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{{realworld}}
 
{{realworld}}
{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
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| aSelf = Singularity (episode)
 
| aSelf = Singularity (episode)
 
| sTitle = Singularity
 
| sTitle = Singularity
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==Summary==
 
==Summary==
 
===Teaser===
 
===Teaser===
:"''[[Science officer]]'s [[log]], [[August|August 14]], [[2152]]. [[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'']] remains on course for the [[Trinary star system|trinary system]]. I've transmitted a [[distress call]], but the nearest [[Vulcan]] ship is more than nine days away. By the time they arrive, they may only find debris... if that. Even if ''Enterprise'' makes it past the [[black hole]] without being destroyed... it seems likely the crew won't survive.''"
+
:"''[[Science officer]]'s [[log]], [[August|August 14]], [[2152]]. {{NX|Enterprise}} remains on course for the [[Trinary star system|trinary system]]. I've transmitted a [[distress call]], but the nearest [[Vulcan]] ship is more than nine days away. By the time they arrive, they may only find debris... if that. Even if ''Enterprise'' makes it past the [[black hole]] without being destroyed... it seems likely the crew won't survive.''"
   
 
===Act one===
 
===Act one===
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The ''Enterprise'' discovers a Class IV [[black hole]], which is unusual, because it is part of a trinary star system. It will take two days to reach the system at [[Impulse drive|impulse]] and [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]] decides to set a course. He also asks [[Charles Tucker III|Trip]] to fix his chair when he has some free time; it is uncomfortable because when Archer leans back, he feels like he is sort of sliding out of it.
 
The ''Enterprise'' discovers a Class IV [[black hole]], which is unusual, because it is part of a trinary star system. It will take two days to reach the system at [[Impulse drive|impulse]] and [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]] decides to set a course. He also asks [[Charles Tucker III|Trip]] to fix his chair when he has some free time; it is uncomfortable because when Archer leans back, he feels like he is sort of sliding out of it.
   
Back in his [[Captain's ready room|ready room]], [[T'Pol]] informs Archer that [[Lieutenant]] [[Malcolm Reed|Reed]] has a new security protocol that he wishes to discuss with him. She also informs him that the chef has fallen sick and that [[Ensign]] [[Hoshi Sato|Sato]] has offered to take charge of the [[mess hall]]. Archer informs T'Pol that he has received a manuscript from [[Earth]] &ndash; a biography of his [[Henry Archer|father]] &ndash; and that he has been asked to write the preface. He is concerned that he will not get it finished and wonders how he should sum up his father's life in one page.
+
Back in his [[Captain's ready room|ready room]], [[T'Pol]] informs Archer that [[Lieutenant]] [[Malcolm Reed|Reed]] has a new security protocol that he wishes to discuss with him. She also informs him that [[Chef (Enterprise NX-01)|Chef]] has fallen sick and that [[Ensign]] [[Hoshi Sato|Sato]] has offered to take charge of the [[mess hall]]. Archer informs T'Pol that he has received a manuscript from [[Earth]] &ndash; a biography of his [[Henry Archer|father]] &ndash; and that he has been asked to write the preface. He is concerned that he will not get it finished and wonders how he should sum up his father's life in one page.
   
 
In the mess hall, Hoshi gets ready to prepare one of her grandmother's specialties for the crew from scratch, no [[protein resequencer]].
 
In the mess hall, Hoshi gets ready to prepare one of her grandmother's specialties for the crew from scratch, no [[protein resequencer]].
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===Act three===
 
===Act three===
T'Pol, who is highly alarmed at the seriousness of the situation tries to talk to the Captain about the crew's erratic behavior. She suggests declaring a medical emergency and have Dr. Phlox examine the crew, beginning with the Captain, but Archer doesn't want to listen to it and throws her out his quarters.
+
T'Pol, who is highly alarmed at the seriousness of the situation tries to talk to the Captain about the crew's erratic behavior. She suggests declaring a medical emergency and have Dr. Phlox examine the crew, beginning with the Captain, but Archer doesn't want to listen to it and throws her out of his quarters.
   
 
As the ''Enterprise'' approaches the trinary system, crew members begin to fall unconscious one by one until T'Pol is the only one left awake.
 
