Warp Five: A Star Trek Enterprise Podcast

The Head-Butting Race. Tellarites! There was never a race on Star Trek as stubborn, as prideful, abrasive, insulting and literally (and figuratively) pig-headed…and these are their “good” qualities! Arguably one of the more interesting races in Star Trek, the Tellarites have long been a fan favorite presumably for one simple reason: They were one of the four founding members of the Coalition of Planets who–alongside the Humans of Starfleet, the Vulcans and the Andorians–helped shape the future of what would eventually become the United Federation of Planets. For the Star Trek fan that caught their first glimpse of a Tellarite in the classic Original Series episode "Journey to Babel", curiosity about them has always been consistently high. Since that episode, there have only been a sprinkling of Tellarite sightings, but they never were truly given their respectful due as a race of such historical significance...until Season 4 of Enterprise. So please join me, Will and Tommy as we try to unravel the mystery of the Tellarites as we speculate as to why this pivotal race to the history of the Federation was so entirely underrepresented. Hosts Norman C. Lao and Will Nguyen Guest Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and Bringing Home the Bacon! (00:01:22) Telling the Tale of Tellarites (00:04:08) Journeying Back to Babel (00:10:10) Remastered Prosthetics for TOS? (00:16:41) Tellarite Sprinkles (00:19:49) A New Take on Tellarites (00:27:15) A Truly Historical Moment (00:34:27) Another Missed Hoshi Opportunity (00:42:50) Post 22nd Century Sightings (00:48:47) Tellarite Suppositions (00:54:07) We Just Needed To See More (01:02:28) Closing and Thanks For Listening! (01:10:08) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

How does the NX-01 Crew enjoy their off-duty downtime? We all know how tough work hours can be, and the pressures and responsibilities of Starfleet's best and brightest crewmen and women aboard the NX-01 in 2151 were obviously enormous. So, what did they do off-duty to help themselves relax? Did Archer JUST watch Water Polo videos? Did T'Pol JUST read Surak and drink Tea? How did Hoshi keep her linguistic skills sharp? Did she enjoy practicing languages for fun? Where did they go to drink, to play chess, to read...to just simply hang out and shake off the stresses of the day? One of the dynamics we as fans love to project into our fandom is this premise: What if the NX-01 mission was in fact real? Because if we believe this to be true - then we also must believe that certain cultural touchstones had to have evolved in some way because they were worth preserving. And as seen through most of Star Trek, heirlooms and antiquities - music, books, eyeglasses, keepsakes and even quotable Shakespeare (in both Human English and obviously the original Klingon) survived because these human touchstones were worth preserving culturally. Hosts Norman C. Lao and Will Nguyen Guest Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and Real Life Happens (00:01:22) How Does the NX-01 Crew Wind Down? (00:04:08) 1879 to now to 2151 (00:10:55) The Human Ties That Bind (00:17:46) Creating a Sense of Community (00:21:53) Quark Envy (00:28:30) Gaming on the NX-01 (00:31:39) The Future of Fitness (00:39:00) Enjoying One’s Work Off Duty (00:45:30) In Most Need of a Vacation (00:48:28) One Last Way To Connect (00:55:43) Closing and Thanks For Listening! (01:06:20) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Terra Nova. An Episode Lost in Translation. One of the main goals for Warp Five is to give our listeners a fresh and positive perspective on Enterprise. It is only journalistically responsible for us to not only discuss the "positive" elements of this series...but the "problematic" as well. To be sure, there were issues that plagued all four seasons of Enterprise ranging from poor writing to severe interference from the UPN and the powers that be, ultimately causing "uniquely memorable" moments to happen within this series. Terra Nova unfortunately was one of those moments and one of the most severe. Terra Nova was listed on five different fan review websites that categorized and listed the "worst" episodes of Enterprise and of Star Trek. When I reviewed the sheer vitriol that Terra Nova suffered from online reviews, I was shocked, intrigued and bewildered that this episode was so poorly received. So...what happened? How could two veteran Trek writers in Berman and Braga just utterly and completely misfire? Pull up a chair and join us in The Conference Room for a fantastic, open and honest discussion of this very controversial episode! Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen and Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and The Other Side of the Episode (00:01:17) Terra Nova: Good Intentions or Serious Misfire? (00:05:53) What Went Wrong? (00:10:31) Communication Breakdown (00:18:32) A Casting Misfire? (00:23:52) Signs of Trek Exhaustion? (00:31:20) Another Missed Opportunity For More Hoshi (00:38:48) Dances With Novans (00:43:37) Our Final Thoughts are Not Shale (00:51:31) Closing and a Five Star Review! (00:55:32) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Re-imagining Enterprise Season One. "What if...", "Missed Opportunities...", "So much potential..." - stop me if these phrases sound familiar when describing Enterprise. When Brannon Braga originally pitched Enterprise to the United Paramount Network - a.k.a. the UPN - his original mission statement was essentially "Star Trek meets The Right Stuff". However the "executive powers that be" saw things differently and the first season of Enterprise never truly established itself as the prequel series that eventually would have become a bonafide source for Star Trek historical canon. Fast forward a bit to Season Two and to one of my favorite episodes of Enterprise - FIRST FLIGHT. In this episode, Brannon Braga was finally able to find the right tone and storytelling format to illustrate his original pitch. If Brannon was given the freedom to execute his vision and introduce what he believed was "true to existing canon" story progression, I believe he would have successfully created a bedrock foundation for answering the most important question about this series...the WHY: Why was this prequel important to the overall cannon and history of Star Trek? Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen and Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and Welcome to the World of What If (00:01:25) Politics, Paxton and Possibilities (00:05:28) Characteristically Caring About Characters (00:14:25) From Cargo Hauling to Terrorism (00:24:25) A Chess Match Across Time Zones (00:36:45) Closing and Thanks For Listening! (00:59:43) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Warp Five Supplemental: Our First Subspace Postcards Show!In each episode of Warp Five we delve into the minutiae of ENTERPRISE, which in turn generates a lot of feedback from you, our loyal listeners, in the form of what we would like to now call: Subspace Postcards. Every so often, when they start piling up, Hoshi downloads them onto my PADD so I can find some quiet time in the Sweet Spot to catch up on all of the mail. We here at Warp Five hope you enjoy the topics we've chosen for our first feedback show! Thanks for your support and keep sending us those Subspace Postcards! On a more somber note...when we recorded this episode, it was the evening of February 27th and it was this solemn Friday that we said goodbye to our very own, beloved and revered Mr. Spock...Leonard Nimoy. Will, Tommy and I discuss his passing and what he meant to us later on in the show. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Nimoy family and, speaking for the team here at Warp Five - Mr. Nimoy will always be forever in our hearts. We have been and always shall be your fans and in us...you will always Live Long and Prosper. Host Norman C. LaoGuestsWill Nguyen and Tommy KraftEditorMatthew RushingAssociate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd DorseyProduction Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Welcome to our very first Subspace Postcards show! (00:01:22) The Lower Decks of 2151 (00:05:28) A British Archer? A Vulcan Armstrong? What? (00:22:20) Speculation is the Spice of Enterprise (00:42:43) Designing for the Future (00:52:25) He has been and always shall be...our Leonard Nimoy (01:15:54) Closing (01:24:06) Five Star Reviews!!! (01:27:08) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

