“The Expanse” 20th-anniversary reflections

An attack on Earth by an unknown species forces Starfleet to call the NX-01 back and presents the crew with a new mystery, one filled with danger greater than anything humanity has faced. Tipped off by Future Guy that a species called the Xindi are behind the attack, Archer has to convince Admiral Forrest to let him go find these unknown bad guys. Meanwhile, Trip faces the loss of his sister, killed in the attack, and T’Pol finds herself once again caught between two worlds. And if that wasn’t enough, Duras and the Klingons are at it again.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we close out Season 2 with “The Expanse” as we discuss how the story sets the show on a new course.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Clearing the Deck (00:01:41) T'Pol's Arc (00:10:03) Ripped from the Headlines? (00:17:32) Injecting the Unknown into Star Trek History (00:25:55) Trip's Loss (00:32:25) Cut Scenes (00:35:49)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:44:11) Closing (00:46:55)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Bounty” 20th-anniversary reflections

The Empire never forgets its enemies. That’s something Jonathan Archer learns when he decides to trust a surprisingly friendly Tellarite offering vacationing tips. Turns out he’s a bounty hunter working for the Klingons, who still haven’t forgiven Archer for escaping from Rura Penthe. The Enterprise crew sets out on a mission to rescue their captain but find it difficult to focus while T’Pol runs around the ship in her skivvies trying to mate with everyone.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Bounty” as we discuss how the story marks the end of the show’s original concept, sets a course for serialization, adds texture to pon farr, and proves that Tellarites are terrible travel guides.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Bringing Back the Tellarites (00:02:20) The End of the Original Concept (00:09:38) All In on Serialization (00:17:37) Fleshing Out Pon Farr (00:23:34) Sexualizing T’Pol (00:31:07) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:58) Closing (00:39:14)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“First Flight” 20th-anniversary reflections

While observing a dark matter nebula, Captain Archer receives a message from Admiral Forrest informing his that one of his old comrades from the early warp program days has died while climbing Mt. McKinley. Reflecting on the loss, Archer tells T’Pol the story of how he competed with this fellow pilot, AG Robinson, for the chance to captain Enterprise, and how the two overcame Vulcan obstruction to keep the NX program on track.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “First Flight” as we discuss how the story serves as a resounding proof of concept for the original idea for the series, meeting Trip, how Archer’s experiences with AG prepared him to be a leader, and more. We also enjoy a plate of the 602 Club's famous fried mushrooms.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Getting Away from Space (00:04:29) T'Pol’s Growth (00:14:24) Archer’s Path to Leadership (00:18:08) When Johnny Met Trip (00:25:06) Vulcans Can’t Think Outside the Box (00:28:39) The 602 Club (00:30:22) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:44) Closing (00:36:15)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Regeneration” 20th-anniversary reflections

A research team in the Arctic uncover mysterious cybernetic beings while examining the wreckage of an alien ship that dates back more than 100 years. Unaware of the danger, they quickly find themselves assimilated by regenerated drones from a previous attempt by the Borg to assimilate Earth and stop first contact. The Enterprise is ordered to pursue the researchers’ vessel, now under the control of the Borg, and Archer must make some difficult decisions as he quickly wakes up to the threat posed by this mysterious alien menace.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Regeneration” as we discuss using the Borg at a time long before they were known to Starfleet, how to do a prequel right, how the story sets up Archer and his crew for the challenges of Season 3, and more.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) An Unplanned Contingency Plan (00:02:46) Prequel Proof of Concept (00:11:06) Borg Instinct (00:15:45) Phlox’s Semi-Immunity (00:21:56) Setting Up Season 3 (00:27:49) Time (and Exploration) Is Loopy (00:33:20) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:36:03) Closing (00:39:10)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Cogenitor” 20th-anniversary reflections

The Enterprise makes first contact with the Vissians, a species that has a lot in common in with humans, such as a love of exploration, a fascination with ice cream, and an interest in large tactical arrays. But they also have key differences, like a third gender that enables reproduction. Given the specialized role these cogenitors, as they are called, play in Vissian society, they have little need for niceties such as literacy. That doesn't sit well with Trip, who befriends the cogenitor of the Vissian chief engineer and his wife, Calla. When Trip teaches the cogenitor to read, it leads to them questioning—and taking—their own life. While Trip’s intentions may have been good, the outcome was not.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Cogenitor” as we discuss first contact, equal rights, cultural relativism, missed opportunities, and why we wish this important story had been expanded and revisited.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Moral Quandaries and Fast Friendships (00:02:49) Trip’s Dilemma (00:09:05) Restraints of the Format (00:14:40) The Dangers of Labeling (00:16:43) Archer vs. Trip (00:20:10) Does the Framework Work? (00:25:02) Equal Rights and Opportunities (00:30:12)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:32:22) Closing (00:35:45)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Breach” 20th-anniversary reflections

