Rogue Planet
Date: Unknown
Original Airdate: March 20, 2002
By Shadowfyre
The Story
The Enterprise unexpectedly discovers a rogue planet – one
that has broken free of it's orbit around a star and is
now wandering through deep space. Instead of a cold, lifeless
world, scanners indicate that due to geothermal venting, a thriving
ecosphere exists on the surface. An alien vessel is also detected
on the surface, so Archer authorizes a trip down via shuttlepod.
On the surface, the Enterprise crew members soon encounter a
group of aliens, who it turns out, are on a hunting expedition.
Their leader Buzaan explains that his people have used this planet
as a hunting ground for generations and they only come here for
a few days each year. Malcom is intrigued by the stealth technology
they use during their hunts and decides to accompany them on
their next foray into the jungle.
Meanwhile, Archer sees a strange Human woman who seems to know
his name. The others try to convince him that it was just a dream
or hallucination, but he soon encounters her again and discovers
that she is a member of the indigenous species of shape changing
lifeforms that is being hunted. She appeals to him for help,
and Archer inquires more to the hunters as to their prey. He
learns that the only true advantage they have is in detecting
a chemical signature emitted by the shape changers or wraiths
as they call them.
Archer enlists the help of Phlox to create an agent to mask the
chemical signature and even up the playing field. The strange
woman thanks him for his help and then leaves, but not before
revealing her true appearance – that of a giant slug
like creature. The Hunters, unaware of Archer's aid to
the wraiths, must leave empty handed.
Review
At first glance this story seems pretty basic and by the numbers.
After viewing it two more times, I have to agree with the initial
assessment. The plot is completely predictable and offers nothing
to truly grip the audience. It unfolds slowly to it's obvious
conclusion. Having said that, I don't believe that this
episode was bad by any means, just rather mediocre. Still, there
are a few good things about this story, small as they may be.
The Hunters, who's name I have forgotten already, are
refreshingly portrayed as not being evil or really bad in any
way. They are just following their established customs, no matter
how much the Humans disagree with them. Likewise, we are spared
any moral speeches on the part of Archer at the end, as he doesn't
reveal to them that he has leveled the playing field.
The Wraiths are left somewhat mysterious, never explored too
much other than learning that they are telepathic shape changers.
However, it was never explained why the Hunters valued them so
much. Did they have some type of commercial value or was it just
the thrill/glory of the hunt? I suppose we will never know.
Most of the main characters have little to do in this story
except put in token appearances. There are few interesting tidbits
here and there, such as Archer and Reed's discussion on
Eagle scout merit badges, Trip's attempt to photograph
Archer on the bridge, and Reed's gung ho attitude upon
reaching the surface of the planet. Once again, Mayweather gets
the smallest amount of screen time.
Overall
In the end, Rogue Planet is by far the most mediocre and predictable
episode of Enterprise to date. Nothing new here at all, and nothing
to really sink your teeth into.
Grade: 5/10
Cast:
Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer
John Billingsley as Dr. Phlox
Jolene Blalock as T'Pol
Dominic Keating as Malcolm Reed
Anthony Montgomery as Travis Mayweather
Linda Park as Hoshi Sato
Connor Trinneer as Charles Tucker
Guest Cast:
Stephanie Niznik as Woman
Conor O'Farrell as Burzaan
Eric Pierpoint as Shiraht
Keith Szarabajka as Damrus
Creative Staff:
Director: Allan Kroeker
Teleplay By: Chris Black
Story By: Rick Berman & Brannon Braga & Chris Black
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