Star Trek: Enterprise Reviews L

This is one of my posts where I “review” Star Trek episodes. I will be giving each one a star rating. I sometimes will make some comments about non-political parts of them that I like or don’t like. I’ll sometimes use the issues raised in the episode to discuss similar issues in real life. And I will sometimes simply high-light the progressive politics of ST. ST is in-line with the three original themes of this blog, as I explain in the first ST post where I offer some general thoughts about ST.

I’m not very familiar with The Original Series and there might be some small amount of material there that would affect what I say about Star Trek (i.e. how often religion is mentioned)

Lastly. multi-culturalism is such a pervasive theme in ST that I only comment on it when it goes beyond the norm (i.e. inter-species partners).

These episodes are more or less part of the Xindi storyline that lasts the entire 3rd season of Enterprise. For some introductory comments from me and a link to a plot summary of the first episode of this storyline, see this where I discuss the episode. “The Expanse” (which is the last episode of the 2nd season).

“Impulse” See this for a plot summary.

Although it’s part of the Xindi story line which is fairly political, this episode is relatively non-political. I give it three stars out of five.

“Exile” See this for a plot summary.

Although it’s part of the Xindi story line which is fairly political, this episode is relatively non-political. I give it three stars out of five.

“The Shipment” See this for a plot summary.

This episode includes some efforts by Archer to be sort of diplomatic in his mission to find the Xindi weapon. But he kind of goes back and forth between trying to co-opt an important Xindi he captured and, on the other hand, threatening to kill him.

At one point Archer has the following exchange with Malcolm.

Archer: I thought we were here to stop a war, not start one.

Malcolm: They struck first.

Archer: Because they were told we were going to attack them. They think they’re acting in self-defense. By destroying this complex, we’ll be confirming their worst fears about humanity.

Malcolm: Let’s not forget the 7 million people who were killed.


Disappointingly, this desire for revenge seems to affect Archer, as he indicates that he now favors destroying the complex. He does, however, order something that will protect the community nearby.

I give it three stars out of five.

“Twilight” See this for a plot summary.

The political aspect of this is the genocide of humanity. Besides that, it’s very non-political, but I love the story. I give it five stars out of five.