Season 3
Episode 71 Damage
The Enterprise is heavily damaged from their encounters in the last episode. Archer is returned to Enterprise by the Aquarian Xindi. He’s told to meet at specific coordinates in only a few days.
In desperate need to make repairs and save Earth, the crew encounter aliens called Illyrians who provide some help but not enough to get Enterprise moving at warp. Archer makes the decision to raid the ship and steal the supplies he needs.
It’s the darkest episode of the season and not one that should sit well with anyone. Heroes shouldn’t do bad things to save the day. It’s certainly against the overall message of Star Trek which is peace and exploration. Yes, it’s an Earth ship and not the United Federation of Planets. But Archer leaves the Illyrians stranded in the Delphic Expanse with no warp drive, years away from their home planet.
The stakes were high and his decision would ultimately save Earth but the idea that Enterprise is hurting other beings for their own gain is so anti-Star Trek it’s difficult to like the episode, despite how well written it truly was.
The episode also reveals more of the true big bad, the sphere builders and how they are manipulating the Xindi. “The Guardian” is manipulating time to their own advantages. Some of the Xindi are now developing doubts about their plans to destroy Earth.
In a rather boring, annoying, unneeded plot twist we learn T’Pol has become addicted to Trillium-D and is injecting herself in small doses to experience emotions. It’s an annoying subplot that wasn’t needed given all the other high drama floating around. Also, very un-Vulcan and an illogical choice.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
