| CONTRIBUTE |
SHUTTLEPOD ONE
“I have invested far too much time trying to figure you
out, Mr. Tucker. I’m not about to accept that it was all for
nothing.” – Malcolm Reed
Episode: 1.16 Original Airdate: 02/13/2002
Mission Date: November 9, 2151
“I have invested far too much time trying to figure you
out, Mr. Tucker. I’m not about to accept that it was all for
nothing.” – Malcolm Reed
Episode: 1.16 Original Airdate: 02/13/2002
Mission Date: November 9, 2151
| SEASON 1 |
SYNOPSIS
After discovering what looks to be the wreckage of Enterprise on an asteroid, Trip and Malcolm find themselves
stranded and alone light years from home in a shuttlepod. Traveling at impulse, the two officers set a course for
home while mourning what looks to be the loss of the crew and ship. But when something punctures the air
supply, the two find themselves struggling against the pod's failing systems, their own fears, and each other in
order to survive.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Tesnians
Stellar Phenomenon: Asteroid Field, Micro Singularities, Tesnia
Technology Encountered: Lifeboats, Micro Detonator, Starfleet Rations
Historical Facts:
The unseen Tesnian survivors that the Enterprise rescues require small amounts of Boron gas to maintain their
biological processes. Dr. Phlox was able to use the Decon Chamber to facilitate their needs. It stands to reason
that the chamber’s life support systems can be modified to accommodate different atmospheric conditions.
This episode reveals several facts about the Enterprise. We see that she carries her own inspection pods. We
also find out that the Engineering crew has the ability to fabricate large components for ship repairs and
Lieutenant Hess is Trip’s second in command. We learn that the NX-01 is equipped with lifeboats for emergency
evacuations and their top speed is 300 KPH. The ship is also outfitted with several “black boxes” so that, if the
ship is destroyed, Starfleet will have a complete record of what happened. The ship also has an Astrometrics
Department and takes time out from exploring to conduct mapping missions.
This episode introduces the concept of a micro-singularity. This unique interstellar phenomenon is basically a
microscopic black hole. Vulcan’s have spent years attempting to prove their existence while Archer believes that
the theory is a myth.
On a technical note, we are given some interesting information about the Enterprise’s shuttlepods. We learn that
the shuttles have a top speed of .25 impulse, the plasma cannons have a range of less than ten kilometers and
the impulse engine can be ejected from the main body of the craft. It is also worth noting that the two aft
passenger benches double as storage for supplies, equipment and extra clothes. There is also a small storage
bin hidden in the floor as well.
Starfleet rations are quiet diverse with selections such as Veal Marcella, Chilean Sea Bass or Meatloaf. Each
meal is heated in a compact oven like apparatus. Not only does it warm the prepackaged food, the device also
removes it from its foil packaging.
As for the characters, we learn that Malcolm has an Aunt Sherry who may be one of his spinster aunts. And for
some obscure reason, he likes to be called “Stinky”. He also talks in his sleep. Trip and Malcolm were both
patrons of a little bar in Mill Valley called the 602 Club and dated a waitress named Ruby who worked there.
Malcolm also dated a Deborah, a Catelin and a Rochelle. Trip mentions six more relationships that were
unnamed. It would seem our shy Mr. Reed certainly does get around.
Production Facts:
This episode is one of the few Trek episodes that was written without a guest star or made use of any new sets.
This type of episode is known as a “bottle show” and designed to save money by utilizing the basic cast and
standing sets. Even though "Shuttlepod One” lacked the usual “bells and whistles” of the other episodes, it has
become a fan favorite for its intense character drama and unusual style.
Rather than just rely on the viewer's imagination or costly visual effects, the production filmed all of the pod’s
freezing scenes in an actual cold environment. By using a refrigeration unit and dry ice, they were able to chill the
enclosed set to the point where the actor’s breathe was visible on film. Not only did it make the scene look more
believable it also gave the actors the chance to concentrate completely on their performances rather than having
to continually remember to look cold.
The moving scene where Malcolm stops Trip from sacrificing himself in the airlock made TV Guide's list of the
top 35 moments in Star Trek history.
The small hand held “laser” device Trip is using to work on the communications circuitry is actually a modified
infrared temperature gauge. The tool’s built-in laser site can be seen “scanning” the shuttlepod’s circuitry.
This episode features a rather odd but overlooked production error. If you look closely at the aft section when Trip
is sleeping you will see that he is laying cross-ways between the two passenger benches. Unless Mr. Tucker is a
magician, production must have added a “disappearing” middle section to the benches to film the scene. It also
begs the question why the designers didn’t just add reclining passenger seats for the crew to nap in rather than
featuring a levitating engineer.
