While Enterprise rescues three Denobulan scientists from a planet under a new xenophobic government, Dr. Phlox must treat a patient with racist views against his people.
Summary
Phlox introduces Hoshi to a creature called a "tribble"
The Denobulan Science Academy asks the Enterprise to find three of their geologists in the caves of Xantoras, where the new government has just declared that all strangers must leave within three days. Captain Archer sends Trip Tucker, Malcolm Reed and Travis Mayweather on the mission.
While the three are in the caves searching for the scientists, the Enterprise helps a ship which has problems with a reactor leak. One of the wounded people happens to be an Antaran, the traditional enemy of the Denobulans. Even if Phlox is able to overcome his first impression, the Antaran, Hudak, refuses to receive medical care from him, even at the expense of his life.
The Denobulan-Antaran wars set the two species apart 300 years ago and neither side has tried to reconcile since that time. At the time, Denobula's military tactics resulted in 20 million Antaran casualties and, for that reason, Antarans are raised to fear and hate the Denobulans. Symmetrically, the Denobulans are raised to believe that Antarans are evil.
Back on Xantoras, the away team seems to be making progress when finding some Denobulan rock samples, but then Mayweather breaks his leg and they have to leave him behind. Tucker and Reed eventually find the scientists, but the three Denobulans refuse to leave, saying that the government changes often and that is not enough to interrupt their current research. Tucker has to threaten to tie them up and drag them before they finally decide to go.
Back on the Enterprise, in the mess hall, Phlox has a discussion with T'Pol about his situation. From what he says, she understands that he did everything possible to prevent his children from having the education he had about Antarrans, to make them embrace other cultures. It becomes clearer why he is so upset by the irrational behavior of his patient.
On the following discussion with the Antaran, Phlox tells him about his children. He also says that he created a rift with his youngest son, Mettus, about these beliefs. He concludes, saying that Hudak should do the same and accept the treatment to set an example for his children and Hudak finally does, after some reflection.
Hudak returns home on the same transport as the three geologists, clear progress in his perception of the Denobulans. On his side, Phlox realizes that indifference to hatred also had its part to play in the continuation of the myths about the Antarrans and decides to try once more to bring his son to a more tolerant position by writing him a letter.
Memorable Quotes
"If you don't start moving in 5 seconds, I'm gonna take my phase pistol and shoot you in the ass!"
- - Trip Tucker
Background Information
- The first and only appearance of a tribble in the series takes place during the opening sequence of this episode.
- The containers carrying the Denobulans' rock samples are actually pencil cases used by children for school.
Links and References
Main Cast
- Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer
- John Billingsley as Phlox
- Jolene Blalock as T'Pol
- Dominic Keating as Malcolm Reed
- Anthony Montgomery as Travis Mayweather
- Linda Park as Hoshi Sato
- Connor Trinneer as Charles Tucker III
Guest Stars
- Henry Stram as Hudak
Co-Stars
- Mark Chaet as Yolen
- Laura Putney as Trevix
- D.C. Douglas as Zepht
- Jamison Yang as a Crewman
Uncredited
Co-Star
Stunt double
- Kiante Elam as stunt double for Anthony Montgomery
References
Antaran; aragonite; botyroidal flowstone; calcite; Denobulan; Denobulan-Antaran wars; Denobulan Science Academy; Denobula; dermalin gel; flex-cable; governor; hemostatis scan; Hippocrates; imaging chamber; inaprovaline; intra-cellular regeneration; Iota Geminorum IV; Mettus; osmotic eel; pitons; propaganda; ration packs; rock climbing; scalpel; Shuttlepod 1; Shuttlepod 2; speleothems; tractosites; tribble; warp reactor; waste disposal units; Xantorans; Xantoras; xenomythology
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Star Trek: Enterprise Season 2 |
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