| CONTRIBUTE |
BROKEN BOW
“We can’t be afraid of the wind...” – Jonathan Archer
Episode: 1.1 & 1.2 Original Airdate: 09/26/2001
Mission Date: 04/16/2151
“We can’t be afraid of the wind...” – Jonathan Archer
Episode: 1.1 & 1.2 Original Airdate: 09/26/2001
Mission Date: 04/16/2151
| SEASON 1 |
SYNOPSIS
After decades of being held back from deep space exploration by the Vulcans, the human race makes its first
venture into interstellar travel with Captain Jonathan Archer at the helm of the Enterprise NX-01. The crew's
mission is to return an injured Klingon, the first the human race has ever encountered, to his people on Qo'noS.
But when a villainous group of genetically enhanced aliens called the Suliban kidnap the Klingon, Archer and his
crew must make an unexpected detour to retrieve their precious passenger. Little does the crew know that their
actions to save their alien guest will help stave off a dangerous crisis in the present and future, while
inadvertently putting Archer right into the middle of a Temporal Cold War.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Denobulan, Draylaxian, Klingon, Lorillians, Protocystian Spore, Suliban, Vulcan
Stellar Phenomenon: Draylax, Qo'noS, Rigel X, Tholia, Teneebian Moons, Trillius Prime
Technology Encountered: EM-33 plasma gun, Grappler, Transporter, Hull Polarization, Inspection Pod, Maglock
Disruptor, Phase Pistols, Plasma Cannon, Shuttlepod, Suliban Cell Ship, Suliban Helix, Universal Translator,
Warp Five Engine
Phlox’s Pets: Altarian Marsupial, Immunocytic Gel Worms, Osmotic Eel
Historical Facts:
This episode was the first to introduce the phase pistols (and their function), the transporter, the universal
translator, the grappler, hull polarization, Interspecies Medical Exchange (for which Phlox is apart of) and the
Temporal Cold War into the series.
The Klingon language is made up of 80 poly-guttural dialects constructed on an adaptive syntax.
Vulcan females have a heightened sense of smell and prefer not to touch their food with their hands.
We also have the first mention of Phlox’s love for Chinese food.
It is stated that the Warp Five Complex was dedicated thirty-two years before the launch of the NX-01 (or in 2119)
and that Henry Archer, Jonathon’s father, with Dr. Cochrane, were responsible for its construction.
And speaking of warp, this episode establishes that it takes four days to get to Qo’noS, the Klingon home world.
(Many fans have objected to this since it would mean the NX-01’s warp drive is faster than what we are led to
believe. But Geoffrey Mandel, the author of Star Trek Star Charts, theorizes that the trip was made using a
subspace corridor that gives them the ability to get there faster than just using a conventional warp drive.)
The mysterious Cabal, introduced in the pilot, is a genetically altered sect of Suliban taking orders from the future.
The members of the Cabal receive their genetic enhancements as payment for their help. The Suliban alterations
we see in “Broken Bow” are enhanced vision, the ability to process multiple atmospheres, subcutaneous
pigment sacs, limited telepathic skills, and the capacity to cloak themselves.
And for all of you Starfleet Engineers out there, Travis reveals that half-way between the grav-generator and the
bow plating exists something called the “sweet spot” where the gravity reverses back on itself making it possible
to sit on the upper bulkheads.
Production Facts:
A number of Trek veterans appear in the pilot episode, including one from The Original Series. Joseph Ruskin
made his first of four Trek guest roles playing Galt in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Gamesters
of Triskelion”. John Fleck also played several villains in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space
Nine and Star Trek: Voyager before landing the role of Silik. But most note worthy is the appearance of Vaughn
Armstrong as Admiral Forest. This guest spot gave him his eighth role on a Star Trek series. Before the end of
the series, Enterprise would add another three to his resume bringing his Trek total to an amazing record setting
twelve roles and twenty-seven appearances!
The pilot also features several inside Trek jokes. Ambassador Soval’s aid was named Tos as an in joke to The
Original Series. Admiral Forrest and Leonard were named for Deforest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy while
Commander Williams was for William Shatner. Several references are also made to species and planets from
The Original Series. But one of the more amusing if not overlooked jokes is the one associated with the character
of Farmer Moore who was responsible for shooting the Klingon, Klaang. Farmer Moore was named after Ronald
Moore who made his mark on the Star Trek universe by writing some of the most popular and numerous Klingon
scripts in the franchise, including several where certain fan-loved Klingons met their demise.
Enterprise made several production changes to the franchise with its pilot episode. It was the first of all the Trek
series to be filmed in widescreen and sport completely digital visual effects. While the other series used
computer generated images to augment model work or to supplement stock model photography, Enterprise was
the only series to originate all of its effects from a digital medium. And unlike its predecessors the NX-01 was
never produced as a physical filming model. Enterprise was also the first series to not feature “Star Trek” in the
shows title. Of course that would change in the series’ third season. They were also the first to use a song rather
than an orchestral piece in the opening credits (though The Original Series opening theme had lyrics written for it
but were never used). The most interesting and least noticeable change in the production is the men’s square
sideburns. In every Trek incarnation up until this one all of the male characters wore them cut at an angle.