As the ''Enterprise'' approaches the trinary system, crew members begin to fall unconscious one by one until T'Pol is the only one left awake.
   
 
[[File:BlackHoleNavigation.jpg|thumb|T'Pol plots a course away from the black hole]]
 
[[File:BlackHoleNavigation.jpg|thumb|T'Pol plots a course away from the black hole]]
:"''...The crew's biosigns were growing erratic. I began to doubt any of them would survive more then a few hours. Ironically, Dr. Phlox's obsession with [[Ensign]] [[Travis Mayweather|Mayweather]]'s headache has provided some useful data. His cerebral scans have helped me determine that the [[radiation]] coming from the trinary system is causing...//...my radiometric analysis is complete. As I suspected, reversing course won't take us out of danger quickly enough. The radiation appears to extend outward at least half a light year in every direction except one. If I can chart a course between the [[star]]s, we could escape the radiation before the crew succumbs. But I won't be able to pilot the ship alone.''"
+
:"''...The crew's bio-signs were growing erratic. I began to doubt any of them would survive more then a few hours. Ironically, Dr. Phlox's obsession with [[Ensign]] [[Travis Mayweather|Mayweather]]'s headache has provided some useful data. His cerebral scans have helped me determine that the [[radiation]] coming from the trinary system is causing...//...my radiometric analysis is complete. As I suspected, reversing course won't take us out of danger quickly enough. The radiation appears to extend outward at least half a light year in every direction except one. If I can chart a course between the [[star]]s, we could escape the radiation before the crew succumbs. But I won't be able to pilot the ship alone.''"
   
T'Pol rushes to the Captain's quarters and tries to revive him. She explains to him what is going on but he is semi-passed out so she drags him out and puts him in the shower. She explains to him what the black hole is doing to them and that they need to get out of there as quickly as possible. She explains that they have to pass within two million [[kilometer]]s of the black hole and that the course she chartered will get them out of the radiation in seventeen minutes. However, given the massive debris field, she needs Archer to pilot the ship while she determines the course corrections.
+
T'Pol rushes to the Captain's quarters and tries to revive him. She explains to him what is going on but he is semi-passed out so she drags him out and puts him in the shower. She explains to him what the black hole is doing to them and that they need to get out of there as quickly as possible. She explains that they have to pass within two million [[kilometer]]s of the black hole and that the course she charted will get them out of the radiation in seventeen minutes. However, given the massive debris field, she needs Archer to pilot the ship while she determines the course corrections.
   
 
[[File:EnterpriseNavigatesBlackHole.jpg|thumb|left|''Enterprise'' navigates the debris field]]
 
[[File:EnterpriseNavigatesBlackHole.jpg|thumb|left|''Enterprise'' navigates the debris field]]
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Archer tells Reed that his new tactical protocols were very useful during their crossing of the debris field and wants to make them standard procedure, only insisting that a better alarm sound be devised.
 
Archer tells Reed that his new tactical protocols were very useful during their crossing of the debris field and wants to make them standard procedure, only insisting that a better alarm sound be devised.
   
Finally, Archer examines the new chair Trip fixed for him and realizes that it feels much better and is in fact "totally different". Trip says he just lowered it by 1 centimeter.
+
Finally, Archer examines the new chair Trip fixed for him and realizes that it feels much better and is in fact "totally different". Trip says he just lowered it by 1 [[centimeter]].
   
 
==Memorable quotes==
 
==Memorable quotes==
  +
"''I thought Vulcans had all this mental focus and discipline.''"<br />
  +
"''We also have sensitive hearing.''"
  +
: - '''Tucker''' while using a loud tool on the bridge to fix Archer's chair, which is annoying '''T'Pol'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Keep those target discriminators aligned. We don't want a torpedo mistaking one of our own nacelles for an enemy vessel!''"
  +
: - '''Reed''' in the armory
  +
  +
  +
"''I appreciate your concern Malcolm but this isn't a warship.''"<br />
  +
"''Well, that's obvious, sir.''"
  +
: - '''Archer''', when '''Reed''' suggests developing a new tactical system for ''Enterprise''
  +
  +
  +
"''And Malcolm? Don't call it battle stations. Think of something less aggressive.''"
  +
: - '''Archer'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Just what the captain needs in a crisis; a place to rest his beverage!''"
  +
: - '''Reed''', when Tucker suggests putting a cupholder in the captain's chair
  +
  +
 