The SHRAN...the MYTH...the GARAK of Enterprise! Shran of the Andorian Imperial Guard is undoubtedly one of the most beloved characters in ENTERPRISE. Meticulously and brilliantly portrayed by Star Trek "everywhere man", the living legend Jeffrey Combs - Shran exploded onto ENTERPRISE in Season One's The Andorian Incident. In only 10 episodes and a handful of off screen references (such as the Enterprise novels) Shran was force of nature that elevated ENTERPRISE with his every appearance. He forged a bond with Archer so strong that it became the catalyst for the future of the Federation. Previously on Warp Five: Episode 25, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson discuss the Andorians at length and it's a great show if you are unfamiliar with Andorians history and culture. But Shran was so volatile and so explosive...we felt that he deserved his very own focus. In this episode of Warp Five, Will Nguyen and I delve deeply into his character, especially his motivations and illustrate how pivotal Shran's role was to the NX-01 mission. If one thing is for certain, Shran isn't always what he appears to be. However, he truly and deeply believes that he is first and foremost...a Patriot. Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and welcome...to the Conference Room (00:01:20) Jeffrey Combs does it again! (00:04:20) You Only Get One Shran to Make a First Impression (00:09:58) Shran Uneasy Alliance (00:23:38) Andorian Patriotism (00:32:54) An Unexpected Ally (00:48:30) Shran's Untapped Potential (01:02:38) Closing (01:15:32) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Captain Jonathan Archer...Into Darkness. In the beginning, Archer was a Starfleet Captain namely in rank, but not a Starfleet Captain of any measurable EXPERIENCE. It is fair to say that he was unprepared for deep space, but is this merely a valid criticism or in fact a sheer truism? Think about the validity of that specific critique and ask yourself, “How does one truly prepare for the unknown vastness of uncharted space? How CAN one prepare for the unimaginable - as experienced by the Xindi attack on Earth? That is simply and logically a true and undeniable IMPOSSIBILITY. Every Starship Captain that succeeded Archer all owe something, even in the smallest of ways, to the flawed and at times tragically tarnished career that Archer had to endure in order for humanity to survive - specifically against the Xindi; the mission that changed him forever. In the final analysis, Archer's vision of an even greater future for all sentient beings was built upon a career rife with personal and professional sacrifices and regret. In the end, his crucible was the catalyst for a Coalition of Planets that would change everything. Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen and Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Intro and Norm's Letter of Commendation (00:01:20) Archer...Into Darkness (00:06:00) The God Complex (00:15:49) Damaged (00:24:43) A Not So Triumphant Homecoming (00:39:25) Everyone Else's Expectations (00:46:07) Closing (01:02:28) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Crewman Elizabeth Cutler. Our Eternal Valentine. On Warp Five Episode 57: The Class of 2151, Christopher Jones and I discussed the pros and cons of having such a young and inexperienced crew at the helm of the very first Warp 5 deep space mission. But we deliberated these observations from officers at the command level - like Travis and Hoshi. However, Crewman Elizabeth Cutler was also a part of that same graduating class and in stark contrast to Hoshi, Crewman Cutler seemed far more comfortable in her responsibilities to the mission at launch. Crewman Cutler boldly went forward into that vast unknown of deep space with fearlessness and optimism. That infectious positivity was thanks to the energy and spirit of the talented and lovely actress who breathed life into Crewman Cutler - Kellie Waymire. Sadly, as soon as we started to get to know her Kellie died from an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia at age 36. But she left behind an indelible mark, not only on Star Trek, but on the hearts of the fans as well. Norman C. Lao and his guests Will Nguyen, Tommy Kraft and Matthew Rushing dedicate this show to her. Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen, Tommy Kraft and Matthew Rushing Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Introduction (00:01:18) Who was Kellie Waymire (00:05:17) A Strange New World Indeed (00:11:45) The Doctor's New Companion (00:22:41) Promise and Potential (00:31:48) Final Thoughts and Our Dedication (00:48:52) Closing (00:57:31) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Captain Jonathan Archer: The Untested Optimist. Jonathan Archer was far from being the quintessential Starfleet Captain, which made his overall character growth across four seasons of Enterprise one of the most interesting character journeys in Star Trek. His command was wrought with trial and error, and his humanity and moral center usually set him at odds with certain aspects of the mission and Starfleet diplomacy. However, in the end, it was that same humanity that became the catalyst for unifying the founding members of the Coalition of Planets and ultimately The Federation. Pride, arrogance and uncertainty are not traits that one usually associates with a Starfleet Captain. Unfortunately these personal flaws influence Archer's early decisions to prove his quality and illustrate his internal struggle between morality and duty as he experiences the perils of deep space exploration firsthand. Norman C. Lao and his guests in the Decon Chamber have chosen very specific episodes from Enterprise Seasons One and Two that illustrate the nearly insurmountable expectations placed on Archer at the very beginning stages of his career. Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen and Tommy Kraft Editor Matthew Rushing Associate Producers Norman C. Lao and Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Introduction to Jonathan Archer Part 1 (00:01:14) What's on the Horizion? (00:05:10) Pride Goeth before a Comet (00:07:43) Arrogance versus Diplomacy (00:19:35) More Honorable than Klingons (00:33:10) Archer...Into Darkness (00:44:18) Hoshi Station (01:06:57) Closing (01:09:51) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

