STARTREK
ENTERPRISE
SEASON 3
Starring:
Scott Bakula, Jolene Blalock, Conner Trinneer, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery,
Linda Park and John Billingsley
Series created by:
Rick Berman and Brannon Braga
Out to buy on DVD 05/09/05
"Where are the Xindi?"
After the Xindi attack on Earth, Captain Archer and the crew of the Starship Enterprise head into the Delphic Expanse to find the species responsible and stop them from launching an even bigger attack.
The Xindi
It has been six weeks since Enterprise's new mission began and the crew
have made virtually no progress. Now finally, they may have a lead as Enterprise
is en route to a mining colony which is supposed to have a Xindi worker.
But the attempt to learn more about the race threatening Earth leads Archer
and Trip into a trap.
Anomaly
Strange things are occurring on Enterprise, leading most of the ship's systems
to become disabled. Before the crew can make repairs, a group of Osaarians
board and loot the ship. The crew pursue the Osaarians to retrieve what
was stolen, but when Archer learns these aliens encountered the Xindi, he
goes to extreme lengths to get information from an imprisoned Osaarian.
Extinction
Enterprise journeys to a planet a Xindi ship visited. Once on the planet,
though, Archer, Reed and Hoshi become infected with a strange mutating virus.
T'Pol, however, is unaffected by it. As Phlox races to find a cure, a group
of aliens knowledgeable of the virus' origin and purpose, come to the planet
and they plan to do whatever it takes to contain it; always lethal.
Raijin
Enterprise journeys to an alien market to get the formula to synthesize
Trellium-D from a chemist. While on the planet, Archer rescues a slave named
Rajiin and brings her onto the ship, planning to return her to her home
world. Rajiin begins using her strange powers on members of the crew, which
is all part of a plan to gather information for the Xindi.
Impulse
An automated distress call from a Vulcan starship is detected and the ship
is found in an asteroid field. Archer, T'Pol, Reed and Hawkins attempt a
rescue mission, but they become trapped onboard and have to fend off the
Vulcan crew, who have gone insane and become very violent. And if they don't
return to Enterprise soon, the same thing will happen to T'Pol.
Exile
Hoshi is contacted by Tarquin, an alien with telepathic powers, and given
an interesting proposition; he will use his powers to obtain information
about the Xindi and their weapon, for the crew. All he asks is that Hoshi
stay with him on his planet while he works on getting the information. However,
she soon learns that Tarquin does not want her to leave ever.
The Shipment
After Enterprise arrives at a Xindi colony, Archer, Reed and Major Hayes
sneak onto the planet for a reconnaissance mission of a facility producing
a substance crucial to the Xindi weapon. Archer interrogates the head of
the facility, a Xindi-Sloth named Gralik, only to learn that he knows nothing
about the attack on Earth. Surprised by what has happened, Gralik decides
to help delay the weapon's progress.
Twilight
With no idea what has happened, Archer discovers that he is living on a
planet with T'Pol and that twelve years have passed. T'Pol explains that
an anomaly caused Archer to be infected with strange parasites, preventing
him from retaining memories beyond that point. Archer was relieved of command
and the mission continued, but the crew ultimately failed and Earth was
destroyed. Now Phlox has a cure for the captain's condition and stumbled
upon a way to retroactively undo the last twelve years, but they'll have
to hurry as the Xindi are coming to wipe out what's left of humanity.
North Star
Archer, Trip and T'Pol head down to a planet where humans are living in
a wild west-like society. Archer learns that aliens named Skagarans brought
humans from three hundred years ago there for slave labour, but the humans
resisted and turned the tables on them. Now the humans' descendants are
in charge and the Skagarans are forced to endure prejudice and unfair laws.
