Dead Stop
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| "Dead Stop" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: Enterprise episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Roxann Dawson |
| Written by | Michael Sussman Phyllis Strong |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Production code | 204 |
| Original air date | October 9, 2002 |
| Guest appearance | |
| |
"Dead Stop" is the thirtieth episode (production #204) of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Enterprise, the fourth of the second season. It was directed by Star Trek: Voyager cast member Roxann Dawson.
After the Enterprise's debacle in the previous episode, "Minefield", the crew finds itself in need of assistance to effect repairs. They send a distress call, and the Tellarites send the coordinates of a station—a station capable of serving their every need at a cost which seems too good to be true.
Plot
Four days after the events of the previous episode, Minefield, Captain Archer and Commander Tucker inspect the damage to the ship with an inspection pod. Given the amount of damage (months of repairs), and the travel time to Jupiter Station (about a decade), Archer decides that it is time for someone to help them out for once, and orders Ensign Sato to send a general distress call. A passing Tellarite freighter soon responds, and sends a barely understandable message but it contains clear co-ordinates directing them to an automated repair facility, three days away at Warp 2.
Upon arriving at the facility, the ship is scanned and the station reconfigures itself to suit the crew's needs. Enterprise then docks, and the station sets the full repair price at 200 liters of warp plasma. By using its advanced replication technology, the station can complete all repairs in just 34.2 hours. Archer, left without any other option, agrees, although later he has a gut feeling that not everything is as it appears. On board, intrigued by the station's technology, Tucker convinces Reed to locate the station's computer, but their attempt to enter is detected, and they are beamed back to the bridge.
Meanwhile, a false comm message, ostensibly from Archer, directs Ensign Mayweather to an area currently being repaired. He is found dead soon after, an apparent victim of an electrical shock. When Doctor Phlox discovers that the dead Mayweather is a well-replicated duplicate, Archer resolves to search the station for him. Tucker then 'distracts' the computer, and Reed again trips the alarm, giving Sub-Commander T'Pol and Archer time to enter a computer room filled with bodies — among which are a Klingon, a Vulcan, and a Cardassian — apparently the station's method of augmenting its own processing power. Mayweather is rescued just as the station starts attacking Enterprise in retaliation. Archer then detonates the warp-plasma payment to blow up the station and escape. As the ship warps away the few active components of the station begin repairing the damage.
Production
The episode's director, actress-director Roxann Dawson, also provided the voice for the space repair station's main computer, but was not credited for this.[1]
The same type of station appears again in the novel "Rise of the Federation: Uncertain Logic" and it is revealed they belong to a race know as "The Ware".[2]
Reception
In 2017 this episode was noted as featuring scary or eerie Star Trek content.[3] In 2018, TheGamer ranked this one of the top 25 creepiest episodes of all Star Trek series.[4]
In 2020, Den of Geek ranked this episode as the 26th most scary episode of all Star Trek franchise television episodes.[5]
Awards
- Dead Stop was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category "Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series".[6][7]
- The episode won an award from the Visual Effects Society in the category "Best Models and Miniatures in a Televised Program, Music Video, or Commercial".[8]
References
- ^ "Dead Stop". Star Trek: Enterprise. Season 2. Episode 4. October 9, 2002. UPN.
- ^ Christopher L. Bennett (26 March 2015). Rise of the Federation: Uncertain Logic (Star Trek: Enterprise) Mass Market Paperback. ISBN 978-1476779119.
Captain Rethne leaned forward. "Danger? The Ware stations are eminently useful! Repairs, supplies, services, a haven for weary travelers, all these things they provide." "But at a steep price," Mayweather put in.
- ^ "18 eerie, disturbing and downright scary Star Trek episodes". H&I. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
- ^ "25 Creepy Star Trek Scenes That Set Phasers To Stun". TheGamer. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
- ^ Juliette Harrisson (2020-10-12). "The Scariest Star Trek Episodes". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Breaking News - 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Nominations (Creative Arts)". TheFutonCritic.com. 2003-07-17.
- ^ "Emmy Award Nominations for Visual Effects". fxguide. 17 July 2003.
- ^ "1st Annual VES Awards". Visual Effects Society.