Enterprise-- "The Expanse"



I just watched the season finale of Enterpirise. Like mosr of the season, it was a uneven. The story thus far: an alien probe attacks Earth, cutting a swath miles wide from Florida to Venezuela. Seven million people are killed, including--as we later find out--Trip's younger sister. Enterpise is recalled, but not before the ship is intercepted by the Suliban. They insist Archer speak with the "Man from the Future," whom we still don't get to see. He tells Archer the probe came from the Xndi, a alien race who have been told by some faction in the Temperal War that Earth will destroy their planet in 400 years. The Xindi should not have gotten this information. They decided to take a preemptive strike. In fact, they are building a much more powerful weapon to finish off Earth once and for all. Archer has to find their homeworld and stop the weapon. Unfortunately, he has to cross an area of Space called the Delphic Expanse in order to get there . Travellers to the Expanse find their bodies inverted--organs on the outside, skin on the inside--but what choice does Archer have?



This sets up the new arc for the show.



There were a few tense moments (Like when Trip went to Florida and pointed out all the hangouts in his hometown, which is now a crater.) but there really wasn't much of a dramatic build up. We never really felt like Topol would leave the crew even after the Vulcan High Command demanded her to. Nor did we see the reactio to the military personnel joining the crew. It was implied this would be frowned upon and cause tension. Well, show us some! We need a reason to tune in next season, especially since this wasn't a cliffhanger. I really thought the subplot with the Klingons hunting Archer was forgettable. If this storyline was meant to increae viewership for next season, i don't think it's quite going to do it.



That said, I'll still be watching come September, but I'm not hanging on the edge of my seat like some past season finales have had me. Is science fiction getting more boring, or am I just getting jaded in my old age?