Carpenter Street

In this episode, Archer and T'Pol time-travel back to 2004 to attempt to stop the Xindi from destroying humanity.

The plot wasn't bad, but what I enjoyed most about this episode was T'Pol's commentary on humanity in the 21st Century. Star Trek has criticised our current society on countless occasions, and I suppose it could be construed as being 'preachy', but the criticisms are fair. Jolene Blalock portrayed T'Pol's disgust at meat-eating, fossil fuel consumption, greed, violence and moral corruption extremely well.

All in all, a fun episode. Very convenient, however, that the Xindi happened to travel back in time to 2004.

The greatest thing about this episode is that it features Leland Orser who is one of Hollywood's most underrated actors; as usual he gives a superb natural performance. We don't see enough of Leland Orser like others of his ilk, because they're too good; they act as though they aren't acting and so most of the audience are so convinced that they don't realise what an incredible job they're doing - especially with the kind of characters that Leland Orser plays. So if you want to see a master at work, then watch this episode.

Apart from that the story works really well and is shot in a grittier hand-held style that suits the dark atmosphere and it's a big departure from the tight gloss of the usual Enterprise episodes - it's all about the characters; no CGI or tech-speak. Perhaps you could compare it to an episode of the X Files; it looks kind of similar and the plot would work in that series.

In total it's very enjoyable from the first scene to the last; it keeps moving, every sequence adds to the storyline and it keeps you glued to the screen right the way through. Over all it's a triumph and an episode you could watch as a stand-alone and get what's going on in this series. It was also good to see Archer and T'Pol out of their normal context; though I'm glad it doesn't happen too often - this episode goes along with the long tradition of Trek crews finding themselves on Earth in the past, or in pseudo Earth societies on other worlds.

It is interesting to note that the episode Carpenter Street and the character,Dr. Loomis Strode, are associated with John Carpenter's Halloween movie ;-)(i.e.Laurie Strode and Detective Loomis) I looked to see if either writers or director had a notable connection in their bio, but found none. Still it is obvious that someone is a fan of John Carpenter and rightly so!

A remarkable episode, entertaining and very well shot.

I recognized several nods to both Terminator 1 & 2. Another reviewer points out John Carpenter and Halloween, hence the title.

It also feels like a X-Files episode with the way it's shot and its tale of alien abduction/conspiracy (certainly X-Files is felt in the overarching plot of the Enterprise series with a "black oil" like substance playing a role).

Generally, I want trek to be more like the 90s shows: to embrace the old television format of storytelling verses trying to be like Hollywood --- I want less mood lighting, less lens flare, less style and more substance --- but I super dig this episode.

Archer and T'Pol time travel back to Detroit in 2004 to intercept some time-travelling Xindi terrorists.

The story was well paced, but didn't grip me enough to think anything bad was ever in danger of happening. It has some decent moments, which come mainly from good acting by the cast and also T'Pol's interaction with a drive through fast food restaurant, but it doesn't work for me as a concept or in the way the story unfolds.

The idea of the Xindi collecting human blood is good, but the time travel element feels to me feels half-baked. If they have the means to time travel why choose this time and if things go wrong why not just time travel again? In fact why not just time travel back to the dawn of man and kill all humans before they even develop the wheel? Also, the Xindi looked menacing when they boarded the Enterprise and did so much damage in a previous episode, but in a warehouse and on a rooftop in Detroit they look as convincing as a man in a rubber suit from 50s or 60s sci-fi.

Archer goes full Jack Bauer in this one, even looking like him during his mild torture session with Leland Orser's character. I found this to be a bit of a distraction.

It does advance the overarching season plot, so it is worth watching for continuity and I did like the John Carpenter references.

It's a 5.5/10 for me but I round upwards.