Dead Stop

It broke my heart to see one of the crewmembers die, then at the end ... but I won't spoil it for you. Enjoyed hearing "B'Elanna's" voice (from "Voyager") as the repair station's computer. The tension really builds in this hour so that made it very unusual. And that final shot ... wow! Really good.

After the damage caused in the 'Minefield' incident Enterprise stops at a repair station.

This is a good episode with an intriguing plot that makes you want to find out what is going on. I also like the concept of the Enterprise being the ship that sends out a distress signal as it makes sense that the crew would require help from time to time.

The story unfolds in a compelling way and other than one plot point that presents something to you that you know is going to turn out to be untrue, it all builds perfectly to a creepy conclusion.

There are some decent character moments for Trip, Reed, Dr Phlox and Archer, but some of the dialogue they are given to work with is not the best. Thankfully, this one is very much plot driven so it doesn't drag the episode down.

What is a bit of a let down, is that the repair station doesn't tie in with anything that has been introduced or referenced in the franchise previously. It doesn't make the story any less enjoyable, but I think the episode would have been a classic if they had connected it to something familiar, making the final reveal that much more impactful. Maybe a bit of Borg technology that ended up disconnected ending up in the alpha quadrant somehow. That for me would have been so much better.

Some elements of the episode clearly take inspiration from 2001: Space Odyssey and The Matrix, but they come across as a homage more than a rip-off. Well done to Roxanne Dawson for a well made episode and lending her voice to the station computer.

I have watched this episode several times, and I cannot understand how anyone could call this a "great" or "strong" ST storyline.

1 - Archer had no idea what he was dealing with. Looking for help, he acts like someone or something is out to get him. He's the one who reached out for help, and then he's going to bite at the hand that offered assistance? Horrible move.

2 - For those who think that Mayweather was "kidnapped",...really?! If not for Tucker and Reed (IMO, two of the absolute WORST characters ever written for a ST series, and that includes Neelix and Kim) going where they had no business being, messing around with another culture's effort to provide assistance to travelers in need, that is why the station took Mayweather!

3 - And lastly, if Archer was so suspicious, why even go through the process of accepting the assistance? He could have just left, limped back to Jupiter Station 10 years older, and not have left such a bad reputation behind them with whomever had built and ran the station.

This episode is only one of the many that really showed how ridiculous the series writers were in trying to conceive of the early years of Starfleet and the Federation.

What begins as a fairly routine repair stop at an advanced, automated repair station turns into a tense and exciting bout between the Enterprise and a highly advanced technology that has lured our heroes into danger. It's a visually striking and very creative segment.

The action follows directly on the end of the previous episode "Minefield", with the Enterprise in great need of repairs. While Malcolm Reed is in sick bay getting physical therapy for his injured leg, Archer and his crew marvel at the wonder of the automated facility that has unbelievable capacities to repair their ship and even heal Reed.

Captain Archer is instantly suspicious of the station and its absent creators, with an effective subplot demonstrating the human frustration with automated, non-human systems, which cannot communicate with us.

There are thrilling plot twists along the way until our crew finally triumphs over the evil station, and the show ends on a subtle but eerie note.

Now this is more like it!

After the major canon faux pas of Carbon Creek it's great to see a return to some pure sci-fi.

The great thing about this episode is that it is completely self contained. No big story arcs running through it and no dangerous and disrespectful shoehorning in of races like Ferengi or Romulan that hadn't even been discovered by TOS crew as seen in previous episodes of Enterprise.

A very creepy vibe throughout as it is set on an unmanned and automated alien space station, the best part being that it is left open to speculation as to just who built it creating some great mystery.

This is pure Star Trek and pure sci-fi glory diving headfirst in to new territory and no relying on old gags.

Brilliant!