[Buecher] Last Full Measure (Spoiler)

Baerbel Haddrell
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Warnung: Es wird in nicht allzu ferner Zukunft auch eine Enterprise
Relaunch Serie geben, die Enterprise in Buchform weiterfuehren wird,
aehnlich wie DS9 Relaunch und Voyager Relaunch.

Enterprise Relaunch ist noch nicht gestartet aber dieses Buch
praesentiert einen grossen Spoiler (oder Teaser) wie diese Buecher mit
"These are the Voyages" umgehen werden.



S P O I L E R

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I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. First of all,
I enjoyed Michael A. Martin`s and Andy Mangels previous Star Trek books
very much and was curious how they would write their first Enterprise
book. Also, although I liked "Rosetta" I consider the other Enterprise
books written by Dave Stern as pretty much average and was glad to learn
that two of my favourite authors wrote this latest Enterprise novel for
a change.

What made this book even more interesting to me are messages posted by
editor Margaret Clark, announcing that this book will show a strong hint
about a significant development related to the last Enterprise episode
"These are the Voyages". It wasn`t difficult to guess that this means,
we will find out if Trip really died. I have copied one of her postings
at the end of my review and as I have said a few times already, I
couldn`t agree with her more. The last Enterprise episode is easily one
of the most annoying Star Trek stories I have ever seen or read and
knowing that Trip didn`t die after all is wonderful news to me. When I
first learned about this, I spontaneously applauded and shouted "yes!"

Of course, this is a controversial decision. I can understand fans on
the other side of the fence who see this as another resurrection story
and who object to undoing "canon" decisions. My position has always been
that you shouldn`t be a slave to "canon" Trek. If there is a good way to
undo a bad decision in "canon" Trek (which of course also opens the
debate about what is actually a bad decision), then it is wrong not to
do it. Now I can look forward to a story that is not ignoring TATV but
uses it creatively.

Another aspect of this decision is - Margaret Clark made one. As much as
I liked Enterprise the series in general in spite of its flaws, one of
these flaws was definitely an unwillingness to make such brave
decisions. The "will they or won`t they?" dance T`Pol and Trip performed
during the whole series got tiresome very quickly. Concerning character
development, so much more could have been done in Enterprise! It is good
to see that Margaret Clark is not afraid of being controversial and
after having read this book, I think there will be more decisions that
will not please everybody. I am confident that the Enterprise characters
in Enterprise Relaunch will indeed be more colourful than on TV, using
the potential they have. Well, maybe next time there will be a different
decision that is also controversial but I am not happy with - but if it
was made for the right reasons, I would probably get used to it
eventually.

When I got the book I read the framing story first, meaning the prologue
and epilogue. I loved it! I loved the emotional depth that was very
tangible to me. I enjoyed meeting this so much older Trip, someone who
is still very active and fit, someone who also seemed to have continued
to lead an interesting life. After having been declared dead he
obviously found new friends. When writing this review, I was looking at
the epilogue again and now that I read the main part of the book as
well, I could see that there is more to look forward to. I like it very
much that this book is more than just a stand-alone but that the
characters we met will play a part in Enterprise Relaunch.

A nice teaser is also that whatever happened, whatever the reason why
Trip changed his identity and died according to history records has to
do with the foundation of the Federation. It must have happened
immediately before it was born and whatever it was, it must be
significant. I admit it, my curiosity is growing!

By the way, meeting James Tiberius Kirk as a little boy with his family
was fun to read.

Like the framing story, the main story is very well written. It
captivated me very quickly although I expected a very straight forward
pattern: Starfleeters and MACOs have their differences but after working
together they develop a better understanding. I expected a straight
forward action story in which both sides are learning from each other. I
wasn`t wrong but I am glad that the story provided more than that.

I must admit, I was waiting for scenes in which the discussion comes up
how much violence might be justified when it is about gathering
intelligence. I was glad that Reed challenged Archer as he did in the
book, something I missed when Enterprise was shown on TV. I am glad that
the book gives a clear message: Gathering intelligence by using torture
is not only unacceptable, the results are unreliable. Especially now, in
the context of the "war against terror", I am glad that "Last Full
Measure" shows more courage here as well than what was shown on TV.
"Canon" Enterprise left the viewer with the message that torture can be
an end that justifies the means, that such personal sacrifices are
acceptable under such circumstances. As we could see in the book, the
prospect of dying in a suicide mission had much better results than
beating the man up.

