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== Summary ==
  
== Summary ==
−
The {{NX|Enterprise}} detects a [[nebula]] of what they believe to be [[dark matter]]. But [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]]'s excitement at discovering the nebula is dampened when [[Admiral]] [[Maxwell Forrest|Forrest]] contacts him and informs him that an old comrade, [[A.G. Robinson]], had died in a mountaineering accident.
 +
{{NX|Enterprise}} detects a [[nebula]] of what they believe to be [[dark matter]]. Although it is not visible at the moment, [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]] recalls an experiment where [[Vulcan|Vulcans]] excited dark matter using metreon particles, and Archer decides to give it a try in a shuttlepod. Archer's excitement at discovering the nebula is dampened when [[Admiral]] [[Maxwell Forrest|Forrest]] contacts him and informs him that an old comrade, [[A.G. Robinson]], had died in a mountaineering accident.
   
−
After [[Charles Tucker III|Trip Tucker]] loads six [[spatial charge]]s onto a {{dis|shuttlepod|22nd century}} to excite the dark matter, Archer and [[T'Pol]] take the shuttlepod out to the nebula. After departure, T'Pol inquires about Robinson. Archer begins to tell her of when they had served in [[Starfleet]] together.
 +
After [[Charles Tucker III|Trip Tucker]] loads six [[spatial charge]]s onto a {{dis|shuttlepod|22nd century}} to excite the dark matter, the two briefly discuss Robinson and how he survived all the warp trials only to die in a random accident. Trip offers to come along, but Archer would rather go alone. Before he can go, [[T'Pol]] arrives and insists on accompanying him due to ship regulations prohibiting the captain from leaving the ship unaccompanied.
   
  +
As they had to the first set of coordinates to launch the charges, T'Pol asks Archer about Robinson having gotten the basic details from Trip. Although Archer initially claims that he doesn't want to talk about it, he finally begins to tell her about him and how they were in the NX test program along with a couple of others and that they both wanted to be be the pilot of the first flight to break Warp 2...
−
=== Past ===
  
  +
−
[[Commander]] Jonathan Archer meets with [[Commodore]] Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the [[NX-Alpha]]. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots at the [[602 Club]]. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book.
 +
[[Commander|''Commander'']]'' Jonathan Archer meets with [[Commodore]] Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the [[NX-Alpha]]. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots at the [[602 Club]]. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book and that Starfleet want someone with more than just piloting ability take command of the first starship.''
  +
  +
T'Pol is confused, as she had thought Archer and Robinson were friends but it sounds like they were opposed to each other. Archer admits they were more rivals than anything at this point, but they both enjoyed the competition. T'Pol points out that Robinson was right, in that it takes more than piloting abilities to be a Captain. Archer agrees, and T'Pol notes that he has developed the necessary skills. Archer is bemused that T'Pol just gave him what came close to a compliment, but tells her than the test flight didn't go to plan.
   
 
[[File:Flight director station, NX Control.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Archer]] supervising the flight of the [[NX-Alpha]] in [[2143]]]]
  
[[File:Flight director station, NX Control.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Archer]] supervising the flight of the [[NX-Alpha]] in [[2143]]]]
−
Two weeks later, however, Robinson easily breaks the [[warp 2 barrier]]. But when he ignores orders to drop to [[impulse drive|impulse]], he accelerates and the ship explodes shortly after reaching warp 2.2. Robinson, fortunately, survived by jettisoning an [[escape pod]] while at warp.
 +
''Two weeks later, however, Robinson easily breaks the [[warp 2 barrier]]. But when he ignores orders to drop to [[impulse drive|impulse]], he accelerates and the ship explodes shortly after reaching warp 2.2. Robinson, fortunately, survived by jettisoning an [[escape pod]] while at warp.''
  +
  +
At this point, Archer and T'Pol launch two of the charges but fail to get a reaction. They decide to move deeper into the nebula, and T'Pol asks what happened next. Archery notes that Robinson did indeed enter the history books as the first human to deploy an escape pod at warp. However no-one was very happy.
  +
  ⚫
''The [[Vulcan|Vulcans]] immediately claim that this proves that [[Human]]s are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Lieutenant Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.''
  +
  +
''Later in the 602 Club, Archer and Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. However Forrest arrives with bad news... on the advice of the Vulcan Advisory Council, Starfleet Command has decided to put the NX Program on indefinite hold and wish to begin designing a new engine from scratch, a process that will likely take years if not decades.''
  +
  +
''Later, after Forrest has left, Robinson arrives after his debriefing. Archer and Tucker ask him what he told Starfleet and the Vulcans and he tells them he told the truth. This just adds to Archer's anger, as if Robinson had claimed pilot error they could have had a chance to save the NX-program. Robinson tells him that he had no intention of taking the blame and wants Jonathan to admit that [[Henry Archer|his father]]'s warp engine design is not sound. Archer is incensed and the two get into a fight which is shortly broken up.''
   
