Cold Station 12

A few ENT episodes have felt atavistic on this rewatch. This one calls back to debates about genetic engineering, abortion, and stem cell research that this show has delved into before. Unfortunately it handles them with the intelligence of a rabid dog. There are hamfisted attempts to comment on the 'grey' area of genetic research, but only enough to let us know that in the end it was good that bioconservatism won out. In an age where this sort of technology is possible, but laws threaten to prevent its use in cases where it could be medically helpful, this episode lands like a wet fart.

Let me be clear: this episode doesn't so much say that CRISPR-type tech, used with the intent of creating a super-race, is bad bad. It does seem to say that attempting to cure genetic disorders is bad. There is something repugnant about this future.

Star Trek: Enterprise's Augments trilogy is a highlight in the many episodes of Star Trek. The three Episodes "Boarderland", "Cold Station 12" and "The Augments" are among my all-time favorites. The trilogy combines 2 elements of lore that fans will love: The Eugenics Wars and Brent Spiner. Spiner steals the show in all three episodes. Basic plot of this episode: With Aurik Soong (Brent Spiner) now allied with the Augments he helped create, can the crew of the STARSHIP ENTERPRISE save the day before war with the Klingon Empire becomes inevitable? And to what lengths will Soong go to save his "children"?

If you're new to Star Trek, definitely catch this trilogy first

Dr. Soong has to find those embryos, to put more of these awful kids into play. By now he should be realizing that he is starting to fall out of the equation. The leader of the augments is psychotic, enjoying what he is doing to people. He is doubting Soong and the others are getting nervous. He kills one of the men in the facility where the embryos are being stored in the most hideous way. They need a code and are trying to extort information from the head of the facility. They will stop at nothing. These guys are really great villains because they have no redeeming qualities. They aren't content to just get their way; they must inflict unnecessary violence. Good episode but incredibly violent.

Normally I'm a big fan of this Star Trek, and let me be clear, my issue here is with the guest stars. The writing, and even more so, their acting (the "augments") is so cheesy and over the top, it's like a bad Dr. Who episode.

Dr. Soong heads to Cold Station 12 in the Bird of Prey with the Augments to get more embryos. Meanwhile, without any lead, the Enterprise travels to the place where the Augments were raised and they find Smike, who was left behind due to his inferior abilities. Dr. Soong and the Augments lure the security of the station and imprison and torture the scientists trying to force their leader Dr. Jeremy Lucas to disclose the security code to access the embryos. Malik has frictions with his "father" Dr. Soong in the dispute of the leadership of the Augments. Archer, Dr. Phlox and a small crew are beamed to the station to rescue the prisoners and the tension between humans and Augments increases; then the evil Malik releases lethal pathogens in the station.

"Cold Station 12" is a great sequel of "Borderland". The ambitious and cruel Malik confronts the order of the dreamer Dr. Soong that actually wants a pacific life with the Augments. Captain Archer will certainly have great difficulties to defeat such powerful enemy. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Estação Polar 12" ("Polar Station 12")