ENT: Dear Doctor

         This is the first episode of ENT to actually be good in my opinion. Not strongly good, but better than average by a bit. They did this by mostly stealing the structure of Data's Day but without the commitment to stick with it the entire time which would have helped. In this case we follow Dr. Phlox through his navigation of human mating rituals and an ethical dilemma involving two alien races. Where it falls especially short is Archer's talk about some sort of future rule that would govern their actions involving aliens, but honestly I am not sure the prime directive would apply here. They have been contacted by warp species already and are actively going into space looking for help. It will serve humanity right if the Ferengi come back and solve the problem, but at a different cost. And I get that they all feel bad for the Menk, but maybe give the Valakians the cure with the stipulation that they treat the Menk differently. I bet it would be worth THE SURVIVAL OF THEIR SPECIES, but maybe I am wrong. Wouldn't hurt to try though.
         We open with Phlox taking care of his various critters and narrating a letter to a human colleague who is living on his world. On the bridge they have encountered a small non-warp craft with two lifeforms on board, and they aren't in good shape. Phlox is able to revive them but they tell him they are suffering a crippling disease that is destroying their people. They are Valakian and request Enterprises help and after consulting with T'Pol Archer agrees. On Valakia they discover that there are actually two intelligent species on the world, the Valakians and the Menk who are less intelligent but seem well treated. Meanwhile Phlox goes to a movie with Crewman Cutler and afterwards she gives him a kiss on the cheek which he consults Sato about. 
         Phlox decides to take blood samples from the Menk since they aren't suffering from the disease and discovers they are quite intelligent and seem to be being help back by the Valakians who deny them access to fertile land. The doctor figures out that the Valakians don't have a disease, instead they are gradually breaking down genetically and within two centuries they will all be dead. He finds a cure but talks to Archer before doing anything about it. He tells him that he is worried about altering the course of history, the Menk are evolving rapidly but won't go much further with the Valakians in their way. He wants to not give them the cure and let nature take its course which alarms Archer. But the next day Archer decides to go with Phlox's recommendation. Archer gains some incite into how the Vulcans view humanity and Phlox tells Culter about his three wives.

         Review: Finally an episode I actually liked! Good to know they won't all be terrible even if Archer is clearly the worst captain so far.

6 out of 10