| CONTRIBUTE |
SILENT ENEMY
“Just because we aren’t looking for a fight doesn’t mean
we’ll run away from one.” – Jonathan Archer
Episode: 1.12 Original Airdate: 01/16/2002
Mission Date: September 1, 2151
“Just because we aren’t looking for a fight doesn’t mean
we’ll run away from one.” – Jonathan Archer
Episode: 1.12 Original Airdate: 01/16/2002
Mission Date: September 1, 2151
| SEASON 1 |
SYNOPSIS
After an attack by a mysterious ship the Enterprise crew decides to head for home to complete a weapons
upgrade on their incomplete vessel. But in an effort to continue their mission uninterrupted Trip and Reed work
frantically to get their new phase canons to online to properly defend themselves. Meanwhile, Hoshi must
discover Malcolm's favorite food in time for a surprise birthday dinner but the Tactical officer’s duty driven nature
makes things difficult.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Unknown Aggressive Species
Technology Encountered: Phase Cannon, Subspace Transceiver Array
Historical Facts:
This is first time we are introduced to the Enterprise’s primary weapon, the phase cannon. This new technology
replaces the ineffective and low yield plasma cannons previously in service. The phase cannon is a phase
modulated energy weapon capable of a maximum power output of 500 gigajoules, or enough energy to run a
modern home for a year. At the time of this episode, the cannons had not been installed on the NX-01 due to its
premature launch to deliver Klaang back to Qo’noS. But with Trip and Malcolm’s teams working around the clock
the crew managed to fabricate and install three of them within 48 hours to combat the mysterious alien ship
shadowing them. We also learn that the cannons are tied directly into the impulse engines and the starship’s
overhaul would be completed at Jupiter Station.
Even though they are mentioned in “Fortunate Son” this episode gives us our first look at a subspace amplifier
and its launch. Small and compact in size, they are deployed from one of the ventral hatches located on the warp
farings. The amplifier launched in this episode has been designated Echo II. We can only assume that Echo I
was launched during or soon after the events in “Fortunate Son”.
This episode features the Malcolm Reed character quite prominently. We learn that his birthday is on September
2. He also has several allergies, like dust mites and pollen. He has a love for pineapple but hates to eat fish. His
parents currently live in Kota Baharu on Earth and that he has a sister, two spinster aunts and an Uncle Archie.
We also learn that his grandfather was also an ordnance officer though Malcolm is the first of his family to ever
serve aboard a starship.
We also find out that Hoshi likes to cook, Chef is protective of his galley, and T’Pol has trouble using chopsticks
(which Trip finds amusing).
An old acquaintance of Tucker and Archers, someone named Duvall, was promoted to captain of the
Shenandoah.
We learn that Trip was dating a woman named Natalie from Pensacola who broke off the relationship because
of the distance between them.
We also have references to Trip’s love for pan-fried catfish, dilithium being used in the warp reactor, the Surak-
class starship and yet another mention of Jupiter Station.
Archer makes a statement about the crew compliment. According to him, it is at eighty-three instead of the eighty-
two mentioned by Trip earlier in “Strange New World”. I am not sure where the extra person came from, unless
Trip did not including himself in his previous estimate.
Production Facts:
The actress who played Malcolm’s mother, Jane Carr, has had the privilege of guesting on almost every top
sitcom in the last fifteen years. Her most recognizable role to genre fans is her performance as Timov, one of
Ambassador Mollari’s wives on Babylon 5.
Guy Siner, who plays Malcolm's father in this episode, is best known for his role as the effeminate Lieutenant
Gruber in the British sitcom 'Allo! 'Allo!. He also played a role in the perennial Doctor Who fan favorite story arch,
“The Genesis of the Daleks”.
The music for this episode was composed by Emmy nominated composer Velton Ray Bunch. Bunch work was
heavily featured on Scott Bakula's previous series, Quantum Leap.
This episode was written by Andre Bormanis who began serving as Trek Science Advisor back in the seventh
season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Since then he has penned more than seventeen scripts and would
become Enterprise’s Executive Story Editor.
The director of this episode, long time Trek veteran Winrich Kolbe, began his Trek directing tenure in Star Trek:
The Next Generation’s second season and has helmed forty-eight episodes of modern Trek. However this
would be the only episode that he would direct for Enterprise.
The Aliens seen in this episode were completely computer generated.
