you thank you. Answers so many questions and leaves so many unanswered.

Glad to offer the perspective. I pieced together this information from many sources that would be too difficult to outline here, but essentially that is what happened in a nutshell.

Manny Coto spilled much of the beans about what happened in that final season because he was at odds with Braga and Berman later on in season 4 as they continued to interfere with his vision for the series despite Paramount forcing Berman to turn over the reigns to him and them essentially checking out of everyday writing and producing duties by season 4. I always avoid watching “These are the Voyages” because it has Braga and Berman’s finger prints all over it (surprisingly they did take responsibility for that horrible episode which really soured fans view of the whole series in ST conventions) and acknowledged it was a colossal mistake on their part based on the fan’s reaction. They just ruined the T’Pol Trip relationship. Blalock and Trinneer both commented that they never could decide what exactly to do with Trip and T’Pol after season 3, “are they a romantic couple or not.”

Really “These are the Voyages” was Berman’s last hurrah (he retired in 2005). Braga should never have been involved in writing Enterprise. He later let slip that he actually totally opposed to the Enterprise series saying Paramount should have waited 5 or 6 years before another writing and filming another series after the conclusion of Voyager, but instead the dove right into another Trek series immediately. If it had been up to him Enterprise would never have been filmed so i guess we are lucky we got 4 seasons of Enterprise in hindsight.

I really really wish they would bring this series back for a reboot to conclude the story. ST Discover and ST Picard are doing TERRIBLE and have horrible fan ratings low 40’s uper 30’s which is much much lower than Voyager and even Enterprise back in the day both of which were in the low 70’s for fan approval. Bakula is not involved in any projects now too as NCIS has concluded and he is looking for work. He’s a great actor that just loves acting. They could easily retconn Trip back in (who also loved the series) based on Kate’s post and it would totally make sense given the upcoming Earth Romulan conflict that was hinted at several times in season 4 and the fact that “These are the voyages” was technically just a made up holodeck scenario in the TNG universe based on second hand accounts of what happened 100 years later and Riking’s own limited understanding of what happened.

Earlier this year I DID HEAR that Paramount was talking to Bakula (which is great news) about returning to the Trek franchise in some capacity but i have no idea how far that conversation has gone or what capacity they had in mind. Paramount has done this before to gauge interest in characters and strategize upcoming series and no doubt they’ve noticed that Enterprise has been at the top of Netflix scifi series for months and months during the pandemic and that no doubt has piqued their interest. When can only hope it leads to something else hint hint Paramount. I encourage everyone to write to CBS and Paramount. Yes it takes some time and effort, but fan campaigns have succeeded in the past.

In fact from what i’ve read and heard in videos the ENTIRE cast is willing to come back albeit they would be much older (still doable but they are quickly running out of time), but sadly it appears that Blalock is totally disinterested in a reboot (she is very reclusive from what i’ve read) and has more or less retired from acting and has also said she is only interested in doing movies. Understandable i guess considering she is married, has kids, and is deeply invested in her charity. She also had a very contentious relationship with Berman and Braga throughout the Enterprise series and was constantly at odds with them about how to portray T’Pol which might have soured her viewpoint on doing future Star Trek roles. It’s really a shame because i thought she did a wonderful job in the role.

I miss Enterprise.

I forgot to answer your question regarding the concept scripts. I’m not sure if they were ever made available to the public but i’ve heard they did exist for a time, but it’s also been 16 years since the show was cancelled so your guess is as good as mind as to whether or not they are still around. I also don’t know if they were full episode scripts (probably unlikely) or just outlines. TV Show writers will often do episode outlines with some character lines in them to sell the concept to the producer and the executives so it’s hard to say how far Manny got with them.

I just hope that if by some slim chance this series is EVER revised that they bring back Coto to write and produce it and keep it away from Alex Kurtzman who has totally butchered ST Discovery (just my opinion) and that he is not involved at all in writing and production.

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I also fell in love again when I started watching T’pol and Trip romance on Enterprise, grew up watching The original Star Trek and think that CBS should bring Enterprise back to conclude the story. According to the ENT books Trip did not die. Thanks for your post.

“Bring Back Enterprise” thank you for reading my post and creating your youtube channel. Just watched a few and I am absolutely a fan. I’m there to bring back enterprise and give it the ending it deserves. Thank you for existing out on the virtual universe.

hi, i also saw Enterprise in quarantine, and i loved the trip and t’pol couple !! For me the last chapter does not exist, it was horrible that they canceled the series just when it got so interesting … I loved your ending, I hope that with the new series strange new Worlds they could mention something and save that ending. As a separate note, there are some books that talk about the Romulan wars and why Trip Fake hola dearh and they suggest that in the end the two of them stay together. I have not read all the books yet but I recommend the good that man do.

Agee the ending was entirely unsatisfying and yours is immensely better but in my version there are modifications 😉

1. They start having children fairly quickly because after seeing baby Elizabeth they understand the joy of children and that tommow is not a promise. Though they can’t replace her, their loss begins healing once they recognize the void she leaves and they decide to build a family. They end up with four beautiful children.

2. Though all the children long for plomeek broth when ill, they enjoy a good steak with their salad on occasion.

For those who just cannot get enough of Trip, T’Pol, and other ENT characters, there are ENT relaunch novels. The storyline is that Trip’s death was faked so that he could become a spy. The denouement of their relationship is the realization that years later he is gardening at T’pol’s home on Vulcan (she is now an ambassador,) and he, T’Pol, and their two nearly grown children sit down to share a meal.

Omg really??!!! Do you have the titles? I will need to buy Stat! The best news is that one of my patients has a role in Star Trek Picard! I’m trying to finagle myself on set! I’ve been their pediatrician since she was in kinder!

The book titles are: 1. The Good That Men Do. 2. Kobayashi Maru. Then there is the 2 part “Romulan War” series of books: 3. Beneath the Raptor’s Wing 4. To Brave a Storm.

These 4 books are all connected and are best read in order. Imo, they are fantastic! You can find them all on the Amazon Kindle app.