A Season One Guide for "Baby" Boomers. Thanks to the ever increasing popularity of Star Trek on Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, CBS.com and more - being able to have online access to almost every Star Trek series has become increasingly easier and more convenient over the last decade. In reading many of our fan's comments on The Babel Conference, our dedicated Trek.Fm listener's page on Facebook, more and more fans are now discovering Enterprise for the very first time, or even more importantly - returning to Enterprise after what many believe was the overall demise of Star Trek - series fatigue. In order to help these new fans, or "Baby" Boomers, navigate through the peaks and valleys of Enterprise Season One, Norman C. Lao and his guests in the Decon Chamber have each chosen two different episodes that they feel best represent the very pioneering and exploratory spirit of this series, how this season is relevant to the overall canon of Star Trek and how there is still a remarkable amount of potential that this series has to offer a newcomer OR even perhaps a new Star Trek fan. Let's begin our viewing voyage for 2015! Host Norman C. Lao Guests Will Nguyen Tommy Kraft Editor John Mills Associate Producers Norman C. Lao Floyd Dorsey Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Introduction and Happy New Year! (00:01:11) New Fans are Discovering Star Trek in New Ways (00:05:08) These aren't the Vulcans You're Looking For (00:06:51) Space is Unknown and a Little Scary (00:31:20) Laying the groundwork to The Original Series (00:52:00) Final Thoughts (01:19:53) Hoshi Station: Enterprise Books in the Decon Chamber (01:23:23) Closing (01:24:35) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Travis Mayweather. From the best and brightest that Starfleet had to offer, Travis Mayweather was chosen to be the first watch helmsman of the NX-01 because he was the most naturally gifted ensign trained for the position and logged in more deep space interstellar star hours than any pilot in StarFleet - from his earlier days as a "boomer"; a child born and raised in space on the ECS Horizon freight hauler, running cargo with his family until he joined Starfleet. He also was the first pilot to have been as far into deep space versus any other pilot candidate at that time. In this episode of Warp Five, Norman C. Lao and Will Nguyen discuss the merits and quality of the very first helmsman of the Enterprise legacy: Travis Mayweather. Was Travis the most naturally gifted pilot candidate from the graduating class of 2151? What did Archer see in him that was "special" and "unique," moreso than any other helmsman candidate in the NX-01 program? Please join us in the Decon Chamber for a fascinating study of Starfleet's very first Warp 5 pilot. Host Norman C. Lao Guest Will Nguyen Editor John Mills Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters Introduction and Greetings from your New Host (00:01:06) Did Travis have the Right Stuff? (00:02:25) A Boomer of All Trades (00:06:39) Setting the Bar for Future Pilots (00:13:05) Archer as Mentor (00:19:20) Breathing life into Travis (00:22:46) Untapped Potential (00:31:30) Final Thoughts (00:40:11) Hoshi Station (00:48:00) Closing (00:56:04) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm Sponsor Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone. As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

Mind Melds in the 22nd Century. The Vulcan mind meld is one of the most iconic elements in the history of Star Trek. Next to the salute, it is probably the most recognized aspect of the Vulcan people. But the mind meld that we came to know through the TOS films, TNG, and beyond was not the mainstay throughout Vulcan history. There was a time when the joining of minds was viewed as a deviant act, something that should be avoided and a way of contracting a lethal disease. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Norm Lao discuss Vulcan mind melds as they are shown in the time of Archer, when Vulcans had strayed from the teachings of Surak. Was the view of this act as deviant behavior legitimate? Or was the stigmatization of mind melding merely a way for an oppressive government to control the populace? We explore the various aspects of this ancient Vulcan practice and how it changed over the centuries. Hosts Christopher Jones and Norman C. Lao Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Production Manager Richard Marquez Content Coordinator Will Nguyen Chapters A Twist of Mysticism (00:05:03) A Deviant Practice? (00:08:20) Controlling the Populace (00:15:40) Beyond the Kir’Shara (00:27:31) Final Thoughts (00:32:57) Closing and Feedback (00:36:41) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Weaponizing Starfleet. When we look into deep space, we see a grand opportunity for scientific exploration and learning. The thought of armed conflict with others who want to destroy us doesn’t guide the design of our missions. In the 22nd century, a similar view was seemingly held by Starfleet. The organization was, after all, an outgrowth of the United Earth Space Probe Agency, and as such leaned more toward a NASA-like approach than a military one. But as Archer and his crew quickly found out, the galaxy is a dangerous place. There is little room for naïve, wide-eyed explorers—at least not those who aren’t prepared to defend themselves. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Norm Lao discuss the gradual weaponization of Starfleet over the course of Enterprise, the threats Earth and the NX-01 crew faced, and how—in keeping with Star Trek’s optimistic view of a better future—mankind found a way to take up arms without crossing the line between self defense and militarism. Hosts Christopher Jones and Norman C. Lao Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters Wide-Eyed Explorer Mentality (00:03:16) Learning on the Job (00:08:46) Where's the Diplomatic Officer? (00:15:03) The Xindi Wake-up Call (00:23:03) The Changing Nature of Exploration (00:29:42) Weaponizing with Restraint (0040:26) Closing (00:43:26) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Developing the Transporter. Even those who have never watched Star Trek know about “beaming” from place to place. A fictional technology originally created to deal with the reality of television budgets, the transporter has become known to pretty much everyone; and for Star Trek fans it’s part of everyday life. But in the 22nd century, transporters were used only for cargo. The idea of beaming humans around was a frightening one, and it took some time for the crew of the NX-01 to warm up to the idea. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Norman C. Lao discuss the early days of the transporter, the technology’s creator Emory Erickson, the early controversies and fears surrounding beaming, and some of Erickson’s goals that went unmet in the prime timeline but did surface in the Abramsverse. Host Christopher Jones Guest Norman C. Lao Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters Transporters as Everyday Transportation (3:01) Early Transporter Fears ( 8:13) The Metaphysical Argument (23:49) The Ethics of Transporter Technology (32:40) Sub-Quantum Beaming (37:32) Closing and Feedback (50:54) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