"''Hand me the Kreetassan spice, I'll add it to the stock. Oh &ndash; and I'm out of carrots.''"<br />
 
"''Hand me the Kreetassan spice, I'll add it to the stock. Oh &ndash; and I'm out of carrots.''"<br />
 
"''There are twenty-five--''"<br />
 
"''There are twenty-five--''"<br />
 
"'''''CARROTS!!'''''"<br />
 
"'''''CARROTS!!'''''"<br />
: - '''Hoshi Sato''''s response to the galley crewman that is trying to get her to speed up her cooking.
+
: - '''Hoshi Sato''''s response to '''Cunningham''' who is trying to get her to speed up her cooking
   
   
 
"''With all due respect Ensign, you've been cooking the same meal over and over again.''"<br />
 
"''With all due respect Ensign, you've been cooking the same meal over and over again.''"<br />
: - A '''crewman''' finds Hoshi Sato obsessing over her cooking in the galley
+
: - '''Cunningham''' finds Hoshi Sato obsessing over her cooking in the galley
   
   
 
"''Shut off that damn noise!''"
 
"''Shut off that damn noise!''"
: - '''Jonathan Archer''', referring to the alert claxon in a similar manner to that of [[Jean-Luc Picard]] in {{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}
+
: - '''Jonathan Archer''', referring to the alert klaxon in a similar manner to that of [[Jean-Luc Picard]] in {{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}
   
   
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"''It's the ''Captain's'' chair.''"
 
"''It's the ''Captain's'' chair.''"
 
: - '''Reed''' comments on '''Tucker'''{{'}}s obsession with fixing Archer's command chair
 
: - '''Reed''' comments on '''Tucker'''{{'}}s obsession with fixing Archer's command chair
  +
  +
  +
"''You're lucky you're a decent engineer because you obviously don't know anything about writing.'"<br />
  +
"''I'm not the only one!''"
  +
: - '''Archer''' and '''Tucker'''
   
   
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"''Did you know that THIS chair is the EXACT same model used on Neptune class survey ships?''"<br />
 
"''Did you know that THIS chair is the EXACT same model used on Neptune class survey ships?''"<br />
 
"''Is that why you called me down here?''"<br />
 
"''Is that why you called me down here?''"<br />
"''Enterprise is the first warp five vessel in human history. The pride of the fleet. And you're sitting in a chair they been using on warp two ships for over a decade. You deserve better. So, I'm starting from scratch. I'm gonna build you a throne. Stand right there. I need to get a few para-metric scans. To get your EXACT dimensions - this baby's gonna fit like a glove.''"<br />
+
"''Enterprise is the first warp five vessel in Human history. The pride of the fleet. And you're sitting in a chair they been using on warp two ships for over a decade. You deserve better. So, I'm starting from scratch. I'm gonna build you a throne. Stand right there. I need to get a few para-metric scans. To get your EXACT dimensions - this baby's gonna fit like a glove.''"<br />
 
"''Isn't that used for aligning phase coils??''" <br />
 
"''Isn't that used for aligning phase coils??''" <br />
 
"''You won't feel a thing.''"
 
"''You won't feel a thing.''"
Line 122: Line 149:
 
*This episode establishes [[black hole]]s as a common phenomenon in the ''Star Trek'' universe. A conversation between Archer and T'Pol purports that the [[Vulcan]]s have surveyed "more than 2,000" black holes. However, by the time of {{film|1}}, [[Willard Decker|Decker]] remarks that ''[[Voyager VI]]'', "disappeared into what they used to call a black hole," implying that the definition of what constitutes a black hole may have changed in the intervening years. In fact, the [[Hirogen]] used a small [[quantum singularity]] to power their [[Hirogen communications network|relay stations]], which was referred to by the crew of [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] as a black hole.
 
*This episode establishes [[black hole]]s as a common phenomenon in the ''Star Trek'' universe. A conversation between Archer and T'Pol purports that the [[Vulcan]]s have surveyed "more than 2,000" black holes. However, by the time of {{film|1}}, [[Willard Decker|Decker]] remarks that ''[[Voyager VI]]'', "disappeared into what they used to call a black hole," implying that the definition of what constitutes a black hole may have changed in the intervening years. In fact, the [[Hirogen]] used a small [[quantum singularity]] to power their [[Hirogen communications network|relay stations]], which was referred to by the crew of [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] as a black hole.
 