There are also 5 additional “Rise of the Federation” novels by a different author, also on Kindle, which are worth reading for Enterprise fans, but imo not as good as the first 4 named above.

Please let us know where to find the relaunch novels Phoenixvoice! 🙂

If you find out about where to get those novels, please let US know!!

THANK YOU so much for this awesome ending! I’ve now watched every Star Trek series (except for the 60’s original) am absolutely appalled they ended this series-long love affair the way they did. Makes zero sense for them to build it up the entire time for nothing, very frustrating so it’s really great to read the rightful ending they should’ve been given…well done! 🙂

Katie K! I’m so glad you could share in my alternate ending! I’m rewatching Enterprise right now too. I’m going to look for those novels as well. Hopefully they have it online!

I just absolutely ADORE your version of their ending. You are SO right – T’Pol and Tucker deserved so much more than they got on Enterprise. I also agree with you – Right behind Star Trek: TOS stands Enterprise!! LLAP

Trish, thank you so much for reading this piece. It’s actually one of my biggest joys in life to know that this gave some of us out on the Star Trek fan world some closure!

People need to write CBS and Paramount to do this. It’s really the only way to get their attention. They might be receptive to it assuming the cast is interested in coming back, but the fans have to push for it. It will take a lot of coaxing to bring back Blalock from what i understand though.

I actually read your blog before watching the end of Star Trek Enterprise I was worried something like that would happen thank you so much for your ending I think I will stick with that one

I also only “met” Trip and T’Pol last year, during lockdown. I wasn’t taken by “Enterprise” at first, but I really got into it as it progressed, and bought in to the characters it portrayed. Like you, I was devastated that the story ended where it did – I just watched “Terra Prime” again tonight, and even though I knew the last scene by heart, it still moved me to tears. I have never watched the final episode. But I really appreciate your take on “what really happened” as it were…and it’s much more satisfying! Thank goodness for imagination!

Ruth, thank you for reading! I’m so glad to be able to share it with others.

Well it was interesting and quite funny with the whole vaccinated part though I’m not sure how that set in with star trek in anyway lol which is what made it interesting and funny

i liked the way it rewritten trip lives and married t’pol had kids better then the sucky end they did killing trip was because director didn’t like trip that why he was killed off, The ending sucked all why till the end

Sitting here this evening, I have Star Trek on while I’m working. It’s the episode that includes T’Pol and Trip’s cloned baby girl. This reminded me of how things ended for them when the series ended. That prompted me to do a quick search for alternate endings and I found your blog post here. First of all, I absolutely love your alternate ending for T’Pol and Trip! Secondly, I laughed out loud when I read, “…. and one on Vulcan that T’pol rented out as an Air B’nb. Perhaps her former husband Koss helped maintained it for them.”

Thank you Tiffany for reading! I’m so happy this blogpost has brought smiles to many people’s faces.

Even though I’m an old guy (81) I am a sucker for a good love story. I just finished Lucifer and then fell in love with the Trip/T’Pol love story on Enterprise. As an old Trekkie from the 60s I think Enterprise was the best of all the Star Trek shows except for the lousy ending. For all you folks who have written such excellent stories to follow up the ending of Enterprise Thank you. Thank you..

Anyone who wants a better story for Trip, T’Pol, Lorian, and Karyn, should read all the Enterprise stories by HopefulR on FanFiction .net; they essentially add up to a 2 part novel. Soval & Archer get their own storylines too. HopefulR went on to write a few official Enterprise novels but I don’t know what they are called; the first one is mentioned on her old website in the notes to a few of her stories.

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Trip and T'pol come together without having Vulcan neuropressure

Discussion in ' Star Trek: Enterprise ' started by sekundant , Jun 28, 2018 .

sekundant Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

OK, I come back again this thread, while I read too many fanfics at last couple of weeks which are mostly dedicated to TnT stories. I think there are too many people here which have done it already during all the years or even wrote some fanfics. I do not give you some kind "heyy I find a music band called Metallica, they are surprisingly good" feeling but I have to say despite to my first and very limited experiences with Star Trek Enterprise fanfics, I find this time some of them are really good. Maybe the ones which I read before were not for my taste. I did not get the point why Trip or T'Pol have to suffer worst kind of fate proposals, mental disabilities, etc and their characters became unrecognizable. (The same did by novels without any logical reason. I have to admit, I do not like novel Trip or T'Pol anymore. And I say this as someone who were witness and victim of a civil war. I know what can a war make to human soul, but what the authors made of from TnT is very unrealistic and senseless to me. Well, this is not what I want to discuss here. ) Some fanfic authors do not take canon seriously and I feel mostly it is ok, since we can profit from unbound fantasy of the "artist" . (I mean canon is a thing but I had a issue with inconsistency). Nevertheless, I am not sure if we can consider their solutions for our thread. Good example for such a fanfic is Rigil Kent's Divergent Paths which is begin after second season episode " Dead Stop" goes through in an alternative universe. TnT were lost in a prewarp planet, are declared as dead, so they have to fight for survive and try to find a way to back and before this happen (it takes even tooo much time) they find a way to each other. Not my favorite one, a little bit cliche, but indeed well written fanfic. Most of the fanfics still choose VPN as a initial ignition for the TnT. Another most chosen motive is pon farr (also I read at one from year 2002(!) a term which I did not even it exists: "pon frell" the female pon farr, laugh about the creativity of author.) I think they belong together as yin yang and it is the matter of time for such smart people to release it. If we had some good writers and BnB reign did not last so long, they could find a satisfying/ fantastic way to make them a helluva team.

HopefulRomantic Mom's little girl Moderator

My favoritest place for Trip/T'Pol fanfiction is at the great House of Tucker, a lovely watering hole for T/T fans back in the day. Wonderful, creative, tons of talent. The archive is closed to new stories now, but if you want to look at some fine fanfic, check it out: Trip/T'Polers Fanfiction Archive If you don't know where to start, you might try Ragua's "Miscommunication," one of my all-time favorites.