Similitude
Something goes wrong during an attempt to improve the warp engines, causing
Trip to be severely injured and leaving Enterprise crippled in a dangerous
polaric field. Archer allows Phlox to create a simbiot of Trip, which will
only live for fifteen days and provide neural tissue needed for a vital
transplant. The simbiot is named Sim and, aging years in a matter of days,
actually thinks of a plan to free Enterprise from the field. However, a
difficult decision must be made after it's learned the transplant will kill
Sim, even though there is a chance to exceed his lifespan.
Carpenter Street
Archer receives a visit from Daniels and learns three Xindi-Reptilians are
in Detroit, Michigan in the early 21st century. Archer and T'Pol arrive
in early 21st century to find the Reptilians and to learn what they're doing
there. They discover the Reptilians are operating out of an old factory
and that a man named Loomis has been kidnapping people for them. It turns
out the Reptilians are using the kidnapped people to further work on the
bio-weapon and they're getting closer to completing it.
Chosen Realm
Enterprise saves a Triannon crew, a race that worships the creators of the
spheres in the Delphic Expanse. However, it was all a set up as D'Jamat
and his followers seize control, threatening to destroy the ship unless
Archer cooperates. D'Jamat wants to destroy those opposed to his beliefs
and orders the ship to the Triannon homeworld. D'Jamat is also not happy
after learning Enterprise has explored the spheres before and tells Archer
one of the crew must die as punishment.
Proving Ground
Enterprise detects a signal leading to a testing ground for the Xindi weapon
prototype, but they have to move through a field of anomalies in order to
get there faster. Enterprise takes heavy damage in the process, but is ultimately
saved by an Andorian ship under Shran's command. Shran offers Archer assistance
in the battle against the Xindi and both work together to take the Xindi
weapon prototype. But Shran and the Andorians have different plans for the
weapon.
Stratagem
Degra wakes up on a cargo shuttle that is under attack and being piloted
by Archer. Archer tells him three years have passed and that they escaped
together from a Xindi-Insectoid prison colony. However, this is really all
a carefully planned deception being carried out by the crew three days after
they captured Degra's ship. Archer hopes this deception will get Degra to
tell him where the Xindi weapon is being built.
Harbinger
Enterprise comes across a massive convergence of anomalies and an alien
pod is found inside. After rescuing the pod's dying occupant, Phlox attempts
treatment while Archer tries to learn what he was doing, unaware that this
alien has a hidden motive. Meanwhile, a series of training drills with the
Starfleet officers and the MACOs lead to an explosive fight between Reed
and Major Hayes.
Doctor's Orders
Journeying to Azati Prime becomes more difficult when Enterprise encounters
a trans-dimensional disturbance that would take two weeks to go around.
Archer allows Phlox to put the human crewmembers into comas to protect them
from the disturbance so the ship can move across it at impulse. However,
the disturbance has unforeseen effects on Phlox as time goes on and he begins
experiencing hallucinations.
Hatchery
Archer leads an away team to study a crashed Xindi-Insectoid ship, finding
the adult Insectoids have died and a hatchery. Archer decides they must
make sure the Insectoid offspring hatch safely and survive, saying it will
help prove to the Xindi that their beliefs about humanity are wrong. However,
Archer's orders and behaviour become more and more unusual, putting Enterprise's
mission at risk.
Azati Prime
After getting to Azati Prime, the crew discover the almost complete Xindi
weapon is on an ocean planet. Their plan to destroy it calls for someone
to pilot the recently acquired Insectoid shuttle on a suicide mission and
Archer decides he'll do it. However, Daniels brings Archer to the future
to tell him that he must instead make peace with the Xindi and convince
them that they've been manipulated by the Sphere-Builders.
Damage
The Xindi ships are recalled from the battle, leaving Enterprise with heavy
damage and losses. As the crew struggle to make repairs, some Xindi manage
to send Archer back to Enterprise. Not long after his return, Enterprise
encounters an Illyrian ship damaged by anomalies. Archer attempts to make
a trade for a vital warp coil, but the Illyrian Captain states they can't
spare it. To ensure his mission's success, Archer will have to cross a line
and take the coil by force.
