Post by magicmuggle01 on Oct 22, 2018 9:28:46 GMT
With a Vulcan ship on their tail, the Enterprise decides to investigate a comet.
Summary
The Enterprise is at warp. In the busy mess hall, Trip Tucker has brought in drawings from his nephew's fourth-grade class and is showing Doctor Phlox, who is amused. He gets T'Pol's attention and shows her as well, though she is not as amused, though finds one of the drawings "surprisingly accurate." Soon, everyone notices the ship has dropped to impulse. Captain Archer announces for everyone to get to a window. The Enterprise has discovered a large comet, and calls senior staff to the bridge.
Act One Edit
Archer decides he would like to follow the comet for awhile. T'Pol dismisses it as simply rock and ice, but Archer notes it is the biggest comet ever observed by Humans – or Vulcans.
Later, T'Pol is doing some reading. She gets some green tea from the mess hall, where Tucker is enjoying some pecan pie. After the usual banter, she bids him good night when he notices something may have piqued her interest. The next day, she notes that the comet is rich in eisillium, a rare mineral that Vulcan chemists haven't been able to study in detail. She notes the deposits are too deep for the transporter, so Travis Mayweather suggests a landing. T'Pol knows a good spot. Archer tells Malcolm Reed and Mayweather to get started when Hoshi Sato gets a hail. The Vulcan ship Ti'Mur mysteriously appears out of the blue, asking that they be allowed to observe while the Enterprise investigates the comet. Archer is not happy about the Vulcans looking over his shoulders, and expresses this to T'Pol in private. In the interest of cooperation, he agrees.
Reed and Mayweather, excited to land on a comet, easily do so and begin scanning. Meanwhile, Tucker discovers that T'Pol has received secret encrypted transmissions from the nearby Vulcan ship and is suspicious. Captain Archer is especially disappointed that T'Pol has apparently been in touch with the Vulcans behind his back, since they had an agreement. He has Sato decrypt the data.
Act Two
On the bridge, a recording to some Earth school children who go to a school in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, is dispatched, containing comments about ongoing events on Enterprise and answers to the many questions the popular crew previously received. Tucker is extremely uncertain about answering a question about ship sanitation as he is worried that he will be assumed to be a sanitation engineer. Phlox and Sato, however, are excited to talk about germs and the universal translator, respectively.
On the comet, Reed and Mayweather set up their equipment. Mayweather has some fun making a snowman, too. Archer calls down to get a status and remind them they are being watched, asking who the sculptor is. They drop it and place the charges. is found to contain the rare substance eisillium under the surface.
Meanwhile, Sato hands Tucker the decrypted Vulcan message, but didn't read it, preferring to stay out of the message's contents. She tells Tucker he can use the UT to read the Vulcan language. It turns out that the transmission was not correspondence concerning the Enterprise but a personal letter for T'Pol regarding her arranged marriage. Archer, embarrassed at having intruded on T'Pol's privacy, does not ask Tucker to reveal its contents. Tucker feels guilty, however, and, as the one who actually read the letter, decides to tell T'Pol what he did.
Tucker apologizes to T'Pol for having read her message from the Vulcan ship by mistake, telling her that an encoded letter just looked suspicious. T'Pol is upset and asks Tucker to keep the contents of the letter to himself.
T'Pol is called by Archer to discuss inviting the Vulcan captain, Vanik, to dinner aboard Enterprise to "break the ice" so to say, hoping to establish some level of trust between their species. She leaves to consult Phlox on a condition she is experiencing causing her to lose sleep. He asks her to talk to him, but she prefers not to. He simply gives her an analgesic and she leaves.
On the comet, the snowman has a few more nice touches and Reed informs Archer they're ready. Sato informs the Vulcans and Archer orders to proceed. They set off a large explosion.
