Star Trek: Enterprise
"Proving Ground"
Air date: 1/21/2004
Written by Chris Black
Directed by David Livingston
Review by Jamahl Epsicokhan
"The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one." — Shran, in Weyoun-like form after doing his best Brunt impression
In brief: Now that's more like it.
Praise Jeffrey Combs.
Shran may not be Weyoun, but Jeffrey Combs is Jeffrey Combs, and his appearance in "Proving Ground" is like a godsend from beyond the borders of the Delphic Expanse. Shran is a familiar face we respond to, because he has an actual personality, and personality is one thing that has been woefully lacking this season on Enterprise. It's the current key missing ingredient, as far as I'm concerned. I don't much care about the plot arc or the fate of Earth because I don't much care about the characters.
The problem with the Delphic Expanse is simply this: The Xindi are total ciphers. (Far more interesting are the mysterious spheres, which I'd argue have been better developed as characters, which I guess is a problem since the spheres are inanimate objects and the Xindi are supposed to be people.) Consider the Xindi's presence here. What do we get? The same laughable — if they weren't so lamentable — scenes we've gotten all season: Xindi council guys grumbling about The Weapon and demanding answers for why it isn't ready to be deployed now, now, now!
I say, enough, enough, enough!
Also consider Xindi operative Degra (Randy Oglesby), who has been the guy overseeing the development of The Weapon in most if not all the Xindi episodes thus far. He might be the only Xindi bad guy so far to be given a name. And yet, unless you, like me, were checking press releases for the credits every week, it's unlikely you'd even notice he was the same guy. He could just as easily be an interchangeable Xindi placeholder, because he's as much a cipher as the ones sitting at the roundtable. (Come to think of it, he's often among those at the roundtable.)
So it's probably about time the writers port in a character from outside the expanse who predates this season. Enter Shran ... and enter the most purely enjoyable episode of Enterprise since "Anomaly." (Yes, "Twilight" was better, but more weighty and therefore less fun.)
The secret of "Proving Ground" is that it uses a character established in the first two seasons to lend credence to a story arc that has been hard to buy into because (1) the blandness of the Xindi and (2) the fact the Xindi are not accounted for in the Trek canon and thus don't feel like a legitimate end result of the timeline. The Andorians and the Vulcans (and the humans who have intervened in their previous affairs), however, do feel like Trek-canon elements, so there's something about this episode that seems more grounded in Trekkian reality. In short, it feels like there's something at stake here, because the Andorians and the Vulcans are players, whereas the Xindi are pawns.
If it sounds like I'm arguing in favor of a return to more traditional Trek character interaction and a Federation-building backdrop rather than this ongoing race against a vague doomsday situation ... well, I'll just say the writers might be on to something here.
Then again, they are able to play both aspects here pretty well (aside from the hopeless Xindi council meetings, which need to go away). We get Shran and the Andorians, and we get some worthwhile development along the Xindi front. Degra and his team are testing a prototype, smaller-yield version of The Weapon on the moons of an uninhabited world. (Being someone who must bring logic where it is not welcome, I must again ask why the Xindi needed to "test" an even earlier version of The Weapon on Earth in "The Expanse" only to do more tests here.)
Archer wants to spy and learn as much as possible about what's going on. Shran offers his help in a "joint venture" that ultimately becomes Archer's scheme to steal the prototype from the Xindi for study.
The central question is whether or not Archer can trust Shran. Is Shran's offer of help really what it seems to be, or does he have other motives, perhaps under the orders of the Andorian Imperial Guard? You can probably guess which, but the idea itself still proves interesting. Just what is Shran up to and why?
I appreciated the exchanges between Archer and T'Pol regarding caution versus trust. From what the Vulcans have experienced, the Andorians tend to have self-serving agendas. Archer argues in favor of giving Shran the benefit of the doubt given their history, which has not been "friendly" per se, but has shown a certain level of honor and fairness. At the very least, Shran has a nagging need to repay old debts.
