ENT: Twilight - query on temporal parasites (SPOILERS)

[Old Plympto]

I was just playing the scenario in my head for some reason and something just clicked:

When Phlox destroyed part of the parasites, every visual record of it from when Archer was infected was affected as well, as their presence throughout the spacetime continuum was destroyed. Now, the weird part of it would be Phlox and T'pol actually became aware of it as opposed to the following:

.................
Phlox: The parasite count is 100 units.

T'pol: Agreed. Now. Zap him.

ZAP! 40 units of the parasites in Archer's noggin are eradicated throughout the spacetime continuum, leaving only 60.

Archer: So, you bums. Did it work?

Phlox: I read 60 units of the parasites. The same as when you were first infected. The procedure was a failure.
...........


If they all diminished in all of history, shouldn't everyone's memory of the actual parasite count also compensated to this and everyone involved would also remember the new number as the original number?

[Admiral_K]

Well the concept of a Paradox is a tricky thing. I see what you are saying. However, we've seen many instances of this where people changing history are somehow protected from "changes in the timeline".

[Rah]

That's why I hate time travel in the shows.

[Metrion Cascade]

I was just playing the scenario in my head for some reason and something just clicked:

When Phlox destroyed part of the parasites, every visual record of it from when Archer was infected was affected as well, as their presence throughout the spacetime continuum was destroyed. Now, the weird part of it would be Phlox and T'pol actually became aware of it as opposed to the following:

.................
Phlox: The parasite count is 100 units.

T'pol: Agreed. Now. Zap him.

ZAP! 40 units of the parasites in Archer's noggin are eradicated throughout the spacetime continuum, leaving only 60.

Archer: So, you bums. Did it work?

Phlox: I read 60 units of the parasites. The same as when you were first infected. The procedure was a failure.
...........


If they all diminished in all of history, shouldn't everyone's memory of the actual parasite count also compensated to this and everyone involved would also remember the new number as the original number?

Shitty writing. Plain and simple. One part of the timeline changed (the pictures) and the rest didn't.

[Sarevok]

That's why I hate time travel in the shows.

Trek writters sometime used the time travell plot device well. "Futures End" and "All Good Things" are good examples.

[Lancer]

I was just playing the scenario in my head for some reason and something just clicked:

When Phlox destroyed part of the parasites, every visual record of it from when Archer was infected was affected as well, as their presence throughout the spacetime continuum was destroyed. Now, the weird part of it would be Phlox and T'pol actually became aware of it as opposed to the following:

.................
Phlox: The parasite count is 100 units.

T'pol: Agreed. Now. Zap him.

ZAP! 40 units of the parasites in Archer's noggin are eradicated throughout the spacetime continuum, leaving only 60.

Archer: So, you bums. Did it work?

Phlox: I read 60 units of the parasites. The same as when you were first infected. The procedure was a failure.
...........


If they all diminished in all of history, shouldn't everyone's memory of the actual parasite count also compensated to this and everyone involved would also remember the new number as the original number?

Shitty writing. Plain and simple. One part of the timeline changed (the pictures) and the rest didn't.

usually, ST time-affecting devices shield the users from changes in the timelines. Which brings up the question of why would this sheilding be neccessary if ST followed the "burification" model for time-travel.

[Thag]

Except, since once the first forty were eliminated, who's to say that once the timeline catches up, there are only 60 in his head, of which the subsequent test eliminates another 40 as before, resulting in the next timeline adjustment having only 20, etc etc etc.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

Shit like this is why if I ever start writing Trek, I'll figure out some way to make time travel physically impossible!

[General Zod]

Shit like this is why if I ever start writing Trek, I'll figure out some way to make time travel physically impossible!

no need to make it impossible. Just don't use it. Ever. Unless its dependent on a major story arc and only then if it'll have a lasting impact on the continuum. Time travel plots should not be done willy nilly.