"Unexpected" (ENT episode) - Mid-May
General Notes: It is stated in this episode that Archer and Trip met for the first time eight years prior to the time of this episode. This would place the first meeting in the year 2143. This first meeting is later shown in "First Flight" (ENT). (The line in this episode aids in pinpointing the timeframe of the flashback scenes in "First Flight".)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 4/30/02):
     An interesting episode in some ways although I didn't really find the Trip-is-pregnant portion to be all that interesting. I found the sequences where Enterprise discovered the Xyrillians shadowing them and the sequences with the Klingons to be more interesting (just gotta love that old style Klingon battle cruiser. I especially enjoyed how the Klingons turned and started firing the moment Archer started talking to them! I think Archer will learn how to handle himself with Klingons very quickly (or he won't survive very long).

By the Book (ENT novel, 2002) - Late May to Early June
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 4/30/02):
     The first original novel based on the "Enterprise" television series is an interesting one. The story apparently fits in between the episodes "Unexpected" (ENT) and "Terra Nova" (ENT), however no specific references are made to events in "Unexpected". There are numerous references to the events of "Strange New World" (ENT) however, as two supporting characters from the episode make return appearances in this novel, Ensign Elizabeth Cutler and Crewman Alex Novakovich.
     By the Book (by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch) has a pretty standard set-up for Star Trek episodes, featuring both "a" and "b" stories.
     The "a" story deals with the Enterprise crew seeking to make first contact with two separate sentient alien species living on a planet they've come across. One race, the Fazi, is humanoid and has a culture so extremely structured that Archer has trouble communicating with them without insulting them. The other race, the Hipon, are spider-like crustacean aliens who live underwater (although they are amphibious, able to live both underwater and in the air). The Hipon communicate telepathically on so powerful a level that their first attempts to communicate with Archer's officers are seen as attacks, putting three men in sickbay. Archer is determined to forge more successful first contacts with these two races than the Vulcans did one hundred years earlier with his species.
     The "b" story deals with a role-playing game being played during off hours by Cutler, Navokovich, Mayweather, and another officer named James Anderson.
     While a bit irritating at first, jumping back and forth between the "a" and "b" stories, after awhile one adjusts and they seem to flow together better. Also, as the "a" (Fazi/Hipon) story grows more important, the "b" (role-playing) story recedes a bit.
     My favorite part of By the Book I think is a scene between Archer and T'Pol in his ready room where they discuss the proper method for officers aboard his ship to challenge their superiors (in this case, T'Pol challenging Archer himself). It starts blustery like most of their arguments on the TV series, but gives the characters a better chance to interact and grow a bit when they actually get to discussing their opinions on the matter than the series usually provides.

"Terra Nova" (ENT episode)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/25/02):
     Crew investigates decades old mystery of old Earth colony, Terra Nova. They find the descendents of the colonists sick and living in tunnels under a surface made poisonous by radioactivity caused by an asteroid strike. The descendents, however, believe the humans to be their enemies. After rewatching this episode, I have decided that it holds up pretty well, and is a sign that the show was starting to hit all of its marks. The story (while hardly original) is well paced and well conceived, and the characters are finally starting to really work well together.

"The Andorian Incident" (ENT episode) - June 16-17
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/25/02):
     Archer decides to pay a visit to a Vulcan sanctuary. There he, Trip, and T’Pol are taken captive by Andorians who had earlier taken the Vulcans hostage (at the beginning of the episode). It is explained that the Vulcans and Andorians have had hostilities for each other for quite awhile and that the Andorians believe the Vulcans have a secret listening post at the sanctuary to spy on the Andorians. While trying to overcome the Andorians and rescue the Vulcan monks, Archer discovers that what the Andorians have been saying is true. In "The Andorian Incident" we reach the first really top rate "Enterprise" episode in my opinion. Starting off, we have the "return" of one of the classic TOS alien races, the Andorians (first seen in "Journey to Babel" (TOS)). Almost entirely omitted from the later Star Trek series (TNG, DS9, VOY) outside of the occasional mention, this automatically made many fans anticipate this episode. (Furthermore, since "Enterprise" is a prequel series to TOS, I would assume this marks the earliest chronological appearance of the Andorians anywhere on my chronological reading project with the possible exception of flashback appearances in "earlier" stories.) Adding to the interest in the Andorians is the discovery that there have been hostilities between them and the Vulcans, to the extent that the Vulcans have been hiding an observation post. Big stuff (and not entirely popular with all of the die-hard Vulcan fans watching the show I might add). Finally, Trip delivers some of the best dialogue of the first season (so far) with lines such as, "You call that agitated?" (after T'Pol referred to a seemingly sedate Vulcan monk as such). Later, after being taken captive and watching his captain being banged up by their Andorian captives, Tripp remarks, "Now these people are agitated!" Also, after a Vulcan monk reveals a secret passageway Trip quips, "For people without emotions you sure have a gift for the dramatic!" The solitary downside of this episode in my opinion is the unnecessary comments made by Vulcans (including T'Pol) concerning humans smelling bad to Vulcans. (Why didn't we ever hear anything about this from Spock in TOS?) The scene where T'Pol reacts to the presence of Porthos (Archer's dog) in "Broken Bow" (ENT) due to her heightened sense of smell is one thing. The comments in this episode only serve to put the Vulcans in a bad light. Nonetheless, even with this the episode is one o the gems of the first season. (See also "Shadows of P'Jem" (ENT) which follows up on this episode.)