The Forgotten
Still suffering from the battle with the Xindi, Enterprise makes it to the
rendezvous point and docks with Degra's ship near one of the Spheres. Learning
the Xindi weapon will be launched in several days, Archer works to prove
to Degra and the Xindi-Arboreal that everything he's said about them being
manipulated is true. However, a ruptured warp plasma conduit threatens Enterprise
and the arrival of a Reptilian ship later threatens the meeting.
E2 (E Squared)
Before the crew attempt to enter the subspace corridor that will help them
get to the Xindi Council chamber, they suddenly encounter an NX class ship.
Surprisingly this NX class ship is really Enterprise and is controlled by
the crew's descendants. Lorian (Trip and T'Pol's son) and Karyn (Archer's
great grand daughter) explain that Enterprise did enter the subspace corridor,
but something went wrong and the crew were sent over a hundred years back
in time.
The Council
With Degra's help, Enterprise arrives at the planet where the Xindi Council
chamber is located. Hoshi uses her translator skills to help Archer as he
tries to convince the Council that Earth mustn't be destroyed and that the
Sphere-Builders have manipulated them, which isn't easy given the reverence
many Xindi have for them. However, the Sphere-Builders find their plan is
being threatened and they convince the Reptilians and Insectoids to take
control of the Xindi weapon.
Countdown
With time running out and the Xindi weapon about to be armed, Archer has
to make a deal with several Xindi.
Zero Hour
Archer leads a team to stop the Xindi weapon before it reaches Earth. Meanwhile,
Enterprise will have to face the Sphere Builders.
After two seasons that stuck to the usual 'Star Trek' structure, the third series of 'Star Trek: Enterprise' took Jonathan Archer and his crew in a new direction.
Not since the glory days of the Dominion War on 'Deep Space Nine' has a Star Trek series ran a continuing story line through an entire season but the third series of 'Enterprise' used this story structure superbly. Since the Xindi destroyed a large section of Florida in the final episode of season two, the threat from this new species was always going to be a major story for the next season but fans could have never have expected it to last for the entire third series run.
This gave 'Enterprise' something that is had so blatantly been lacking during its first two years, a real dramatic storyline. Before this 'Enterprise' had plodded along with on the 'Future plot' ever appearing to give the series a purpose. The promise of seeing how the Federation came to be and many other pivotal moments from 'Star Trek's' history, had never really come to pass and series just became a cliché of what had been done much better before but the Xindi plot changed all this for the better.
A sense of urgency and fear consumed the crew as the burden of saving the Earth from a second, more devastating Xindi weighted heavy on their shoulders. This made many of the characters much more interesting as the drama of the situation intensified. Captain Archer changed from the starry-eyed explorer into almost a ruthless mercenary who hunted down information about the Xindi and didn't hesitate to use extreme methods to locate it. Trip is riddled with grieve and anger towards the Xindi, after the death of his sister during the first attack. Malcolm's past starts to catch up with him and the confrontations with the new military MACO squadrons only increase the friction onboard. T'Pol contracts an illness that sees her struggle with her own inner demons and her emotions. Phlox struggles with his own medical ethics as the fight against time plagues the mission.
With most of the characters going through professional, emotional and physical change, this is the biggest growth spurt 'Enterprise' has ever received and this changed the show completely. Much of this is due to the new producer brought in to oversee the show, Manny Coto. Writing many of the seasons best shows and overseeing the main ongoing Xindi plot. His influence took the series away from the usual Brannon Braga/Rick Berman approach to something a lot more adventurous.
The third season of 'Star Trek Enterprise' is the best yet. The show really started to make a niche for itself during this run and the tension of the ongoing Xindi plot meant that you were captivated for the entire season. With a rare satisfying conclusion to the drama as well, these adventures of Jonathan Archer and his crew are up there with the best Star Trek has to offer.
