Acquisition

This episode opens with the Ferengi, the businessmen of the universe, on board the Enterprise. Some gas has been released on board and the crew is unconscious. Tripp is the only one conscious because he was in a decontamination chamber. The Ferengi (who are not called that at this stage) begin to loot the ship. They take all kinds of random stuff and pile it up. They awaken Archer because they believe he knows where a huge supply of gold is. Meanwhile, Tripp moves around the ship trying to figure out how to help. This is a pretty delightful effort with lots of humor. The Ferengi are quite formidable, despite being so ridiculous. We won't meet them again until the Next Generation. The plot to reclaim the ship is fun to watch.