The notion of working toward building a new trust is also demonstrated in some serviceable scenes between Reed and Andorian Lt. Talas (Molly Brink). It starts off a bit clichéd, with Talas and Reed initially disliking each other, but the relationship evolves reasonably into that of two military professionals who reach a mutual respect. Also, it plays a piece in the plot that shows Archer was thinking ahead and not lulled into trusting Shran completely.
The Xindi story takes some decent turns as the Enterprise crew witnesses a test of the weapon on a moon (playing like a smaller-scale version of the opening scene of "Twilight"), and then learn that the test was actually a failure — apparently, the writers have decreed, because of sabotage by Gralik (see "The Shipment"). I call this a writer's decree because it seems to me like a big jump to conclusions on Archer's part given his limited information. The weapon didn't work right, so Gralik must have been responsible? Don't know if I buy that.
Never mind, because Combs is what makes this episode work. Shran is under orders from the Imperial Guard to steal the weapon for the Andorians as a means to deter a possible Vulcan invasion (the paranoia!). Combs and the writers skillfully walk a line that allows us to empathize with Shran's situation even as he deceives Archer. I guess you could say that Shran is only as deceitful as he has to be under the circumstances, and that his deceit has no directly malicious intent. The character maintains a certain integrity behind the ruse. He does what he has to as a military officer serving his people; he's not serving Archer. The dynamic is tons more interesting than faceless Xindi plotting to destroy Earth for who-knows-why.
There are a couple standout scenes involving Shran over the viewscreen. In one scene he wanders into the Xindi's test range, claiming to be a member of the "Andorian Mining Consortium" looking for a valuable substance called "Archerite." It's a rather amusing con job that makes for a funny sequence.
The other one is between Shran and Archer, and takes place after Shran has stolen the weapon and fled in his ship. The Enterprise tracks the Andorians, and Archer and Shran face off over the viewscreen in a dramatically charged exchange where it is clear that no one intends to back down. This proves entertaining and satisfying thanks to the solid performances. Scott Bakula is convincing as Archer in no-nonsense badass mode, and Shran — finding himself at a tactical disadvantage — has to give in, disgusted. The icing on the cake is Shran's decision to willingly transmit his data on the Xindi weapon to Archer, even after a confrontation that has left Shran's ship crippled. It makes perfect sense using Shran's brand of logic, where he feels a certain loyalty to Archer so long as it doesn't conflict with his higher priorities. Shran, it must be said, is becoming a complicated and interesting guy.
By the way, the reason this showdown works so well when scenes of this type can easily fall flat is because we have a stake in both the characters and we understand their behavior patterns. There is a context to the conflict, rooted in legitimate character interaction.
Alas, this is the context that is missing with the Xindi, and it's the reason this story arc — despite the nods to continuity, despite the upped action — will remain ho-hum ... until the Xindi become figures we can respond to with something besides a blank stare.
Until then, I'll take Commander Shran any day.
Previous episode: Chosen Realm
Next episode: Stratagem
33 comments on this post
Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 11:05pm (UTC -6)
Silly writters....
Sun, Sep 5, 2010, 9:34am (UTC -6)
Another nice touch: Shran's stalks bent down as he passed under a bulkhead while talking to Archer on the ship. Subtle, and not strictly necessary, but it was very cool.
Mon, Dec 27, 2010, 9:14pm (UTC -6)
Jammer, I pretty much agree with your review. The only thing I felt differently about was the stand off scene at the end. I'm still not buying into bad ass Archer. Petulant, angry and impulsive Archer maybe. But, I can't pull together enough admiration for his character to call him "no nonsense". He's done too many idiotic things in the past for me to suddenly feel like he's in control and knows what he's doing now. However, that scene still worked well for me because Jeffrey Combs has enough bad assery and charisma for the both of them.
@fortyseven haha, I loved that moment with the view screen too!