Even though it was not shown in the pilot, the Armory set was featured several times in the pilot redressed to look
like other places. It stood in as the Starfleet Medical ward where Klaang was brought after the shooting. It was
also used as the auditorium where Admiral Forrest conducted the launching ceremony for the NX-01 with a few
visual effects to fill it out.
It’s also worth pointing out that several sets or set pieces from Star Trek series or films found their way into the
show. The original lighting/ceiling piece over the examination area in sickbay served the same purpose in Star
Trek: Voyager, and prior to that, Star Trek: The Next Generation. The curved glass wall at Starfleet Medical was
part of the EMH’s office in Voyager. The central hub in the Suliban Helix was cannibalized from the Borg Queen’s
Chamber while the doors came from the Sona ship from Star Trek: Insurrection. The inspection pod was a
redress of the cockpit of Cochrane’s Phoenix from Star Trek: First Contact.
In the closing credits, the pilot features an orchestral version of the opening theme “Faith of the Heart” rather than
the familiar “Archer’s Theme” used for the rest of the series.
Like all of the spin-off series, a brief cameo was made by a character from another part of the franchise. But since
Enterprise was a prequel, the character of Zefram Cochrane was used to fill the tradition.
This episode was presented with Emmy nominations for Makeup and Editing. It won for Outstanding Special
Visual Effects for a Series.
After decades of being held back from deep space exploration by the Vulcans, the human race makes its first
venture into interstellar travel with Captain Jonathan Archer at the helm of the Enterprise NX-01. The crew's
mission is to return an injured Klingon, the first the human race has ever encountered, to his people on Qo'noS.
But when a villainous group of genetically enhanced aliens called the Suliban kidnap the Klingon, Archer and his
crew must make an unexpected detour to retrieve their precious passenger. Little does the crew know that their
actions to save their alien guest will help stave off a dangerous crisis in the present and future, while
inadvertently putting Archer right into the middle of a Temporal Cold War.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Denobulan, Draylaxian, Klingon, Lorillians, Protocystian Spore, Suliban, Vulcan
Stellar Phenomenon: Draylax, Qo'noS, Rigel X, Tholia, Teneebian Moons, Trillius Prime
Technology Encountered: EM-33 plasma gun, Grappler, Transporter, Hull Polarization, Inspection Pod, Maglock
Disruptor, Phase Pistols, Plasma Cannon, Shuttlepod, Suliban Cell Ship, Suliban Helix, Universal Translator,
Warp Five Engine
Phlox’s Pets: Altarian Marsupial, Immunocytic Gel Worms, Osmotic Eel
Historical Facts:
This episode was the first to introduce the phase pistols (and their function), the transporter, the universal
translator, the grappler, hull polarization, Interspecies Medical Exchange (for which Phlox is apart of) and the
Temporal Cold War into the series.
The Klingon language is made up of 80 poly-guttural dialects constructed on an adaptive syntax.
Vulcan females have a heightened sense of smell and prefer not to touch their food with their hands.
We also have the first mention of Phlox’s love for Chinese food.
It is stated that the Warp Five Complex was dedicated thirty-two years before the launch of the NX-01 (or in 2119)
and that Henry Archer, Jonathon’s father, with Dr. Cochrane, were responsible for its construction.
And speaking of warp, this episode establishes that it takes four days to get to Qo’noS, the Klingon home world.
(Many fans have objected to this since it would mean the NX-01’s warp drive is faster than what we are led to
believe. But Geoffrey Mandel, the author of Star Trek Star Charts, theorizes that the trip was made using a
subspace corridor that gives them the ability to get there faster than just using a conventional warp drive.)
The mysterious Cabal, introduced in the pilot, is a genetically altered sect of Suliban taking orders from the future.
The members of the Cabal receive their genetic enhancements as payment for their help. The Suliban alterations
we see in “Broken Bow” are enhanced vision, the ability to process multiple atmospheres, subcutaneous
pigment sacs, limited telepathic skills, and the capacity to cloak themselves.
And for all of you Starfleet Engineers out there, Travis reveals that half-way between the grav-generator and the
bow plating exists something called the “sweet spot” where the gravity reverses back on itself making it possible
to sit on the upper bulkheads.
Production Facts:
A number of Trek veterans appear in the pilot episode, including one from The Original Series. Joseph Ruskin
made his first of four Trek guest roles playing Galt in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Gamesters
of Triskelion”. John Fleck also played several villains in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space
Nine and Star Trek: Voyager before landing the role of Silik. But most note worthy is the appearance of Vaughn
Armstrong as Admiral Forest. This guest spot gave him his eighth role on a Star Trek series. Before the end of
the series, Enterprise would add another three to his resume bringing his Trek total to an amazing record setting
twelve roles and twenty-seven appearances!