"Breaking the Ice" (ENT episode)
General Notes: Earliest chronological appearance of a Vulcan starship (not including the one seen in the 2063 portions of Star Trek: First Contact (TNG). Also the earliest chronological references to the practice of arranged Vulcan marriages (although the practice of combat by suitors as seen in "Amok Time" (TOS) was mentioned briefly in the previous ENT episode, "The Andorian Incident". Archer mentions that a Vulcan ship was seen nearby "three weeks ago" as the Enterprise explored a nebula. They did not respond to hails and left when approached. This would have been prior to "The Andorian Incident" (perhaps around the time of By the Book (ENT)?)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/25/02):
     Enterprise comes upon a massive comet which Archer decides to explore. Discovering a rare mineral there, Reed and Mayweather are sent down to extract samples. Meanwhile, it is discovered that T’Pol has received a secret encrypted message from a Vulcan ship which has also arrived. Suspicious, Archer has Trip investigate. What Trip finds is that the message is personal and deals with an arranged marriage between T’Pol and another Vulcan, a marriage that she is endangering by staying on Enterprise. Although upset that Trip has invaded her privacy, T’Pol later asks for his advice in the matter at the urging of Dr. Phlox who observes her stress over the situation. Meanwhile, Reed and Mayweather become trapped on the surface of the comet, requiring Archer to ask for the Vulcans’ assistance. In the end, T’Pol stays on Enterprise, assumedly breaking her marriage agreement. Another solid episode. While playing upon the tension between the humans and the Vulcans, it avoids the pettiness of comments such as the ones about human "odor" in "The Andorian Incident" (ENT) (which, while not mentioned, is certainly on the mind of the viewer as he or she watches this episode since it deals with Archer's growing distrust of the Vulcans). There are a lot of really good bits in this episode. The sense of awe is finally captured well with the crew's reaction (aside from T'Pol) to the huge comet. The disappointment apparent on Archer's and Trip's faces when faced with the idea that T'Pol might be spying on them (you can tell that they are finally getting to like and trust her). Trip's discomfort at having read T'Pol's message and his trouble coming to grips with Vulcan customs (yet trying to aid T'Pol nonetheless). The message home (to a class of Earth children) is very good (although it really has nothing to do with the rest of the episode and could have gone in anywhere outside of Archer's mentioning the comet they are studying). Hoshi and Phlox are fun to watch as they answer questions posed by the kids, but Trip steals the scene with his reluctance to answer the "poop" question. Another really good scene is the dinner between Archer, Trip, T'Pol, and the Vulcan captain. Shades of the dinner scene in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (TOS). You can see from this scene that, despite trying, Archer's strengths are in exploration (he even takes the helm at one point in this episode) and not diplomacy. Oh, and before I'm done I should mention three other things. One, the musical score of this episode is excellent. Movie quality. The transitional cue right before Trip visits T'Pol in her quarters is wonderful. Two, Reed is obviously very excited at the prospect of walking around on the surface of a comet. No anxiety about extravehicular movement here (as seen in "The Remnant" (ENT) SNW V short story). And three, again crewmembers are endangered when their shuttlepod falls beneath the surface. It happened in "Terra Nova" (ENT) in much the same way. When you add to it Trip and Reed's plight in "Shuttlepod One" (ENT) you can come to two conclusions: 1) they need to start using Shuttlepod Two and 2) the shuttlepod might soon be the "transporter accident" (TOS, TNG) and "holodeck malfunction" (TNG, DS9, VOY) of the ENT series!

