Civilization (Star Trek: Enterprise)

"Civilization"
Star Trek: Enterprise episode
Episode no.	Episode 8
Directed by	Mike Vejar
Written by	Phyllis Strong Michael Sussman
Produced by	Dawn Valazquez
Featured music	Jay Chattaway
Production code	109
Original air date	November 14, 2001
Guest stars
Diane DiLascio Wade Williams Charlie Brewer
Episode chronology
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List of Star Trek: Enterprise episodes

"Civilization" is the 8^th episode (production #109) of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise.

Synopsis

The Enterprise investigates a pre-industrial civilization of about 500 million people. They discover that there is another warp-capable species among the unsuspecting inhabitants. After Archer, Trip, Hoshi, and T'Pol arrive, they discover a local scientist who believes a local merchant is causing the sickness in the town.^[1]

Plot

The Enterprise finds an inhabited planet with 500 million humanoid bio-signs, with an apparent preindustrial culture. Captain Archer decides to visit, against T'Pol's recommendation. They go in disguise with Akaali cranial ridges given to them by Dr. Phlox and dressed in native style clothing. T'Pol still has misgivings about the endeavour and suggests a distant rural landing site for the away team, to minimise the risk of cultural contamination. Archer muses "this must be why aliens are always landing in cornfields." Enterprise scanners detect a possible anti-matter reactor on the surface, which does not fit with the rest of the planet's technological level, which mirrors that of Europe during the Renaissance.

Once in the Akaali city, the away team begin surreptitious scans for the reactor. Hoshi notices a couple of Akaali have mottled skin and appear sick. Trip and Archer's scans lead them to an old curio shop but they encounter a forcefield blocking the way to the exact location of the reactor. They are then confronted by a local apothecary, Riann, holding a crossbow at them. T'Pol stuns her and when she awakens at her shop, Archer persuades her that he is an investigator from another city.

Archer and Trip revisit the shop during the day posing as antique collectors. They are greeted by the owner Garos. Once the shop clears of other customers they confront Garos asking him why his DNA is not Akaali. After confirming Tucker and Archer are not natives either. Garos freely admits his origins. He is from the Malurian system and was part of a survey mission to study the Akaali but after finding himself "taken" with these people he decided to stay. He claims the power source is merely a fabrication unit to provide food and clothes. Archer tells Garos about the illness and Garos surmises they have been talking to the apothecary. Garos claims the illness is an indigenous virus and the Akaali don't have the ability to cure it. Phlox, however, discovers that the water near the shop has been contaminated with the highly toxic chemical tetracyanate 622.

Archer and Riann observe the shop at night to try and see what is being delivered to the Malurian. In the course of their conversation archer's translator malfunctions and he is unable to understand Riann's native tongue. He resets his translator while suddenly kissing the apothecary to hide his device from her view. Soon they follow a man leaving the shop with a delivery. He leaves the crates in a forest clearing, and Archer investigates. He is attacked by a Malurian, and although he overcomes the foe, he is forced to use his phase pistol and the attackers true face is revealed as his mask is pealed away. Riann witnesses the events from a distance and realises neither are from the Akaali planet. Using a device stolen from his assailant Archer and his Akaali friend gain access to the back of Garos' shop and witness a large scale mining operation. Archer discovers that Garos is mining the planet for a chemical that is used in the manufacture of explosives (veridium isotope). The poisoned water is a by-product of this mining. The captain orders the reactor beamed up by Enterprise after disabling the dampening field. But the Malurians now have a warship in orbit, and are anxious to get their property back. T'pol obliges by beaming the power plant into the alien ship's path and using torpedoes to detonate it, crippling their shields. On the planet, Archer is engaged in a phaser fight with three Malurians. Riann tells him to target a nearby street lamp's oil reservoir. The resulting explosion knocks the enemy down, enabling Archer to force them to return to their ship by beaming up.

Before leaving, Archer gives Riann medicine to cure the afflicted Akaali. He also assures her that the Vulcans will monitor the planet to ensure the Malurians do not return. The two then share a passionate goodbye kiss. ^[2][3]

Reception

TrekToday gave the episode a positive review.^[4]

References

1. ^ Carvalho, Claudio. "Plot Summary for Star Trek Enterprise Episode Civilization (2001)". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0572190/plotsummary. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 
2. ^ "Civilization, Star Trek Enterprise". Star Trek Database. Paramount Pictures. http://www.startrek.com/database_article/civilization. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 
3. ^ Hayman, Colin. "Civilization". The Trek Nation. Trek Today. http://www.trektoday.com/reviews/fiver/civilization.shtml. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 
4. ^ Green, Michelle Erica. "Civilization - Episode Review". The Trek Nation. Trek Today. http://www.trektoday.com/reviews/enterprise/civilization.shtml. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 

External links

• Civilization at the Internet Movie Database
• "Civilization" at TV.com
• Civilization at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• Civilization at StarTrek.com