22nd-Century Starfleet Officers and Training. As Star Trek fans, we're all familiar with Starfleet. But the organization we know from the 23rd and 24th centuries is much more that of a spacefaring civilization than the one we see on Enterprise. When fans watch Enterprise for the first time, they are often surprised that some of the officers aboard the NX-01 are uncomfortable in space. Hoshi Sato freaks out because of the direction the stars pass her window. Archer stumbles on his own words when introducing himself to aliens. These aren’t the Starfleet officers we’re accustomed to. But is it fair to expect them to be? In this episode of Warp Five we’re joined by Norman Lao to discuss the world of the 22nd century, the early years of Starfleet Academy, and what the curriculum might have been like in those days compared to the eras of Kirk and Picard. What would be expected of Starfleet officers in 2151? How would real people of the time react when faced with things that no human had seen before? And how long did it take Starfleet to get its branding right? Host Christopher Jones Guest Norman C. Lao Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters Viewer Expectations (2:57) Civilians and Young Officers in Space (7:19) Early Starfleet Academy (14:31) The Class of 2151 (22:58) Unfair Criticism? (33:53) Closing and Feedback (45:11) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Reflections on Early Characters. When a new Star Trek series premieres, it's always exciting to meet the new characters and imagine where the writers will take them. Some stand out immediately as favorites. Others fail to connect with viewers right away. And some leave us on the fence, staring at potential but wondering when it will be realized. In this episode of Warp Five, host Christopher Jones shares an early assessment of the Enterprise crew written after the third episode aired in 2001, and then reflects on how those impressions have changed over the years. Are the feelings the same now—as Enterprise passes its 13th anniversary? Listen on and find out. Host Christopher Jones Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters Archer (3:23) T'Pol (7:38) Trip (12:36) Hoshi (16:56) Phlox (22:09) Reed (26:11) Travis (29:32) Closing (34:28) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Shatner on Enterprise. Almost. Back in 2004, rumors were flying that William Shatner might appear on Enterprise. Many TOS cast members had appeared on other incarnations of Star Trek—Bones, Spock, Scotty, and Sarek on The Next Generation, Sulu on Voyager, and Kor, Koloth, and Kang on Deep Space Nine to name a few. So the idea that Kirk could show up on Enterprise was made perfect sense. Well, reasonable sense anyway. In the end it never happened, but with all the talk of Shatner possibly returning the franchise in the next film, we thought it to be a good time to revisit Kirk cameos… almost. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Mike Schindler of our TOS show Standard Orbit to talk about the three key possibilities for a Shatner appearance on Enterprise: the Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens Mirror Universe two-parter, the Mike Sussman Chef concept, and the mysterious Shatner pitch that would have also been a two-parter. Host Christopher Jones Guest Mike Schindler Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters Thoughts on Character Crossovers (3:01) The Mirror Universe Two-Parter (11:02) Chef Shatner Saves the Day (18:04) Shatner's Own Enterprise Pitch (24:03) Our Ideas for Shatner on Enterprise (33:31) Closing (37:44) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

John Frederick Paxton. Some people don't handle change well. Some see it as not only as an inconvenience but a threat. The Xindi Scare left many on Earth questioning the wisdom of interacting with aliens and allowing them to call our world home. This gave strength to a movement called Terra Prime, which had been around for a few decades prior to the Xindi attack. At the head of this group was John Frederick Paxton, an ailing leader who was willing to resort to drastic measures to rid Earth and the Terran systems of alien influence. He can be seen as the master of xenophobia, yet the actor who portrayed him, Peter Weller, described him as a misunderstood moralist. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tommy Kraft to discuss Paxton, his motivations, the contradictions in his words and actions, the motivations driving him to create a baby from Trip and T'Pol's DNA and fire upon San Francisco, and the legacy that he left behind. Host Christopher Jones Guest Tommy Kraft Editor and Producer Christopher Jones Associate Producer Norman C. Lao Chapters An Unlikeable But Understandable Character (4:00) Motivations (9:19) A Colonel Green Disciple (16:50) Contradictions (20:15) Violent Tendencies (25:55) Paxton's Legacy (36:18) Closing (46:16) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

The Enterprise Movie. Back in the Naughts, word around the Alpha Quadrant was that Archer and the crew of the NX-01 would inherit the Star Trek film franchise once the TNG crew finished their run. Before that could happen, however, events transpired that nixed not only the plans for Enterprise on the big screen, but Star Trek itself. While Enterprise never landed at the cineplex, we can always dream of what form that might have taken. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tyler Johnson and Tommy Kraft to toss around ideas for the mythical Enterprise movie. From mining ENT for that key launching pad à la "Space Seed" or "The Best of Both Worlds" to enrolling Porthos in Section 31, we look all around the galaxy and then decide to go thatta way. Or maybe thatta way. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Initial Thoughts (3:26) Choosing the Timeframe (5:54) Looking for that Key Moment (11:51) We Do More Than Just Spheres! (20:49) Let's Go Thatta Way (28:20) Vulcans, Andorians, and Porthos, Oh My! (30:17) Section 31 Meets the Mirror Universe (35:13) Final Thoughts (41:44) Closing (50:16)

