Story: Stigma
Written By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Series: Star Trek: Enterprise
Year: 2003
Following the mind meld she was forced into in the episode “Fusion”, T’Pol apparently developed a neural disorder, that has a sort of stigma to it based on the taboo nature of mind melds at this point in Vulcan history.
It is sort of written as an analogue to the HIV stigma. I appreciate what Berman and Braga were doing with this episode, even if it feels 20 years late. Why didn’t you guys write this story during TNG? Despite being pretty late to the game, they did a solid job. See? I can be fair to these two morons when they don’t just phone it in.
The B-plot involving Phlox’s wife clearly flirting with Tucker is kind of funny I guess, but not really all that needed. But it doesn’t detract from the main storyline too much, so I’ll give it a pass.
Solid entry, despite it’s social issue plot being a little late compared to when the actual HIV stigma issue. I’m not saying there isn’t still a bit of a stigma related to HIV, but it is definitely not what it was in the 80s.
NEXT TIME: Archer Plays Arbiter
Written By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Series: Star Trek: Enterprise
Year: 2003
Following the mind meld she was forced into in the episode “Fusion”, T’Pol apparently developed a neural disorder, that has a sort of stigma to it based on the taboo nature of mind melds at this point in Vulcan history.
The B-plot involving Phlox’s wife clearly flirting with Tucker is kind of funny I guess, but not really all that needed. But it doesn’t detract from the main storyline too much, so I’ll give it a pass.
Solid entry, despite it’s social issue plot being a little late compared to when the actual HIV stigma issue. I’m not saying there isn’t still a bit of a stigma related to HIV, but it is definitely not what it was in the 80s.
NEXT TIME: Archer Plays Arbiter