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It took 62 episodes, but Star Trek: Enterprise has produced its most “Star Trek” episode yet! “Similitude” is a good old fashioned ethical conundrum that balances Enterprise’s characters with a medical ethics problem and the potential loss of an esteemed shipmate. And if Archer can’t clear the problem in the next few weeks, an ion cloud of rusty magnets means certain doom for the ship and crew.
The Wikipedia plot summary for “Similitude”:
Commander Trip Tucker, while endeavoring to increase the stable speed of Enterprise to Warp 5, becomes comatose when the engines destabilize and explode. Doctor Phlox suggests a radical and controversial procedure to save him — growing a mimetic symbiote as a neurological donor. Archer, concerned with the overarching goal of their mission, gives the order to do so. The symbiote, with a natural life-span of two weeks, is then injected with Tucker’s blood and is soon born. Phlox names him “Sim”, and as he develops rapidly, Tucker’s memories and personality begin to express themselves, including an interest in engineering, and a romantic attraction to Sub-Commander T’Pol.
The window of time approaches when Phlox must perform the transplant, which turns out will unfortunately be fatal to Sim-Trip. Sim, having now ‘met’ himself in sickbay, reveals knowledge of an experimental procedure that might allow for a significant extension of his lifespan. Archer learns that Phlox was aware of this procedure, but concealed his knowledge of it due to its highly experimental and poorly researched nature. Sim then expresses a strong desire to live —Tucker’s own life notwithstanding—through the rest of his natural life. Later, a tired-looking Archer, angered at finding Sim in Tucker’s quarters, states he would rather Sim voluntarily submit to the fatal procedure than be forced to do so.
Sim planned an escape but resigned himself to the transplant, after contemplating the death of his sister due to the Xindi attack on Earth. He realizes his and the crew’s options are limited. Before leaving for Sickbay, T’Pol arrives and gives him a kiss. Sim thanks Phlox for being a good father to him. With the medical procedure successful, Archer honors his sacrifice in the presence of part of the crew, including Trip. The episode begins and ends with the funeral and burial of Sim in space.
In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “Similitude” and unusual massage positions. Plus! The guys talk about the two versions of Archer, conflict stacking, and novel ideas in a franchise that contains hundreds of episodes.