Episode cast overview: | |||
Scott Bakula | ... | Capt. Jonathan Archer | |
John Billingsley | ... | Dr. Phlox | |
Jolene Blalock | ... | Sub-Cmdr. T'Pol | |
Dominic Keating | ... | Lt. Malcolm Reed | |
Anthony Montgomery | ... | Ensign Travis Mayweather | |
Linda Park | ... | Ensign Hoshi Sato | |
Connor Trinneer | ... | Cmdr. Charles 'Trip' Tucker III | |
Maury Sterling | ... | Tarquin | |
Philip Boyd | ... | Com Officer |
Hoshi Sato is contacted by a 400-year-old telepathic alien exiled on planet in the Expanse, shunned by his society because of his abilities. The alien offers to use his powers to help Enterprise find the Xindi and the weapon they are building, but only if Hoshi will stay with him while he works. She agrees to stay behind, while Enterprise confirms the Expanse has a second Sphere and is on its way to investigate. Written by Meribor
The Xindi/Abyss arc continues to build in this strong character development story featuring Linda Park as Hoshi Sato. T'Pol has discovered a new wrinkle in the Abyss - and can now predict the location of the spheres that appear to cause the time-space distortions. To test her hypothesis, the ship heads toward one of the predicted locations. As they approach it, Hoshi is contacted by a telepathic alien who can cast his consciousness dozens of light years from his physical location. It appears that this alien wants to help the Enterprise learn about the Xindi in exchange for a few days alone with Hoshi. Most of the episode centers on Hoshi's relationship with this exiled, ancient, telepath.
The episode is well-written and conceived, and very nicely directed by Roxanne Dawson. It exhibits a rare emotional and psychological sensitivity for the franchise. Recommended - but won't make a lot of sense unless you've already been introduced to the arc of which it is a part.