"Civilization" (ENT episode) - July 27-31 (July 31, Starlog date)
General Notes: Archer and company become first Starfleet officers in history (not including time-traveling officers from the future) to disguise themselves as another species of aliens to observe a more primitive society.
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/27/02):
     Enterprise crew encounters a pre-industrial world on their way. Archer and an away team (Hoshi, Trip, and T’Pol) visit the surface disguised as natives to learn more about them and to discover the source of an anomalous energy signature. They discover that another group of aliens has a secret strip-mining operation in place which has been having the side effect of polluting the local water supply, causing many natives to die. Archer and company confront the other aliens, driving them away (although their technology appears greater than that of the Starfleet crew). Meanwhile, Archer develops feelings for a native woman named Riann. A good episode, although by this time the crew-disguises-themselves-to-observe-a-primitive-species has gotten pretty predictable. The story picks up a bit once it is revealed that another warp-capable species is involved behind the wings. One thing worthy of noting is that T'Pol's place in the chain of command is still under question as of this episode (according to T'Pol she outranks Trip, while Trip insists that her rank is not in Starfleet and therefore is not part of the chain of command). Trip questions her order to leave orbit (seemingly abandoning Archer), even threatening to "vent plasma" (immobilizing the ship) in the middle of a battle with a more powerful ship! The question is tabled, however, when T'Pol states that she has no intention of abandoning the captain.

"Fortunate Son" (ENT episode)
General Notes: Earliest chronological appearance of Nausicaans (first seen in "Tapestry" (TNG)). It is said in this episode that three more NX-class starships are "on the drawing board." Also, Admiral Forrest refers to pictures sent back by Archer of a comet, most likely a reference to the one in "Breaking the Ice" (ENT).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/27/02):
     Archer is ordered to turn the ship around and help out a deep space merchant ship that is under attack. Once there, they find the Fortunate recovering from a battle with the Nausicaans (alien space "pirates" according to Mayweather). Travis connects with the Fortunate’s first officer (who is in command while the captain is unconscious in their sickbay) due to their common background as "boomers". However, once it is discovered that the first officer is holding a Nausicaan prisoner things soon come to a head. Before long Archer and company are trying to head off the Fortunate as they attempt to take the fight back to the Nausicaans. An enjoyable episode. I particularly like the special effects in this episode, some subtle (like the passing of a football in low gravity) to the spectacular (the cargo ship disengaging a module with Archer and company inside of it to float away and the same cargo ship warping away just seconds before an Enterprise torpedo can hit it). This is Mayweather's first big episode and it's all right. Nothing spectacular, but it does help flesh out his background some, and at this point in the series any focus for the helmsman is good (he hasn't had a lot to do so far this season). More interesting to me is the underlying theme of the episode. That change is coming to deep space travel, both for exploration and cargo purposes. The up until now autonomous "boomers" will have to adjust to faster engines and more ships invading their personal territory. Favorite line: "Any faster than that (warp 1.8) and there's no time to enjoy the trip."

"Silent Enemy" (ENT episode) - August 30-September 1 (September 1, Starlog date)
General Notes: Based on dates given in this episode and the time frame given in "Cold Front" (ENT), this episode takes place prior to "Cold Front", although it aired after that episode. As of this episode the ship's arsenal now includes phase cannons ("phase modulated energy weapons" according to Reed). (See comments on "laser guns" mentioned in "Remnant" (ENT) short story entry.)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/29/02):
     The episode has one of those traditional a-b type structures. The main story deals with a mysterious alien race who shows up and starts dogging Enterprise without responding to hails. On a repeat visit, they reveal their hostile intentions by attacking the ship and injuring a couple of crewmen (while temporarily boarding Enterprise). This (being just the latest of several hostile species they’ve run into with much better technology and weapons) leads Archer to reevaluate their ability to continue on their mission as currently equipped. He decides to head back to Earth to have phase cannons installed. This drives Trip and Malcolm to prove that they can construct and install the cannons themselves first. Meanwhile, the b-story deals with it being Reed’s birthday. Archer wants to surprise Reed with his favorite food and appoints Hoshi to find out what it is. It is a difficult assignment to say the least ("breaking a Vulcan encryption code would be easier").

