This thought had been nagging at me, and I wanted to throw it out there, to anyone else who reads Enterprise fanfic( and to the board at large, I guess):

I've been a pretty avid member of several other TV fandoms in my time, enough to read to signifcant amounts of fanfic (good and bad). In each of them, there seems to be one character ( usually male) who attracts more hurt/comfort fic than any of the others-getting stabbed, abused, kidnapped, the like. Examples include Daniel on Stargate ( which, admitttedly, has its basis in canon), Carter on ER, and Sam on West Wing.

Now, my experience with Enterprise fanfic is mostly limited to Fanfiction.net. However, just going by that site, Trip is fast on his way to becoming one of the characters I described above. A great deal of the summaries seem to start with "Trip gets kidnapped.." "Trip has a devastating accident...", etc.

My question is, what is it about Trip which seems to accomodate fics like that? I've read pieces about the other characters which theorize that it's characters who we most identify with, who we sympathize most with which attract that kind of fic; that maybe it is somehow a cathartic experience to write it, that the writer goes through the hurt and recovery with that character.

What do the rest of you think?

I think it also has something to do with Trip's emotional growth. We've seen him, on the show, go from a green, gung-ho explorer, to someone who has experienced things that he had never even thought possible(i.e. pregnancy). He has experienced loss and pain, and CT has done a great job of portraying that onscreen, IMHO.

Another thought is that he interacts with all of the major characters(and many of the minor characters), so it would make sense that something happening to him would affect them all in a major way. I mean, he even interacts with Travis, for goodness sakes. If, for example, something were to happen to T'Pol, it's hard to imagine Travis having a deep emotional response. But with Trip, it would be someone that Travis looks up to both as a friend and as possibly an older brother type.

Actually, Malcolm's a pretty regular pain bunny in ENT fandom as well.

Hee...hadn't heard that term. But that is indeed true. ( And then there are those fanfics where both Trip and Malcolm get hurt and comfort each other...whole other can o' worms.)

I would say it's because they're the two best-developed characters, but then why don't we see more Archer or T'Pol h/c? There's something different about Trip and Malcolm.

I don't *think* I made it up, but I could be wrong. ;-)

People like causing Trip pain because he's relatively well-adjusted and is pretty. People like causing Malcolm pain because he obviously has Issues and is pretty.

Archer's boring, so he doesn't get as much fic where people hurt him. I don't know if there's more to it than that; I know I've written some Malcolm angst fic (although admittedly it was primarily angsting about Hoshi, 'cause I'm all shippery and things). But then, I've also written some atrociously bad Archer angst fic ... and I tend to leave Trip alone (uh, except when I drop him into the mirror universe and have him witness all kinds of horrible things ... never mind).

... I've lost track of what I was saying, besides the fact that we always hurt the ones we love.

Good enough for me. :) (I have no business criticizing anyone, since my first ENT fic was a Trip/Malcolm angst fic. Well, not Trip angsting about Malcolm, mainly just Trip angsting and Malcolm watching and consoling.)

OK, I missed the first ten minutes, so correct me if I'm wrong. But was the only Trip we got tonight The Boy being manhandled by Archer, for asking what seemed to be a legitimate question? :(

Trip appeared briefly in the beginning. He and Travis were in a shuttlepod returning from inspecting a sphere.

At least he got more screen time than Hoshi who I don't remember seeing at all.

Re: Trip and Shran's scene tonight:

Awwww, poor Boy. Just wanted to reach through the screen and give him a hug. He's come a long way from the non-focused rage being displayed in The Xindi; now there's just the sadness.

Yaay for CT getting someone excellent to play off of.

I thought he was quite cute in the scene with T'Pol when he had the fancy flashlight in his mouth.

He was certainly back to S1 Trip, though. You know, "I always have something in my mouth" Trip. Potato chip, blue flashlight, etc.

The scene between Trip and Shran was by far my favorite of the episode, really terrific acting by Connor and Combs.

Also enjoyed the scene between Trip and T'Pol, I thought it was well done and in keeping with their characters.

Aye. They're definitely moving the 'ship arc along. The whole "I thought you were avoiding me," conversation was pretty typical between two people when one of them is "testing the waters". Was it just me or did T'Pol seem more stoic than usual? I don't think she even made eye contact with him.

Ditto all that, plus I thought his quick "Well, I'll let you two get acquainted" to Reed and Andorianna was the line of the ep.

I second the last six posts. ;)

I melted during the cute scene with T'pol. With a few more scenes like that, even *I* might be convinced this 'ship could fly.

I also really liked the scene with Shran. Those guys are two of my favorite characters... perhaps even THE top two favorites (though Phlox is up there also). I thought the actors did a great job, and it was a nice way to let us in on where Trip is grief-wise.

Yes Regent I believe you are correct. T'Pol was very stoic, and she was very, very careful not to make eye contact when he was looking at her.

But did you notice that when he directed her attention back to the engines, that she was staring at him. When he looked back at her, she immediately dropped her gaze downward.

