I meant to write about this yesterday, but didn't have time. And I'm going to show my geek side, so beware.

So far, I haven't been nearly as impressed with Enterprise as I have with the other Star Trek series. It started out with a bang, blowing me away with the series premiere, then pulled back on the reins with most of the other episodes. Some of the plots have been downright boring, and the writing lazy. They've gotten a little better this season, but I still haven't seen anything to rival that phenomenal premiere.

Until Wednesday night. The episode was called "Stigma", and dealt with the consequences of the busty Vulcan science officer T'Pol's contraction of a series illness, called Pa'nar Syndrome. The previous season, she was forceably mind-melded with a fanatical Vulcan renegade, which caused the accidental transmission of the disease. At this point, mind-melds are considered extremely taboo, and the minority of those Vulcans born with the ability to do it are shunned from society. The ship's doctor meets with some Vulcan physicians to ask for any research or help they might provide, and is promptly turned down. They find out that T'Pol is the one infected, and her career and life are suddenly at great risk.

Halfway through the show, I realized that it was about AIDS. It's exactly the type of episode Gene Roddenberry would have liked. In fact, most of the best episodes across the different series and the movies have dealt with social issues. It made me admire the writers for discussing a subject that Star Trek fans normally wouldn't even think about. TV Guide mentions the story as well.

They also touched the surface of polyamorous relationships, when Dr. Phlox's Denobulan second wife tries to seduce the chief engineer.

This has been a test of the Emergency Geek Service. We now resume regular reprogramming. Please return your seats and tray tables to their upright and locked positions.

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Now Reading:
The Wannoshay Cycle by Michael Jasper

Stories Out to Publishers:
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Novel Word Count:
18,800