Ohh, Misscommunication is a crazy, funny story. I converted it to pdf file and sent my best Trekkie-sister with the hint " open ONLY in case of emergency such as winter blues, broken heart symptoms, chocolate withdrawal" As you said, it is unbelievable how many talented people with incredible passion and sincerity share their fantasy with us. If one of them "Hopeful Romantic" is really you are, I want to say how grateful I am to all of you. (Now I am reading "...Touching and Touched" . It is great to know someone gives Lorian a possibility to meet his grandpa and getting faced him in subtle way with his prejudices ) After TATV and all the novels, I was very disappointed about Romulan wars, about TnT, about character developments of nearly all main characters (incl. Shran), about first steps to Federation.. Some of the story arches can be easy called solid/good/great scifi and it is fair to say this, but they can be any random scifi. Maybe I have problem with my ears and could not hear the voices of my beloved protagonists, but I do not understand why this unremarkable, loser Archer should be the future president of Federation and idol of child T. Kirk, why T'Pol became this wooden, whiny, devote female at her relationship, why still loves she this horrible person, why Trip is so unlikable, stupid, ruthless asshole who imitates a sophisticated one? As I told before, I really know what a war can do with a person/society and not surprised, if they lost some challenges here and there and getting darker, being insecure, being introvert, acting irritated, still bleeding from invisible wounds, whatsoever. Nevertheless, even persons with dementia have their moments, that they can be a person who they were. A mimic, a blaze of look, a memory from childhood, something. We are all changing as a human beings and not always in positively direction, but not totally denying who we are. So, I want to declare here all fanfic authors (even untalented ones ) and all fan filmers (even very unprofessional ones ) my love from the bottom of my heart to giving to me hope, respect and joy about a steady component of my life.

I love "E2" and I especially love Lorian. I would have really enjoyed watching that storyline continue in the series, and seeing how he influenced Trip and T'Pol... which is why there's fanfiction! Thanks for the kind words. You are the passionate reader that all writers dream of. Happy reading.

I would like to read new ENT stories from you. It's a great pity, that there are too much uncompleted fantastic ENT fanfics, just like Star Trek Endeavour series. As I began first time to read ENT fanfic, what disturb me was the obsession with rape. T'Pol get raped, Malcolm get brutally raped, all the female crew members get raped, Hoshi get tortured and raped, Trip get gang raped by Orions, and so on.. I saw only once a warning about the content. Please do not get me wrong, I have nothing against using a rape motive at the fanfic. It is possible that author want to process his/her experience or testimony or as an expert want to help the victims in this way. Trek was never only entertainment, for example TNG's Chain of Command was supported by Amnesty of International and made great enlightenment work, imho. So why not Trek fanfic does not touch such social issues. My problem with those kind of fanfics was, rape has no influence to the story arch or to character development, totally unnecessary act of violation. After couple of sorrow looks on their eyes they get "over with it" and at the next opportunity have a great sensual, wild sex with their partners or miraculously their memories erased, etc. I did not think it is a kind of perversity of authors, but using a very cheap trick to manipulate their readers. As a fan, of course it is shocking to read something terribly about your favorite protagonists and you keep reading to know about their fates. As I began to read fanfics, I want to read the fanfics which are published during the show was on air, that was my only criteria. I wanted to know, if show and expectations of fans were closely to each other. It was surprising to me that people could predict about Hoshi's development, Bromance of Malcolm and Trip, Dr. Phlox's role as a confident person for the crew, very good written Archer as a captain and TnT.. Even they have better stories about TCW to tell. Maybe I have read random 10-15 fanfics at least 5 have such rape scenes and I thought perhaps it was some kind of trend at that time and I gave it up to read them. Ach, I forget to make a mention of another kind of "coming together" of TnT at fanfics: mind melt. T'pol has to initiate a mind melt for whatever reason (he is badly wounded she wants give him relax or they need a very important information, he lost his memory etc.) aaand they release, he loves her/she loves him. Nevertheless, i think, it was not a good idea for the show, since she has still suffered from Pa'nar syndrome until Vulcan trilogy. She would not proceed a mind melt to protect Trip from the disease.

I cannot speak for any other fanfiction writers, but the reason I did it was 1) the show had so much unrealized potential that 2) wasn't being explored, due to 3) the constraints of TV parameters and 4) the desperate 4th season dash to cram 4 seasons of stuff into that last season, thereby 5) abandoning a slew of interesting storylines that I wanted to see continue or be resolved...so... Regarding content...if one type of story isn't your thing, skip it. There are plenty more. A writer working for no pay other than reader comments is fueled by passion, a desire or need to tell the story, or tell it differently than the show did, maybe just see a scene that the show didn't have, or fix a plot that was royally screwed up. Like, for example, T'Plot Device--er, Koss, cooked up to waylay the T/T buildup of the previous season. Which brings us back on topic. I do wonder sometimes how Season 3 and the T/T storyline would have developed if the network hadn't insisted on ramping up the sexy, and the show had been guaranteed 7 seasons with no cancellation worries. With Manny Coto there to tell great stories like "Similitude," I think T/T would have progressed, rather than be derailed in Season 4. And no stupid breakup and stooopid Trip suicide in stupendously stupid TATV. More like, hopefully, a metaphor for the growing Earth/Vulcan alliance, and a trail blazed for Sarek and Amanda to follow. It would have been glorious. [/Kor]

I do wonder sometimes how Season 3 and the T/T storyline would have developed if the network hadn't insisted on ramping up the sexy Click to expand...

I don't know why there wasn't more romance on the show. The whole cast was attractive inside and out... well, Phlox was Phlox. And he was married, though that did not seem to be an impediment. If Ensign Cutler had survived, maybe. I loved Archer's romance in "Civilization." I wanted more of that! But he wasn't a girl-in-every-port kinda guy, certainly not like Kirk. He seemed to be that classic type of captain, married to his ship. But what a waste! There seemed to be a weird mix of immature little-boy drooling (topless Hoshi, Decon) and prim modesty (sexy as hell Mirror Hoshi in her bra after hot sex with Archer?) to the show. Anthony Montgomery was like a Greek god, that body. Bakula and Trinneer, also gorgeous. Jolene in her white catsuit was breathtaking, especially in Season 3 when they improved her hair and makeup and gave her the right eyebrows. There was a lot of setup for more romance in the last 3 seasons...oh wait.

