Star Trek: Enterprise Episode Review
Season 2, Episode 15
Archer is called in to mediate a territorial dispute between the Vulcans and Andorians.
The "captain handles diplomacy between two opposing races" trope is well-trodden ground in Star Trek, but Enterprise finds a compelling new angle by showing us the beginnings of the Federation itself. This is the best use of this series' status as a prequel so far. There is a sense of purpose in the storytelling and worldbuilding here that few surrounding episodes have.
Far from the stuffy conference rooms and hallways that might contain a similar "opposing races" story on The Next Generation, "Cease Fire" retells this tale for the 21st century. Its setting, the rubble of a bombed-out city, evokes images from the contemporary "War on Terror." Dialogue describing the conflict couches it in very modern terms, avoiding sci-fi jargon. We hear of disputed ancestral claims, desperation for something as simple as a cease fire, controversy over naming, negotiations for the release of hostages, forced annexations, and refugee camps. These themes have sadly helped the episode endure and remain relevant even 20 years after its original airing -- it is very easy to read Israel and Palestine into Pon Makkar and Weytahn -- which speaks to a timeless quality that many of the best Star Trek episodes have.
Despite a bleak presentation, Star Trek's overt optimism still stands out here. So many modern stories with themes like racism and cycles of violence take a grim and gritty approach, but Enterprise emphasizes the need for solutions rather than retribution. It's rare for a story like this to present progress as attainable rather than naive.
But while "Cease Fire" has a great concept, it is only a good episode. The pieces were in place to tell story about warring factions setting their enmity aside to come to a compromise. But that's not really what "Cease Fire" is about. At its core, this is an action episode about escorting a civilian in a war zone. Archer's victory has more to do with punching the correct bad guy than forging diplomatic ties. There is room in the episode for multiple fight scenes, but the negotiations themselves are skipped over entirely.
"Cease Fire" smooths over this weakness by casting three reliable Star Trek veterans in its main guest roles. Voyager veteran Gary Graham uses this opportunity to bring new depth to Soval, previously little more than a condescending bureaucrat. His begrudging compliment of Archer at the episode's end is a satisfying first step towards Vulcans finally coming to see humanity's strengths, a subtle pay-off for elements set up as early as "Broken Bow." The incomparable Jeffrey Combs continues to excel as Shran, giving him a hard edge but also an honorable quality that distinguishes him completely from his most iconic Star Trek character, Weyoun. As for the episode's antagonist, Suzie Plakson -- who has previously brought her talents to a Klingon, a Vulcan, and a Q -- delivers a characteristically excellent performance as a devout nationalist who has seen too much blood to consider peace. Her considerable screen presence and imposing stature make her a credible threat to Combs' Shran and elevate a character that is a bit one-note on paper.
Spoilers ahead for future episodes. The B-plot in "Cease Fire" is strong as well, comprising a tense standoff between Andorian and Vulcan starships, with Trip in command. His bold order to place the Enterprise between the opposing fleets serves as a defining moment for the character, so much so that Season 4 episode "Kir'Shara" would give this "Tucker Maneuver" an encore during an even bigger space battle. The image of Enterprise sandwiched between two fleets of future allies is a perfect visualization of the bravery of peacemakers and the role that the ship serves in the history of Star Trek's Federation.