Act Three
While Reed and Mayweather explore the new crater, Archer hosts captain Vanik. He starts by commenting on his ship, its capabilities, an encounter Archer had with a Vulcan Tok, and Vulcan environmental suits. Vanik hardly responds, and is disrespectful, does not share Archer's enthusiasm and viewpoints, and otherwise is very dismissive and patronizing. Archer lets them go, but finally mentions that Vulcans sure do get around for a species not interested in exploration. It appears to Archer that all he can really prove to the Vulcan is whatever stereotypes he already has of Humans. Upset at Vanik's attitude, Archer concludes the meal by accusing the Vulcan of spying on the Enterprise and then asks him to leave. He does so, saying something to T'Pol as he leaves. She doesn't explain it right away.
Archer turns his attention to the comet and notes to them that an explosion triggered on the surface of the comet by the away team has altered the comet's rotational axis, resulting in the shuttlepod facing the star in two hours, causing temperatures to shoot up a couple of hundred degrees. The away team promises to be out of there as soon as possible.
Later, T'Pol invites Tucker to her quarters to discuss her planned marriage. Doctor Phlox had advised her earlier that it might be helpful if she discussed her problems with someone instead of keeping it inside. In the interest of sharing her predicament with as few people as possible, T'Pol decides to talk to Tucker, since he already knows about the contents of the letter. Apparently, the impending marriage is causing some concern for her, since she would have to leave Enterprise immediately and remain away for at least one Vulcan year. She wants advice from Tucker, who does not share her views on Vulcan culture and tradition, stating that arranged marriages have been discarded at the same time as slavery was abolished – a comparison T'Pol does not appreciate. Whatever advice Tucker gives T'Pol is met with resistance, as she believes that he simply does not understand her culture and commitment to tradition. At the end of the conversation, Tucker is frustrated at T'Pol's insistence on devotion to heritage above all while T'Pol feels that it was a mistake altogether to consult Tucker's help.
Meanwhile, the away team runs into complications. Mayweather hurts his leg, forcing Reed to help him walk. With only the core sample in hand, they slowly head to the shuttle. However, they realize the star is almost in view, raising the temperature and making the ground unsteady. They need to hurry.
Act Four
Reed and Mayweather make it to the shuttle, but are stuck on the comet due to a malfunction, and fall several meters. The Vulcan ship offers to help, but Archer takes the helm to try to get in position for Tucker to shoot the grappler, but it's unsuccessful. Archer wants to continue trying, but T'Pol encourages him to take Vanik's help. Archer is reluctant, but T'Pol tells him that Vanik expects Archer to refuse his offer as he sees Humans as arrogant and prideful, and that accepting his offer would be the perfect opportunity for Archer to prove the Vulcans wrong. Archer swallows his pride and lets the Vulcans help pull the shuttle out with their tractor beam – a technology Starfleet does not possess. When the away team returns, attempts by Archer at friendliness are blocked by Vanik, who has no interest in receiving the data Enterprise collected on the comet.
T'Pol chooses to reconsider her marriage and obligations to her culture – and some pecan pie in the privacy of her quarters –, showing that her discussion with Tucker wasn't as fruitless as it first appeared.
Memorable quotes
"For those of you who aren't near a window, you might want to find one. There's something pretty amazing off starboard."
- Archer, to the crew of Enterprise
"Once he realizes we're not going to blow up the galaxy maybe he'll leave us alone."
- Archer
"Wow! That's one big snowball!"
- Tucker, on Archer's comet
"Perhaps they're simply curious."
"Curious? That doesn't sound very Vulcan to me."
- T'Pol discussing the sudden arrival of the Ti'Mur with Archer
"You're easily impressed."
- Vanik, to Archer
"It might not be good for the body… But it sure is good for the soul."
- Tucker, defending his favorite dessert – pecan pie – to T'Pol
"A POOP question, SIR?!"
- Tucker, answering a question from children on Earth
"I always wanted to chase a comet."
- Archer
"I've only seen snow twice in my life."
- Mayweather
"I hope I never see snow again!"
- Mayweather
"You are Human. You are free to choose."
- T'Pol, trying to convince Archer to ask the Vulcans for help
"If Vanik's the kind of guy who likes to watch… let him."
- Archer
"I feel like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar!"
- Tucker
"I have more letters in my quarters. Would you like to read those as well?"
- T'Pol
"What was that all about?"
"It's personal."