*This was the first episode to show the [[galley]].
 
*This was the first episode to show the [[galley]].
*Among the many things listed on the "Week's Dinner Menu" are [[peach cobbler]], [[Plomeek tea]], [[Angolian cole slaw]], [[lamb]] and [[beef]] in soy fondue, and [[French fries]].
+
*Among the many things listed on the "Week's Dinner Menu" are [[peach cobbler]], [[Plomeek tea]], [[Argelian cole slaw]], [[lamb]] and [[beef]] in soy fondue, and [[French fries]].
*A part of Malcolm's obsessive behavior in this episode centers around finding a "shipwide emergency alert". This culminated in the "Tactical Alert" to be used in future Enterprise episodes, and what would eventually develop into the more familiar "Red alert" (although this term is not mentioned in this episode, Trip suggests a "Reed alert" after Malcolm's family name).
+
*A part of Malcolm's obsessive behavior in this episode centers around finding a "shipwide emergency alert". This culminated in the "Tactical Alert" to be used in future Enterprise episodes, and what would eventually develop into the more familiar "[[Red alert]]" (although this term is not mentioned in this episode, Trip suggests a "Reed alert" after Malcolm's family name).
  +
*In Tucker's obsession with improving the [[captain's chair]], he says he plans to provide its armrests access to tactical data. Future captain's chairs would in fact have this feature.
  +
*At 14 minutes and 49 seconds into the episode, T'Pol is seen using a NEC Brand Monitor in her quarters. This opens up a wide range of speculation from the continued existence of the NEC Corporation, to the furnishing of Enterprise using consumer grade products.
   
 
==Links and references==
 
==Links and references==
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===Uncredited Co-Stars===
 
===Uncredited Co-Stars===
*[[Adam Anello]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Engineer/ Steward|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Adam Anello]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations engineer 007|operations division crewman]]
 
*[[Mark Correy]] as [[Alex]]
 
*[[Mark Correy]] as [[Alex]]
 
*[[Evan English]] as [[Ensign]] [[Tanner]]
 
*[[Evan English]] as [[Ensign]] [[Tanner]]
*[[Glen Hambly]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Operations division ensign|operations division ensign]]
+
*[[Glen Hambly]] as a [[EnterpriseNX operations ensign 004|operations division ensign]]
*[[Bryan Heiberg]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Engineer (2151-2152)|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Bryan Heiberg]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations engineer 003|operations division crewman]]
 
*[[Scott Hill]] as [[Ensign]] [[Hutchison]]
 
*[[Scott Hill]] as [[Ensign]] [[Hutchison]]
*[[Baron Jay]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Male operations division crewman (2152-2155)|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Baron Jay]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations crewman 016|operations division crewman]]
*[[Roy Joaquin]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Science division crewman (2152-2155)|science division crewman]]
+
*[[Roy Joaquin]] as a [[EnterpriseNX sciences crewman 008|science division crewman]]
*[[Kyla Kuhner]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Female crewmember (2152)|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Kyla Kuhner]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations crewman 010|operations division crewman]]
*[[Aouri Makhlouf]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Male medical officer|medical crewman]]
+
*[[Aouri Makhlouf]] as a [[EnterpriseNX sciences medical officer 003|medical crewman]]
*[[Marnie Martin]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Female operations division crewman (2152-2155)|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Marnie Martin]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations crewman 015|operations division crewman]]
*[[Bobby Pappas]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Engineer|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Bobby Pappas]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations engineer 001|operations division crewman]]
*[[Lidia Sabljic]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Female relief helmsman (2152-2155)|command division crewman]]
+
*[[Lidia Sabljic]] as a [[EnterpriseNX command helmsman 001|command division crewman]]
*[[Jan Shiva]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Female science division crewman (2152-2154)|science division crewman]]
+
*[[Jan Shiva]] as a [[EnterpriseNX sciences crewman 003|science division crewman]]
*[[Jessica Vash]] as a [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Female command division ensign (2152)|command division ensign]]
+
*[[Jessica Vash]] as a [[EnterpriseNX command ensign 002|command division ensign]]
*[[John Wan]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Male engineer|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[John Wan]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations engineer 014|operations division crewman]]
*[[Mark Watson]] as an [[Unnamed Enterprise (NX-01) personnel#Relief tactical officer (2151/52)|operations division crewman]]
+
*[[Mark Watson]] as an [[EnterpriseNX operations tac officer 001|operations division crewman]]
  +
* [[Unknown performer]] as [[EnterpriseNX command crewman 008|command division crewman]]
   
