My first impressions on Affliction

For bridging the time until season 4 of Star Trek: Enterprise (ENT) will be proceed on next week's friday, I've drafted some of the last aired episodes. So last nite I saw Affliction, the first of a two episode arc which seriously steps into the 'Klingon problem'.

This problem arises from the fact that the Klingon physiognomy in The Original Series (TOS) differs from that in its later movies and spin-offs as well. With ENT and its prequel concept this problem doesn't get any better: How could the Klingons have their forehead ridges in the 22nd century and lost them in the 23rd? The first part of the solution which is offert by Affliction is very fascinating, answers some questions to the 'Klingon problem', but also causes further questions for Divergence - its sequel episode.

We learn that the Klingons found Augment embryos from a Klingon cruiser which was stolen by Dr. Arik Soong's augment-teens (Borderland, Cold Station 12, The Augments). In their warrior’s logic a clear proof that the humans had continued genetic engineering experiments after they were officially banned. In that logic the Klingon researchers began to experiment with the (super-) human Augment DNA. With the well known effect of Klingons with flat foreheads -- and neural pathway degeneration as an other potential side effect. And one subject with the flu caused the modified DNA to become airborne, altering and killing thousands in an experiment that has become a plague...

For that creative solution to the ‘Klingon problem’ I take my hat off to Manny Coto and his colleagues. To rebuild the make-up artist deranged continuity within the Star Trek cosmos with a recourse on the augment arc earlier this season, is a real masterstroke.

Nevertheless Affliction hands some questions over to Divergence that this episode eventually couldn't handle: If Klingon augments predominate in Kirk’s era why should this augment spook be over within a further century? A peaceful coexistence among augments and ordinaries within a warrior’s society like that of the Klingons isn’t that plausible. I’m very excited about what Divergence will bring...