The fact that the baby-version of the anomaly the ship encountered previously in "Harbinger" is capable of messing with everyone's neuro-whatevers so profoundly, convinces me that my theory explaining T'Pol's erm... seduction of Trip and Malcolm's extreme behaviour in regards to Hayes is correct. Both must have been caused by their brief immersion in the anomaly when the bridge was engulfed. It's the only explination I'll accept.

Anyway, enough of that. Back to "Doctor's Orders." I am becoming somewhat annoyed by the fact that the writers can't seem to decide if Phlox is physically and sexually shy, or a bit of an exhibitionist. In "Dear Doctor" we learn that Denobulans don't like casual physical contact, but here Phlox speaks fondly of how Denobulans prefer living packed together like biscuits in a barrel, wanders around the ship naked just 'cause no one is awake to see him do it, and doesn't seem to mind being jostled in the mess hall. This disjunct keeps popping up -- his (and his species') preferences change at the whim of the writers. I object. It's just plain sloppy. I wish that it was a phemomenon confined to Phlox, but I'm afraid it crops up in other characters as well. I don't mind having characters change - people do change - but it's usually over time. A gradual process, called growth. When people shift suddenly, and unpredictably from one extreme to another, it's called a personality disorder.

That's really my only Issue with the episode. Otherwise, it was pleasant, if predictable. A good brain break.

~RB