 
===References===
 
===References===
[[analgesic]]; [[Andronesian encephalitis]]; [[Henry Archer|Archer, Henry]]; [[automatic repair station]]; "[[battle stations]]"; [[biography]]; [[captain's chair]]; [[carrot]]s; [[cat]]; [[cerebral micro-section]]; [[Chef]]; [[clearance code]]; [[Zefram Cochrane|Cochrane, Zefram]]; [[coffee]]; [[cortical scan]]; [[court martial]]; [[Denobulan]]; [[dizziness]]; [[duty roster]]; [[Earth]]; [[EPS grid]]; [[first officer]]; [[flight school]]; [[flux paradox]]; [[galley]]; [[gravitational shear]]; [[headache]]; [[hyperspanner]]; [[iced tea]]; [[impulse manifold]]; [[inertial micro-damper]]s; [[kilometer]]; [[Kreetassan spice]] ([[Kreetassan]]); [[laser micrometer]]; [[logic]]; [[Mazarite]]; [[mess hall]]; [[Minaran spinach]] ([[Minaran]]); [[mortar and pestle]]; [[Narcissism]]; {{ShipClass|Neptune}}; [[neural implant]]; [[neurotransmitter]]; ''[[oden]]''; [[parametric scanner]]; [[peach cobbler]]; [[phase coil]]; [[plasma conduit]]; [[plomeek broth|''plomeek'' broth]]; [[protocystian spore]]; [[Reed alert]]; [[Risa]]; [[salt]]; [[serotonin]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[Suliban]]; [[tactical alert]]; [[tactical drill]]; [[target discriminator]]; [[Tasaki]]; [[Terrellian plague]]; [[trinary star system]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[Vulcan database]]; [[Vulcan neck pinch]]; [[Vulcan star charts]]; [[water polo]]
+
[[analgesic]]; [[Andronesian encephalitis]]; [[Henry Archer|Archer, Henry]]; [[automatic repair station]]; "[[battle stations]]"; [[beverage]]; [[bib]]; [[biography]]; [[breakfast]]; [[captain's chair]]; [[carrot]]s; [[cat]]; [[centimeter]]; [[cerebral micro-section]]; [[Chef (Enterprise NX-01)|Chef]]; [[clearance code]]; [[Zefram Cochrane|Cochrane, Zefram]]; [[coffee]]; [[color]]; [[command packet]]; [[cortical scan]]; [[court martial]]; [[cup holder]]; [[Denobulan]]; [[dizziness]]; [[duty roster]]; [[Earth]]; [[EPS grid]]; [[first officer]]; [[flight school]]; [[flux paradox]]; [[fraternization]]; [[galley]]; [[gravitational shear]]; [[headache]]; [[headrest]]; [[hyperspanner]]; [[iced tea]]; [[impulse manifold]]; [[inertial micro-damper]]s; [[kilometer]]; [[Kreetassan spice]] ([[Kreetassan]]); [[laser micrometer]]; [[logic]]; [[Mazarite]]; [[mess hall]]; [[millimeter]]; [[Minaran spinach]] ([[Minaran]]); [[mortar and pestle]]; [[Narcissism]]; [[navigation sensor]]; {{class|Neptune}}; [[neural implant]]; [[neurotransmitter]]; ''[[oden]]''; [[parametric scanner]]; [[peach cobbler]]; [[phase coil]]; [[plasma conduit]]; [[plomeek broth|''plomeek'' broth]]; [[prefrontal cortex]]; [[protocystian spore]]; [[recipe]]; [[Reed alert]]; [[riot]]; [[Risa]]; [[salt]]; [[sandwich]]; [[serotonin]]; [[sprain]]; [[Starfleet Command]]; [[Suliban]]; [[surgical brace]]; [[tactical alert]]; [[tactical drill]]; [[target discriminator]]; [[Tasaki]]; [[Terrellian plague]]; [[throne]]; [[trinary star system]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[Vulcan database]]; [[Vulcan neck pinch]]; [[Vulcan star charts]]; [[water polo]]
   
