Breaking the Ice (Star Trek: Enterprise)
"Breaking the Ice" is the eighth episode (production #108) of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, and was written by Maria Jacquemetton and Andre Jacquemetton. Terry Windell served as director for the episode. The episode was nominated for the 2002 Emmy Award for visual effects.
| "Breaking the Ice" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: Enterprise episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Terry Windell |
| Written by | Maria Jacquemetton Andre Jacquemetton |
| Produced by | Dawn Valazquez |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Production code | 108 |
| Original air date | November 7, 2001 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
Enterprise encounters a comet; Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Mayweather stop to mine some Eisilium. To their surprise, the Vulcan ship Ti'Mur stops by to also investigate the comet– except they are actually there to observe the Enterprise. Meanwhile, when Commander Tucker unexpectedly becomes the only crewman to learn that Sub-Commander T'Pol has to make a decision between staying aboard Enterprise or return to Vulcan and her impending marriage, she asks his advice; this starts a steadily deepening personal bond between the pair over the remainder of the series.
Plot
Enterprise is investigating a comet, and Sub-Commander T'Pol learns that the comet contains eisilium, a rare mineral which Vulcan chemists have not previously studied in detail. An away team consisting of Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Mayweather is sent to collect samples. Meanwhile, a Vulcan starship, Ti'Mur, under Captain Vanik suddenly appears and, after Captain Archer suggests parties from each ship study the comet, Captain Vanik stated his members would just prefer to "observe." Captain Archer is not happy about Vulcans looking over his shoulders but, in the interest of cooperation, he agrees.
The Vulcans then send an encrypted message to T'Pol, which Commander Tucker intercepts, and Archer orders Ensign Sato to decrypt. Tucker is the only one to actually read it, and learns that it is not a message about Enterprise, but learns that it regards her arranged marriage – a personal item that no one else on Enterprise is aware of. Tucker apologizes to T'Pol for having read her message. She asks him to keep the contents of the letter confidential. Later, she confesses to Doctor Phlox that she has been having trouble sleeping, and he suggests that it might help if she confide in someone. She decides to consult Tucker, who does not share her views on Vulcan culture and customs, or even that she must leave – pointing out that her seeking advice shows that she is open to choice over tradition. Eventually, she decides to forego her Vulcan traditions and fulfill her duties aboard Enterprise.
Archer decides to "break the ice" between their races and invites Captain Vanik for dinner aboard Enterprise. It is not successful, however, as the Vulcan is unresponsive and dismissive regarding human behavior. Archer concludes the meal by accusing the Vulcan of spying on Enterprise and then asks him to leave. Afterwards, Archer notes that an explosion on the surface of the comet has altered the comet's rotational axis. When the sun rises, Mayweather and Reed begin to have difficulties as the ice begins to crack. They attempt to use the shuttlepod to leave, but it falls into a chasm. Archer eventually swallows his pride and negative feelings toward Vulcans by allowing Vanik to help rescue the shuttlepod.
