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It was also interesting to see the problems Shran was having due to the missing portion of his antenae - not just with his balance and coordination but also with his refusal to admit there was a problem. That stubborness is something we have seen in Shran a lot.

Also, I liked the way his initial mistrust of the Aenar was overcome by his meeting of Jhamel. I loved the way the relationship between them was handled. It was yet another side of Shran than we've not seen before - I liked that.

I thought the story Valdore told the scientist about his once being a senator and the lesson he had learned when he was ousted from the senate was interesting too.

As for Trip, I had heard he was going to the Columbia so I wasn't surprised by his request and they had set it up in this arc by having him struggle with his feelings for T'Pol. I don't think he was being shown to be screwing up his job though as was suggested in an earlier post. Archer confirmed that when he spoke to Trip. I think Trip realized he was having difficulties putting his personal feelings aside and wanted to take steps to make sure that those feelings did not get in the way of his duty.

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Trip/T'pol caused my joyful feeling to deflate. It was more of my least favorite part of the Enterprise saga, and one I hold my nose and continue to watch the show 'in spite of.'

There were many aspects of the program I just loved.

I loved seeing Andoria! Did you notice how the light refracted? through the ice, casting little color spectra all over the walls of the ice caves? It is like the way light spectra are cast on walls as sunlight passes through crystal chandeliers. Little rainbows all over. You could easily envision the Andorians being just as thrilled by a sunny day on Andoria, even though it may not mean lying in the sun or going to the beach. It would mean a light show as the light penetrated their underground dwellings, and light rays split just like they do sometimes after a rain shower here on earth, when the sun spilts the clouds.

I thought Andoria was a beautiful world, with a beautiful sky.

I loved the fact that Andoria had a different racial group, the Aenar, who shared the planet with the 'blue skins.'

I thought this last episode of the three raised a very deep question. How well does one continue to hold on to one's beliefs if one believes he is the last adherent? The Romulans had convinced Gareb that he was the last of his kind. It seems to have taken away his heart to fight and live by his beliefs. Even though Gareb was drugged and a captive, he could have allowed himself to be killed to prevent the deaths he knew he was causing, if he had been strong enough to stand for his beliefs. When his sister Jhamel contacted him, he found the strength to stop the killing and allow himself to be killed, ending the Romulans' ability to use the drones. Certainly part of the strength came from the knowledge that his sister was on the ship he was attacking. But more so he was able to unburden his conscience and do what, as his sister said, he knew he had to do---stop what he was doing and allow himself to die.

The fact that the rest of the Aenar would do nothing about the one that was so obviously responsible for the deaths of so many (who were on a peace mission at that!) belies their committment to non-violence. It's a belief that takes no risks. Jhamel, who beleived in non-violence but also loved her brother, took a risk, and made a difference without betraying her beliefs. She was the best of the Aenar...one who took risks for her belief and love.

I believe that Jhamel knew that she was leaving her home to see her brother die. She had a lot of courage and love to risk using the telepresence device, to be able to reach him and remind him who he was. But she cared about the pain he was in as much as the deaths he was causing. A mixture of love and devotion and faith, risk, and courage. This is the kind of Star Trek story that I love.

Like Takara I found it interesting that the Romulan admiral had once been a senator, who had voiced a dissenting view that was non-expansionist, and was brought down for it. I also liked the basic decency of the scientist involved, and his care for the Aenar. It was good to see a Romulan with consicence ( contrasted to one whose conscience had been silenced). This is kind of a prequel thing, because it lets us know that not only during the TNG era were there Romulans who were looking for a different way, and that Ambassador Spock really was tapping into long held beliefs by cautiously dissenting Romulans.

A great episode, until the end. I am not convinced the friendships are what they were on the TOS. In Amok Time Spock told his friend his problem, even though they absolutely did not discuss this with 'ouutworlders.' Friendship and trust were stronger than cultural taboos. On Enterprise, the 'friends' are still more like close colleagues than true friends. Archer was more of a friend, since he let Trip go without pressing more for the reason why. So the doctor knows, but not his friend. I find this whole line with Trip/T'pol unsatisfying. It does nothing for me. It was contrived from the beginning, and everytime it comes up, it is poorly done.

No 10 this week. If they had saved the Trip departure bit for next episode, then I would have given it a higher score.

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That was the moon of Andoria I was talking about. Sorry!

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Its quiet a change of pace though going from the Vulcan Desert to a Andorian Moon ice Planet and a shame about Trip wanting a transfer to another ship and the Aenar being a White Version of the Andorians was also amazing.