Orions on Enterprise. They're seductive. They're big. They're green. And, according to The Animated Series, they're politically neutral. They are, of course, the Orions! One of the most famous aliens in Star Trek thanks to Susan Oliver's portrayal of a slave girl in "The Cage," the Orions are mentioned throughout Star Trek but rarely seen. That all changed when the fourth season of Enterprise rolled around and the NX-01 crew found themselves up for auction in an Orion slave market on Verex III. In "Borderland" we got our first glimpse of the Orions in many years, and saw male Orions for the very first time. Then in "Bound" the writers turned all of our notions about these aliens on their head. In the episode of Warp Five we're joined by Sebastian Prooth to discuss the background of the Orions on The Original Series and The Animated Series, their introduction to Enterprise, the role of the Orion slave girl in geek fantasy, and how Enterprise took this iconic element of geekdom and added depth and intrigue where we didn't expect it. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Orions in TOS and The Animated Series (3:09) Reintroducing Orions on Enterprise (15:04) Borderland and the Orion Slave Trade (19:55) Bound and the Truth About Orion Women (27:13) Other Orion References in Enterprise (40:24) Final Thoughts (44:42) Closing (49:04)

Xindi-Aquatics. Of the six original Xindi species, the Aquatics may be the most unique. Not only do they lack the humanoid form of the others, but their life under water means they have a very different world view from their fellow Xindus natives. They are said to be the first Xindi to have developed intelligence, yet they are the most challenging for us to communicate with and understand. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tommy Kraft for a close look at the Xindi-Aquatics, their background and physiology, their advanced technology, and the sloth-like pace of their deliberations. We discuss what it means to be a cetacean intelligence, how they might develop advanced technology and build starships without the use of Star Trek's standard humanoid limbs, and whether their patience was the deciding factor in the success of the Enterprise's mission. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Xindi-Aquatic Physiology (3:32) Patience to a Fault? (19:27) Xindi-Aquatic Technology (25:41) Final Thoughts (30:55) Closing (35:43)

The Temporal Observatory. We've seen some pretty cool gadgets and amazing technology on Star Trek, but few were as incredible as Crewman Daniels's Temporal Observatory. This handheld device was essentially a map to not just the stars but to time itself. With it, one could monitor the activities and movements of temporal agents and watch history itself unfold. It wasn't a passive thing either. With the Temporal Observatory and related technologies you could actually move through time to observe events firsthand. But how did this rarely seen gizmo really work? In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tommy Kraft to explore and speculate as we take the bits that we know about 31st-century temporal technology and try to figure out how it functions, what powers it might have that we didn't see on screen, and why Future Guy wanted it so badly. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Pondering the Nature of Time (2:35) The Temporal Cold War: An Overview (7:28) The Temporal Observatory (12:46) Temporal Beacons and Tags (20:48) The Importance of the Temporal Observatory (27:29) Final Thoughts (35:47)

T’Pol’s Drug Addiction. We know that Vulcan's have emotions. In fact, they have more powerful emotions than humans. They just hide them well. The introduction of drug addiction to T’Pol’s story gave the writers a tool with which to break down the wall and show what is going on underneath the controlled, logical exterior. But was this needed for the continued growth of Vulcans as characters on the show? Was it needed exclusively for the growth of T’Pol? In this episode of Warp Five we’re joined by Daniel Proulx to discuss this controversial part of Enterprise, how it evolved her character, whether or not her relationship with Trip would have happened without it, and how Jolene Blalock’s portrayal of a Vulcan in turmoil differed from her portrayal of the stiff, arrogant sub-commander of the first two seasons. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Introducing Drug Addiction to Star Trek (2:06) Necessary for the Evolution of Vulcans and T'Pol? (11:17) A Protective Neurotoxin for Vulcans (17:30) Catalyst for T'Pol's Relationship with Trip? (21:48) T'Pol's Later-Season Potential (26:30) Final Thoughts (33:38) Closing and Feedback (40:18)

North Star. As a prequel to TOS, it should come as no surprise that Enterprise would have a Wild West episode. The Original Series gave us "Spectre of the Gun," a story that played off the Shootout at the O.K. Corral. TNG even got in on the action with "A Fistful of Datas." So "North Star" made Enterprise the third Star Trek series to put on the cowboy hat, but the way it wore it was a bit different than those that came before. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Sebastian Prooth to talk about the NX-01's visit to a world with a Wild West motif and how the story is so true to The Original Series—but with a modern, more complex sensibility. We discuss the nature of the relationship between the local humans and the Skagarans, whether or not the clothing, guns, and even the harmonicas pull us out of the story in a time when there were no replicators. We also explore the creative elements, the supporting actors, and reasons that may explain why fan reaction to "North Star" is so mixed. Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Chapters Mission Interrupted (4:03) Wild, Wild West… Again (11:50) Old-School Star Trek (14:05) Wearing the Clothes Well (21:05) Rolling with the Horses (29:21) Enterprise Finds Its Voice? (37:23) Character Points (45:07) Differing from TOS (51:42) Final Thoughts (58:24) Closing (1:04:05)

Extinction Rewrite. As much as we love Star Trek, not all episodes can be winners. Every series has a few stories that leave you wanting more. Often there's a great setup that goes unexplored, leaving you with thoughts of how it could have played out. That's when you rewrite. Enterprise fumbled on the third play of a long drive to find the Xindi superweapon in an episode called "Extinction." Director LeVar Burton has said he is embarassed to have been part of it, and exective producer Brannon Braga said it's the single most embarassing moment of his Star Trek career. But is the episode really that bad? In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tyler Johnson to explore the seeds of a good story that can be found in this episode about a society that engineered a mutagenic virus as a last-ditch effort to preserve their civilization. We share what we like about the episode, what we dislike, and what we would do differently if we were sitting at the writers' table—and we do it all while enjoying a juicy Georgia peach. Chapters Worst Episode Ever? (2:37) Episode Synopsis (7:01) What We Like About Extinction (12:26) What We Dislike About Extinction (16:22) Chris's Rewrite (21:07) Tyler's Rewrite (29:02) Final Thoughts (39:16) Closing (42:29)