"Cold Front" (ENT episode) - September 9-10
General Notes: First revisiting of the "temporal cold war" sub-plot first seen in "Broken Bow" (ENT). Due to amount of time given by T'Pol as to how long they've been on their mission ("four months, three weeks, six days"), although it aired first, this episode takes place following "Silent Enemy" (ENT).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/28/02):
     The Enterprise becomes the staging ground for the next skirmish in the "temporal cold war" Archer first learned about months earlier ("Broken Bow" (ENT)). The Suliban, Silik, returns, this time saving the ship from a massive "anti-matter cascade" explosion. Archer is confronted by the fact that one of his crewman, a man named Daniels, has really been an agent of the forces opposing Selik’s superiors. Archer then has to decide who to trust, Daniels or Silik. Finally, the series creators give us more on the "temporal cold war," this time adding to the mystery by presenting the other side. Daniels could be lying to Archer just as much as Silik, and Silik's actions present the somewhat uncomfortable notion that perhaps Enterprise was supposed to be destroyed in that accident. His action could have either preserved the future (although how is hard to see since no one manipulated the Enterprise crew into that stellar nursery) or altered it. Doubtless, more info on this war and Archer and his crew's place in it will follow. Favorite line: Trip--"It's good to know that the Earth will still be around in nine hundred years." Daniels--"That depends on how you define the term 'Earth'." Trip--"I beg your pardon??" Another good scene is one where Mayweather is briefly in command of the bridge and at Hoshi's urging tries on the "big chair" to see how it fits.

"Dear Doctor" (ENT episode)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/29/02):
     When the ship comes across a planet suffering from an epidemic, Dr. Phlox tries to discover a cure for the species’ illness. At the same time, he wrestles with the greater issues of interfering with the natural evolution of the two species indigenous there. When Phlox does discover a cure, he and Archer disagree on principle as to what the correct thing to do is. On a side note, Phlox believes that Ensign Cutler ("Strange New World" (ENT), By the Book (ENT), etc.) is developing romantic feelings for him. My feelings are a bit mixed about this episode. The pacing is a bit slow. True, the pace of the series should be well balanced between quick action shows and slower personal stories, but this one had me at times thinking about something else (perhaps it doesn't stand up to repeat viewing as well). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the episode, and I especially like the parts with Dr. Phlox and Ensign Cutler and with Phlox and Hoshi. The greater issue of whether or not to heal the aliens is a difficult one. While this situation foreshadows the Prime Directive in Starfleet's future (Archer even speaks of how one may one day be necessary), this particular situation is clouded by the fact that these people are aware of more advanced species like the humans and of warp drive (which would not make it a Prime Directive matter, right?). I guess what it comes down to is that Archer can no more give them a cure (advanced medical technology) than he can give them warp drive. I'm sure it is a decision many fans may disagree with. The voiceover element (Dr. Phlox narrating a letter to a colleague) is very similar to that of Data's letter in "Data's Day" (TNG).

"Sleeping Dogs" (ENT episode)
General Notes: The Klingons make their third appearance on "Enterprise". The ship seen here for the first time is a Raptor-class scout ship. At one point while on the ship, Hoshi and Reed see schematics of (or at least references to) photon torpedoes. Reed says he’s never seen or heard of anything like that before (unlike the Vulcan tractor beams in "Breaking the Ice" (ENT) which apparently humans are at least aware of). Also, the Klingon woman refers to "our Birds of Prey" arriving to destroy Enterprise (as opposed to the "Warbirds" mentioned in "Broken Bow" (ENT) (however T’Pol does say that there are many different classes of Klingon ships).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/29/02):
     While investigating a class nine gas giant, Enterprise comes a cross a damaged vessel deep in the atmosphere. An away team (T’Pol, Reed, and Hoshi) travels to the ship to render aid. There they discover that the ship is Klingon. Soon, they find themselves trapped on the vessel as it drops closer and closer to being crushed by the atmospheric pressures. Meanwhile, Archer tries to get information out of a Klingon woman who has escaped the Klingon ship by stealing the away team’s shuttlepod. Some nice effects in this episode. The situation here is very reminiscent of a submarine drama (done earlier in Trek in "Starship Down" (DS9)). It is an interesting mix, focusing on T'Pol, Reed, and Hoshi. Without Archer or Trip present, there is no overwhelming personality present, allowing for a more equal focus. Archer finally begins to learn Klingon ways. (Why has he waited this long to study up on them? Surely he knows they will be a constant presence. Maybe there just isn't time to study various species until a specific situation arises.) Hoshi once again benefits from the spotlight. Her anxiety is diminishing and she is very strong in the scene where they are attempting to use photon torpedoes to keep the Klingon ship from sinking.

"Shadows of P’Jem" (ENT episode)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/25/02):
     Following up on the events of "The Andorian Incident" (ENT), T’Pol is ordered to leave her position aboard Enterprise. Archer believes it is to punish her involvement in the loss of the Vulcan’s secret base observing the Andorians at the sanctuary at P'Jem. On one last mission together, Archer and T’Pol once again become entangled in Vulcan-Andorian politics as they are captured on a planet undergoing civil unrest. In the end, the Andorian from the previous episode returns to rescue them to clear his feelings of debt owed to Archer, and T’Pol regains her status in the eyes of her superiors and remains aboard the Enterprise. A good followed up to "The Andorian Incident" and further developing of the relationship between Archer and T'Pol, and in a larger sense between the humans and the Vulcans.