- Archer after Tucker and T'Pol speak about her deciding not to leave Enterprise for Koss (last lines)
Summary
The Enterprise is at warp. In the busy mess hall, Trip Tucker has brought in drawings from his nephew's fourth-grade class and is showing Doctor Phlox, who is amused. He gets T'Pol's attention and shows her as well, though she is not as amused, though finds one of the drawings "surprisingly accurate." Soon, everyone notices the ship has dropped to impulse. Captain Archer announces for everyone to get to a window. The Enterprise has discovered a large comet, and calls senior staff to the bridge.
Act One Edit
Archer decides he would like to follow the comet for awhile. T'Pol dismisses it as simply rock and ice, but Archer notes it is the biggest comet ever observed by Humans – or Vulcans.
Later, T'Pol is doing some reading. She gets some green tea from the mess hall, where Tucker is enjoying some pecan pie. After the usual banter, she bids him good night when he notices something may have piqued her interest. The next day, she notes that the comet is rich in eisillium, a rare mineral that Vulcan chemists haven't been able to study in detail. She notes the deposits are too deep for the transporter, so Travis Mayweather suggests a landing. T'Pol knows a good spot. Archer tells Malcolm Reed and Mayweather to get started when Hoshi Sato gets a hail. The Vulcan ship Ti'Mur mysteriously appears out of the blue, asking that they be allowed to observe while the Enterprise investigates the comet. Archer is not happy about the Vulcans looking over his shoulders, and expresses this to T'Pol in private. In the interest of cooperation, he agrees.
Reed and Mayweather, excited to land on a comet, easily do so and begin scanning. Meanwhile, Tucker discovers that T'Pol has received secret encrypted transmissions from the nearby Vulcan ship and is suspicious. Captain Archer is especially disappointed that T'Pol has apparently been in touch with the Vulcans behind his back, since they had an agreement. He has Sato decrypt the data.
Act Two
On the bridge, a recording to some Earth school children who go to a school in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, is dispatched, containing comments about ongoing events on Enterprise and answers to the many questions the popular crew previously received. Tucker is extremely uncertain about answering a question about ship sanitation as he is worried that he will be assumed to be a sanitation engineer. Phlox and Sato, however, are excited to talk about germs and the universal translator, respectively.
On the comet, Reed and Mayweather set up their equipment. Mayweather has some fun making a snowman, too. Archer calls down to get a status and remind them they are being watched, asking who the sculptor is. They drop it and place the charges. is found to contain the rare substance eisillium under the surface.
Meanwhile, Sato hands Tucker the decrypted Vulcan message, but didn't read it, preferring to stay out of the message's contents. She tells Tucker he can use the UT to read the Vulcan language. It turns out that the transmission was not correspondence concerning the Enterprise but a personal letter for T'Pol regarding her arranged marriage. Archer, embarrassed at having intruded on T'Pol's privacy, does not ask Tucker to reveal its contents. Tucker feels guilty, however, and, as the one who actually read the letter, decides to tell T'Pol what he did.
Tucker apologizes to T'Pol for having read her message from the Vulcan ship by mistake, telling her that an encoded letter just looked suspicious. T'Pol is upset and asks Tucker to keep the contents of the letter to himself.
T'Pol is called by Archer to discuss inviting the Vulcan captain, Vanik, to dinner aboard Enterprise to "break the ice" so to say, hoping to establish some level of trust between their species. She leaves to consult Phlox on a condition she is experiencing causing her to lose sleep. He asks her to talk to him, but she prefers not to. He simply gives her an analgesic and she leaves.
On the comet, the snowman has a few more nice touches and Reed informs Archer they're ready. Sato informs the Vulcans and Archer orders to proceed. They set off a large explosion.
Act Three
While Reed and Mayweather explore the new crater, Archer hosts captain Vanik. He starts by commenting on his ship, its capabilities, an encounter Archer had with a Vulcan Tok, and Vulcan environmental suits. Vanik hardly responds, and is disrespectful, does not share Archer's enthusiasm and viewpoints, and otherwise is very dismissive and patronizing. Archer lets them go, but finally mentions that Vulcans sure do get around for a species not interested in exploration. It appears to Archer that all he can really prove to the Vulcan is whatever stereotypes he already has of Humans. Upset at Vanik's attitude, Archer concludes the meal by accusing the Vulcan of spying on the Enterprise and then asks him to leave. He does so, saying something to T'Pol as he leaves. She doesn't explain it right away.