I like the subtle hints they’ve added to T’Pol’s and Tripp’s relationship. They don’t have to be falling all over each other to be romantic. Sometimes less is better. Personally, I just like to watch them interact even if it's brief. They have a certain chemisty. He broadens her horizons by teaching her about new outlooks on a situation (other than logic). She keeps in grounded in reality. Even if nothing romantic materialized, their scenes together are truly delightful to watch. I feel like we've finally gotten back to the Tripp and T'Pol they introduced us to in the first season.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Trip seemed a mite peeved in Proving Ground that Quantum told Shran about Lizzie dying?

Definitely! But after I saw Trip's reaction, I began to wonder if the Captain really told him or if Shran had gained that information in the same way as he got the rest of his information.

CT showed great acting as he seemed to be quietly getting himself under control before addressing Shran's remarks.

Constantly suspicious and mistrustful as I am, I immediately thought when Shran said Quantum told him about Lizzie, that he was lying and trying to pull a "divide and conquer" thing. Given that Archer always seemed less than genuinely sympathetic to Trip about it, (more like uncaring - Trip deserved a lot better) I can't imagine it being on his mind enough to go telling Shran.

Sorry if the above's confusing -- the caffeine still hasn't kicked in yet.

First time I saw the 'Older or younger?' scene, I wondered if Quantum didn't face Trip because he was too afraid to (knowing that Trip is from Florida and that even if his family wasn't affected he may well know people who were killed) , then I watched it again and thought, 'Nah, he's just being a prick.' Whatever Shran's motives, Trip got the sympathy he deserved right there. It was a lovely scene and played well by both.

I finally saw the episode because I was *ahem* busy on Wednesday. I thought Our Boy did very well; loved the potato chip punctuation (and wonder how many takes that took), and the scene between Trip and Shran was very well done by both actors.

And on a purely shallow note, when Trip's eyes are bright with tears, they certainly are a lovely blue ...

Heh. Busy talking to and touching Connor. (Twice, even.) Not that I'm at all envious, noooo....

Even when CT's not the focus of a storyline, he seems to manage to make whatever screentime he does have pretty darn meaningful.

I looked again this evening [when I also taped it ;) ] and I thought it was more of a freezing up that happens when someone brings up a painful subject unexpectedly. I'm only speculating, of course.
(I also think Shran heard it through the same channels through which he got the rest of the particulars of the attack. I don't think Quantum would talk about it -- positive read: it's very personal information, negative read: he didn't give a hoot.)



I second that, GG!

And I'll join you in your shallowness, Pippen ;) Yum!

I thought that at first but he freezes then looks pissed when Shran says that Quantum told him. But would the info that Shran got be so detailed as to individuals killed? Nah, Quantum told Shran. Blabbermouth. Poor wee Trip. Come over here for a cuddle, honey...ahem...

Noticed the potato chip thing too, if I ever want to smirk through a potato chip, that's how I'll do it. Sort of a random act that ends up saying a lot about Tucker, don't ask me how.

I liked the potato chip thing. Even in the future we'll still have our saturated fats. Excellent.

After rewatching Twilight last night...

Man, captaining a ship during war must be sort of like the Presidency; it ages you before your time. It was nice to see Captain Trip, but he had a totally different vibe than Chief Trip; he was just so ...old, and it wasn't just the hair. He may have been in his early 40s , but that wasn't totally it. He was so much graver; the natural optimism he has now was gone totally.

I couldn't agree more, and Connor's wonderful performance really brings that point across. Captain Tucker is a not a happy person, having the responsibility of protecting the last remaining humans from the Xindi is a huge burden. Added to the tragedy of Earth's destruction is the fact that he's essentially lost his two best friends, Archer and T'Pol.

However, he does make one hell of a captain.

One could argue he lost Archer before that. It's said that people avoid those grieving because it makes them uncomfortable, but that's no true friend in my book. But it would seem Archer fell into that category. Which may be why Trip has turned to T'Pol, a better friend than Archer turned out to be.

And, I think it will only be a friendship between T'Pol and Trip. Something just doesn't click with me. But at least the 'ship is being developped slowly. Gives me more time to believe it.

It may not be only that; we've seen throughout the season that Archer has been consumed with this mission, and his conflicts with it; his friendship with Trip may be only one of the things that have fallen by the wayside. Add to that the fact that the Xindi attack happened when they were still finding their way back from the events of Cogenitor. and you've got some real body blows to a friendship.

GoldfishGirl42 , I couldn't agree more. They were just starting to feel their way back, and Trip's loss just compounded the problem.

However, I would hope that eventually they are able to work things out again. It wouldn't be too far-fetched if you ask me, if they were able to find some common ground again. All friendships hit a rough spot.

Speaking of friendship, discussing the whole Archer/T'Pol/Trip thing with hubby last night, he made the verbal slip of having Trip and Archer jump in the sack. Made me stop, think and then laugh. Talk about a menage a troi!