"Shuttlepod One" (ENT episode) - November 9-11 (November 9, Starlog date)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 6/25/02):
     Trip and Reed are on a mission in a shuttlepod when they come across debris from the Enterprise. Believing their ship destroyed, they attempt to make it to a nearby star at impulse power despite knowing that they do not have enough air to get there. The two find themselves increasingly getting on each other’s nerves as they get progressively weaker and colder. Meanwhile, Archer and his crew (who only lost a docking bay door during an accident with another ship that was trying to dock) are unaware of Trip and Reed’s distress. This is another good character-based episode playing up the differences between Malcolm and Trip's characters. It really does more to develop Malcolm more than Trip which is good because up until now he's been pretty undeveloped (a mystery to both the characters and the fans). This episode also does a pretty good job of demonstrating the real dangers of traveling in space if anything goes wrong. While not a personal favorite, this episode has been acclaimed by many and should not be missed.

"Fusion" (ENT episode)
General Notes: T’Pol has been on Enterprise seven months, placing this episode about mid-November 2151. A major distinction created here (retroactively affecting Trek history) is that the mind meld as late as 2151 was still an obscure Vulcan ritual known only to a very few. By the time of TOS and Spock (2266 and after) it seems something just about every Vulcan seems to know how to do (although at first it is considered a very intimate and therefore rare practice). It is revealed over one year later in "Stigma" (ENT) that T'Pol has contracted "Pa'nar Syndrome" from her forced mind meld in this episode.
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 7/29/02):
     Enterprise crew comes into contact with a ship of very unusual Vulcans. This radical sect has decided to embrace their emotions just as much as the logic of Surak. Their ship in need of repairs, Archer’s crew volunteers to aid them. One particular Vulcan named Tolaris takes special interest in showing T’Pol the value of accepting her own emotions. This leads T’Pol to chaotic dreams and a dangerous mind meld experience with Tolaris. Meanwhile, another Vulcan named Kov must decide whether or not to break a self-imposed silence with his father (who rejected Kov because of his radical beliefs) because his father is now dying. An interesting episode. I really liked Kov, especially at the beginning when he had all kinds of misconceptions about humans. "Do you really eat six or seven meals a day?" (paraphrased). Tripp: "More like three." Kov's questions are both humorous and serve to show that many of the initial beliefs the human crewmembers have about the Vulcans might also be misconceptions. What I did not care for is the decision that the mind meld is not widely known by the average Vulcan just a century or so before the TOS era, making it a relative new thing to most Vulcans by Spock's time.

"Rogue Planet" (ENT episode)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 7/29/02):
     Enterprise comes upon a "rogue planet", a planet which has long ago broken away from its solar system and now floats solitarily in the emptiness of space. Investigating, Archer and company discover a group of aliens on the surface hunting prey (the planet’s geothermal vents allow for lush forests and other Earth-like environments in some places). At first befriending the hunting party, Archer is confronted by a mysterious humanoid woman. The woman appears only to him and tells him that she needs his help. Initially confused, Archer finally realizes that she is one of the shapeshifting native beings whom the hunters have been slaughtering from centuries in their traditional hunts. Not able to stop the hunters directly, Dr. Phlox creates a masking agent which again levels the field between the hunters and the hunted. Okay. They finally did it. For some reason, "Rogue Planet" was the first real "yawn" ENT episode for me. I just couldn't bring myself to care too much about what was happening. Archer and crew walk around in dark forests most of the episode. It's pretty obvious early on that the woman is plucked from Archer's head telepathically (from a poem he learned as a child it would turn out). I think my main problem with this episode is its woeful lack of imagination in terms of exploring a science-fiction element as rich in storytelling potential as a rogue planet. This story really could have been told just about anywhere.

"Acquisition" (ENT episode)
General Notes: First chronological appearance of Ferengi (not including the time traveling ones from the 24th century visiting Earth of 1947 in "Little Green Men" (DS9)) (Ferengi first seen in "The Last Outpost" (TNG)). It is presumed that either 1) Starfleet does not learn the true identity of the pirates, or 2) the records are later lost because as of the "The Last Outpost" (which takes place 253 years after this story in 2364) the Ferengi are still a mysterious race Starfleet has only heard rumors about and not actually met yet.
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 10/7/02):
     A group of Ferengi pirates drugs the Enterprise crew in order to rob the ship of valuables. They miss Trip however who is in a decontamination chamber at the time. Before long, Archer (a prisoner of the pirates), Trip, and T’Pol are working to trick the Ferengi so they can take back control of the ship. An enjoyable enough episode (although pretty predictable). It's fun watching the Ferengi taking everything they can find, including Travis's chair, unbolting from the bulkhead. It's also fun watching a Ferengi trying to communicate with Porthos via universal translator, as is the "fight" between Archer and Trip put on for their captors' benefit.