Enterprise Awards and Nominations. Over the course of five decades, Star Trek has raked in awards and nominations from the Saturn to the Emmy and beyond. Four of the five live-action series were recognized by the prestigious Hugo Awards—and one of those series was Enterprise. While Star Trek is more often than not honored for technical achievements, the franchise's dramatic presentation is also held in high esteem. During its short four-year run, Enterprise took its place alongside TOS ("The City On the Edge of Forever"), TNG ("The Inner Light"), and DS9 ("Trials and Tribble-ations") in vying for the finned Hugo rocket. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tyler Johnson to discuss all of Enterprise's nominations and wins as we learn that—despite its reputation as the series that killed the franchise—the last Star Trek to grace our screens weekly carried the franchise torch as a creative equal to those that came before.

Vulcans on Enterprise. When jumping backwards a century—or even two—you would expect that races and societies to be different. Yet one thing about about Enterprise that ruffled the feathers of Star Trek fans the most was the portrayal of Vulcans. Despite having gotten to know very few Vulcans over the course of four series and nine films, fans had a preconceived notion of what they all should be like. Spock preached the virtues of logic (though he didn't always practice it), Tuvok was the poster child for emotional control, and the deceptive Valeris was… Kim Cattrall. To build upon First Contact, to follow the path of how Vulcan-Human cooperation evolved, and to make them an integral part of the series week after week required giving some depth and backstory to what was a famous but mostly blank slate. Otherwise they would have gotten boring very quickly. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tyler Johnson and Tommy Kraft to discuss Vulcans on Enterprise, including where they came from—before Surak and through the Time of Awakening—and how they strayed from the path of logic to find themselves wandering through the wilderness and staring at a fork in the road during the 22nd century. We also discuss the V'tosh ka'tur, the Vulcan exploration of emotion, flirtation with military dictatorship, the rediscovery of the Kir'Shara, and the Vulcan Reformation.

In-Universe Connections. Enterprise wasn't just a prequel to The Original Series, it was a prequel to all of Star Trek. That meant that we saw some familiar races and themes "for the first time," and some were more obvious than others. Andorians and Vulcans are major connections to the "future," but there were also many more subtle gems dropped into four seasons of 22nd-century adventures. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tyler Johnson to talk about the obvious connections, the subtle connections, and the Easter eggs that tie Enterprise into the four chapters of Star Trek that came before it.

Unexpected. As a prequel series, Enterprise promised to show us how humans would react to truly alien encounters. Trip certainly experienced one when he left the ship on a simple mission to help some aliens fix their engines, but came back with a baby. Or at least a wristnipple. In this episode of Warp Five we bring you a replay of a past Ready Room discussion with Enterprise associate producer Dave Rossi in which we discuss “Unexpected,” how it gives us a rare glimpse of a truly alien environment, introduces holodeck and replicator technology, the first hostile encounter between human and Klingon ships, and more.

Degra. Throughout Enterprise's third season we see the Xindi Council debate their plans to destroy Earth. Each species has its say, but the central focus is on Degra, father of the Xindi superweapon. Modeled after J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, Degra is the Xindi with whom we can most easily identify because he represents the primate lineage of evolution on Xindus. He also mirrors Archer in many ways, and turns out to be the linchpin in the NX-01's mission to save Earth and the Star Trek future. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tommy Kraft to discuss Degra, how his actions echo those of scientists on our own world, how his immense regret over the damage caused by his creation drives him to help Archer, and how he pays the ultimate price to make sure he saves both his own people and those he originally set out to destroy.

Crystal Allen and D'Nesh. Enterprise brought back Orion slave girls, which we had not seen since the Original Series in "Whom Gods Destroy." And as Enterprise did with so many things from TOS, this appearance put a very interesting twist on a familiar theme. In the fourth-season episode "Bound" we're introduced to three Orion slave girls, the sisters Navaar, D'Nesh, and Maras. Through their interactions with Archer, the NX-01 crew, and their supposed owner Harrad-Sar, we learn more than we had ever known about these exotic women and their role in Orion society. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by one of these three sisters—or at least the actress who portrayed her—Crystal Allen, who, as D'Nesh, bent a member of the Enterprise's crew to her will. We talk to Crystal about getting into acting, her pre-acting career as a dancer and model, how she landed the role of D'Nesh and what it was like working on the set, and even her love of cooking.

Archer's Lost Loves. Star Trek has generally shied away from letting its captains become involved in serious long-term relationships. This certainly applies to relationships with fellow Starfleet officers. Many fans wish this wasn't the case. Voyager fans famously wanted (and still want) Janeway and Chakotay to become an item. Long before that, there was angst over the song and dance of Picard and Beverly aboard the 1701-D. Enterprise was no different, with many wanting to see Archer and T'Pol grow closer. The fourth season brought new hope for a captain in love with Erika Hernandez of the NX-02 Columbia. But that, too, went unfulfilled. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Suzanne Abbott to talk about romance in Star Trek, trysts and relationships thoughout the franchise's history, and more specifically about Archer. We cover Archer and Margaret Mullin, Archer and Riann, Archer and T'Pol, and, of course, the long-burning flame Hernandez.

