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We’ve reached the end of the second season of Star Trek: Enterprise! After a somewhat middling season, the series is about to embark in a new direction – one that embraces serialized storytelling. To get there, all the crew needed was a deadly 9/11-esque attack on Earth. When the mysterious Xindi show their hand by attacking Florida and Venezuala, Archer and Trip get mad and then decide to get even by heading towards a strange expanse that will put them out farther than humans have ever gone.
The Wikipedia plot summary for “The Expanse”:
In April 2153, an unknown alien probe attacks Earth, cutting a destructive swath 4,000 km long, from Florida to Venezuela, and killing millions. Shortly after, Enterprise is recalled to Earth by Admiral Forrest. On the way back, Captain Archer is kidnapped by the Suliban Cabal. He accuses the Suliban leader, Silik, of being responsible for the Earth attack, but Silik professes ignorance. The Cabal’s sponsor, a vague and shadowy holographic human from the distant future, gives Archer information about the Temporal Cold War and the Xindi, the race that attacked Earth. He claims the Xindi have been told by another Cold War faction that their home-world will be destroyed, in 400 years, by Humans.
Enterprise is again ambushed and comes under heavy attack as she arrives just outside Earth’s solar system, this time by a Klingon Bird of Prey commanded by Captain Duras at the behest of the Klingon High Council. Fortunately, three other Starfleet vessels quickly arrive, forcing it to retreat. The crew then learn that more than 7 million people have been killed, one of them being Commander Tucker‘s younger sister, Elizabeth. Archer relates his encounters to Starfleet and the Vulcan High Command, and it is clear that the Xindi of the present are pre-empting the destruction of their home-world in the future. Ambassador Soval is dubious of Archer’s temporal war argument, and tries to dissuade him from venturing into the Delphic Expanse, a dangerous section of space that once destroyed the Vulcan ship Vaankara.
Archer, acting on advice from the shadowy informant, scans the crashed probe, revealing a component with an unmistakable date stamp placing the date of construction at 420 years in the future. Starfleet orders Archer to take Enterprise to the Expanse to try to stop the Xindi. At the same time, Starfleet begins refitting the Enterprise with improved weapons, shields, and a detachment of MACOs (Military Assault Command Operations soldiers) are stationed aboard for the mission.
Ambassador Soval informs T’Pol that her assignment on Enterprise has been terminated by the High Command, who deem this to be purely a human matter. T’Pol logically points out that if they needed a Vulcan on the Enterprise before, they are in greater need now, so her assignment should be continued. She debates, but does not disobey. The Enterprise sets off, beginning their journey towards the Expanse, and intend to first divert course so they can return T’Pol to Vulcan. Soon after leaving Earth, they are again attacked by Duras, whereby Archer wreaks havoc with the Klingon warbird by using his new torpedoes at 10% and then 50% strength. Duras limps away, Archer believing he will be safe under the Vulcan sphere of influence. The Enterprise continues and soon T’Pol reveals she has resigned from the Vulcan High Command and wishes to stay on the ship. After she tells Archer that “you need me”, the detour to Vulcan is cancelled.
After a three-month journey, Enterprise begins to enter the Expanse when they are again attacked by Duras, who is at risk of losing everything if he fails. Tired of being dogged by him, Archer decides to use the 100% setting on his torpedoes, and Duras’ ship is destroyed.
The Enterprise continues on into the Delphic expanse.
In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “The Expanse” and how it shuts down multiple plotlines while starting several new ones. Plus! The guys chat about their memories of 9/11, redundant travel, and the final appearance of Future Guy!