Well, I do not know why I steady come back to this thread. Nevertheless, it is ok for me, since it is the reason why this platform anyway existing. I think, I am trying to catch up quickly (may be most of) you already discussed all these years. Although, at the first sight, it seems to be meaningless at the end of day, all quite on ENT front. Yes, there is nothing new at that front, but we are changing, our needs are changing. So, I am here, for my own reasons. I watched the Blu- ray release interview from 2016. Braga stylized himself a little bit victim of Berman (he doesn't have father and Berman was for him a replacement, that's why he couldn't deny some stupid ideas) and studios ( they were not agree with half season at earth for recruiting and preparing of the first mission, so he has to use Temporary Cold War motive which was planned for a completely different show). He said his apologies to everyone. Two of them are interesting for this thread. First one is to Jolene Blalock for "Trip issue". She was not happy with it handling of relationship. She was for "all or nothing" thing, not "between" something. Braga also said that he should talk often with her about her claim. Second one was for Connor Trinneer about Decon scene, at the time as he said that, CT was already left the interview (it was also a little bit awkward). So they dropped rash the topic and the reason for apologize is not clear for me. I assume, it is not about existing the scene, since JB is still there and he said nothing to her. Is it something about to sale Trips underwear at auction, isn't it a urban legend ? If it is not hoax, i think it is very vulgar behavement to do someone this without his/her permission. Does someone know what are they talking about? For the first one, JB has right, imho. I never understand why TnT has to fight against sooo many difficulties and unlimited agonies have to occur, the barriers between them must be so high, so they have to practically forced to coming together by VPN, instead of having steadily developed relationship of two mature people from very different two cultures. As we mentioned above, ENT had a great potential of romance which is definitely wasted. I mean of course not, ENT should be one of the soap operas everyone get together/in love with everyone (Upps, I do not want to offend DS9 people ) . Only one who could get regularly some love/romance/sex interest was Trip and he was always the one who seduced. After they gave up to making from him a new and unnecessary version of Kirk/ Riker/ Paris, the character could become his deepness. As I said before for me TnT symbolizes the crashing/connecting the logic and emotions ( yin-yang or materialist dialectic law of the unity and conflict of opposites or whatever you want to name it) and More like, hopefully, a metaphor for the growing Earth/Vulcan alliance, and a trail blazed for Sarek and Amanda to follow. Click to expand...

^^ You keep coming back here because you love Trip & T'Pol! Back in the day, there was a legion of T/T shippers. We had a permanent appreciation thread for them. We cheered for every encounter and threw things at our TVs when the writers did stupid plot turns like Koss. We dissected every word between them, every look, every touch. You're one of us, just a few years removed. Sure, it's just a TV show. But when you're a fan, you're emotionally invested. We saw gobs of potential in the relationship - the Vulcan-human alliance metaphor, the precursor to Sarek and Amanda, the chemistry! We saw it in the 1st season, before the writers or the actors even saw it. It was disappointing to see all that potential explored in Season 3 with "Similitude," "The Forgotten," "E2" - then see it mostly derailed in Season 4 as cancellation loomed and showier plots took precedence. And don't get me started with TATV. Why all the angst and soap opera with T/T? First of all, drama = conflict. The "will they, won't they" situation is as old as storytelling. How many sparring couples have finally declared their love for each other, then their show promptly tanks? Because happily ever after is boring, drama-wise. Not many shows have succeeded in working the question of, how can they make the relationship work, despite the obstacles they face? For example, "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman" did it really well, because the writers worked hard to keep the obstacles coming but still have this wonderful love story. The ENT writers took the simple, stupid soap opera route - the previously jilted ex shows up and our two lovebirds are forced apart. Trip has a hissy and switches jobs. What a baby. But not really, they were just writing him out of character, it wasn't really his fault. Even Archer was confused. It would have been better to get T/T together and watch them navigate through T'Pol's new emotions, and Earth xenophobia, and the bond, and conflicts like that. Maybe if they had all 7 seasons, no cancellation pressure, Manny "Similitude" Coto running the show, we might have gotten that. But we'll always have Paris-- er, Sim's love confession, and Trip's breakdown with T'Pol in "The Forgotten," and other great little romance tidbits. And TATV was a crappy hologram anyway. We get to imagine a happily ever after if we want.

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Star Trek: Enterprise (2001–2005)

Connor trinneer: cmdr. charles 'trip' tucker iii.

Photos (133)
Quotes (66)

Photos

Jolene Blalock and Connor Trinneer in Enterprise (2001)

Quotes

Commander Tucker : You aren't saying much tonight. Don't tell me you're still upset about me and Amanda.

Subcommander T'Pol : I'm not upset.

Commander Tucker : Sure sounds like it.

Subcommander T'Pol : You're mistaken.

Commander Tucker : Why would a few neuropressure sessions between me and a MACO be such a big deal. Unless...

Subcommander T'Pol : Unless what?

Commander Tucker : Unless you're a little jealous.

Subcommander T'Pol : I don't experience jealousy.

Commander Tucker : You're doing a pretty fair imitation of it.

Subcommander T'Pol : I am not, in any way, jealous of you and Corporal Cole.

Commander Tucker : You know, your voice is tensing up. That's a dead giveaway.

Subcommander T'Pol : I didn't know you were an expert in vocal inflections.

Commander Tucker : I don't need to be an expert to read you. Come on, admit it. You're a little jealous.

Subcommander T'Pol : Are you implying that I'm attracted to you?

Commander Tucker : That kind of goes along with the assumption, doesn't it?

Commander Tucker : I don't like pushing the engines at 110%

Subcommander T'Pol : They are rated for 120

Commander Tucker : My underwear's flame-retardant, but it doesn't mean I want to set fire to myself to prove it.

Subcommander T'Pol : I think you're mistaken about who's attracted to whom.

Commander Tucker : Are you saying I'm attracted to you?