"Oasis" (ENT episode)
General Notes: Refers to the crew’s earlier encounter with holographic technology in "Unexpected" (ENT). Also makes side remark to the possibility of a holographic doctor (as ultimately seen over two hundred years later in the "Star Trek: Voyager" series).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 10/7/02):
     Enterprise crew investigates a crashed ship purported to being haunted in order to procure spare parts. They discover survivors of the crash living aboard and agree to aid them in repairing their systems. The mystery deepens however when they discover that there are holes in the survivors’ story. Ultimately it is revealed that there are only two real survivors and the rest at holographic recreations of the original crew. An average enough episode, although the holodeck/holograms disguised as reality story has been done many times before, making this one seem very been there, done that.

"Detained" (ENT episode)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 01/14/03):
     Archer and Mayweather are taken prisoner by a race of aliens at war with the Suliban because word of the Enterprise crew’s encounters with the Suliban have become well known in the area. While detained, Archer and Mayweather meet Suliban wrongfully imprisoned by the aliens and decide to engineer their release as well as their own escape. Another decent enough episode, particularly in how it continues to gradually progress the Suliban back story.

"Vox Sola" (ENT episode)
General Notes: The Kreetassans return in "A Night in Sickbay" (ENT).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 01/14/03):
     After a disastrous first contact meal with an alien race named the Kreetassans, the ship is boarded by a strange web-like symbiotic creature. Soon, crewmembers (including Archer and Trip) are trapped in the alien’s cocoon like web, and Hoshi must find a way to communicate with the alien before the life is drained out them. I liked the way a simple thing like eating in public turned out to be a major breach of etiquette with the Kreestassans. The story of the alien symbiote (aside from spotlighting Hoshi's skills again) turned out to be less interesting (until the ending, when they showed the alien's homeworld and natural state).

