177: Shadows of Pajamas

“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)

“Future Tense” 20th-anniversary reflections

A mysterious ship leads the crew of the Enterprise into the mysteries of time—and DNA—as they find themselves once again mixed up with the Suliban and the Temporal Cold War. When the Tholians show up, things get really messy and the crew must race against time to save the ship and unravel … When the Tholians show up, things get really messy and the crew must race against time to save the ship and unravel … When the Tholians show up …

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 “Future Tense” as we discuss how the story reminds viewers that the Temporal Cold War storyline still exists while saving itself from filler status by delivering important chartacter growth for T’Pol, plus some fun with time along the way.

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

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

“Cease Fire” 20th-anniversary reflections

When a decades-old territorial conflict between the Vulcans and Andorians resurfaces, Captain Archer is called upon to mediate. But by whom? As Archer unravels the details, he finds conflict and deception not only between the two sides but within them. Seeing the situation as an opportunity to prove that humans are ready to join a much larger community, Archer brings together Vulcans and Andorians and takes one more step towards the eventual founding of the Federation—whether the Vulcans like it or 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 “Cease Fire” as we discuss how the story brings the Federation’s founding worlds closer together through a growing relationship and trust among unlikely players.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Setting Up the Federation (00:02:28)
Developing Soval (00:12:23)
Mirroring Star Trek VI (00:17:14)
Evolving Trip (00:23:00)
The Ever Changing Suzie Plakson (00:30:06)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:00)
Closing (00:36:36)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

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

“Stigma” 20th-anniversary reflections

After the encounter with V'tosh ka'tur, or Vulcans without logic, in Season 1’s “Fusion,” T’Pol has contracted Pa’nar Syndrome, a disease spread by the practice of mind-melding. When Doctor Phlox sees an opportunity to help her during the Interspecies Medical Exchange, T’Pol’s career comes into jeopardy when she is identified as part of an undesirable element of Vulcan society.

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 “Stigma,” an episode that aired during Viacom’s HIV awareness campaign in 2003. We discuss how the story ties into this with a story that advances the development of Vulcan society while deftly balancing serious and comedic stories to make a strong statement about cultural differences and unfounded prejudice.

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

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