I welcomed it how the characters reflected on what happened at the end
of the book. I very much agree although I have a different definition of
what is "uncharacteristic". Archer stepped over the line too often. Once
might be uncharacteristic, maybe even twice. But by now I have to assume
that this is normal behaviour for Archer: Whenever there will be another
situation in which he feels pressurized that he needs intelligence fast
and urgently, he will use the same methods again. And, yes, I wonder how
Reed will react when it happens again, something that was also never
explored on TV. The same applies to the rest of Archer`s officers.

As much as I like Archer, this is an aspect of his character I dislike
very much.

I am glad that the MACOs were shown as individuals, although sometimes a
bit too eager for my taste to get some "action". They ranged from Hayes,
a man I very much detested, to Guitierrez, a woman I liked and I could
sympathize with.

The anti-fraternization laws and regulations in the real life army is
one aspect of many I disagree with or don`t feel comfortable about. I
think this book makes a good case for the changes we see in the more
"present day" Star Trek, a time in which even the captain can be married
to a high ranking officer and be on the same ship. Putting a woman in a
position in which she feels the need to choose between keeping her baby
or losing her career is wrong. I am just not sure what Guitierrez was
actually so happy about after her talk with Hayes. All she learned is
that she and the father of the baby can keep their jobs because Hayes
needs them. I can imagine, as soon as the Enterprise returns, their
careers are over.

What impressed me was the part Mayweather played in the story. Usually,
if there is a story in which he appears, I am left with the feeling that
it was a forced addition: Let`s give him something to do. This time, his
part fitted naturally into the story and is the only time I can remember
in which his upbringing as a "boomer" was put to good use. I liked the
contrast between him and the MACOs, that he and his qualities were one
of the main reasons that broke the ice between both groups.

Before I finish, I want to mention that I like the cover very much and
welcomed the condemnation of the Iraq war in Michael A. Martin`s
dedication at the beginning of the book. And I am hoping that it won`t
be too long until I can read the next Enterprise novel taking place in
"our" universe. (I am curious about the Mirror Universe stories but
can`t say I am really looking forward to these books).




Here are two quotes I want to repeat in connection with my review:


Margaret Clark: Monday April 24, 2006. Trek BBS

Once more dear friends....

Right.

I read the script for "These Are The Voyages..." and was horrified,
naw I HATED it. This was how they were ending the show? REALLY? In my
opinion, this was not a meaningful death. (See: Spock, ST:II) It was
almost as if someone had said, "Well, someone has to die, let`s kill a
popular character. Let`s kill Trip."

I waited until I saw the show, even more annoyed (NOT the verb I would
like to use) seeing it. But I thought about it, and I thought I knew
what could/would work and what I`d like to do. I went with my heart. (I
didn`t go near the boards.)

Now with the change of the publishing program, LFM got moved, big time.
I suggested the framing sequence, to the M&M boys, to acknowledge the
passage of time. They gave me one. Then, I started reading the
interviews that Mr. Berman and Mr. Braga gave on the show finale I
called M. "Nice story but I wonder - let`s change the framing." Huh?
"Let`s make it (short version) Trip, and while we are at it, let`s have
him meet a very serious George Samuel Kirk, and his young kid brother,
Jim."

I don`t take contradicting established continuity lightly. I respect the
show(s) and the fans (being one myself). But TATV was many things, one
thing it was NOT was, "A love letter to the fans."

Cry Harry, England and Saint George...

Margaret

Rarely do I do this. But this is from the heart, not the head.



Andy Mangels: Wednesday April 26, 2006. Trek BBS



Here's a response posted on Michael A. Martin's behalf:

+++++++++++

I have no desire to touch off a debate about the war in Iraq, but I *am*
greatly saddened that anybody who claims to believe in Gene
Roddenberry`s humanistic legacy would be angered by my simple
declaration that the war is wrong. Notwithstanding anyone whose
knowledge of the world arrives pre-masticated by Sean Hannity, Rush
Limbaugh, or the White House, my comment about the war seems to me
roughly equivalent to pointing out that water is wet. I`m confident that
history will bear me out.

In the meantime, here`s hoping that a whole lot of you out there will
enjoy LAST FULL MEASURE regardless.

--Michael A. Martin



Baerbel Haddrell
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