Romulans on Enterprise. First introduced in the Original Series episode "Balance of Terror," the Romulans became a lengendary villain within Star Trek lore. The conflict between humans and Romulans is also lengendary despite never having been played out on screen. When Enterprise decided to bring Romulans into the show in the second-season episode "Minefield," they faced a huge challenge in keeping with canon. TOS established that humans had never seen Romulans prior to the late 23rd century. How do you tell a compelling story and stay true to that? Even more difficult, how do you establish a Romulan plot directly involving our characters in Season Four without them ever coming face-to-face? In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Tommy Kraft, writer and executive producer of the Enterprise-era film Star Trek: Horizon, to discuss Romulans in Star Trek and Romulans on Enterprise, from their first appearance in "Minefield" to the mysterious coda of "Kir'Shara." And, of course, we discuss the deeper plot involving Romulans in "Babel One," "United," and "The Aenar."

Phlox. Star Trek wouldn't quite be Star Trek without an alien on the crew. That outside voice to comment on humanity is key to examining ourselves through science fiction. With the Vulcans being portrayed differently from what we were accustomed to during Spock's time, Enterprise had to turn elsewhere for someone who could comment on events that were new to human explorers. Enter a new race, the Denobulans, and a new character, Doctor Phlox. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Matthew Rushing for a close look at Phlox, the challenges in creating such a character in a prequel, his place amongst Chief Medical Officers, his role as defacto counselor aboard the NX-01, and the brilliance of John Billingsly.

Dead Stop. Enterprise did not always capture the spirit of the unknown as throughly as its prequel nature promised. But in "Dead Stop" we're reminded that there are some very strange things out there, and some people far more advanced than us. In what is essentially a sequel to "Minefield," the NX-01 puts in for repair at a mysterious facility that provides near-magical services for a bargain price. It also makes a mean plate of fried catfish. In this episode of Warp Five Christopher Jones and Darren Moser discuss this second-season gem, how it scratches at continuity, provides glimpses of future technology, and provides touching character moments amidst a classic mystery.

Alternate Outcomes of the Xindi Crisis. Nearly one year after the Xindi weapon probe first cut through Florida, Captain Archer and the crew of the NX-01 prevailed in their fight to save humanity—and we never doubted that they would. But what if the Xindi Crisis had turned out differently? We caught a glimpse of one other possible future in "Twilight," and the Xindi-Reptilians attempted to cut mankind off at the knees in 2004 on Detroit's "Carpenter Street." What if they had succeeded? In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tristan Riddell discuss seven possible alternate outcomes and how they would have impacted Earth, our heroes, and the Star Trek universe as a whole.

Hobbies of the NX-01 Crew. Every crew needs to relax from time to time. Fighting aliens and repairing the ship can be a drag. So just how do Starfleet crews unwind? In the 24th century exciting vistas, interactive literature, and even a racy evening on the town are just a holodeck program away. But in the 22nd century, quarters are cramped and technology is more modest. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Phillip Gilfus take a look at the many ways the crew of the NX-01 pass their free time and relieve the stress of deep space exploration, from group activities like movie night to the indivial hobbies of Archer and his intrepid crew.

The NX Program. Although Enterprise falls earlier on the timeline, it owes much of its premise to The Next Generation. Specifically, its central non-living character—the Warp Five engine—was born of the film First Contact and the work of Zefram Cochrane. Captain Archer's father, Henry, worked with Dr. Cochrane, and this would shape much of Jonathan's view of space exploration and the Vulcans. After two decades of development on the engine itself, the NX Program—which would marry the engine with a starship—began in the early 2140s. A decade later, the Enterprise was launched. In this episode of Warp Five, we're joined by Earl Grey's Daniel Proulx to discuss the role Archer played in the development of the NX-01, the parallels between the NX Program and 1960s NASA, the role of the Vulcans, and how TNG and the Phoenix laid the foundation for the events we see in "First Flight" and for the Enterprise itself.

Undeveloped Stories. When it comes to the stories we didn't get on Enterprise, the discussion usually focuses on the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. But just like its sister shows, Enterprise also had a number of story ideas that were considered—some more more seriously than others—but for one reason or another were left on the drawing board. Unlike "Season Five" stories, these are episodes that could have found a home somewhere between "Broken Bow" and "These Are the Voyages…" In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson take you through eight of these undeveloped stories, ranging from Phlox as Dr. Frankenstein to Porthos the linguist.

Organians on Enterprise. Enterprise is known for bringing back alien races from The Original Series that were more or less ignored by the rest of Star Trek. Andorians, Orions, Tholians, and Gorn all come to mind. But these aren't the only classic races to make an appearance in the 22nd century. The Organians, those energetic agricultural pacifists from "Errand of Mercy," also paid a visit to the NX-01—only it happened in an episode that is easy to overlook. In this episode of Warp Five we're joined by Michael Fisher to discuss the Organians, their background in Star Trek prior to "Observer Effect," how they compare to the Q Continuum, what they were doing on Enterprise, and why—no matter what happens—someone always dies.

TOS Impressions of Seasons 1 and 2. When announced, the basic premise of Enterprise was a trip back to the 22nd century for a story that would set up The Original Series. In actuality, the first season of Enterprise delivered a weaker than anticipated connection to Kirk's time, and this continued in the second year. This is not a bad thing—it gave the show an identity of its own—but it did leave many long-time Trekkies scratching their head. So how would a died-in-the-wool TOS fan feel about Enterprise after coming into the series with certain expectations. In this episode of Warp Five, we're joined by Standard Orbit co-host Drew Stewart to hear his take on Enterprise Seasons One and Two from a TOS perspective. How does a Kirk guy feel about Archer? How are the other characters received? What are Drew's favorite episodes and TOS connections from the first two seaons? And how would he have written the rest of the series beyond "Shockwave"? Join us for a trip from the 23rd century to the 22nd, with an unexpected sprinkling of X-Men.

