The Expanse (Star Trek: Enterprise episode)
"The Expanse" | |
---|---|
Star Trek: Enterprise episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 26 |
Directed by | Allan Kroeker |
Written by | Rick Berman Brannon Braga |
Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
Production code | 226 |
Original air date | May 21, 2003 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Expanse" is the fifty-second episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, the twenty-sixth episode of the second season, and the Season Two finale. The episode launched a change of direction for the series,[1] starting with a cataclysmic attack on the Star Trek version of Earth and introducing a new alien foe, the Xindi.[1]
This episode set the foundation for the season-spanning
Plot
In April 2153, an alien probe attacks
Nearing the Sol system, Enterprise is again ambushed, attacked by a
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. Starfleet refits the Enterprise with improved weapons and shields, and a detachment of MACOs (Military Assault Command Operations soldiers) are stationed aboard for the mission.
Ambassador
After a three-month journey, Enterprise nears the Expanse and is again attacked by Duras. Archer decides to use the 100% setting on his torpedoes, and Duras' ship is destroyed. The Enterprise continues on into the Delphic expanse.
Production
The episode was written Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. It was directed by Allan Kroeker, who also directed the previous season finale "Shockwave".[2]
Reception
In 2016, Radio Times ranked the Xindi attack on Earth, the 45th greatest scene of all Star Trek film and television productions. They note the event re-energized the show and launched a season long story arc. They note, "Then came a cliffhanger episode that began with a devastating sight: an alien probe cutting a swathe of destruction across Earth.[3]
In 2019, Den of Geek said this was an important episode for understanding T'Pol.[4]
Awards
This episode was nominated for the 2003
Novelization
A novelized adaptation of the episode by
Home media release
This episode was released for home media use on
References
- ^ a b Cipriani, Casey (2016-07-27). "What 'Star Trek 4' Could Learn From These 'Star Trek' Episodes". Bustle. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
- ^ "Production News: Season Two Wraps on Ambitious Note". StarTrek.com. 2003-04-09. Archived from the original on 2003-04-11.
- ^ David Brown (8 September 2016). "The 50 Greatest Star Trek moments of all time". Radio Times. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ Lisa Granshaw (2019-09-26). "Star Trek: Enterprise and the Importance of Its Characters". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
- ^ Heusser, Jeff (July 17, 2003). "Emmy Award Nominations for Visual Effects". Fxguide. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Variety Staff (July 17, 2003). "Emmy nom list II". Variety.
- ^ The Expanse J. M. Dillard (September 30, 2003) 0-7434-8485-1
- ^ Ordway, Holly E. (August 7, 2005). "Star Trek Enterprise – The Complete Second Season". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Enterprise Season: Two Blu-ray Available August 20". StarTrek.com. May 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014.
External links
- "The Expanse" at IMDb
- The Expanse at Memory Alpha
- "The Expanse" at Wayback Machine (archived from the original at StarTrek.com)
- The Expanse title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database