For once, I really don't have any major complaints about the episode! The writers did a good job of bringing things back to the Trek we know and love with a really entertaining plot. The actors were all good in this one and the visuals on this show continue to be fantastic. I would have easily given this one three and a half stars!
Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 11:20pm (UTC -6)
Fri, May 6, 2011, 1:35am (UTC -6)
Sadly, I must also agree with Jammer's commentary on WHY this one is a good episode and how we can appreciate the Archer/Shran interaction. Indeed
hollowness of the Xindi is a big problem (one of the many) in Season 3, which really makes me wish the Andorians really stole the Doomsday device (a finalized version would be even better). I'd have taken a Terran-Andorian story arc over a Terran-Xindi one any day, if it meant seeing more of J.Combs.
Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 5:39pm (UTC -6)
Am I the only one who should test a prototype first and in secret, then deploy a weapon in the open, not the other way around?
It shows the writers are stumbling from week to week, coming up with stories without knowing where they're going. Even worse, often without even knowing where they came from. Sloppy, unprofessional but first and foremost so many chances lost for a good, coherent story.
Wed, Sep 12, 2012, 6:26pm (UTC -6)
The scene with Shran leaving the room as Archer says he wants to be on Shran's ship seemed a little fakey and overplayed. And Archer saying you son of a bitch before the commercial fade at the end of Act 3 was an empty throwaway. Maybe a better actor like Patrick Stewart or EJO could have just intensely stared at Shran to convey his anger. Or maybe better writing was required.
No matter, Combs is so good the blah b-story and other minor quibbles are just that, minor. I could watch Combs in the worst Trek, maybe playing Brunt in stupefying stupid Ferengi episode. He’s that good.
Wed, Sep 12, 2012, 6:37pm (UTC -6)
* "The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one." — Shran, in Weyoun-like form after doing his best Brunt impression [nice one Jammer! I call this the Shran/Weyoun/Brunt trifecta]
* a godsend from beyond the borders of the Delphic Expanse
* Yes! More Jeffrey combs please!
* Jeffrey Combs can take any kind of turd and turn it into a shining diamond
* Jeffrey Combs has enough bad assery and charisma for the both of them
* THANK GOD for Jeffrey Combs
* He is the real standout here ... He redeems the episode in and all by himself
Thu, Sep 20, 2012, 1:06am (UTC -6)
Fri, Nov 30, 2012, 4:09pm (UTC -6)
The appearance on the viewscreen with his antennae popping up on Archer's head like the bunny ear thing people do in photos was cute in a "hehe he's your friennnnd" kind of way :D Hilarious, brilliant
I'm shocked the "Reed and the girl" thing didn't go further (it was going for alllll the cliches) but pleasantly so.
Good stuff, weak boring Xindi aside.
Thu, Feb 14, 2013, 2:45am (UTC -6)
I very much like J. Combs too, but it's obvious the writers have put some thoughts in his character. Yes, Combs is great, so the fleshing out of Shran feels real, charisma, internal conflict and all. But I wouldn't dismiss some of the very good actors on the show (Trinneer, Billingsley): it's not really their fault if the writers makes them less entertaining. If used correctly, they could surely highlight the show as well as Combs.
As for S. Bakula, I can only commend him for putting up with the terrible writing his character is given.
So far, the Xindi arc is mildly interesting. I'm also more intrigued by the mysterious spheres and the purpose of those fabricated anomalies. So andorians were very welcome; it's an interesting race - and yes, it's childish, but I love the way their antennas reveal their emotional state - and there's hope this is a race with which the seeds of future Union of Planets could be planted.
On a light note, the Reed/tactical andorian interactions were indeed clichés. However, there was some nice chemistry between those two, which made the scenes pleasant to watch.
Wed, May 14, 2014, 12:28pm (UTC -6)
Thu, May 22, 2014, 2:04pm (UTC -6)
The moment where Shran contacts Archer has to be my favorite moment of the entire series. I agree, Jeffrey Combs really adds to this episode, and that scene was priceless.
