ENT'S "Similitude"

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ENT'S "Similitude"

 

Production Report: Clone Question Considered in "Similitude"

 

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Cloning has long been a staple of science fiction, but now that it's entered the public consciousness as science fact, the controversies surrounding the practice lend new resonance to an otherwise timeworn concept. The ethics of cloning in light of this new topicality are explored in "Similitude," which completed principal photography Thursday under the direction of LeVar Burton.

In the story, Trip Tucker suffers a catastrophic injury while experimenting with the ship's engines, and goes into a coma with extensive brain damage. Dr. Phlox tells Archer that one of the exotic creatures in his Sickbay can be used to create a "mimetic simbiot" — essentially a clone — from which he can transplant neural tissue to save Trip's life. But this simbiot would be a living being on its own, albeit with only a 15-day lifespan. Despite the ethical questions, Archer tells Phlox to proceed. The situation is made more urgent by the fact that Enterprise is adrift in a cloud of particles that is draining the ship's power.

 

The script was written by Manny Coto, who joined the Enterprise staff this year as co-executive producer. Previously Coto created Showtime's original sci-fi series Odyssey 5, and has written, directed and produced a variety of other genre fare. In a recent STARTREK.COM chat, Scott Bakula calls Coto's piece "one of our best scripts in three years."  (Related transcript.)

 

After weeks of elaborate sets and location shooting, the production team had a bit of a reprieve on this installment as it took place entirely on standing ship sets — traditionally called a "bottle show." The most unusual aspect of this production was the presence of several actors of varying ages portraying Trip Tucker's clone, nicknamed "Sim" in the story and referred to production-wise as "Sim-Trip."

 

Remember Trip's nightmare in "The Xindi" where we saw him as a boy? Remember what a striking resemblance that young actor bore to Conner Trinneer? That was Adam Taylor Gordon, and he's back as the 8-year-old "Sim." There was also a 4-year-old played by Maximillian Kesmodel and a 17-year-old played by Shane Sweet. (Trinneer played the adult "Sim" himself.) Gordon had the most to do of those guest stars, working four of the seven days of production, in some very moving scenes with Archer and Porthos.

 

There were also scenes with an infant simbiot, and per normal Hollywood practice, a pair of twins were used as the 8-month-old baby, and a set of 8-week-old triplets portrayed the newly born infant (that's right — "Trip Triplets"). The company had to abide by very strict guidelines limiting the amount of time any child could be on set, depending on their age. The same was true for the other minor players, who had to attend school before reporting to work.

 

Sickbay was the most occupied set this time, but the most intense action took place in Engineering, where significant fireworks and flying debris were used in scenes leading up to Trip's accident. Shawn Crowder, Trinneer's usual stunt double, took the actual fall. Other shooting took place in the Armory, Launchbay, Bridge, Trip's Quarters, T'Pol's Quarters, the Shuttlepods and virtually every other standing set. On Tuesday, October 7, everyone was strongly encouraged to get to the polls and vote in California's recall election, and before camera wrapped that night, word came that Arnold Schwarzenegger had been elected governor. Principal photography concluded on October 9, which was Bakula's birthday, and besides some basic celebrating, a few gags were played on him that day, which we will leave for him to talk about in a future chat.

 

"Similitude" is Burton's second directorial outing of the season, following "Extinction." It's his sixth Enterprise episode overall.

 

The episode is tentatively scheduled to air November 19. More information can be found at its Episode Detail page.

 

UPN has changed its upcoming schedule somewhat. After "Exile" this Wednesday, a repeat of the season premiere "The Xindi" will air on October 22. That will be followed by "The Shipment" on October 29. New episodes will continue through November, then repeats will air throughout December.

 

Please note: All production, story and scheduling information is subject to change.

--StarTrek.COM http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/3209.html

 

 

Master Q

StarTrek_Master_Q@yahoo.com

[Klingonmike 0]

This episode sounds great! I'm looking forward to it.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

This looks like it has the potential to be the best episode this season. A real story line and ethical questions.