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented in 16x9 Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, 'Star Trek' has never looked so good. The transfer is superb with the picture quality first rate throughout, really showcasing the exception special effects. The sound quality is also fantastic, especially during the fight sequences.
BONUS FEATURES
Audio Commentary
Writer/co-producer Manny Coto provides commentary on the episode 'Similitude'
and assistant director Michael Demeritt provides a track for the episode
'North Star'. Each commentary is fun and informative, giving you an insight
into the episode and how they were developed.
Text Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda
While watching the episodes 'The Xindi', 'Impulse' and 'Countdown' you
can switch on the text commentary feature which flashes up interesting
facts and trivia about the episode and the series.
Deleted Scenes
Watch deleted or extended scenes for 'Similitude', 'Chosen Realm' and
'E2'.
The Xindi Saga Begins (13.10 mins)
Executive producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, writer/producer Mike
Sussman, writers Phyllis Strong and Manny Coto and stars Scott Bakula
and John Billingsley talk about the introduction of a full season story
arc for the first time in Star Trek history. Under pressure from the studio
to revamp the series, the featurette reveals how the third season drew
influences from the successful movies in the franchise to create the Xindi
threat storyline. They also outline the changes in some of the key characters
of Enterprise because of the pressure to save Earth.
Star Trek Moments: Season 3 (12.56 mins)
Executive producer Rick Berman, writer/producer Mike Sussman, writer Manny
Coto and stars Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating and John
Billingsley talk about some of the key episode of he third season of 'Enterprise'.
The group discuss the episodes 'Twilight', 'Chosen Realm', 'Similitude',
'Harbinger', 'Azati Prime', 'Countdown' and 'Zero Hour' as well as the
Xindi arc as a whole.
Enterprise Profile: Connor Trinneer (17.14 mins)
Executive producers and series creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga
join Trip himself Connor Trinneer to discuss Enterprise's chief engineer.
They talk about how he was cast, his background before Trek and the evolution
of the character. They also discuss the character's relationships with
T'Pol and Captain Archer.
A Day in the life of a Director: Roxann Dawson (17.56
mins)
The former Star Trek Voyager star turned director takes you behind the
scenes of the shooting of the episode 'Exile'. Using split screen we see
the actual finished scenes and what the shoot actually looked like at
the same time. The director also reveals how the sets were built and the
storyboarding and editing processes for a Star Trek episode. Outtakes
(6.12 mins) A montage of gaffs and mistakes from the cast and crew during
the third season of Enterprise Photo Gallery Behind the scenes and promotional
images from the third season of Enterprise
Behind the Camera: Marvin Rush (15.43 mins)
Director of photography Marvin Rush talks about working on 'The Next Generation',
'Deep Space Nine', 'Voyager' and 'Enterprise' and been involved with the
franchise for more than sixteen years. From the set of the episode 'Harbinger',
the DP reveals how lighting on the set works, the different camera equipment
used and how the stunts and visual effects are achieved.
Enterprise Secrets (4.11 mins)
Second assistant director David Trotti gives you a tour of the Paramount
New York backlot set that has been used in all of the Star Trek series.
Star Trek: The Original Series DVD Trailer (1.43 mins)
A preview of the DVD release of the classic series with Kirk, Spock, Bones
and the rest of the Enterprise crew
Borg Invasion Trailer (0.31 mins)
A preview of the new Star Trek attraction in Las Vegas
Easter Eggs: NX-01 Files
Files 07, 08 and 09 look at the costumes, the episode 'E2' and Dr Phlox's
nude scene in season three.
OVERALL
Paramount has done another excellent job with season three of 'Star Trek Enterprise'. Fans will be pleased with the informative featurettes, the funny outtakes and the quality of the audio commentaries making this a must by for fans. While a few more commentary tracks on episodes wouldn't have gone a miss and the sets are a little expensive (Shop around), this is still a great package.
DVD
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