When the new xenophobic government of planet Xantoras orders all off-worlders to leave, the Enterprise is called upon to rescue Denobulan geologists trapped in a cave. While Trip, Malcolm, and Travis goes spelunking for scientists, the crew bring aboard some injured Antarans from an alien ship suffering a reactor leak. It turns out that the Antarans are enemies of the Denobulans and one of them, a xenomythology teacher named Hudak, refuses treatment by Dr. Phlox, who must confront centuries-old prejudices and strive to mend the wounds of the past.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “The Breach” as we explore caves and discuss lingering animosity, overcoming preconceived notions, Archer as the voice of reason, adding depth to Denobulans, and that very special guest star.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Spelunking for Scientists (00:02:17) Bad Blood (00:09:08) Making Myths (00:16:00) The Voice of Reason (00:20:06) Developing Denobulans (00:24:16) (Almost) No Tribble at All (00:28:32) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:30:19) Closing (00:32:11)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Horizon” 20th-anniversary reflections

A change of course for the Enterprise takes the ship close to the ECS Horizon, the cargo vessel on which Travis Mayweather grew up—and that means family reunion time. But it’s a sad homecoming for Travis when he learns that his father passed away, and resentment bubbles to the surface between Travis and his brother, Paul, now captain of the ship. When aliens attack, the brothers must put their differences aside to survive. Meanwhile, aboard the NX-01, T’Pol must put her fear of movie night aside as she learns to better fraternize with her crewmates.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Horizon” as we discuss  family dynamics, what could have been for Travis, Archer’s leadership, T’Pol's book club, and the unexpected connection between the Mayweather and Janeway families.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Cargo Runners and Family Dynamics (00:03:28) Previewing the Galaxy Class (00:10:52) Distances and Relationships (00:15:00) Archer's Found Family (00:19:39) Realistic Conflict (00:23:29) T'Pol and Movie Night (00:29:35) Frankenstein Insights (00:34:25) The Janeway-Mayweather Connection (00:37:21)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:38:56) Closing (00:41:49)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Judgment” 20th-anniversary reflections

Captain Jonathan Archer of the battle cruiser Enterprise stands before a Klingon magistrate to face the music for aiding and abetting fugitives from the Empire. At least that’s the Klingon side of the story. Archer, actually captain of the Earth starship Enterprise, tells a different story and attempts to prove his innocence with the help of a Klingon advocate who has become disillusioned with Klingon society and has all but given up fighting for change. Challenged by Archer as lacking honor, he takes the fight to the prosecutor and, while still losing by winning, finds a new path for himself.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Judgment” as we discuss how the story revisits The Undiscovered Country, works to maintain continuity, and challenges the concept of Klingon society.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Revisiting The Undiscovered Country (00:02:25) In Need of Two Parts? (00:06:53) Attention to Detail and Continuity (00:11:09) Challenging the Empire (00:16:14) Diversity of Thought Matters (00:26:41) The Fate of Kolos (00:30:00) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:51) Closing (00:37:26)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“The Crossing” 20th-anniversary reflections

When the Enterprise is swallowed by a giant whale-like ship, Archer and the crew find themselves in the belly of a beast—a beast filled with wispy critters who want to experience life in real bodies … and eat bread. Soon, an opportunity for seeking out new life turns into an invasion of the body snatchers and only the successful completion of a very complex panel removal sequence can save the crew.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “The Crossing” as we discuss the story’s promising start, the Wisps, Archer’s actions, and missed opportunities to really explore the heart of Star Trek.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Promising Start (00:02:39) What Do Wisps Need with a Starship? (00:09:35) Archer's Reaction (00:13:31) Dude, That's Not Trip! (00:18:22) Battle Bridge Genesis (00:21:58) A Convenient Alloy (00:24:56) Phlox Needs Leverage! (00:28:17)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:35:40) Closing (00:41:52)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)

“Canamar” 20th-anniversary reflections

When the Enterprise rendezvous with Shuttlepod One to meet Captain Archer and Commander Tucker, who had been on a mission to make first contact with unknown aliens, they find the shuttle dead in space. After reviewing the logs, they believe Archer and Trip were abducted, and they begin a search with the help of the alien authorities. Meanwhile, the captain and commander fight for their lives aboard a prison vessel transporting them to a penal colony called Canamar, and Trip gets stuck next to the chatty passenger.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Canamar,” the frightening encounters humans have with aliens during these early days of deep space exploration, how the story came to be, and what it has to say about attempts to control people and curb crime in real world societies. We also ask if it is filler to flesh out a 26-episode season.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Chatty Passenger (00:02:17) Humanity’s First Tests (00:04:34) Archer’s Adaptations (00:10:52) False Imprisonment (00:16:54) Story Origins (00:21:49) Fit, Slimmer Pakleds (00:26:45)   Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:28:43) Closing (00:34:06)

Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)