What Price Honor? (ENT novel, 2002) - December 31, 2151-January 18, 2152
General Notes: First off, the dates given in the chapter headings, beginning with January 15, 2151, in chapter one, and as far back as December 31, 2150, in the flashbacks, are generally considered to be incorrect by most fans. The reason for this is that the Enterprise crew set out from Earth on their first mission in April 2151 ("Broken Bow" (ENT)). Therefore, most if not all dates given in What Price Honor? must be considered to be incorrect.
     Ensign Alana Hart's service record states that she was first assigned to the Enterprise on January 30, 2151. Since it is stated that she was serving aboard ship during the "Broken Bow" mission (Archer supposedly first met Hart just three days after leaving Kronos in that episode, which, again, happened in April 2151), this January 2151 date must be disregarded. However, Hart's service record gives the date of her death as January 14, 2152. This date is one year after the 2151 dates given in all of the "present day" chapter headings, so it might just be the date the author had intended all along. (Either way, I've decided to use December 2151-January 2152 for this entry based on this particular reference.)
     Further time notes: The fact that the author places this story around New Year's Day limits when this novel can possibly take place. Reed and Hart have served together on Enterprise for "a year now" as of the New Year's Eve flashbacks shown here (marked December 31, 2150). Correcting the date to 2151 would lessen that time spent serving together to about nine months.
     And to cause further timeline headaches, references are made to the following episodes: "Silent Enemy" (ENT) (Trip and Reed are still working on refining the phase cannons which it is said that "the last time" overloaded the ship's systems in that episode; it will take a review of the episodes between "Silent Enemy" and What Price Honor? to see if this is a correct statement or if it should be disregarded; there are many episodes between the two, however, so I suspect that the comment will end up being incorrect.); "Detained" (ENT) (the Suliban refugees); and "Vox Sola" (ENT) (Archer and Trip's being "half-absorbed" by the alien creature). These references are all fine as they would have taken place prior to What Price Honor? on the timeline (assuming that those episodes, which contain no dates, actually took place in December 2151). A reference is also made, however, to Zobral in "Desert Crossing" (ENT). That episode takes place in mid-February (while this novel supposedly ends in mid-January). (I see one of two options: 1) ignoring the references to "Detained" and "Desert Crossing", or 2) pushing the events dated from January 13-18 in What Price Honor? [the mission down to the planet, Alana's death, the conflict with the Sarkassians, etc.] to late February, between "Two Days and Two Nights" and "Shockwave, Pt. I". This would require even further disregarding of the dates provided in What Price Honor?, however.)
     Other notes: According to Reed, there are Starfleet regulations already in place preventing relationships between officers and their subordinates. It is stated that the ship was soon scheduled to rendezvous with a Vulcan ship, the Shi'ar (a nod to the alien race Shi'ar in Marvel's X-Men comics?), and that this rendezvous would mark the point where Enterprise would be passing beyond the farthest Vulcan exploration surveys in this region of space (an idea contradicted by following episodes?). Lt. Donna "D.O." O'Neil later appears in Stern's two "Enterprise" novels, Daedalus and Daedalus's Children. Hoshi Sato is referred to as "Ensign Hoshi" (instead of Ensign Sato). The Enterprise is mentioned as having photon torpedoes (incorrect for this time frame: Reed is unfamiliar with them in "Sleeping Dogs" (ENT), which takes places circa September-October 2151 [prior to What Price Honor?], and tells the Vissian Chief Armory Officer in "Cogenitor" (ENT) that they do not have "photonic warheads" [i.e., photon torpedoes] as late as that episode, which takes place in early 2153 [a year or more after the events of What Price Honor?]). This is perhaps chronologically the earliest case of an empty (photon) torpedo casing beings used as a casket? (First seen in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (TOS).) Brief mention at end of novel of the discovery of parallel Minshara-class planets in a synchronous orbit, a pair of "mirror image planets". Enterprise sets out to investigate. (Never actually seen in an episode or novel?)
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 5/28/05):
     I first read What Price Honor? (Dave Stern, 2002) back in January 2004, so I've been quite derelict in adding to my entries here. It took basically rereading the book--skimming it, actually--for me to even attempt to make a legitimate entry about it here now. As you can see, the timeline "General Notes" are plentiful, so I think I'll be brief here. In this novel (only the second original "Enterprise" novel released, after By the Book), Reed briefly becomes involved with a young ensign in his department named Alana. Alana, however, is affected by a mission to the surface of a strange planet and subsequently dies. (The novel is actually broken down into "present day" and flashback segments, jumping back and forth. So, in the "present", Alana's already been dead for several days and Reed keeps remembering back to their time together and the events of her death.) Archer, Reed, and company discover that they have gotten themselves into the middle of a conflict over sacred grounds and monuments on this planet between the two alien races that reside there. While Archer tries to settle the conflict, Reed is concerned firstmost with discovering what exactly caused Alana's death.
     My feelings about the book? While it has some problems--largely continuity ones and occasional confusion caused by the jumping back and forth between time frames--I enjoyed it more than By the Book. Stern seems the writer most capable of writing the "Enterprise" characters so far (see also Daedalus and Daedalus's Children).

2152

"Fallen Hero" (ENT episode) - February 9 (Starlog date)
General Notes: The shore leave on Risa first mentioned here won’t actually happen until two episodes later in "Two Days and Two Nights" (ENT). The Enterprise NX-01 reaches warp five velocity (its theoretical top speed) for the first time in this episode. The events of this episode are mentioned several months later briefly in a captain's log entry in "Catwalk" (ENT).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 01/14/03):
     On their way to a much needed shore leave, Archer receives orders from Admiral Forrest to pick up a Vulcan ambassador and transport her to awaiting Vulcan ships. The ambassador turns out to be nothing like the Vulcans the crewmembers have seen before: friendly and cordial. However, she will not speak of her real mission. Soon, the ship is attacked by aliens seeking to capture her, aliens with a faster and better armed ship. (I liked the big build up to the crew reaching warp five only to discover that it still wasn't fast enough to outrun their attackers.)

"Desert Crossing" (ENT episode) - February 12-13 (February 12, Starlog date)
General Notes: The crew is again sidetracked from their trip to Risa ("Two Days and Two Nights" (ENT)).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 01/14/03):
     Archer and Trip visit a desert planet upon the urgings of a man named Zobral. Soon, they discover that Zobral’s people are terrorists at war with their neighbors, and Archer and Trip are forced to trek across the blistering desert in hopes of escaping their captives. Meanwhile, any efforts made by T’Pol aboard Enterprise to rescue them are to be considered an act of war by the participants. [No personal critique on this episode at this time.]

"Two Days and Two Nights" (ENT episode) - February 18-20 (February 18, Starlog date)
General Notes: First appearance chronologically of Risa (which was first seen in "Captain's Holiday" (TNG)).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 01/14/03):
     Finally arriving at Risa, Archer and his crewmates separate for shore leave. Archer encounters a mysterious woman seeking revenge on the Suliban. Hoshi has a romantic encounter of her own. Mayweather goes rock climbing, and Trip and Malcolm visit the local night clubs. Meanwhile, aboard ship Dr. Phlox undergoes his annual 48-hour hibernation while Ensign Cutler stands in for him. Pretty much an average episode. Again, the Suliban and the "temporal cold war" are addressed.