Unlike Jammer I don't mind not getting much information about the Xindi — nothing wrong with them being enigmatic — though I do get the feeling they could speed it up a little. Would have made a lot more more sense to have the Wild West episode before or after the Xindi arc, not in the middle, when the Enterprise hardly has the time to go investigating odd colonies.
Thu, Jun 19, 2014, 4:20pm (UTC -6)
- the Andorians have a military mission
- the captain of the Andorians actually likes Archer and their relationship is constantly growing
- the Andorians are at all out war with the Vulcans, who have superior firepower and technology
- Archer hasn't made clear what his overall plan of action is to settle the threat of the Xindi
- finding the prototype weapon is all by chance
- the Andorians have a real plan of action
- the Andorian technology is well ahead of human technology
Given that, we are supposed to side with Archer and the humans because they didn't get the weapon? They couldn't even get the weapon. Also, the humans are the aggressors in this.
The entire episode could have gone FAR better if the Andorian captain had said, "well I see no reason not to give you all of our analysis of the weapon. Please tag along while we analyze the weapon, but we have a mission too, it's not all about you, Archer."
But, in a fit of infantile rage, Archer starts the weapon, and blows it up a la, "if I can't have it, neither can you."
So Archer is the aggressor, juvenile, and obviously not a captain of a starship, and explorer since he so bad at diplomacy.
The writers of this entire series have no inkling of what the word diplomacy even.
As the heir of a diplomat, myself, it makes me rage when writing like this happens, that's supposed to be about diplomacy. The Andorians owe nothing to the humans.
Sun, Jul 6, 2014, 1:42pm (UTC -6)
Wed, Jan 7, 2015, 8:08pm (UTC -6)
Fri, Jan 9, 2015, 2:20am (UTC -6)
An observation re: this thread - no one complaining this time that Travis was hardly noticeable. Do you know why he's hardly got anything to do? Because he's a pointless character played by an inexperienced actor. We have some talented actors on this show who can carry a scene or a show (Billingsley of course, but also Trinneer and Park and Bakula) - Mayweather will have less to do than Sulu did, and rightly so.
Tue, May 26, 2015, 4:52pm (UTC -6)
Sat, Apr 30, 2016, 10:25am (UTC -6)
Fri, Jun 23, 2017, 9:15am (UTC -6)
Mon, Jun 26, 2017, 2:39pm (UTC -6)
Definitely nice to get Shran and the Andorians back into the story given so many nameless / unrelatable aliens. It does help to understand Shran's character and then have him involved in the story.
Definitely getting tired with the Xindi roundtable - it's the same old crap as Jammer says and it's not helping build up any personalities or deeper understanding of the issue.
I suppose the interaction between the female Andorian lieutenant and Reed was ok -- that's kind of where the first hint of subterfuge came in (with the scanners).
A good story, Coombs as Shran gives the episode some life but I'm still not riveted to the greater story arc. On it's own "Proving Ground" deserves 3 stars adding an interested and much-needed twist to the story arc.
Tue, Aug 1, 2017, 8:59pm (UTC -6)
Tue, Sep 19, 2017, 12:42pm (UTC -6)
But also Earth would have no way of knowing who had sent the weapon, so the Xindi would have nothing to fear. The Xindi didn't know that a guy from the future would tell Archer who sent it and why and that they were building another one, and had no reason to think Earth could figure any of that out on their own.
The last 2 episodes were pretty average. This one is a good one.
3 stars from me
Tue, Oct 10, 2017, 9:21am (UTC -6)
And I also have to say, watching on Netflix with headphones, even though I don't love the opening theme (Diane Warren maybe not the right person for that assignment, though in general I love her stuff), the score for this show is very good.
Mon, Jun 11, 2018, 1:57pm (UTC -6)
Fri, Mar 22, 2019, 11:02am (UTC -6)
I thought it was pretty mechanical and mediocre. Most of the scenes were not very involving They were just “there”
Tue, Mar 26, 2019, 10:29pm (UTC -6)
Fri, Aug 2, 2019, 5:18am (UTC -6)
Not only could we have more information about this race but we could have met some of their main characters and had some development of their personalities. We love Andorians and Vulcans, amongst others, because of their cultural and character development within storylines. The Xindi are hollow enemies and this affects the story negatively.
