Proving Ground

The Enterprise is in big trouble, navigating the anomaly when who should show up but the Andorians and Shran. Not only do they rescue the crew, the send people over to help with repairs. Shran is there and his whole thing is so entertaining. One of the best scenes in the whole series has to do with his talking with the Xindi about Archerite mining. The Xindi are testing their device and the Andorians want to get their hands on it. There's no such thing as a free lunch and Archer and Shran eventually come to blows. The byplay between the to is quite marvelous and the episode is also thought provoking and forward looking.

Unlike many Trek-fans, I happen to think that it is a solid series. And "Proving Ground" may be the best single episode of the series -- compelling, funny and exciting, this episode is the finest episode in the finest season (Season 3) of an excellent series.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Season 3 is a season long arc in which Enterprise is dispatched into a little-known region of space (The Expanse), to track down a species known as the Xindi, who are preparing a weapon built with one purpose: to destroy Earth. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, not least of which is the very nature of the region they must traverse -- fraught with "spatial anomalies" that twist space into an impassable region that everyday threatens to destroy Enterprise and thwart their mission. In "Proving Ground", they receive much needed help from the Andorrians and, in particular, series regular guest, Commander Shran of the Andorrian Imperial Guard.

Without revealing too much, Shran assists the crew of Enterprise navigating this tricky part of space and to capture a prototype of the weapon which is being built to destroy Earth. The episode is filled with misdirection and some of the most amusing writing of an otherwise grim 3rd Season ("Helm, move off...but slowly...the Andorrian Mining Consortium runs from no one!").

Highly recommended, this episode represents some of the best writing, acting and directing of the entire series run. It is not a "stand-alone" episode, and is best enjoyed in the context of the entire season. Another great performance by Star Trek's frequent guest star, Jeffrey Combs (who most Star Trek fans recognize from his several appearances as a variety of aliens on several of the Trek series), as he struggles to balance his loyalty to his home world and his obvious respect and admiration for Capt. Archer of Enterprise. A terrific "twist" at the end of the episode reveals just how honorable Shran is, and opens the door for future appearance by this most intriguing character. Enjoy.

Shran and the Andorians are always a delight to see since their first appearance in season 1. Jeffrey Combs acting as Shran is a great actor. I know him for a long time since Fortress (1992) where Jeffrey plays D-Day, the Computer Geek... (a must see IMHO). There is also a solid acting from Molly Brink (Icelandic Actress) playing the Andorian Lieutenant Talas, counterpart of Lieutenant Reed. Molly is also bringing her own contribution to this episode in the very nicely rendered way. Unfortunately Molly has not done much movies or TV Shows as she is a remarkable actress and this episode shows her acting talents as she progressively and surely awakes reed's inner senses and personality.

I simply love the way Jeffrey plays Shran as he mainly adds a lot of intelligence and spice to the story. Proposing to help the Enterprise crew to avoid earth to be destroyed and after having proposed to the Vulcans before shows that Shran understands that Humans and Vulcans are true allies. But Shran also has an hidden agenda which he is not really proud of but the main idea is that Andorians follow orders whatever it costs, even if they are not convinced that's the best thing to do and once again, Starfleet concludes in a very smart way to avoid drastic repercussions for the future of earth.

The Andorians demonstrate easyness within the Expanse and all the good hints and tricks provided as part of this episode are very interesting to see, surely when the Enterprise Crew has so much difficulties facing the anomalies, as a direct consequence to the previous episode where the Xindi DB, which was already at 90% was destroyed and partially recovered at 30%. T'Pol and Hoshi are doing their best to detect the anomalies with this few amount of information resulting from unfortunate circumstances.

This episode really gives the feeling that the Andorians could be precious and permanent allies to Human and Vulcans, fighting altogether against the Xindi

Surely one of my favorites episodes of this Season 3, not to stay probably one of the best of the entire series, Shran, Andorians, Humans and Vulcans being the solid foundations for this overall success!

I agree, any episode with Jeffrey Combs is the best. But if your going to pay homage to The Man, do the same for his kick ass lady.

TALAS !!!!! Molly Brink, an Icelandic Goddess!

Only one thing to say.

You have a starship. A ship capable of warp speed. A ship with fantastic sheilding and weapons. A ship with the finest medical facilities. A ship with wonderful food.

But you can only build railings waste high so people constantly fall over them.