Captain’s log: 1 March, 2153

Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong pen this episode that debuted on 7 May, 2003, and brings the Borg into this Trek series. Of course, they can’t be mentioned by name, because at this point in Trek chronology humanity is unaware of them, except for the people involved in the events depicted in Star Trek: First Contact, and most of them went back to the 24th century.

That is also the germ of the seed for the episode as well.

A scientific team in the Arctic in the 22nd century, when Enterprise is set, recovers two frozen cybernetic bodies from some wreckage. When they reawaken, the viewer knows right off the bat that they are Borg, and they quickly assimilate the scientists, and return to space to contact the Collective.

Archer (Scott Bakula) and the Enterprise are called back to Earth to help in stopping the Borg, never quite learning who they are, or the threat that they will pose to the future, and the past.

The episode allows a lot of the cast to have their action hero moments as Archer, Reed (Dominic Keating) and the rest take on the Borg. It also has a nice horror movie menacing buildup – the scientists are delighted with their discovery, but we know what these guys really are and the problem they are about to call.

One of the actors who plays one of the initial scientists taken over by the Borg, Bonita Friedericy is the wife of John Billingsley who plays Phlox – and who is infected by the Borg, and works to keep the nanites at bay while the rest of the crew phaser and fight, and use the transporter to board the Borg vessel.

It’s a solid tale, and works rousingly.

Captain’s log: March 2153

LeVar Burton directs this episode written by John Shiban and Chris Black. It first debuted on 14 May, 2003.

When Archer hears about the death of a former colleague, and good friend, A.G. Robinson (Keith Carradine), the captain reflects on his past and shares it with T’Pol (Jolene Blalock).

He tells the tale of how he was involved in the warp two test flights ten years earlier.

It’s a nod to the space and flight programs of the past, as test pilots push the envelope, flying cutting edge ships to break barriers and thrust humanity into space.

It’s also a great episode to show the friendship between Archer and Trip (Connor Trinneer) and how they pushed one another to achieve, and to reach the stars. This is a nice little look back at future history, with a nod to the programmes of today before the series heads into the season finale and a whole new direction for the third season.

The Human Adventure continues next week with the conclusion of season two and the launch of season three as I explore Star Trek: Enterprise – The Complete Series on blu-ray from Paramount Canada.

Boldly go…