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“Shockwave” Novelization Readthrough

I picked up the novelization of the Season 1 Finale, “Shockwave,” written by Paul Ruditis- who wrote the behind-the-scenes portion of the “Broken Bow” novelization. Comparing it to the premiere novelization, which I reviewed previously, it was fun but not nearly as important as Broken Bow. And no behind the scenes for this one. It seems like the writing was on the wall that there would be no more novelizations. The writing is much more routine. Paul Ruditis nowhere near the quality of writer as Diane Carey. And pilots are more character driven in general, while finales are more plot driven. Plus there were so many introductions and first moments in the pilot, which added a level of interest. But there are still some interesting insights and great moments in this novelization, particularly surrounding T’Pol’s growth over Season 1, the crew’s acceptance of her, and the deepening of the relationship between Archer and T’Pol. The moment at the end of the episode between Archer and T’Pol is among their most shippy of the entire series.

Overall there’s a lot of fun time travel stuff, and the beginning of a lot of inside jokes for T’Pol and Archer. While this episode is plot heavy, it does has its character moments, especially for T’Pol as she finally openly and publicly supports and defends Archer and his mission. She also gets to see the despairing side of human nature, which Vulcans in general seem to overlook. The stereotype about humans is their gregariousness, their sunniness, their impulsiveness and determination- seeing them give up en masse is a shock to T’Pol. One additional benefit of this novelization is that there are flashbacks to other episodes, which become sort of mini-novelizations of those episodes. We get some good Mayweather insight, as he flashes back to lessons he learned in an earlier episode (48). We also get a long, look into the life and personality of Admiral Forrest, who gets entire sections devoted to his perspective and even an epilogue all of his own, which are entirely absent from the aired episode. We even see a scene of Forrest and Soval arguing (149).

I’ll run down some of the highlights and moments that stuck out for me. Early on, Archer reflects on the changes T’Pol has gone through and the changes she has brought about in him.

“With every passing day she seemed to be better ingratiating herself into the crew and even developing a rather dry sense of humor. That’s not to say that the crew was entirely at ease with the Vulcan science officer, but things were definitely getting better. Archer felt that the close Vulcan/human interaction was having a positive effect on T’Pol. The way she regarded humans had changed dramatically since her first days on the ship. In much the same way, Archer knew that she had been changing his opinion toward Vulcans on the whole. Her calm, steady manner often provided the stability he needed in extreme situations, and her mere presence on his ship helped him better understand some of the misconceptions he had concerning her race.” (12)

After the accident that destroys the colony on Paraagan II, T’Pol contemplates the reaction of the crew and Archer’s despair.

“Even finding herself alone in the corridor, she could still feel the mental turmoil of the crew assaulting her senses… In these situations she had learned to rely on the captains ability to deal with his human crew and provide the stability they required. This time, however, it seemed likely that his behavior was not going to help, and she might have to step in to maintain control. It was not a pleasant concept.” (33)

In her confusion, she seeks out Phlox to discuss Archer’s emotional state.

“His behavior has been… erratic. He seems to alternate between agitation, despondency, and guilt. He spends most of his time alone. I’ve tried to remind him that this was an accident, but his response have been illogical.” (34-35)

Phlox says that it would be unnatural for Archer not to be affected by grief, and that he’ll be fine.

T'Pol notices the anger shift to melancholy among the crew. She finds their despair, their giving up, unsettling. She yearns for Archer to improve and for a return to normalcy.

“Nevertheless, when Reed summoned T’Pol to the launch bay long after the day shift had ended, the Vulcan was surprised to find herself hurrying. Reed had not told her what was so urgent that it required her presence, and her systematic mind refrained from making guesses, but somehow getting to the launch bay quickly seemed… logical.” (51)

There’s a great Archer/T’Pol scene, when she tries to cheer him up/shake him out of his mood. T’Pol is now one of his most trusted confidantes and one of the only people who can turn him around in this way.

“Is this what humans refer to as ‘feeling sorry for themselves’?” (53).

T’Pol shows a respect for Archer and his mission that he himself has lost in his despair, and she ultimately suggests a commitment to the mission that shakes Archer out of his despondency.

“You were very adept at listing the questionable decisions you’ve made, she reminded him of their earlier conversation. “But there have been other decisions- many of them- that no one would question… I’m willing to try to convince my government of that. Are you willing to try to convince yours?” (54)

When T’Pol has finally improved his mood, Archer comments on the irony of a Vulcan navigating a human’s emotions and engaging in emotional support.

“You know, this has got to be the first time a Vulcan has ever attempted to cheer up a human.” (55)

I’m skipping most of the plot, as the relationship and rapport between T’Pol and Archer is really the highlight of this. There’s some great banter between the two, and the establishment of time travel inside jokes that get called back to throughout the rest of the series.

