Another Opening, Another Show - ENT Season 3 Premier pre-show

[Rayaru]

So, tonight's the big night. And I'm asking the question:

How good do you think (did you think) the episode "The Xindi" will/would be?

Me: after reading the synopsis and viewing the trailer... I'm not sure if I'll like this.

[Phantom]

Well, I must say I was marginally impressed with the season opener. Particularly the Major showing what his boys, and girl...that female Marine cleaned the floor with that guy, can do.

Still not sure about the 5 distinct races of Xindi, I think a consortium of races would make more sense. Anyway, I'll give it a chance...again this season.

[Sho-sa Kurita]

I think a consortium of races would make more sense

Ah, but the consortium of races was already done with the Dominion.

[Space_Cadet]

Originally posted by Sho-sa Kurita
Ah, but the consortium of races was already done with the Dominion.

and in Star Wars (can anyone say the Confederation?)

Personally, I didn't like the corny space marines but it was good show nonetheless. I would definitly be up to seeing Malcolm head butting with the Major.

[Phantom]

I thought the marines were the best part of it.

[Steele1701]

The marines did indeed add something to the show for me. The entry into the battle had my son and I cheering for them, especially when the female marine started kicking butt hand to hand. I am kind of worried about this "new" Archer though. He seems almost obsessed with his mission to the point of risking to much to complete it, but I guess if my homewrold were in danger I might be the same way.

[Phantom]

Originally posted by Steele1701
...when the female marine started kicking butt hand to hand...

Isn't that a mixed metaphor?

[prophetsteve]

Ah, but the consortium of races was already done with the Dominion.

I felt that the Xinti were pretty unique. I like the clashing viewpoints and the varied species represented. I also like the fact that instead of a true "Federation" the are actually related species, perhaps they either all evolved on the same planet or were engineered (by one of the other Xinti or by another race).
While they didn't stand out as 100% original (what does these days anyway?), I didn't find them as a blantant copy of anything either.

It will be interesting to see where they go with this...

[Phantom]

Ok, I can suspend my belief with the best of them. Heaven knows you have to when it comes to Trek. But, how can you have a "human", a Manitee and an insectoid as part of the same race???!!! We're not talking different skin or hair colour here, but 3 or 4 distinct DNA groupings that are incompatible. AFAIC this tops the list of the siliest things that B&B have pulled out of their collective butts.

Now, having said that I did enjoy the opening ep, I'll just ignore it when they say the insect Xindi has the same DNA markers as the Manitee.

BTW, how was the "Alien Consortium" done with the Dominion? As I recall the Dominion was the Founders, with a bunch servitor races underneath them. Hardly a consortium.

[prophetsteve]

AFAIC this tops the list of the siliest things that B&B have pulled out of their collective butts.

While I admit they are stretching, I don't have enough information about them to realize how "silly" the whole thing is. I will wait to see what the whole explaination of their origins is, before I pass judgment. I do predict it will involve a lot of Treknobabble...

Like I said, I am interested in the Xinti and willing to give it a chance.

[Tobian]

I haven't *yet* seen the episode, but going off what's been said it could be that the Xindi could be like early predictions on how man could get in to space: I.e. modifying genetic structure and radically changing the code for specific purproses - so you make marine versions for underwater colonies, and low oxygen versions for thin atmosphere worlds, or even more exotic. Perhaps this happened to their species, then they developed more advanced technology, rendering these genetic adaptations pointless?

I seem to remember an Andromeda episode in much the same vein, where the occupants of a planet were all human, but they were radically different in form - aquatic and standard, but they were both 'human'

Just a thought.

[BouncyCaitian]

Uh guys...we've had half klingons and vulcans on the show since TOS. And vulcans have copper based blood and god only knows what that purple crap is in klingon veins is. I'm suspeding my disbelif a bit.
Besides, the Xindi might have some truly funky genetics going for them. Perhaps one might mutate into another with some natural mutagen applied...kinda like bees.

[Phantom]

Suspending genetics here, both the Vulcans and Klingons are "humanoid" and apparently somewhat compatable with human DNA. But, to say that an insect has any similar DNA coding with that of a "humanoid" or some manitee type aquatic creature is totally...Well, dumb. IMO of course, and beyond the realm of suspension of disbelief. Now, if they just left it that these creatures were native to same planet then I would have been fine with it, but to say that they are genetic related...Well, I think you know my mind. As I said I just mentally edit the silliness out...Like I've been doing the last 2 seasons.

[First of Two]

Ever read "Man After Man" by Dougal Dixon?

Hm, that plains-running creature, that aquatic creature, and that really bizarre thing that can live in a vacuum have 99% similar genetic structures...