Fallen Hero (Enterprise)

ST episode
name = Fallen Hero


series =Enterprise
ep_num =022
prod_num =023
date =2002-05-08
writer =Rick Berman
Brannon Braga
Chris Black
Teleplay by:
Alan Cross
director =Patrick Norris
producer =Dawn Valazquez
guest =
stardate =NA
year =2151-02-09
prev =Vox Sola
next =Desert Crossing

Fallen Hero is the 22^rd aired episode (production #023) of the television series .

Official Synopsis

Archer is ordered to transport Vulcan Ambassador from a planet where her integrity has been called into question.

Plot Summary

After ten months without a break, T'Pol notes efficiency onboard "Enterprise" is down three percent, and suggests a shore leave on the nearby tropical resort planet of . Archer and Trip agree wholeheartedly; however, en route Archer receives a transmission from Admiral Forrest, informing him of a Vulcan Ambassador V'Lar in need of immediate extradition from the nearby planet of Mazar. With the closest Vulcan starship over a week away Enterprise is ordered to retrieve the Ambassador and deliver her to the Vulcan cruiser "Sh'Raan".

Arriving at Mazar, Archer is informed by the Mazarite High Council, that there is no need to send a shuttlepod to retrieve the Ambassador, as she is already on her way up. Curious at the urgency of the Mazarites to be rid of V'Lar, Archer and T'Pol are surprised to hear the Ambassidor has been expelled for abuse of her position and criminal misconduct. Greeting V'Lar, Archer and T'Pol are taken aback at how cordial the Vulcan dignitary is. Over dinner, V'Lar states she has no intetion of defending herself against the criminal charges. T'Pol later tells Archer that she first met V'Lar years earlier, and the Ambassador has had a profound influence on her life; she is disappointed at her hero's sudden fall from grace. Archer is called to the bridge to address an unidentified approaching vessel. Answering the ship's hail, Archer speaks to a Mazarite captain who requests that V'Lar be returned to Mazar for further questioning.

Sensing something awry, Archer stalls for time to contact Starfleet Command, but the Mazarite ship opens fire. The "Enterprise" spatial torpedoes have no effect, but the "Enterprise" pulse cannons disable the Mazarite ship's engines, allowing "Enterprise" to escape. Confronting V'Lar, Archer finds the Ambassador unwilling to reveal more, stating that it is a matter for Vulcan High Command only. Archer orders Mayweather to set a course to return to Mazar. En route, Archer again speaks to Admiral Forrest, who supports Archer's decision, but warns there may be diplomatic repercussions . Later, after speaking with V'Lar in private, T'Pol persuades Archer to change his decision and to continue the rendezvous with the "Sh'Raan", despite the danger to "Enterprise". Trusting T'Pol, Archer agrees, but Enterprise immediately comes under attack from three Mazarite ships. Outnumbered, Archer opts for flight and pushes Enterprise to her limits. However, even at Warp 4.5 the Mazarite ships are still steadily gaining.

V'Lar suddenly asks to speak with Archer in private and confesses that her mission was to gather evidence against corrupt officials, and then testify against them to overthrow the existing government in favor of one favorable to Vulcan. Her reputation was intentionally sullied with false allegations to make the Mazarites believe she would no longer be a credible witness, thus leaving her alone long enough to testify. Seeing that "Enterprise" cannot outrun the Mazarite ships, V'Lar offers to surrender herself for the safety of the crew. Archer refuses to give up the fight, and orders a reluctant Trip to push the engines to Warp five. "Enterprise" trembles from the strain, but the Mazarite vessels continue to gain.

Reluctantly realizing he has no choice but to drop out of warp or explode from the strain, Archer sends V'Lar to sickbay. Stalling for time, Archer informs the Mazarites that V'Lar suffered injuries and is in critical condition. Allowing the Mazarites to board "Enterprise" and see for themselves, Dr. Phlox gives an impassioned performance, but the Mazarites fire their weapons into the stasis chamber holding V'Lar. The "Sh'Raan" arrives and threatens to destroy the Mazarite ships unless they surrender immediately, which they do. At this point, V'Lar reappears and Archer's ruse is exposed. A grateful V'Lar is seen off by Archer and T'Pol who tells them that she senses a bond of trust and friendship between the pair which bodes well for future human-Vulcan relations.

External links

* [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/ENT/episode/124383.html Startrek.com official home page]