Subcommander T'Pol : I don't need to say it, you already have.

Commander Tucker : I don't remember that conversation.

Subcommander T'Pol : It wasn't you, it was your clone, Sim told me.

Commander Tucker : Sim?

Subcommander T'Pol : He said he had feelings for me.

Commander Tucker : He told you that?

Subcommander T'Pol : [nodding towards the spot where Sim had stood] Standing right there.

Commander Tucker : What the hell was he doing in your room?

Subcommander T'Pol : Your voice is tensing up.

Commander Tucker : Now you're the vocal expert?

Subcommander T'Pol : I don't need to be an expert to read you.

Commander Tucker : I can't believe this. I'm... I'm jealous of... myself?

Subcommander T'Pol : You're jealous?

Commander Tucker : No. Absolutely not. Okay, maybe, maybe I am a little.

Subcommander T'Pol : Which would mean you're attracted to me.

[Trip gives her a look]

Subcommander T'Pol : It goes with the assumption.

Commander Tucker : What just happened here? Did we? Are we?

[T'Pol leans in and kisses Trip strongly]

Commander Tucker : [after being cursed at by a Klingon and not understanding him] Well I don't particularly like the way YOU smell, either.

Subcommander T'Pol : I've run a check through the Starfleet database. You might be pleased to know that this is the first recorded incident of a human male becoming pregnant.

Commander Tucker : Just how I always wanted to get into the history books.

[Upon waking up bound in a basement on Risa]

Commander Tucker : You think this is my fault?

Lt. Reed : You were willing to follow two strange aliens into a basement.

Commander Tucker : Gorgeous aliens. Don't forget they were gorgeous.

Lt. Reed : They were male.

Commander Tucker : Not at first.

Commander Tucker : I never got the impression you cared that much about humans. Seems like you were always finding something new to complain about.

Vulcan Ambassador Soval : I lived on Earth for more than 30 years, Commander. In that time I developed an affinity for your world and its people.

Commander Tucker : You did a pretty good job of hiding it.

Vulcan Ambassador Soval : Thank You.

[Porthos has run from the shuttlepod to some trees on an alien world]

Commander Tucker : Going where no dog has gone before.

Dr. Phlox : Tell me, did your visit to the Xyrillian ship involve any... uh... romance?

Commander Tucker : What?

Dr. Phlox : Were you intimate with anyone?

Commander Tucker : Doc, I was over there to repair a warp reactor. What are you talking about?

Dr. Phlox : Seems you did a little more than repair work.

Commander Tucker : Meaning?

Dr. Phlox : This is a nipple.

Commander Tucker : I beg your pardon?

Dr. Phlox : Ah, ah, the blastocyst is located between the sixth and seventh intercostals.

Commander Tucker : What the hell are you talking about?

Dr. Phlox : I'm not quite sure congratulations are in order, Commander, but you're pregnant.

Subcommander T'Pol : Is there something else?

Commander Tucker : You and Trip used to spend a lot of time here together.

Subcommander T'Pol : I was instructing him in the practice of Vulcan neuropressure.

Commander Tucker : I remember. We were lying right there

[points to floor]

Commander Tucker : working the neural nodes on each other's feet, talking about the warp engines. How I was hoping to modify them.

Subcommander T'Pol : How Commander Tucker was hoping to modify them.

Commander Tucker : [dejected] Right, Commander Tucker.

[pause]

Commander Tucker : You know, he was really starting to enjoy those sessions with you.

Subcommander T'Pol : They were helping him sleep.

Commander Tucker : [voice getting quieter] I'm not sure that's the only reason.

Subcommander T'Pol : What do you mean?

Commander Tucker : Was there ever anything between you and Trip?

Subcommander T'Pol : If you are referring to a romantic relationship... no.

Commander Tucker : The reason I ask is... well... you're all I think about, if you know what I mean. And, I'm not talking about an adolescent crush. That was... well, that was two days ago. This is much more serious, the way I feel about you. Anyway, what's driving me crazy is, I don't know if these feelings are mine... or his.

Subcommander T'Pol : [voice cracking] I can't answer that.

Commander Tucker : I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.

Subcommander T'Pol : I'm not uncomfortable.

Commander Tucker : I just thought I should tell you this, while I still had the chance.

Subcommander T'Pol : May I come in?

[Sim nods OK]

Subcommander T'Pol : I just wanted to say how much your absence will affect the crew... how much it will affect me.

Commander Tucker : I appreciate that. All in all, I guess I've a pretty good life...

[T'Pol steps forward and gives him a short but sweet kiss]

Commander Tucker : I couldn't have asked for a better going away present.

Commander Tucker : I'm getting punchy.

Dr. Phlox : Why aren't you getting together with T'Pol to get your neural nodes stimulated? Too intimate?

Commander Tucker : Nah, I don't have an hour a night to waste in T'Pol's quarters. Isn't there something else I could do.

Dr. Phlox : There is Alderberan mud leeches.

Commander Tucker : What the hell am I supposed to do with those?

Dr. Phlox : Place one on your chest and one on your abdomen an hour before going to bed. Their secretions act as a natural sedative. Oh, uh, please be careful to sleep on your back. If you roll over, you might anger them.

Commander Tucker : Maybe an hour a night with T'pol isn't so bad.

Lt. Reed : So what is happening between you and Amanda?

Commander Tucker : We are just friends. Is everyone on this ship watching us?

Lt. Reed : You're hard to miss.

Commander Tucker : That's what T'Pol said.

Lt. Reed : Is it true that she's giving Amanda neuropressure now? I heard it was damage control from your tender touch.

Commander Tucker : T'Pol's just smoothing out some of the rough spots.

[very clipped voice]

Commander Tucker : That's all.

Lt. Reed : Why were you giving Amanda Cole neuropressure anyway?

Commander Tucker : [very defensive] What's it to you?

Lt. Reed : Well, from what I've been told it's a pretty intimate procedure. Sure you're just friends?

Commander Tucker : I do it with T'Pol. Are you implying that there is something going on there, as well?