It seems as if Quantum is ready to gloss over the rift if his annoying and smug dinner invitation (in Proving Ground) is any indication. He could have at least personally invited Trip.

For all we know, he DID invite Trip and it just wound up on the cutting room floor. I didn't get the idea that he was telling T'Pol to invite Trip; Archer was just having a spur of the moment idea for a small party. (After all, you're supposed to let dinner guests [oy, Keckler, what have you wrought?] know who else might be there in order to give them time for a gracious out, if necessary.) I think we can chalk this up to episodes being crammed into 41 minutes.

It's the Curse of the Dinners that you can't ever look at the word the same way again. Try going down the frozen foods aisle and not giggling.

dc3, you're right. It just seemed half-assed to me, that's all.




Doggone it, just when I thought I had gotten over this "dinners" thing.

And sometimes, the hardest thing is opening the door, so to speak. And at least we can hope that they are starting down the reconciliation path. But then, I am a softie and try to excuse people of their bad behavior.



I am always reminded of when mine were...

I failed to see it mentioned anywhere, but could Quantum's treatment of Trip be fallout from "Similitude"? Quantum was in a real moral quandry and perhaps Trip's presence reminds him of the choices made. It could come out in a later ep, kind of like the way the issue of security and aliens around the ship was a slow build up as a plot device.

But he's been treating him this way ever since "The Expanse" when he wasn't very solicitous over the death of Trip's sister.

Well, every friendship has its rough spots, and Trip and Quantum certainly hit a bad patch after Cogenitor. But now would be the best time for Quantum to realize that life is short, and there's no time like the present to be a friend.

Speaking from personal experience, its really hard to talk to someone who's lost a sibling. But, I wasn't the one grieving--it was a friend. And as I friend, I wanted desperately to do something to "make it better". I guess Trip is learning who his true friends are. Then again, maybe Quantum thinks if the mission is successful then he will have "helped" Trip. Not that I agree with that, but who knows why someone would be so callous.

My husband says that it's because Archer is concentrating solely on the mission. Maybe it takes a man to understand? Nah.

Is that the same thing as the Sports Illustrated Jinx? Just kidding.

But speaking of T'Pol's dinners, what's going to happen now that Trip has seen them in all their glory? Hopefully, a lot more sex! BTW, has T'Pol gone through "pon farr" yet? I can't remember, but it seems unlikely that Bermaga & co. haven't gone there already.

She hasn't -- she only had a false alarm ("Bounty") brought on by some sort of contagion and tried to make it with Phlox.

Oh yeah, now I remember. I really hope that this isn't just a one-time thing between Trip & T'Pol. What she said about "facilitating my exploration of human sexuality," sounded bogus; I think that she's really got a thing for Trip, but she doesn't want to admit it.

She's definitely hot for Trip, but suppressing it, and that's one relationship that I would like to see play out!

She's definately had a thing for Trip, ever since he got himself knocked up back in season one.

In TNG, Deanna and Riker had a history. Maybe this is our chance to see the beginning of the "history." My one hope for Trip is that he takes a mature approach to this. Perhaps he'll recognize T'Pol's strength and intelligence for what they are. He'll work with her, and expect her to use those qualities to help herself. He's done it before. No more of that "Damsel in distress" when he's around. They could be good partners for another, since a trust has been established.

I think Trip understands T'Pol very well, someone else might have been really upset, even hostile, after the "morning after" conversation between them. Instead, he recognized T'Pol's need to logically explain their love-making and mutual attraction as "exploration." I thought his sly remark about continuing the NP sessions was a way for both of them to continue being intimate, without necessarily tackling the bigger issues between them, for the moment, at least.

Apparently, their relationship is closer now. In "Hatchery" Trip and T'Pol seemed to have an understanding between them. I guess now that they both know they're attracted to each other and all the cards are on the table, they can say anything to each other.

In T'Pol's quarters, they really got in each other's faces when they were arguing about what to do about the captain. I'm not sure it would have gotten that heated before. Their relationship is definitely going somewhere.

I'm not sure I agree. I thought that argument had more to do with Trip's relationship with Archer than his relationship with T'Pol. Trip was mad at himself because he knew what he had to do, and T'Pol was saying what he had to do, but he didn't want to do it. His anger at T'Pol seemed to me more like anger at the part of himself that knew what had to be done.

I do think they're closer now, but I interpreted that scene differently.

As did I.

Sorry, I guess I shouldn't write these things at 5 AM.

I didn't mean to say that Trip and T'Pol were acting angry at each other, just that the scene seemed to indicate a different tone to their relationship than there was before. I guess it seemed as though they rely on each other more and trust each other more now. Whereas in season one Trip would disagree with T'Pol and mean it and be fine with that, this time he knew that she was just voicing what they were both thinking, and what neither wanted to be true.

I just got the overall feeling from all the scenes in the episode between T/T, especially that one, that they're partners in this mission now. They hashed out their disagreements with each other, but then presented a united front.