“Captain. May I ask what is so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?” He knew she was throwing his own words back at him. “I’ve stopped feeling sorry for myself,” he cryptically replied as the turbolift opened on the bridge. (84)

Archer needs T’Pol’s skepticism to a point, but also needs her belief. The scene where Archer fully briefs T’Pol on his time travel adventure further reinforces how important she has become to his professional and personal life. He needs her support as a Science Officer and second-in-command, but he also needs her to support him emotionally as she did earlier.

“Listen, I never thought this was possible, either. But I traveled through time and I need you to believe me.” “Why?”... “Because it’s hard enough trying to fathom all this without having my science officer… a colleague I trust and rely on… the person who got me to stop feeling sorry for myself… accusing me of being a hallucinating madman.” (118)

An even bigger sign of how far they’ve come is when Archer leaves and places T’Pol in command.

“Try to keep an open mind. He forced a small smile. “Especially when it comes to things the Vulcan Science Directorate says are impossible.” They held a long look. “I will try,” she replied, and eh knew she meant it. (123)

And when he ruminates on her as he heads to whatever fate awaits him.

“He stood motionless as the turbolift began its descent, thinking back to the first time T’Pol had taken command of Enterprise… No one in the crew had trusted her, not even himself. Now he couldn’t imagine a more suitable member of the crew to leave in charge. At least that was a small consolation as he went to meet whatever it was his fate held.” (124)

T’Pol is tortured (173) and interrogated about Archer’s location and time travel in general. While Archer is in stranded in the future, he contemplates his fears and regrets regarding Trip, Hoshi, and ultimately T’Pol.

“What will happen to T’Pol when she goes back to Vulcan? Will she forget all that she’s learned about humanity?” (176)

After T’Pol is tortured and returned to her quarters, her delirious thoughts reveal hints at some of the emotions lurking beneath her usual firm control. This is especially exacerbated when Archer contacts her through an improvised technology from the future.

“Someone was speaking to her. The flickering image on the ceiling continued to sharpen. It was beginning to look familiar to her. The voice, she remembered, was that of a friend. Jonathan Archer’s face hovered above her… T’Pol stared at the strange, swirling image. Her mind was clear enough to worry about the fact that she was hallucinating. The concerns that she had for the captain’s safety had obviously manifested into the vision above her… Archer’s image seemed to turn away from her. Where are you going? She thought.” (188).

I especially like that last moment, when she becomes distressed at Archer leaving again. Her admission that she is concerned about his safety, and the explicit admission that she considers Archer a friend are also great. In her distressed and vulnerable state, she even gets a little pouty before pulling herself together.

“She continued to stare at his image, focusing on Archer’s increasingly familiar features as she tried to orient herself to what was occurring… ‘The Science Vulcan Directorate has determined that time travel is… not fair.’” (189)

When they are finally reunited and Archer’s safety is confirmed, this emotionalism reaches its pinnacle for this episode and T’Pol’s stoic facade actually cracks a little.

“Request permission to dock,” Archer lightly asked. “Permission granted,” T’Pol replied, finally allowing almost the smallest hint of a smile as her lips curled up slightly at the edges. (229)

And then their trust and growing partnership reaches the apogee of her first season growth and increasing affinity for humankind when T’Pol comes to Archer’s defense and backs him up.

She exchanged a brief glance with the Captain. I think we’ve come pretty far in under one year, Archer thought to himself with a barely perceptible smile. He tried to lend her his strength from across the room. “Their mission should be allowed to continue,” she quietly added, doing the unthinkable in contradicting the ambassador’s decision. (235)

Archer turned to his crew with a glance that told them he was appreciative of their support. He finally settled on T’Pol with a combination of shock and pride in his eyes. She met his stare and the two shared a silent moment that almost bordered on emotion. (235)

Later, Archer gets good news and shares it with T’Pol in his bed clothes, which is the second time Archer contacts her in her quarters. Their entire conversation is shippy and playful, rife with trust and banter that has grown between them in their first year together.

“I can't be certain, but Crewman Fuller might have seen me coming in here.” “She tends to be discreet,” T’Pol said, surprisingly playing along. Archer sat beside her on the bed. “I think you put it over the top.”(238)

There was a definite moment between them as T’Pol realized their mission together would continue. Her evening meditation had been to help her accept the fact that she had gone against the wishes of her superiors. Although she was well aware that the end result did not really provide justification for her actions, it did help her find a bit of contentment. Archer was fairly sure he understood the conflict going on in T’Pol’s mind. He decided it would be best to leave her to her thoughts. With a nod of appreciation, he got up and went for the door. “I still don’t believe in time travel,” T’Pol announced. Archer couldn’t help but smile. “The hell you don’t.” (239)

Love them! Although it was a slow burn, their development over the first season which culminates here sets up the huge leaps of character and relationship growth that come throughout season 2.

#Star Trek: Enterprise #Star Trek #Shockwave Novelization #Captain Archer #T'Pol

“Shockwave” Novelization Readthrough

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