Lt. Reed : That's the rumor.

Commander Tucker : For the last time, there is nothing going on with any of us. Between any of us.

Lt. Reed : Right. Just friends?

Commander Tucker : That's right.

Lt. Reed : I guess this Vulcan neuropressure isn't that intimate after all.

Commander Tucker : Exactly.

Lt. Reed : In that case, I've got this nasty little pain...

Commander Tucker : [voice very clipped] Just drop it.

Commander Tucker : Have you talked to Lorian yet? He's a good kid, maybe you should get to know him.

Subcommander T'Pol : No, I haven't and he is not a kid, he's over 100 years old.

Commander Tucker : [laughs] Only in the expanse could I have a kid three times my age. Who would have thought, you and me, huh? Lorian says we're going to be married in a traditional Vulcan ceremony. It's gonna take me weeks to learn to pronounce the vows. You know where we are going to have our honeymoon? Cargo Bay Three! He says, "I'll fill it up with sand that we dug up from a passing asteroid". I'm even supposed to,

[laughs]

Commander Tucker : manufacture a palm tree.

Subcommander T'Pol : It's ridiculous to assume that those events are going to happen. Hand me the flux coupler.

Commander Tucker : Aren't you at all curious about how you and I are supposed to end up together?

Subcommander T'Pol : The fact that our counterparts marry doesn't mean we'll do the same.

Commander Tucker : You're afraid to admit that under the right circumstances, you could have feelings for me. Maybe you have them already.

Subcommander T'Pol : I should've known this was a mistake.

Subcommander T'Pol : Exploring human sexuality with you. You're obviously unable to have a physical relaionship without developing an emotional attachment.

Commander Tucker : You know, all the other women on board must have been taken, because I can't imagine any other reason why I would've married someone as stubborn as you.

Commander Tucker : Computer, begin recording. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, by the time you get this, Starfleet will have already told you about Jane. Since I worked so closely with her, I wanted to add my personal condolences. I have to admit, I've been putting off writing this for a while. I convinced myself that my duties on Enterprise took precedence. But the truth is I didn't want to face the fact that someone so young with so much promise could just be gone. But I'm facing it now. And I find myself thinking how important she was to me. She was a great engineer. And she was my friend. She won't be forgotten.

Commander Tucker : We should have heard something by now. What if they failed? Earth could be...

[T'pol puts a hand on his shoulder to calm him]

Subcommander T'Pol : Be patient.

Commander Tucker : [looks at her hand] My skin's healing faster than yours. I guess you Vulcans aren't so tough after all.

Subcommander T'Pol : Dr. Phlox says we should all be back to normal within two to three days.

Commander Tucker : I'm only kidding. You look nice like this, kind of like an old oil painting.

Subcommander T'Pol : I am not old. I will only be 66 years old on my next birthday.

Commander Tucker : I can't believe you told me that.

Subcommander T'Pol : You accused me of looking old!

Commander Tucker : That's not what I mean. I've been trying to get you to tell me your age since we left space dock. Why now?

Subcommander T'Pol : To Vulcans, certain information is considered... intimate.

Commander Tucker : Intimate? Hmm.

Commander Tucker : Where did you put the phase pistols?

Lt. Reed : You're going to shoot a bug?

Commander Tucker : I'm just going to stun it.

Subcommander T'Pol : You've dismissed all my proposals.

Commander Tucker : When you come up with one which doesn't involve blowing ourselves up, I'll be a little more enthusiastic.

Subcommander T'Pol : You might surprise me with an idea of your own.

Commander Tucker : Maybe you haven't had time to meditate. I don't know. But whatever's going on with you lately, I've had enough. I'll work on this in Engineering. Call me if you have any more brilliant ideas.

[he turns to leave]

Subcommander T'Pol : Commander... Trip!

[he stops and comes back]

Subcommander T'Pol : Everything that's happened recently has caused me to become slightly emotional.

Commander Tucker : I've noticed.

Subcommander T'Pol : I apologize.

Commander Tucker : Forget about it.

Subcommander T'Pol : I wish I could. It may take some time for me to regain my control. It will be difficult for me to deal with, especially... on my own.

Commander Tucker : This hasn't been easy for any of us. You know how much I appreciate what you did for me. When this is over, I'm all ears. Why don't we take another crack at this?

T'Les : How long have you been romantically involved with my daughter?

[off, Trip surprised face]

T'Les : How long have you been attracted to her?

Commander Tucker : Since our first argument, I felt the chemistry between us. But, I had a feeling T'Pol wasn't going to mention it.

T'Les : She didn't. I'm her mother.

Commander Tucker : I've heard the women on Draylax have...

Travis Mayweather : Three... it's true.

Commander Tucker : You know that first-hand?

Travis Mayweather : First-hand, second-hand, third-hand...

Subcommander T'Pol : [about her marriage to Koss] Trip, I have to do this... for many reasons.

Commander Tucker : And how am I supposed to take this?

Subcommander T'Pol : I'm sorry.

Commander Tucker : You're sorry. You brought me 16 light years just to watch you get married to someone you barely know.

Commander Tucker : You did all that... with a phase pistol?

Lt. Reed : You're good at building things. I'm good at blowing them up.

[Malcolm mentions he is going to reread Ulysses]

Commander Tucker : I'd rather realign every microcircuit on this shuttle than try to read through that baby.

Lt. Reed : British schools have a core curriculum. It serves to provide a well-rounded education. Sometimes I think you North Americans read nothing but comic books and those ridiculous science fiction novels.

Commander Tucker : I'll have you know that Superman was laced with metaphor. Subtext layered on subtext.

Lt. Reed : What do you think of T'Pol, hmm? Do you think she's pretty?

Commander Tucker : T'Pol? Are you serious?

Lt. Reed : Well, she is a woman you know. I think she's pretty.

Commander Tucker : You've had too much to drink.

Lt. Reed : Don't tell me you've never noticed her, you know, in that way.

Commander Tucker : Nah, she's a Vulcan.

Lt. Reed : I think she's pretty.

Commander Tucker : Oh, God.

