The Communicator (episode)

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

This article is about the Star Trek: Enterprise episode; for the hand-held communication devices, see Communicator.

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"The Communicator"
ENT, Episode 2x08 Production number: 034 First aired: 13 November 2002
←	33rd of 97 produced in ENT	→
←	33rd of 97 released in ENT	→
	{{{nNthReleasedInSeries_Remastered}}}th of 97 released in ENT Remastered
←	661st of 726 released in all	→

Teleplay By André Bormanis Story By Rick Berman and Brannon Braga Directed By James Contner
Unknown (2152)
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During an investigation of a pre-warp alien planet, Reed accidentally leaves his communicator behind. When he returns with Archer to get the piece of technology, they are captured by soldiers who accuse them of being enemy spies.

1 Summary
2 Memorable Quotes
3 Background Information
4 Links and References

[edit] Summary

Jonathan Archer, Malcolm Reed and Hoshi Sato are back from an away mission in a pre-warp civilization. Unfortunately, Malcolm lost his communicator on the mission and they must go back to prevent any cultural contamination.

When Archer and Reed go back, the communicator has already been found and they fall into a trap set by the local military. This time, a lot of technology is found on them, including a phase pistol and scanners. While interrogating them, a General named Gosis also finds that Archer and Reed are not of the same species as they are.

On Enterprise, a plan is made to rescue the Captain and Reed. Trip suggests using a Suliban cell ship to rescue them, but says that he will need a little time to get the cloaking device working. He has a little accident in the process, and his forearm becomes "long-term" cloaked.

On the planet, Archer and Reed manage to explain their situation without going out of the local social context; they are spies, genetically enhanced prototypes and equipped with prototype devices as well. Following that, a doctor suggests killing them to study their enhanced organs.

Back in their cell, Archer and Malcolm discuss the implications of their actions, concluding that it is better never to tell the truth to the aliens (at the expense of their lives) and that T'Pol will certainly be able to retrieve the technology and their bodies when they are dead.

When she learns of the execution plan, T'Pol decides to rush things a little and Trip has to finish his work on the cloak on their way to the planet, confusing three local aircraft they encounter in the process. They finally rescue Archer and Reed and get all their technology back.

Back on the Enterprise, Archer and T'Pol have a conversation about the recent events in which they both conclude that they contaminated the civilization no matter what they tried, making the faction they had contact with believe that their enemies were far more advanced than they were. T'Pol also informs the captain she would not have expected them to sacrifice their lives to protect the inhabitants of the planet, suggesting that she is impressed by Archer's selflessness.

[edit] Memorable Quotes

"You won't be seeing your friends in The Alliance for a long time"

- Pell

"Dr. Temec has a theory about where you come from. I found it hard to believe until I saw this; it was taken by one of our reconaissance pilots early this morning. He said the craft was traveling at very high speed."
"None of the other planets in our system is capable of supporting life. Where do you come from?"
"Our scientists tell me it's unlikely a craft of this size could have traveled from another star system. They suspect a larger craft must be nearby, perhaps even orbiting our planet. TELL ME YOUR ORDERS! Have you made contact with The Alliance?"

- General Gosis and Dr. Temec, interrogating Reed and Archer

[edit] Background Information

The plot is an apparent reference to TOS: "A Piece of the Action", in which McCoy accidentally leaves his communicator on Sigma Iotia II.
The weapons the alien soldiers use is clearly a H&K MP-5 SMG modified with a drum magazine, fixed stock, and either a sound suppressor or extension to the barrel.
The civilian costume worn by Linda Park as Hoshi Sato was auctioned off in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction (item #2902).
The civilian costume worn by Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer was sold by MiamiSciFi.com