  +
The shuttlepod's systems are affected by the dark matter. T'Pol in unsure if they should proceed, but Archer tells her that taking risks is part of their job, something Robinson taught him. He admits that the fight turned out to be the beginning of his friendship with AG, who may have been responsible for nearly derailing the program but was also partly responsible for getting it back on track.
⚫
The [[Vulcan]]s immediately claim that this proves that [[Human]]s are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.
  
   
  +
''Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. The two apologize for their earlier words, with Archer admitting that he had problems being objective about the engine but knows that if they prove the findings they can stop the program being scrapped. Robinson points out that the Vulcans will need a lot more than just findings, and reminds Archer they still have the [[NX-Beta]]. Archer knows they'll never get clearance, but Robinson never said anything about getting clearance and reminds him that a good captain will need to take risks. Archer is reluctant, but agrees.''
−
Later in the 602 Club, Archer and his new friend Trip Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. Further adding to Archer's anger is that Robinson admits that he faced the Vulcans and blamed the destruction of the ''NX-Alpha'' on [[Henry Archer]]'s warp engine design. Archer and Robinson get into a fight which is shortly broken up.
  
   
  +
Archer and T'Pol fire the second round of charges which again fail, leaving them with only one more attempt to excite the dark matter. T'Pol notes there is no record of Starfleet pilots stealing the NX-Beta. Archer thinks T'Pol doesn't believe him, and she responds that the part of the story she has trouble believing is that he had to be convinced to take the risk. Archer tells her he was quite different back then, a very by-the-book officer. T'Pol wants to hear what happened, and Archer agrees on the condition she doesn't enter it into the Vulcan database.
−
Later, Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. Robinson suggest that they test the theory by stealing the [[NX-Beta]]. Archer reluctantly agrees.
  
   
−
With the assistance of Tucker on the ground, Archer and Robinson launch the NX-Beta and enter warp. As Starfleet Security realizes that the ship has been stolen, the NX-Beta encounters similar problems that destroyed the NX-Alpha. However, just as security moves in on Tucker, Archer proudly announces that they are maintaining a steady warp 2.5, thus proving the engine design works.
 +
''With the assistance of Tucker on the ground, Archer and Robinson launch the NX-Beta and enter warp. As Starfleet Security realizes that the ship has been stolen, the NX-Beta encounters similar problems that destroyed the NX-Alpha. However, just as security moves in on Tucker, Archer proudly announces that they are maintaining a steady warp 2.5, thus proving the engine design works.''
   
−
=== Present ===
  
 
Archer tells T'Pol that the Vulcans grounded the warp ships until every possible simulation could be run. After a year, however, they admitted that the engine was sound after all.
  
Archer tells T'Pol that the Vulcans grounded the warp ships until every possible simulation could be run. After a year, however, they admitted that the engine was sound after all.
   

Revision as of 22:53, 9 March 2015

Template:Realworld

When he is told of the death of an old rival, Archer reflects on his days in the NX test program.

Summary

Enterprise detects a nebula of what they believe to be dark matter. Although it is not visible at the moment, Captain Archer recalls an experiment where Vulcans excited dark matter using metreon particles, and Archer decides to give it a try in a shuttlepod. Archer's excitement at discovering the nebula is dampened when Admiral Forrest contacts him and informs him that an old comrade, A.G. Robinson, had died in a mountaineering accident.

After Trip Tucker loads six spatial charges onto a shuttlepod to excite the dark matter, the two briefly discuss Robinson and how he survived all the warp trials only to die in a random accident. Trip offers to come along, but Archer would rather go alone. Before he can go, T'Pol arrives and insists on accompanying him due to ship regulations prohibiting the captain from leaving the ship unaccompanied.

As they had to the first set of coordinates to launch the charges, T'Pol asks Archer about Robinson having gotten the basic details from Trip. Although Archer initially claims that he doesn't want to talk about it, he finally begins to tell her about him and how they were in the NX test program along with a couple of others and that they both wanted to be be the pilot of the first flight to break Warp 2...

Commander Jonathan Archer meets with Commodore Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the NX-Alpha. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots at the 602 Club. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book and that Starfleet want someone with more than just piloting ability take command of the first starship.