 
===Menu references===
 
===Menu references===
[[Argelian cole slaw]]; [[asparagus]]; [[beef]]; [[bread]]; [[brisket]]; [[cabbage]]; [[Carnegie style cheesecake]]; [[champagne]]; [[cheese]]; [[chocolate]]; [[crêpe]]; [[filet mignon]]; [[fondue]]; [[French fries]]; [[fried chicken]]; [[frilled curled onions]]; [[garlic bread]]; [[ginger (spice)|ginger]]; [[Grandma DeRosa]]; [[green apple]]s; [[green bean]]s; [[green olive caviar]]; [[green peas]]; [[grilled alpine surprise]]; [[grilled trout almondine]]; [[grilled vegetable panini]]; [[grilled Vietnamese pork]]; [[lamb]]; [[lasagna]]; [[Minaran spinach]]; [[mixed green salad]]; [[noodle kugel]]; [[peach cobbler]]; [[Plomeek tea|''Plomeek'' tea]]; [[raspberry sauce]]; [[red apple]]s; [[rice pilaf]]; [[roast duck]]; [[scalloped potatoes]]; [[soy]]; [[steamed rice]]; [[Strawberry|strawberries]]; [[twice-baked potato]];
+
[[Argelian cole slaw]]; [[asparagus]]; [[barbecue]]; [[beef]]; [[bread]]; [[brisket]]; [[cabbage]]; [[Carnegie style cheesecake]]; [[champagne]]; [[cheese]]; [[chocolate]]; [[crêpe]]; [[filet mignon]]; [[fondue]]; [[French fries]]; [[fried chicken]]; [[garlic bread]]; {{dis|ginger|spice}}; [[DeRosa]]; [[green apple]]s; [[green bean]]s; [[green olive caviar]]; [[green peas]]; [[grilled alpine surprise]]; [[grilled curled onions]]; [[grilled trout almondine]]; [[grilled vegetable panini]]; [[grilled Vietnamese pork]]; [[lamb]]; [[lasagna]]; [[Minaran spinach]]; [[mixed green salad]]; [[noodle kugel]]; [[peach cobbler]]; [[Plomeek tea|''Plomeek'' tea]]; [[raspberry sauce]]; [[red apple]]s; [[rice pilaf]]; [[roast duck]]; [[scalloped potatoes]]; [[soy fondue]]; [[steamed rice]]; [[Strawberry|strawberries]]; [[twice-baked potato]];
 
{{ENT nav|season=2|last={{e|The Communicator}}|next={{e|Vanishing Point}}}}
 
{{ENT nav|season=2|last={{e|The Communicator}}|next={{e|Vanishing Point}}}}
  +
   
   
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[[fr:Singularity (épisode)]]
 
[[fr:Singularity (épisode)]]
 
[[ja:ENT:三重星系の誘惑]]
 
[[ja:ENT:三重星系の誘惑]]
[[nl:Singularity (aflevering)]]
+
[[nl:Singularity]]
 
[[Category: ENT episodes]]
 
[[Category: ENT episodes]]

Revision as of 18:54, 8 February 2016

Template:Realworld

Upon approaching a black hole, the crew starts exhibiting strange behavior and uncharacteristically obsesses over trivial matters.

Summary

Teaser

"Science officer's log, August 14, 2152. Enterprise remains on course for the trinary system. I've transmitted a distress call, but the nearest Vulcan ship is more than nine days away. By the time they arrive, they may only find debris... if that. Even if Enterprise makes it past the black hole without being destroyed... it seems likely the crew won't survive."

Act one

Sato family Oden

Hoshi prepares oden

"...I'm continuing my analysis of the condition that's stricken the crew. But without Doctor Phlox's assistance, I'm not hopeful about reversing its effects. I'm documenting my findings so that Starfleet will at least have a record of what happened. The symptoms began not long after we set a course for the trinary system. That was nearly two days ago."