After an attack by a mysterious ship the Enterprise crew decides to head for home to complete a weapons
upgrade on their incomplete vessel. But in an effort to continue their mission uninterrupted Trip and Reed work
frantically to get their new phase canons to online to properly defend themselves. Meanwhile, Hoshi must
discover Malcolm's favorite food in time for a surprise birthday dinner but the Tactical officer’s duty driven nature
makes things difficult.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Unknown Aggressive Species
Technology Encountered: Phase Cannon, Subspace Transceiver Array
Historical Facts:
This is first time we are introduced to the Enterprise’s primary weapon, the phase cannon. This new technology
replaces the ineffective and low yield plasma cannons previously in service. The phase cannon is a phase
modulated energy weapon capable of a maximum power output of 500 gigajoules, or enough energy to run a
modern home for a year. At the time of this episode, the cannons had not been installed on the NX-01 due to its
premature launch to deliver Klaang back to Qo’noS. But with Trip and Malcolm’s teams working around the clock
the crew managed to fabricate and install three of them within 48 hours to combat the mysterious alien ship
shadowing them. We also learn that the cannons are tied directly into the impulse engines and the starship’s
overhaul would be completed at Jupiter Station.
Even though they are mentioned in “Fortunate Son” this episode gives us our first look at a subspace amplifier
and its launch. Small and compact in size, they are deployed from one of the ventral hatches located on the warp
farings. The amplifier launched in this episode has been designated Echo II. We can only assume that Echo I
was launched during or soon after the events in “Fortunate Son”.
This episode features the Malcolm Reed character quite prominently. We learn that his birthday is on September
2. He also has several allergies, like dust mites and pollen. He has a love for pineapple but hates to eat fish. His
parents currently live in Kota Baharu on Earth and that he has a sister, two spinster aunts and an Uncle Archie.
We also learn that his grandfather was also an ordnance officer though Malcolm is the first of his family to ever
serve aboard a starship.
We also find out that Hoshi likes to cook, Chef is protective of his galley, and T’Pol has trouble using chopsticks
(which Trip finds amusing).
An old acquaintance of Tucker and Archers, someone named Duvall, was promoted to captain of the
Shenandoah.
We learn that Trip was dating a woman named Natalie from Pensacola who broke off the relationship because
of the distance between them.
We also have references to Trip’s love for pan-fried catfish, dilithium being used in the warp reactor, the Surak-
class starship and yet another mention of Jupiter Station.
Archer makes a statement about the crew compliment. According to him, it is at eighty-three instead of the eighty-
two mentioned by Trip earlier in “Strange New World”. I am not sure where the extra person came from, unless
Trip did not including himself in his previous estimate.
Production Facts:
The actress who played Malcolm’s mother, Jane Carr, has had the privilege of guesting on almost every top
sitcom in the last fifteen years. Her most recognizable role to genre fans is her performance as Timov, one of
Ambassador Mollari’s wives on Babylon 5.
Guy Siner, who plays Malcolm's father in this episode, is best known for his role as the effeminate Lieutenant
Gruber in the British sitcom 'Allo! 'Allo!. He also played a role in the perennial Doctor Who fan favorite story arch,
“The Genesis of the Daleks”.
The music for this episode was composed by Emmy nominated composer Velton Ray Bunch. Bunch work was
heavily featured on Scott Bakula's previous series, Quantum Leap.
This episode was written by Andre Bormanis who began serving as Trek Science Advisor back in the seventh
season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Since then he has penned more than seventeen scripts and would
become Enterprise’s Executive Story Editor.
The director of this episode, long time Trek veteran Winrich Kolbe, began his Trek directing tenure in Star Trek:
The Next Generation’s second season and has helmed forty-eight episodes of modern Trek. However this
would be the only episode that he would direct for Enterprise.
The Aliens seen in this episode were completely computer generated.
Written By: Andre Bormanis
Directed By: Winrich Kolbe
GUEST CAST
Jane Carr Mary Reed
Paula Malcomson Madeline Reed
John Rosenfeld Mark Latrelle
Guy Siner Stuart Reed
Directed By: Winrich Kolbe
GUEST CAST
Jane Carr Mary Reed
Paula Malcomson Madeline Reed
John Rosenfeld Mark Latrelle
Guy Siner Stuart Reed
| MAIN PAGE |
| SEASON 1 |
| APPENDIX |
| SEASON 2 |
| SEASON 3 |
| SEASON 4 |