Lt. Reed : You ever noticed her bum?

Lt. Reed : Her bum. She's got an awfully nice bum.

Commander Tucker : [toasts] To Subcommander T'Pol.

Lt. Reed : Awfully nice.

Subcommander T'Pol : Commander, are you feeling alright?

Commander Tucker : People are gossiping T'Pol. Malcolm thinks we are doing more than neural pressure.

Subcommander T'Pol : We are both senior officers. If we were pursuing a romantic relationship, it wouldn't be Lieutenant Reed's concern, would it?

Commander Tucker : I suppose not.

Subcommander T'Pol : Shall we continue?

Subcommander T'Pol : How are your parents?

Commander Tucker : They're... fine. They moved into a new house in Mississippi. It's not like the old place in Panama City, but it's pretty nice. Why do you ask?

Subcommander T'Pol : You haven't spoken of them recently.

Commander Tucker : There hasn't been a lot of time to catch up.

Subcommander T'Pol : You also haven't joined us at the Captain's table since we left earth.

Commander Tucker : What are you trying to say?

Subcommander T'Pol : You've been avoiding me.

Commander Tucker : Well, maybe I have. You've got to admit it's a little awkward. You're married. I know you did it to help your mother, but it's going to take me a little while to adjust.

Subcommander T'Pol : I'm still adjusting to it myself.

Commander Tucker : This is going to sound strange, but as tough as it was watching you go through the ceremony, I was proud of you for what you did. I guess it's for the best.

Commander Tucker : Come on. It's not like we would have made the ideal couple... a Vulcan and a human? Romeo and Juliet probably stood a better chance.

Commander Tucker : Well this isn't what I expected.

Subcommander T'Pol : Meaning?

Commander Tucker : Well it's beautiful.

Subcommander T'Pol : Vulcans appreciate beauty.

Commander Tucker : [Walks around her] Well you always were a snazzy dresser.

Subcommander T'Pol : Commander Tucker, I suggest...

[T'Pol's mother T'Les walks up behind them]

Subcommander T'Pol : Mother I didn't expect you home so early.

T'Les : Have you informed T'Pol?

Commander Tucker : Informed her of what?

T'Les : You're in love with her.

Commander Tucker : [seeing T'Pol in her brial gown] You look amazing.

Subcommander T'Pol : Thank you for coming.

Commander Tucker : Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[He goes to leave, she stops him for a second to give him a kiss on the cheek and walks away]

Commander Tucker : You're supposed to be resting.

Subcommander T'Pol : Dr. Phlox says I can resume my duties this afternoon.

Commander Tucker : I'm glad they got that thing off with no problem.

Subcommander T'Pol : There's a slight ringing in my left ear, but it should dissipate over time.

Commander Tucker : Well, I'll let you get back to that.

[He turns to leave]

Subcommander T'Pol : Vulcans don't have honeymoons.

[He comes back]

Subcommander T'Pol : After the ceremony I went to Mt. Seleya to meditate

[clears throat]

Subcommander T'Pol : ... alone.

Commander Tucker : It's none of my business anyway.

Dr. Arik Soong : [to T'Pol] Sorry about that business with the Orions, I hope you wern't permanently injured.

Commander Tucker : Why don't you stay focused on what you are doing.

Dr. Arik Soong : Ooh! Someone's a little protective of Commander T'Pol.

Commander Tucker : I just don't like you very much.

Captain Archer : You missed T'Pol's latest battle with chopsticks.

Commander Tucker : Darn. Dinner and a show.

Commander Tucker : How many warning shots do Vulcans usually fire?

Vulcan Ambassador Soval : None.

Lt. Reed : I've also been working on a new alert signal. Tell me what you think.

[pushes button, and a highly annoying sound goes off]

Lt. Reed : Or this one?

[pushes another button, another irritating sound]

Commander Tucker : [looks highly annoyed, then deactivates sound]

Lt. Reed : Which one do you prefer?

Commander Tucker : For what?

Lt. Reed : A tactical alert!

Commander Tucker : They both sound like a bag full of cats!

Lt. Reed : Well, they were designed to get your attention!

[the crew is watching a detective movie from the '40s in the mess hall]

Dr. Phlox : Something tells me we haven't seen the last of the detective with the bow tie.

Commander Tucker : No, he died in a house fire.

Dr. Phlox : Ah, did he? The autopsy was inconclusive. I wouldn't be surprised if the body belonged to the delivery man. With the strange limp. You never did see him leave the house.

Commander Tucker : What about the gardener? He was there too.

Dr. Phlox : Too tall. Even the primitive forensics of the mid-20th century would have determined that.

Subcommander T'Pol : [annoyed by the distraction] Perhaps we should watch and find out.

Commander Tucker : Part of the fun of a mystery is trying to solve it before it ends, using logic. You of all people should appreciate that.

Subcommander T'Pol : Then use logic more quietly.

Commander Tucker : [about flying the alien vessel] How difficult can it be? Up, down, forward, reverse. I'll figure it out.

Commander Tucker : [to a Klingon] You tell 'em, big guy.

Ensign Hoshi Sato : Maybe it's a log. What do you think?

Commander Tucker : Beats me. Could be a laundry list... or instructions on how to conquer the universe?

Commander Tucker : Someone hasn't been taking very good care of my engines.

Subcommander T'Pol : Speak with the Klingons.

Commander Tucker : I'm gonna have to put you up on report.

Lt. Reed : I saved your life.

Commander Tucker : You disobeyed a direct order.

Lt. Reed : If you put that in my file, it will be years before I am up for a pro...

[notices Trip is laughing]

Lt. Reed : You're pulling my leg.

Commander Tucker : [can't stop laughing] Malcolm, you're just so easy.

Commander Tucker : A single ship on a dark planet? Maybe they're on their honeymoon.

Vulcan Captain : Captain Archer?

Commander Tucker : Yes?

[long pause]

Commander Tucker : Is there a problem?

Vulcan Captain : You seem very young for a Starfleet captain.

Commander Tucker : Healthy living. You have a message from Admiral Forrest?