The pilot also features several inside Trek jokes. Ambassador Soval’s aid was named Tos as an in joke to The
Original Series. Admiral Forrest and Leonard were named for Deforest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy while
Commander Williams was for William Shatner. Several references are also made to species and planets from
The Original Series. But one of the more amusing if not overlooked jokes is the one associated with the character
of Farmer Moore who was responsible for shooting the Klingon, Klaang. Farmer Moore was named after Ronald
Moore who made his mark on the Star Trek universe by writing some of the most popular and numerous Klingon
scripts in the franchise, including several where certain fan-loved Klingons met their demise.
Enterprise made several production changes to the franchise with its pilot episode. It was the first of all the Trek
series to be filmed in widescreen and sport completely digital visual effects. While the other series used
computer generated images to augment model work or to supplement stock model photography, Enterprise was
the only series to originate all of its effects from a digital medium. And unlike its predecessors the NX-01 was
never produced as a physical filming model. Enterprise was also the first series to not feature “Star Trek” in the
shows title. Of course that would change in the series’ third season. They were also the first to use a song rather
than an orchestral piece in the opening credits (though The Original Series opening theme had lyrics written for it
but were never used). The most interesting and least noticeable change in the production is the men’s square
sideburns. In every Trek incarnation up until this one all of the male characters wore them cut at an angle.
Even though it was not shown in the pilot, the Armory set was featured several times in the pilot redressed to look
like other places. It stood in as the Starfleet Medical ward where Klaang was brought after the shooting. It was
also used as the auditorium where Admiral Forrest conducted the launching ceremony for the NX-01 with a few
visual effects to fill it out.
It’s also worth pointing out that several sets or set pieces from Star Trek series or films found their way into the
show. The original lighting/ceiling piece over the examination area in sickbay served the same purpose in Star
Trek: Voyager, and prior to that, Star Trek: The Next Generation. The curved glass wall at Starfleet Medical was
part of the EMH’s office in Voyager. The central hub in the Suliban Helix was cannibalized from the Borg Queen’s
Chamber while the doors came from the Sona ship from Star Trek: Insurrection. The inspection pod was a
redress of the cockpit of Cochrane’s Phoenix from Star Trek: First Contact.
In the closing credits, the pilot features an orchestral version of the opening theme “Faith of the Heart” rather than
the familiar “Archer’s Theme” used for the rest of the series.
Like all of the spin-off series, a brief cameo was made by a character from another part of the franchise. But since
Enterprise was a prequel, the character of Zefram Cochrane was used to fill the tradition.
This episode was presented with Emmy nominations for Makeup and Editing. It won for Outstanding Special
Visual Effects for a Series.
Written By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed By: James L. Conway
GUEST CAST
Vaughn Armstrong Admiral Forrest
Jim Beaver Admiral Daniel Leonard
Chelsea Bond Alien Mother
Melinda Clarke Sarin
Ethan Dampf Alien Child
Marty Davis Young Archer
Van Epperson Alien Man
Jim Fitzpatrick Commander Williams
John Fleck Silik
Gary Graham Soval
James Horan Humanoid Figure
Ron King Farmer
Diane Klimaszewski Dancer
Elaine Klimaszewski Dancer
Thomas Kopache Tos
Tommy "Tiny" Lister, Jr. Klaang
Ricky Luna Carlos
Mark Moses Henry Archer
Joseph Ruskin Suliban Doctor
Peter Henry Schroeder Klingon Chancellor
Jason Grant Smith Crewman Fletcher
Byron Thames Crewman
Matthew James Williamson Klingon Council Member
Uncredited Guest Cameo
James Cromwell Zefram Cochrane
Directed By: James L. Conway
GUEST CAST
Vaughn Armstrong Admiral Forrest
Jim Beaver Admiral Daniel Leonard
Chelsea Bond Alien Mother
Melinda Clarke Sarin
Ethan Dampf Alien Child
Marty Davis Young Archer
Van Epperson Alien Man
Jim Fitzpatrick Commander Williams
John Fleck Silik
Gary Graham Soval
James Horan Humanoid Figure
Ron King Farmer
Diane Klimaszewski Dancer
Elaine Klimaszewski Dancer
Thomas Kopache Tos
Tommy "Tiny" Lister, Jr. Klaang
Ricky Luna Carlos
Mark Moses Henry Archer
Joseph Ruskin Suliban Doctor
Peter Henry Schroeder Klingon Chancellor
Jason Grant Smith Crewman Fletcher
Byron Thames Crewman
Matthew James Williamson Klingon Council Member
Uncredited Guest Cameo
James Cromwell Zefram Cochrane
| MAIN PAGE |
| SEASON 1 |
| APPENDIX |
| SEASON 2 |
| SEASON 3 |
| SEASON 4 |