T'Pol is confused, as she had thought Archer and Robinson were friends but it sounds like they were opposed to each other. Archer admits they were more rivals than anything at this point, but they both enjoyed the competition. T'Pol points out that Robinson was right, in that it takes more than piloting abilities to be a Captain. Archer agrees, and T'Pol notes that he has developed the necessary skills. Archer is bemused that T'Pol just gave him what came close to a compliment, but tells her than the test flight didn't go to plan.

Flight director station, NX Control

Jonathan Archer supervising the flight of the NX-Alpha in 2143

Two weeks later, however, Robinson easily breaks the warp 2 barrier. But when he ignores orders to drop to impulse, he accelerates and the ship explodes shortly after reaching warp 2.2. Robinson, fortunately, survived by jettisoning an escape pod while at warp.

At this point, Archer and T'Pol launch two of the charges but fail to get a reaction. They decide to move deeper into the nebula, and T'Pol asks what happened next. Archery notes that Robinson did indeed enter the history books as the first human to deploy an escape pod at warp. However no-one was very happy.

The Vulcans immediately claim that this proves that Humans are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Lieutenant Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.

Later in the 602 Club, Archer and Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. However Forrest arrives with bad news... on the advice of the Vulcan Advisory Council, Starfleet Command has decided to put the NX Program on indefinite hold and wish to begin designing a new engine from scratch, a process that will likely take years if not decades.

Later, after Forrest has left, Robinson arrives after his debriefing. Archer and Tucker ask him what he told Starfleet and the Vulcans and he tells them he told the truth. This just adds to Archer's anger, as if Robinson had claimed pilot error they could have had a chance to save the NX-program. Robinson tells him that he had no intention of taking the blame and wants Jonathan to admit that his father's warp engine design is not sound. Archer is incensed and the two get into a fight which is shortly broken up.

The shuttlepod's systems are affected by the dark matter. T'Pol in unsure if they should proceed, but Archer tells her that taking risks is part of their job, something Robinson taught him. He admits that the fight turned out to be the beginning of his friendship with AG, who may have been responsible for nearly derailing the program but was also partly responsible for getting it back on track.

Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. The two apologize for their earlier words, with Archer admitting that he had problems being objective about the engine but knows that if they prove the findings they can stop the program being scrapped. Robinson points out that the Vulcans will need a lot more than just findings, and reminds Archer they still have the NX-Beta. Archer knows they'll never get clearance, but Robinson never said anything about getting clearance and reminds him that a good captain will need to take risks. Archer is reluctant, but agrees.

Archer and T'Pol fire the second round of charges which again fail, leaving them with only one more attempt to excite the dark matter. T'Pol notes there is no record of Starfleet pilots stealing the NX-Beta. Archer thinks T'Pol doesn't believe him, and she responds that the part of the story she has trouble believing is that he had to be convinced to take the risk. Archer tells her he was quite different back then, a very by-the-book officer. T'Pol wants to hear what happened, and Archer agrees on the condition she doesn't enter it into the Vulcan database.

With the assistance of Tucker on the ground, Archer and Robinson launch the NX-Beta and enter warp. As Starfleet Security realizes that the ship has been stolen, the NX-Beta encounters similar problems that destroyed the NX-Alpha. However, just as security moves in on Tucker, Archer proudly announces that they are maintaining a steady warp 2.5, thus proving the engine design works.

Archer tells T'Pol that the Vulcans grounded the warp ships until every possible simulation could be run. After a year, however, they admitted that the engine was sound after all.

They launch the final two charges, the previous four having failed, and are rewarded with a nebula appearing before their eyes.

Back on Enterprise, T'Pol makes the suggestion to Archer that the dark matter cloud be named the Robinson Nebula, after A.G. Robinson.

This episode or film summary is incompleteThis episode summary has been identified as lacking essential detail, and as such needs attention. Feel free to edit this page to assist with this expansion.
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Memorable quotes

"All the close calls he had flying warp trials and he gets himself killed climbing Mount McKinley."

- Archer on A.G. Robinson's death

"There were just a few of us; Gardner, Duvall, A.G. and me. We all wanted the first flight."

- Archer reminiscing to T'Pol about the NX test program

"You remember what Buzz Aldrin said when he stepped onto the moon?"
"No."
"Nobody does. Because Armstrong went first."

- Archer and Ruby

"Congratulations."
"You mean that?"
"Of course not. I'm waiting for Forrest to realize what a horrible mistake he made."

- Archer and Robinson

"When the first warp five starship is built, its captain won't be able to call home every time he needs to make a decision. He won't be able to turn to the Vulcans. Unless he decides to take one with him."