Vulcan Captain : I'm not certain what this means but Admiral Forrest asked me to inform you that "Cal beat Stanford seven to three."

Commander Tucker : I'll be sure to tell him.

Vulcan Captain : Tell who?

Commander Tucker : I'm afraid it's confidential. Thank you for relaying the message. Archer out.

Travis Mayweather : [Trip slips on some loose rocks] Commander, are you all right?

Commander Tucker : Just testing the rope.

Commander Tucker : [Commander Tucker is having trouble with the computer at an alien repair station] Where can someone go to file a grievance around here?

Dr. Phlox : When was the last time you slept?

Commander Tucker : T'Pol tattling on me?

Dr. Phlox : She's worried about you.

Commander Tucker : I appreciate that, but I'm holding this ship together with spit and bailing wire.

Dr. Phlox : Six hours.

Commander Tucker : Two.

Dr. Phlox : Four.

Commander Tucker : Done. And remind me never to buy a car from you.

Commander Tucker : Grandma taught me never to judge a species by their eating habits.

Commander Tucker : Malcolm's got this rule; you have to be taller than a gun to use it.

[Tucker informs the Vulcans that Captain Archer and T'Pol have been kidnapped]

Vulcan Captain : How do you know this?

Commander Tucker : I don't know, maybe it was the ransom demand we just received.

Commander Tucker : [to T'Pol as Sim] The thing is this is not just some highschool crush, that was two days ago. You're all I think about and what drives me crazy is I don't know if these are my feelings or his.

[they are on an alien vessel which is blowing up all around them]

Commander Tucker : You did all this with just a phase pistol?

Lt. Reed : You're good at building things, I'm good at blowing them up.

[Malcolm has just awoken from a fantasy about T'Pol]

Lt. Reed : What's that?

Commander Tucker : I got the receiver working but the transmitter's a lost cause. Who's Stinky?

Lt. Reed : I beg your pardon?

Commander Tucker : You were talking in your sleep. Kept calling for some guy named Stinky.

Commander Tucker : I don't want to be responsible for giving the crew... the runs.

Kaitaama : Is your entire species so ill mannered?

Commander Tucker : Nope. Just me.

[while in the escape pod, Trip tastes the food Kaitaama discovered in a storage locker]

Kaitaama : Is it edible?

Commander Tucker : Depends how hungry you are.

Commander Tucker : [in the Mirror Universe] I've absorbed enough delta rays to guarantee my grandchildren glow-in-the-dark.

Dr. Phlox : That's it, time's up!

Commander Tucker : It sure is.

[a Vulcan captain abruptly cuts off transmission]

Commander Tucker : I'm getting real sick of being cut off.

Commander Tucker : It'll be nice to have a first contact where no-one's thinking about charging weapons.

[Subcommander T'Pol is leaving the Enterprise]

Commander Tucker : You're gonna miss her, aren't you?

Captain Archer : When they first assigned her, I felt like strangling Soval.

Commander Tucker : She does kinda grow on you.

[Archer is obsessed with writing a preface for the biography of his father, and recites the first page to Cmr. Tucker]

Captain Archer : What do you think?

Commander Tucker : Sounds good.

Captain Archer : Let me read you the rest.

Commander Tucker : I really need to get to work on this.

Captain Archer : It's just a few more pages!

Commander Tucker : How many more?

Captain Archer : Nineteen.

Commander Tucker : *Nineteen*? Are you writing the preface or the book?

Captain Archer : [agitated] I've got a lot to say!

Commander Tucker : No kidding!

Captain Archer : [agitated] What's that supposed to mean?

Commander Tucker : If I may, sir... it's a little long-winded.

Captain Archer : [highly insulted] You're lucky you're a decent engineer, because you obviously don't know anything about writing!

Commander Tucker : [agitated] I'm not the only one!

[Archer, Tucker and Reed are highly agitated from a nearby radiation source]

Commander Tucker : [showing Archer his schematics for the new Captain's chair] You might want to see this, sir! Interactive status displays, secondary helm control. It's even got inertial micro-dampers. The ship could be shakin' apart and you'd hardly feel a thing!

Lt. Reed : [frustrated] You ignored a Tactical Alert for this?

Commander Tucker : [ignores Reed] I want to run some colours by you for the head rest.

Lt. Reed : This is all a big joke to you!

Commander Tucker : [to Reed] Give it a rest!

Lt. Reed : This isn't a bloody pleasure cruise! Without proper discipline on this ship, this mission is doomed!

Commander Tucker : [highly annoyed] Why don't you play soldier somewhere else?

Lt. Reed : [with suppressed anger] If this were a military situation, you'd be taken out and shot!

[Tucker and Reed start fighting]

Captain Archer : Hey!

[he breaks them apart, then slams Tucker against the wall.]

Captain Archer : I don't care what colour the headrest is, or whether it can serve me ice-tea! I just want to sit when I'm on duty!

[releases Tucker, then slams Reed against the wall.]

Captain Archer : And if I hear that alarm one more time, I may have *you* taken out and shot!

[releases Reed, then turns to T'Pol.]

Captain Archer : Unless there's a *real* emergency, like a reactor breach, I don't want to be disturbed!

Captain Archer : Remember that proto-star we ran across last week?

Commander Tucker : Yeah.

Captain Archer : I'm not seeing it here.

[indicating a Vulcan star chart]

Commander Tucker : Are you saying those Vulcan star charts aren't all that accurate? Well, if that's true, good luck getting them to admit it.

[Archer wants to visit the Vulcan monastery at P'Jem]

Captain Archer : How d'you think they'd feel about a visit?

Subcommander T'Pol : P'Jem is a place of quiet contemplation, captain. I'm not certain we'd be welcome.

Commander Tucker : It's because Vulcans think we smell bad, isn't it?

Commander Tucker : [to a Vulcan] For people without emotion, you sure have a flair for the dramatic.

Commander Tucker : It can laugh all it wants, the galaxy's not getting any of our bourbon.

[to an alien computer]

Commander Tucker : On my world we have a saying "the customer's always right." Maybe you should make that part of your programming.

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