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With a Vulcan ship on their tail, Enterprise decides to investigate a comet. And, to be sure, it’s a very large comet! Maybe even the biggest one that any human or Vulcan has ever seen. In “Breaking the Ice”, Archer and the crew try to obtain some rare minerals from the comet as they simultaneously try to ingratiate themselves towards their Vulcan watchdogs.
Wikipedia plot summary:
“Enterprise is investigating a comet, and Sub-Commander T’Pol learns that the comet contains eisilium, a rare mineral which Vulcan chemists have not previously studied in detail. An away team consisting of Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Mayweather is sent to collect samples. Meanwhile, a Vulcan starship, Ti’Mur, under Captain Vanik suddenly appears and, after Captain Archer suggests parties from each ship study the comet, Captain Vanik stated his members would just prefer to “observe.” Captain Archer is not happy about Vulcans looking over his shoulders but, in the interest of cooperation, he agrees.
The Vulcans then send an encrypted message to T’Pol, which Commander Tucker intercepts, and Archer orders Ensign Sato to decrypt. Tucker is the only one to actually read it, and learns that it is not a message about Enterprise, but learns that it regards her arranged marriage – a personal item that no one else on Enterprise’ is aware of. Tucker apologizes to T’Pol for having read her message. She asks him to keep the contents of the letter confidential. Later, she confesses to Doctor Phlox that she has been having trouble sleeping, and he suggests that it might help if she confide in someone. She decides to consult Tucker, who does not share her views on Vulcan culture and customs, or even that she must leave – pointing out that her seeking advice shows that she is open to choice over tradition. Eventually, she decides to forego her Vulcan traditions and fulfill her duties aboard Enterprise.
Archer decides to “break the ice” between their races and invites Captain Vanik for dinner aboard Enterprise. It is not successful, however, as the Vulcan is unresponsive and dismissive regarding human behavior. Archer concludes the meal by accusing the Vulcan of spying on Enterprise and then asks him to leave. Afterwards, Archer notes that an explosion on the surface of the comet has altered the comet’s rotational axis. When the sun rises, Mayweather and Reed begin to have difficulties as the ice begins to crack. They attempt to use the shuttlepod to leave, but it falls into a chasm. Archer eventually swallows his pride and negative feelings toward Vulcans by allowing Vanik to help rescue the shuttlepod.”
In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss why “Breaking the Ice” has one of the strangest plot lines that the Trek franchise has ever done. Plus! The guys talk about eating before attending a dinner party, the humanization of T’Pol, and whether or not Avery Brooks would have made a good Archer!