After discovering what looks to be the wreckage of Enterprise on an asteroid, Trip and Malcolm find themselves
stranded and alone light years from home in a shuttlepod. Traveling at impulse, the two officers set a course for
home while mourning what looks to be the loss of the crew and ship. But when something punctures the air
supply, the two find themselves struggling against the pod's failing systems, their own fears, and each other in
order to survive.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Tesnians
Stellar Phenomenon: Asteroid Field, Micro Singularities, Tesnia
Technology Encountered: Lifeboats, Micro Detonator, Starfleet Rations
Historical Facts:
The unseen Tesnian survivors that the Enterprise rescues require small amounts of Boron gas to maintain their
biological processes. Dr. Phlox was able to use the Decon Chamber to facilitate their needs. It stands to reason
that the chamber’s life support systems can be modified to accommodate different atmospheric conditions.
This episode reveals several facts about the Enterprise. We see that she carries her own inspection pods. We
also find out that the Engineering crew has the ability to fabricate large components for ship repairs and
Lieutenant Hess is Trip’s second in command. We learn that the NX-01 is equipped with lifeboats for emergency
evacuations and their top speed is 300 KPH. The ship is also outfitted with several “black boxes” so that, if the
ship is destroyed, Starfleet will have a complete record of what happened. The ship also has an Astrometrics
Department and takes time out from exploring to conduct mapping missions.
This episode introduces the concept of a micro-singularity. This unique interstellar phenomenon is basically a
microscopic black hole. Vulcan’s have spent years attempting to prove their existence while Archer believes that
the theory is a myth.
On a technical note, we are given some interesting information about the Enterprise’s shuttlepods. We learn that
the shuttles have a top speed of .25 impulse, the plasma cannons have a range of less than ten kilometers and
the impulse engine can be ejected from the main body of the craft. It is also worth noting that the two aft
passenger benches double as storage for supplies, equipment and extra clothes. There is also a small storage
bin hidden in the floor as well.
Starfleet rations are quiet diverse with selections such as Veal Marcella, Chilean Sea Bass or Meatloaf. Each
meal is heated in a compact oven like apparatus. Not only does it warm the prepackaged food, the device also
removes it from its foil packaging.
As for the characters, we learn that Malcolm has an Aunt Sherry who may be one of his spinster aunts. And for
some obscure reason, he likes to be called “Stinky”. He also talks in his sleep. Trip and Malcolm were both
patrons of a little bar in Mill Valley called the 602 Club and dated a waitress named Ruby who worked there.
Malcolm also dated a Deborah, a Catelin and a Rochelle. Trip mentions six more relationships that were
unnamed. It would seem our shy Mr. Reed certainly does get around.
Production Facts:
This episode is one of the few Trek episodes that was written without a guest star or made use of any new sets.
This type of episode is known as a “bottle show” and designed to save money by utilizing the basic cast and
standing sets. Even though "Shuttlepod One” lacked the usual “bells and whistles” of the other episodes, it has
become a fan favorite for its intense character drama and unusual style.
Rather than just rely on the viewer's imagination or costly visual effects, the production filmed all of the pod’s
freezing scenes in an actual cold environment. By using a refrigeration unit and dry ice, they were able to chill the
enclosed set to the point where the actor’s breathe was visible on film. Not only did it make the scene look more
believable it also gave the actors the chance to concentrate completely on their performances rather than having
to continually remember to look cold.
The moving scene where Malcolm stops Trip from sacrificing himself in the airlock made TV Guide's list of the
top 35 moments in Star Trek history.
The small hand held “laser” device Trip is using to work on the communications circuitry is actually a modified
infrared temperature gauge. The tool’s built-in laser site can be seen “scanning” the shuttlepod’s circuitry.
This episode features a rather odd but overlooked production error. If you look closely at the aft section when Trip
is sleeping you will see that he is laying cross-ways between the two passenger benches. Unless Mr. Tucker is a
magician, production must have added a “disappearing” middle section to the benches to film the scene. It also
begs the question why the designers didn’t just add reclining passenger seats for the crew to nap in rather than
featuring a levitating engineer.
Written By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed By: David Livingston
GUEST CAST
None
Directed By: David Livingston
GUEST CAST
None
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| SEASON 1 |
| APPENDIX |
| SEASON 2 |
| SEASON 3 |
| SEASON 4 |