Still, Bakula was very good as was Combs. There were interesting twists and turns, such as the Andorian duplicity. I liked the toughness that Archer displayed both in his gutsy call to try and steal the weapon, punching Shran when deserved, and threatening to activate the weapon while it sat in the Andorian cargo hold. T'Pol advised Archer well not to trust Shran, and I enjoyed looking at the Andorian females, love the blue lips! Would their antennae be creepy in an intimate setting? I'm not sure yet. Still, all-in-all a very good episode.
Rating: 3 and 1/4 stars
Tue, Dec 24, 2019, 1:18pm (UTC -6)
Don’t believe anyone has mentioned this, but they actually were planning to bring on Shran as a series regular if ENT had gotten a fifth season. Now that I would’ve loved to see. Who knows? It might’ve given ENT the same jolt of energy that Seven of Nine gave Voyager in S4. An entertaining frenemy relationship with Archer, friction with T’Pol, his likely respect for Reed as a fellow military man… Ah, we can dream.
I enjoyed the B-plot between Reed and the Andorian officer. The writers walked a perfect balance between building genuine respect between them, playing understated notes of sexual tension (I was reminded of Reed hooking up with ANOTHER visiting alien in “Cogenitor”), and keeping Reed smart and vigilant. He’s clearly enjoying his time with her, but he still keeps his head about him and doesn’t trust her completely. In a season where the supporting characters are getting swamped by the main arc (except for Hoshi in “Exile”), Reed is getting some good screentime.
This is all I want from good space opera. Bombastic acting, energetic music, a zippy, adventurous tone, solid drama, and intergalactic politics. Heck, I’m even enjoying the scenery-chewing, comic-book Xindi council scenes because they’re so over-the-top. (It helps that I remember the concluding stretch of S3 is so strong.) 3.5 stars.
Fri, May 15, 2020, 5:40pm (UTC -6)
Jeffery Combs is always a delight. I get similar vibes from Shran and Archer as Q and Picard. Maybe even the barest hints of Garak and Bashir, particularly when dining, but more one sided. It’s something about looking into someone’s eyes whilst you cork or uncork a bottle and say something suggestive. In any case, I love their chemistry. You can really see just how torn up Shran’s orders make him. Archer shouldn’t have hit him! He’s your friend, Archer! But it’s great. You can see why Archer hit him. It’s good writing! And it’s hilarious to watch Shran feel physical pain when he calls T’Pol competent, and the way he leaps to his feet when Archer mentions Vulcans.
Sat, Aug 22, 2020, 7:30pm (UTC -6)
I did the same: straight from Twilight to this one. It's as if those four episodes didn't exist.
I wonder what happened. Did they write and FILM these episodes that mattered, and then come back to film those four as filler? Massive mistake in pacing if so. Part of Jammer's problem with the season so far is that the Xindi are ciphers. But if the filler is cut, it doesn't matter if they are ciphers - they remain an interesting mystery.
Sat, Oct 10, 2020, 6:37pm (UTC -6)
Sun, Dec 6, 2020, 2:29pm (UTC -6)
I am pretty sure it was Shran.
I liked this episode, and I like the Andorians. I just wish they WERE being more forthright, and not have a layer of intrigue behind Enterprise's back.
I will say this-I was concerned about continuity wondering how the timeline could possibly be fixed as there is so much that has been skewed with the Xindi affair. Well, I think I know how things are fixed by the time of Kirk: has anyone read Isaac Asimov's Foundation books? Well, after the Mule changed the way events were supposed to unfold (via the Seldon Plan), the Second Foundation was secretly and surreptitiously guiding things back on track. I want to think Daniels and his "time squad" did something similar
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