"Cabin E-14" (ENT short story, Strange New Worlds VI, 2003)
Other Dates: 2151 (late April)
     unknown future time period
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 7/22/06):
     Read this one back September 5, 2004, so my memories are going to be a bit fuzzy about this one. Here are some notes I jotted down write after reading it, however: [In "Cabin E-14" (by Shane Zeranski), we have] "A follow-up to the episode "Cold Front" (ENT). Dr. Phlox has the assignment of "decontaminating" the time-traveling agent Daniels' quarters. Upon finding a method of moving back and forth through time, Phlox must then fight the temptation to go back in time to save his beloved Xesophia."

"Shockwave, Pts. I & II" (ENT episodes)/Shockwave (novelization, 2002)
See Also: 2151 - Archer is taken by Daniels back through time to just before events in "Broken Bow" (ENT).
     "31st Century" - [alternate future] Archer is taken, again by Daniels, into future, causing change in timeline.
General Notes: Daniels makes cryptic comments concerning the Federation (not yet founded in 2152) and Archer sees a book in the future library titled The Romulan Star Empire (who Starfleet has not met yet at this time...they will finally meet for the first time in "Minefield" (ENT)). Novelization gives extensive flashbacks to previous episodes involving the "temporal cold war", "Cold Front" (ENT) and "Detained" (ENT).
Chronological reading notes/summary: (written on 4/14/03):
     While visiting an alien colony, a terrible accident occurs and it appears that the crew is responsible for the deaths of thirty-six hundred colonists. They are recalled home to Earth, their mission cancelled. However, on the way back, Archer is visited by Daniels, his supposed ally from the future. Daniels explains that this is all another part of the "temporal cold war". Learning that he and his crew were not actually the cause of the accident, Archer becomes determined to clear their names. Things become complicated however, when Daniels takes Archer into his future (the 31st Century) in hopes of preventing further damage to the timeline. Instead, he discovers that by taking Archer out of the 22nd Century, he has wiped out his own present, replacing it with a devastated, post-apocalyptic wasteland. To put things back the way they were, the two have to find a way to send Archer back (although none of the time portals function any longer). Meanwhile, back in the "present", the Enterprise crew is held hostage by Silik, who finds that his own connection with his allies in the future has been cut off.
     Novelization includes more in depth look at various supporting characters, such as Admiral Forrest and Ensign Cutler, as well as extended flashbacks to previous episodes. I enjoyed these insights into secondary characters, particularly Admiral Forrest, who has to keep things from unraveling at home on Earth while Archer and company seek to clear their names. With little communication with Archer, Forrest has to stand up to increasing pressure from the Vulcans when Enterprise does not return as ordered. I also enjoyed how the author brought together the various episodes involving the "temporal cold war" through flashbacks, giving the reader an overall understanding of what has come before, and how he presented the anger and grief the characters felt while believing that they had unintentionally caused so many deaths in a much more personal way (through their thoughts as well as actions) than the television show actors could. In conclusion, an enjoyable enough novelization, with just enough additional detail and "extra" material (not seen in the TV episodes) to keep readers interested.

"Carbon Creek" (ENT episode) - April 2152
See Also: 1957 - [October 1957-January 1958?) Story of T'Pol's great-grandmother crash landing on Earth
General Notes: Frame story takes place one year after T'Pol became an official member of the Enterprise crew, presumably meaning at the end of the first mission in April 2151 ("Broken Bow" (ENT)).
Chronological reading notes/summary (written on 04/15/03):
     At a dinner celebrating the anniversary of T’Pol’s arrival on the Enterprise, T’Pol tells Archer and Trip the story of her great-grandmother, T’Mir, and how she and three other Vulcans crash landed on Earth in late 1957, living for three months among humans long before Zefram Cochrane’s history-making first contact with the Vulcans in 2063 (Star Trek: First Contact (TNG)). An enjoyable enough episode but one with quite a few plot holes and not particularly original. T'Mir is much like her great-granddaughter, constantly reigning in Mestral's curiosity about the humans. The choice of time (1957) is an interesting one, leading to some humorous lines ("'I Love Lucy' is on tonight"). T'Mir's giving the invention of velcro to 1957 humanity (in order to procure money to pay for a boy's college tuition, is both far fetched and out of character (not to mention historically incorrect).