Star Trek Enterprise (Season 3C)

Season 3b -- Season 3d

In the second half of the season, things seem to be picking up. If nothing else, the story arch is coalescing and they are using it to address some pertinent issue to the culture and history of the time when the show was being produced, things that we still struggle with today.

Episode 65: “Proving Ground” 

The proven formula for a guaranteed good episode is to bring back a beloved character. The Andorian Shran certainly qualifies. Making the episode a classic “sting” story where the audience knows that deception is occurring and wonders if the characters know as well is also a good idea used sparingly. The question being raised here is the classic, “Is the enemy of my enemy my friend?” We know, of course, what the answer is to that dilemma, but we try to test it over and over again.

Episode 66: “Stratagem” 

Enterprise uses an almost unbelievably complex sting to try to obtain information from the man building the weapon against Earth. Along the way, we learn that the enemy is not mustache-twirling, but a complex and conflicted person. That will come in handy later on I’m sure.

Episode 67: “Harbinger” 

In a bit of an aside, the show explores the origin of the spheres that are scattered throughout this strange region of space. It also helps to explain the real origins to the religious myths that they have encountered regarding the spheres. Never once did it occur to the Enterprise crew that this region of space, or the spheres, were a natural phenomenon without a design or purpose. You simply don’t find complex, perfectly made things without assuming that an intelligence made them, right?

Episode 68: “Doctor’s Orders” 

Phlox has a whole episode to himself as the crew is in medically induced comas. He struggles with the effects of isolation, and everyone watching knows exactly what is going on from the start. Phlox is clueless throughout. But, it is a fun, spooky episode.

Episode 69: “Hatchery” 

Archer is sprayed by some Xindi eggs and becomes an over-protective mother to the enemy. This episode deals with the nature of command, the mission, and where obedience should lie. It is a good exercise in dealing with these ethical dilemmas. But it also raises the question of what motivates us more, our worldview and rational ability, or mere chemistry. Is it a stretch to see a warning against substance abuse here?

Episode 70: “Azati Prime” 

In science fiction you have the luxury of not just predicting an outcome in the argument over a decision, but you can bring a character from the future to declare the right course of action. When Archer hears from the future, he still stubbornly decides to sacrifice himself to accomplish the mission. Even when the future tells him the mission should be altered. Of course, time being what it is, his decision is more or less inescapable along with the fate predicted. The message should not be, “do what you will, because you can’t change things anyway.” Instead, listen to the one perspective that is outside of time when He speaks, and make your decisions based on the best information you have, grounded in the principles you know to be true and right.