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Date Posted: 03:14:23 08/23/04 Mon
Author: Computer Geek!
Subject: INSIDE:
In reply to: Computer Geek! 's message, "Spoiler for Episode 3" on 03:11:08 08/23/04 Mon

08.17.2004
Production Report: "Home" Bound for Earth, Vulcan

SPOILER ALERT!!!
The third episode of Season 4 is a homecoming in a variety of senses. Not only does the NX-01 finally get back to Earth after a long and complicated journey, and T'Pol returns home to Vulcan, but there are several throwbacks in this episode to the original Star Trek including a classic guest star, plus the return to the fold of other popular guest stars.

In a recent interview at a UPN press party, Scott Bakula expressed hopes that his spacefaring crew would get a proper reward for their struggles, perhaps "a great reception." "We did save the world, so we should get some attention for that!" he said (related story). Well, his wish comes true in "Home." In the script written by Mike Sussman, Captain Archer and company are recognized in a spectacular ceremony. But then they also face some less positive aftermath of their experiences, including difficult debriefings, emotional repercussions, and lingering acrimony on Earth since the first Xindi attack. Meanwhile, Trip Tucker has no place to go home to, given that Florida was destroyed and his sister killed, so he accepts T'Pol's invitation to join her on a visit to her homeworld to see her mother.

Among the homecomings of this episode, Vaughn Armstrong, after being absent from the show the entire third season, finally gets to put his uniform back on as "Admiral Forrest." (Glad to have you back, Vaughn!) Also, Gary Graham � seen once last season in "Twilight" � dons the Vulcan ears and returns as "Ambassador Soval." Jim Fitzpatrick, introduced in "Broken Bow" and last seen in "Regeneration," is back as "Commander Williams."

Another exciting return to the Star Trek fold is Jack Donner, who played "Subcommander Tal" in the classic episode "The Enterprise Incident." Donner was also famous at the time for his frequent guest appearances on Mission: Impossible, and he has worked steadily in film, TV and theater ever since. Thirty-six years after playing a Romulan officer, Donner gets to wear the pointy ears again, but this time as a "Vulcan Priest."

On that subject, it's been rumored that Jolene Blalock's "T'Pol" would get married in the third episode of the season (Blalock herself said that at the recent UPN press party). Well, we will neither confirm nor deny that story point. But there will be a Vulcan wedding ceremony. And Donner's character will officiate. This ceremony will be strongly reminiscent of Spock's ritual in "Amok Time," with many of the same trappings, customs and language. (No fight-to-the-death, though.)

And we do get to meet "Koss," the fianc� that T'Pol spoke of in "Breaking the Ice" whom she ditched to continue serving on Enterprise. Koss is portrayed by Michael Reilly Burke, who played the Borg "Goval" in TNG's "Descent, Part II" and the Cardassian "Hogue" in DS9's "Profit and Loss." T'Pol's mother is named "T'Les," and she's played by Joanna Cassidy. Cassidy is a critically acclaimed actress whose credits also stretch back to M:I and is best known for roles in "Under Fire," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Barbarians at the Gate." She's often remembered as the snakecharming stripper in "Blade Runner."

Rounding out the guest cast is Hispanic actress Ada Maris � known for TV shows The Brothers Garcia, Nurses, What a Country and others � as "Captain Erika Hernandez." Captain Hernandez is commander-to-be of the Columbia NX-02 (which we saw under construction in "The Expanse" and which got its name in "E�" in tribute to Space Shuttle Columbia), and she also happens to be an old flame of Archer's.

The NX-02 is still in spacedock but mostly finished in this episode. And we do get to visit her bridge � which is simply a modest re-dress of the existing Enterprise Bridge set. Keep an eye out for new Columbia patches on that crew's uniforms.

Another set that may strike a familiar chord is Admiral Forrest's Conference Room, where Archer will undergo debriefings. Though it's a new set, its design is reminiscent of the Original Series in that the table holds a three-sided monitor like that seen in the conference room of Captain Kirk's Enterprise.

Yet another previously referenced aspect of the Trek universe comes to life in this episode. The "Fire Plains" of Vulcan, which Tuvok mentioned in song in "Innocence," are depicted here as a massive field of lava, overlooked by majestic statues of ancient Vulcan warriors � like those seen in the "Director's Edition" of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." (At least, that's what the script calls for � it will be up to Dan Curry's visual effects crew to render those images in post-production.) Blalock and Connor Trinneer ("Trip") shot a scene on the first day of principal photography where their characters are visiting this natural attraction.

That first day was Wednesday, August 4, and the seven-day schedule wrapped last Thursday. Very few scenes took place on any of the standing ship sets (aside from the Columbia Bridge re-dress), and the ones that did were shot in less than one day. Swing sets besides those already mentioned included a San Francisco Bar (not the 602 Club, but similar), a Stadium Platform against a greenscreen where "cheering throngs" will be superimposed, and the interior and exterior of T'Pol's home on Vulcan. There was even a day spent on location at Malibu Creek State Park, in mountainous-looking terrain for scenes involving Bakula and guest star Maris.

"Home" was directed by Allan Kroeker, who immediately began prepping this segment after helming the season premiere, "Storm Front." This is the first script of the season for staff writer Sussman, who penned five episodes last year including the highly acclaimed "Twilight."

The third installment of Season 4 is tentatively set to air Friday, October 22.

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[> [> good job -- talon, 00:44:03 08/24/04 Tue

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I was thinking what if Charlie boy tells T'Les about the neuropressure sessions. T'Les tells him that Vulcan woman only have neuropressure sessions with their mates. So in this case T'Pol was courting Charlie. When they explored inter-spiecie sexual relations, when they comsumated, they became a married couple. -- talon, 23:55:36 08/29/04 Sun

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[> [> [> Hmm interesting concept! Didn't put that much thought into it. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds! -- Computer Geek!, 02:51:57 09/05/04 Sun

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