- A.G. Robinson, to Archer

"Don't worry, you'll get out there some day. If I had my own ship, I'd sign you up in a second."
"I'm going to hold you to that!"

- Archer and Tucker

"We didn't build this engine to make test runs around Jupiter. We built it to explore! If my father were alive today, he'd be standing here asking: 'What the hell are we waiting for?' "

- Archer, to Commodore Forrest

Background information

Shooting First Flight

A.G. Robinson actor Keith Carradine laughing with Director LeVar Burton, during the creation of this episode

First Flight sailors

LeVar Burton with actors Scott Bakula and Connor Trinneer as well as a trio of sailors from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

First Flight fight talk

Keith Carradine discussing, with Director of Photography Marvin V. Rush, a fight scene from this episode

DVD releases

Links and references

Main cast

Guest stars

Special guest star

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

References

602 Club; Aldrin, Buzz; Alice Springs; Ariane; Archer, Henry; Armstrong, Neil; auxiliary power; beer; bourbon; Bread Salad; Burger and Fries; Caroline; Chester; court martial; Cyrus; dark-matter nebula; Duvall; EPS grid; escape pod; Fontana: Gardner; Holmes, Sherlock; International Space Station; Italy; Jefferies; Jupiter; Jupiter, moons of; kilometer; logic; Luna; Mount McKinley; midnight oil; mushrooms; New Berlin; NX Control; NX Program; NX-Alpha; NX-Beta; NX-Delta; NX-class; pretzel; O'Herlihy; Potato Gratin; quantum field; rib; Robinson Nebula; Rosalie; Rosti a la 602; Sandwich de Jour; San Francisco; Starfleet Mission Control; Starfleet Museum; Steamed Veggies; Tucker, Charles I; Tucker, Charles II; Tycho Base; Vulcan; Vulcan Advisory Council; Vulcan database; Vulcan Science Directorate; warp 2 barrier; warp barrier; warp drive

Background references

Akers, Thomas; Anders, William; Anderson, Michael Phillip; Antarctica; Apollo; Apollo missions; Apollo program; Apollo spacecraft; Bean, Alan; Ariane 1; astronaut pin; Baker, Michael A.; Barry, Daniel T.; Belgium; Bluford, Guion; Borman, Frank; Brandenstein, David; Brown, David McDowell; Buchli, James; Canada; Canadian Space Agency; Casper, John; Cernan, Eugene; Chaffee, Roger B.; Chawla, Kalpana; Chilton, Kevin P.; Clark, Laurel; Clipper ship; Coats, Michael; Conrad, Pete; Covey, Richard; Creighton, John Oliver; Cunningham, Walter; Denmark; Duke, Charles; eagle; Earth; Eisele, Donn F.; Endeavour (OV-105); Endeavour, HMS; Enterprise, USS (XCV-330); Evans, Ronald; European Space Agency; France; Galaxy; Germany; Gidzenko, Yuri; Gordon, Richard F., Jr.; Great Britain; Grissom, Gus; Hammond, L. Blaine; Harbaugh, Gregory J.; Hauck, Frederick; Helms, Susan J.; Hieb, Richard; Hilmers, David C.; Husband, Richard Douglas; International Space Station; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Irwin, James; Jernigan, Tamara E.; Kerwin, Joseph P.; Krikalev, Sergei; Latin language; Lounge, John M.; Lovell, Jim; Luna; MacLean, Steven; Maple; Mattingly, Ken; McCool, William Cameron; McDivitt, James; McMonagle, Donald R.; Melnick, Bruce E.; Microgravity; Mission Control Center; Mitchell, Edgar; Mullane, Mike; Nelson, George; Netherlands; North America; Ochoa, Ellen; Old Britain; Olive Branch; Onizuka, Ellison; Payette, Julie; Payton, Gary; Phoenix; Ramon, Ilan; Rominger, Kent; Roosa, Stuart; Runco, Mario, Jr.; Russia; Russian Space Agency; Saturn; Saturn V; Schirra, Wally; Schmitt, Harrison; Schweickart, Rusty; Scott, David; Shepard, Alan; Shepherd, William; Shriver, Loren; Skylab; South America; Soyuz; Space shuttle; Space shuttle missions; Spain; Stafford, Thomas P.; Sweden; Switzerland; Thornton, Kathryn C.; Thuot, Pierre J.; Tokarev, Valeri; United States of America; Veach, Charles L.; Weitz, Paul, J.; Wetherbee, Jim; White, Edward Higgins; Worden, Alfred; Young, John

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