Prequel Design. How do you imagine a future that’s closer to our reality than what Gene Roddenberry was imagining for a show set three centuries from now? And how do you remain true to the franchise and all those elements created for The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager—whilst still making it mesh with what is to come later on the timeline? This is the challenge that faced the creative team when they began creating Enterprise. It was the Ultimate Prequel Design Challenge. And to say that it was daunting would be an understatement. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson take a look at key areas that had to address the prequel nature of the series and bridge the gap between not only the 22nd century and the 24th, but between the audience's perception of what "future" meant in 1966 and 2001. From the NX-01's exterior to the bridge to the engine room—to alien ships and beyond—we explore the visual design of Star Trek's prequel. We even find out why you can never have too many pockets and zippers.

Malcolm Reed. Like The Original Series, Enterprise established a triumvirate at the top. In TOS that was Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. On Enterprise it was Archer, T'Pol, and Trip. At the same time, Enterprise took a cue from the other post-TOS series and created a deep cast of supporting characters. One of those was Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, the NX-01's armory officer who redefined the role that we had come to know in Star Trek as "tactical." In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson take a close look at the character or Malcolm Reed, whether or not his growth during the series lived up to the rich backstory established for the navy man with aquaphobia, how he fit into the overall theme of the show, his role within the crew, and why he will be forever be connected with the tangy taste of pineapple.

The Borg on Enterprise. For a series set two hundred years before the TNG era, Enterprise at times dipped into the familiar-alien well prematurely. The Borg are amongst those aliens cited by many fans as not belonging on the show. But the events of First Contact presented the writers with a unique opportunity not only to bring these popular cybernetic villains onto the show, but to create both a sequel and a prequel to the wildly popular Next Generation film. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson are joined by Earl Grey's Darren Moser to discuss the Borg's appearance on Enterprise, whether Picard should have cleaned up after himself in the Arctic so Archer wouldn't have to, why Starfleet has no record of the Borg in "Q Who," and whether or not this all takes place in an alternate timeline.

Enterprise Season Five. Like all the modern Star Trek series, Enterprise was firing on all cylinders by Season Four. Under the guidance of Manny Coto, the show was creating a stronger connection to TOS and was planting the seeds of some amazingly rich storylines for the final three seasons. Unfortunately, those seeds were left behind in the soil of cancellation. In this episode of Warp Five, Christopher Jones and Tyler Johnson pick storylines that we wanted to see make up the fifth season of Enterprise and how the seeds planted in Season Four could have sprouted into some of the best Star Trek ever produced.

Prequel Technology. As Star Trek fans we take things like transporters, phasers, and photo torpedoes for granted. But these futuristic devices weren’t always available to the people who built the Federation. While we can theorize on how we might build these technologies, actually doing it is beyond our grasp. So how do we get from here to there? That’s a question that the writers and designers of Enterprise had to answer. In this episode of Warp Five we’re joined by Tyler Johnson to discuss prequel technology, the devices of the 22nd century that eventually led us to the power wielded by Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway. What was it like to use the first transporter? How did we get from heat-seeking missiles to photon torpedoes, from grappling hooks to tractor beams? We take a look at the technology of Archer’s time and how the design decisions of the show’s creators were accepted—or rejected—by Star Trek fans.

Andorians. Thanks to the Original Series episode “Journey to Babel,” Andorians became one of the most beloved alien races in Star Trek. But prior to Enterprise we really knew very little about them. Their popularity stemmed more from appearance—blue skin and antennae—and their reputation for feistiness. But Enterprise changed all of that by not only bringing the Andorians back to the screen, but by making them an integral part of the 22nd-century story. In this episode of Warp Five we’re joined by Tyler Johnson to discuss Andorians, their role in Star Trek history, how they were integrated into Enterprise, and how they worked as a catalyst for change both in humans and in Vulcans. We also delve into Andorian ship design, aspects of their culture that parallel human societies, and we deconstruct the occurrences of Andorian fight scenes throughout the franchise in search of hidden meaning.

Season Three. Few aspects of Enterprise—and perhaps of Star Trek as a whole—have been more controversial than the show’s third season. The 26-episode arc is an outlier in a number of ways. It was the first (and only) time a season-long arc was attempted in Star Trek, and it also focuses on aliens and events with no connection to the rest of the franchise. Some fans love it. Some fans hate it. In this episode of Warp Five we’re joined by Larry Nemecek to discuss the third season of Enterprise, the pressure from Les Moonves that Berman and Braga were under, the validity of the creative choices made and the roads not taken, and whether or not a more TOS-centric approach might have saved the show from cancellation. We also look at how the third season led creatively into the fourth, the goals of the writing staff—including Manny Coto and David A. Goodman—and we dive into a few of our favorite episodes from Season Three, including “Similitude” and “North Star.”

Xenophobia and The Coalition of Planets. When Enterprise began we all expected that—as a prequel to the Star Trek we already knew—the series might end with the founding of the Federation. Unfortunately the story was cut short and we never got to see those events play out. We did, however, get one step closer with the final two episodes set in the 22nd century, “Demons” and “Terra Prime.” In the aftermath of the Xindi scare many on Earth were understandably cautious about joining the galactic community. And in true historic form, this caution fueled the fire of racism and hatred. In this episode of Warp Five Christopher Jones and Kate Walsh discuss the central theme of the final two-parter—xenophobia—and how John Frederick Paxton’s Earth-first movement, Terra Prime, embodies the challenges that always have—and always will—stand between us and progress. We also discuss the final moments of character development in the series and whether these two episodes are the finale to Enterprise rather than “These Are the Voyages.”

Xindi Evolution. The third season of Enterprise brought us not only the first true season-long arc in Star Trek history but also one of the most unique races we had ever seen—the Xindi. Unlike most alien worlds encountered by Starfleet crews, the planet Xindus gave birth to six different sentient races. It raised many scientific questions, but also gave the writers a virtual toy box from which to pull the pieces of their story. In this episode of Warp Five Christopher Jones and Colin Higgins discuss the six different races—or species—that called Xindus home, the probability that such a world could actually exist, parallels with Earth’s own evolution, what the concept brought to Star Trek and Enterprise, and how the Xindi—rather than being the enemy—can actually be read as a representation of ourselves.