The eighth aired episode of the season,"Civilization" was a big moment for the Enterprise crew. While they had landed on other planets before and met other starfaring alien species, this was their first encounter with a technologically-backward species. Of course, since this is Star Trek, the aliens are humanoids. And their technology is around 15th-century Earth. To save time, I'm going to copy the Wikipedia entry on this episode's plot.
Enterprise locates a planet inhabited by pre-industrial humanoids called Akaali. Scanners also detect technology which does not correspond with the planet's technological level. Against Sub-Commander T'Pol's recommendation, Captain Archer decides to visit. Going in disguise, T'Pol suggests a distant rural landing site. Once in the Akaali city, Ensign Sato notices inhabitants that appear sick. Scans lead them to an old curio shop, but they encounter a force-field blocking the way. They are then confronted by a local apothecary, Riann. T'Pol stuns her, and when she awakens, Archer convinces her that he is an investigator from another city.
Archer and Tucker revisit the shop during the day posing as antique collectors. They confront Garos, asking him why his DNA is not Akaali. After confirming Tucker and Archer are not natives either, he freely admits his origins: he is part of a survey mission from Malur, and the power source is merely a fabrication unit to provide food and clothes. Archer tells him about the illness, but he claims it is an incurable indigenous virus. Doctor Phlox discovers that the water near the shop has been contaminated with a highly toxic chemical, tetracyanate 622.
Archer and Riann observe the shop at night to try to see what is being delivered to Garos. They follow a man leaving the shop with a delivery. He leaves the crates in a forest clearing, and Archer is then attacked by a Malurian. Under the shop, Archer and Riann then discover that Garos is mining a veridium isotope, and the poisoned water is a by-product. Archer orders the reactor beamed up by Enterprise but the Malurians now have a warship in orbit. T'Pol beams the power plant into the alien ship's path, using torpedoes to detonate it and crippling their shields. On the planet, Archer provides Riann with the antidote, and assures her that the Vulcans will monitor the planet to ensure the Malurians do not return.
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So, what was good about this episode? Well, as I said, this is their first pre-warp civilization encounter. And the important thing for long-term Trekkers to remember is this: There is no Prime Directive. So, anything can happen; the crew aren't constrained by the rules of the non-existent Federation, although the Vulcans do have a non-interference policy of their own. But Archer isn't bound to it, and of course the crew are eager to explore this world. I mean, who wouldn't be? And the action climax of the episode is a phaser shootout in the middle of the town street in front of all those natives. No way would Kirk or Picard have ever done that, but Archer does what he has to do.
In addition to the unusual amount of freedom available to the crew, this episode also highlights how 'primitive' the Enterprise's technology is compared to the other series. For example, Archer's universal translator breaks down momentarily while he is talking with Riann. As he realizes it, he covers his inability to understand a word she's saying by laying the smack down on her lips (how convenient that the Akaali are so nearly indistinguishable from humans) while fumbling with the translator to get it to work again. It's a cute scene, but it makes an important point, as well. The Enterprise really is blazing the trails that Kirk, Picard and others would follow. And they are flying around in a ship that is to Kirk's Enterprise as a Mercury capsule is to the space shuttle. It's state of the art for 2151, but man, it's a fragile little tin can.
But it's things like this that also make this my favorite Star Trek series. I absolutely love the 'first to the stars' premise. I love that we're going to slowly see the development of what would become the Federation. And I love that we're seeing everything in such a raw state. Sure, compared to the Akaali, the Enterprise crew are practically gods, being able to teleport to space, shoot lasers, and talk to people thousands of miles away. And yet, we know that they still have a long, long way to go. And the journey to what would become the Federation is going to be fun.
Sure, I know, it doesn't work out that way; the series got cancelled after season 4 just when it was getting really good. But the kernels are there, and I'm going to savor them.
So, how to rate the episode? I'll give it a 7 out of 10; it's not the best, but it's entertaining and has some good historical development for the future Federation. And Archer gets to make out with another cute alien girl (he's ahead of Tucker, 2 to 1 now). And really, isn't that what Star Trek is all about?
For my own take on space travel in the far future, check out my first sci-fi book, Bard Conley's Adventures Across the Solar System, available on Amazon.
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