Archer turns his attention to the comet and notes to them that an explosion triggered on the surface of the comet by the away team has altered the comet's rotational axis, resulting in the shuttlepod facing the star in two hours, causing temperatures to shoot up a couple of hundred degrees. The away team promises to be out of there as soon as possible.
Later, T'Pol invites Tucker to her quarters to discuss her planned marriage. Doctor Phlox had advised her earlier that it might be helpful if she discussed her problems with someone instead of keeping it inside. In the interest of sharing her predicament with as few people as possible, T'Pol decides to talk to Tucker, since he already knows about the contents of the letter. Apparently, the impending marriage is causing some concern for her, since she would have to leave Enterprise immediately and remain away for at least one Vulcan year. She wants advice from Tucker, who does not share her views on Vulcan culture and tradition, stating that arranged marriages have been discarded at the same time as slavery was abolished – a comparison T'Pol does not appreciate. Whatever advice Tucker gives T'Pol is met with resistance, as she believes that he simply does not understand her culture and commitment to tradition. At the end of the conversation, Tucker is frustrated at T'Pol's insistence on devotion to heritage above all while T'Pol feels that it was a mistake altogether to consult Tucker's help.
Meanwhile, the away team runs into complications. Mayweather hurts his leg, forcing Reed to help him walk. With only the core sample in hand, they slowly head to the shuttle. However, they realize the star is almost in view, raising the temperature and making the ground unsteady. They need to hurry.
Act Four
Reed and Mayweather make it to the shuttle, but are stuck on the comet due to a malfunction, and fall several meters. The Vulcan ship offers to help, but Archer takes the helm to try to get in position for Tucker to shoot the grappler, but it's unsuccessful. Archer wants to continue trying, but T'Pol encourages him to take Vanik's help. Archer is reluctant, but T'Pol tells him that Vanik expects Archer to refuse his offer as he sees Humans as arrogant and prideful, and that accepting his offer would be the perfect opportunity for Archer to prove the Vulcans wrong. Archer swallows his pride and lets the Vulcans help pull the shuttle out with their tractor beam – a technology Starfleet does not possess. When the away team returns, attempts by Archer at friendliness are blocked by Vanik, who has no interest in receiving the data Enterprise collected on the comet.
T'Pol chooses to reconsider her marriage and obligations to her culture – and some pecan pie in the privacy of her quarters –, showing that her discussion with Tucker wasn't as fruitless as it first appeared.
Memorable quotes
"For those of you who aren't near a window, you might want to find one. There's something pretty amazing off starboard."
- Archer, to the crew of Enterprise
"Once he realizes we're not going to blow up the galaxy maybe he'll leave us alone."
- Archer
"Wow! That's one big snowball!"
- Tucker, on Archer's comet
"Perhaps they're simply curious."
"Curious? That doesn't sound very Vulcan to me."
- T'Pol discussing the sudden arrival of the Ti'Mur with Archer
"You're easily impressed."
- Vanik, to Archer
"It might not be good for the body… But it sure is good for the soul."
- Tucker, defending his favorite dessert – pecan pie – to T'Pol
"A POOP question, SIR?!"
- Tucker, answering a question from children on Earth
"I always wanted to chase a comet."
- Archer
"I've only seen snow twice in my life."
- Mayweather
"I hope I never see snow again!"
- Mayweather
"You are Human. You are free to choose."
- T'Pol, trying to convince Archer to ask the Vulcans for help
"If Vanik's the kind of guy who likes to watch… let him."
- Archer
"I feel like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar!"
- Tucker
"I have more letters in my quarters. Would you like to read those as well?"
- T'Pol
"What was that all about?"
"It's personal."
- Archer after Tucker and T'Pol speak about her deciding not to leave Enterprise for Koss (last lines)