The Enterprise discovers a Class IV black hole, which is unusual, because it is part of a trinary star system. It will take two days to reach the system at impulse and Captain Archer decides to set a course. He also asks Trip to fix his chair when he has some free time; it is uncomfortable because when Archer leans back, he feels like he is sort of sliding out of it.

Back in his ready room, T'Pol informs Archer that Lieutenant Reed has a new security protocol that he wishes to discuss with him. She also informs him that Chef has fallen sick and that Ensign Sato has offered to take charge of the mess hall. Archer informs T'Pol that he has received a manuscript from Earth – a biography of his father – and that he has been asked to write the preface. He is concerned that he will not get it finished and wonders how he should sum up his father's life in one page.

In the mess hall, Hoshi gets ready to prepare one of her grandmother's specialties for the crew from scratch, no protein resequencer.

In sickbay Ensign Mayweather complains about a minor headache and Dr. Phlox insists on examining him before he dispenses any medication. While he is at it, he says, he might as well check up on him and see if he has any problems ever since the neural implants he received at the repair station were removed.

On the bridge, Commander Tucker works on the captain's chair, with a lot of noise, much to the dismay of T'Pol who is trying to do some work. Meanwhile, Lt. Reed recommends to Archer implementing a ship-wide emergency alert, something more comprehensive than battle stations. He believes that the crew is taking far too long to react to potential threats. Archer is slightly irritated, stating that this is not a warship, but that he will run this by the senior officers and will get back to him.

During meal time in the mess hall, Lt. Reed continues obsessing about the various ways he can name the new security protocol while an annoyed Trip is wondering if adding a cup holder to the captain's chair might be too much. They continue irritating each other, as each believes that his task is far more relevant than the others. Hoshi gets slightly upset as Lieutenant Reed finds her dish a bit salty, while Dr. Phlox decides to keep Ensign Mayweather overnight for observation for he is convinced that there is something wrong with Mayweather that he must find. Meanwhile, Captain Archer is struggling with the task of writing something about his father for the upcoming biography. He gets especially impatient with Porthos who keeps barking for cheese.

Act two

T'Pol, who seems to be immune to this, calls Trip to her quarters, informing him that the trinary system is emitting some unusual radiation which she is trying to identify. But Trip can't believe that she actually dragged him up there to identify radiation. He believes that she is just doing this to get back at him for having made so much noise earlier. He consequently refuses helping her, stating that he has no time to cater to her whims. When she asks him if he is feeling all right, he goes off on the importance of the captain's chair and its relevance to the well-being of the ship.

All throughout the ship, crewmembers continue experiencing obsessive behavior that keeps escalating. In sickbay, Dr. Phlox wants to perform a cerebral microsection on Mayweather who is worried about getting a reprimand on his permanent record if he does not get back on the bridge to finish those upgrades. He is even worried about being court-martialed. When he tries to leave, Phlox knocks him out with a hypospray and ties him to the biobed. Lt. Reed plays the various alert signals he has been working on for Trip who is diligently working on the captain's chair and is getting seriously irritated by Reed. Reed says that he needs Trip's assistance, but Trip sends him away because he has to work on the chair first. Hoshi, who has been cooking the same meal over and over again, is once again in the galley adding various spices to her dish and obsessing about the amount of salt in it.

As T'Pol enters the armory, Reed asks her for a clearance code, because supposedly the armory is a restricted area and such a code is required as part of the new security protocol. T'Pol tells Reed about needing assistance in establishing a sensor interface in her quarters and about Trip's strange behavior and asks him whether he noticed anything, but all Reed cares about is why T'Pol wanted to access the sensor array from her quarters in the first place. She notices that he is armed as well and finally realizes that there is something more going on here, when Reed threatens to go to Starfleet Command if Archer does not take his proposals seriously.

"...It wasn't long before I realized the odd behavior wasn't limited to Commander Tucker. In fact, everyone I encountered was acting strangely, growing consumed with matters that seemed trivial, at best. I also discovered that, although I appeared to be immune, the captain was not."

After taking apart the Captain's chair, Trip informs Archer that the Captain deserves better than sitting on chairs they have been using on warp 2 ships for over a decade. He decides to build him a "throne" and starts taking Archer's measurements. While being measured, Archer begins reading what he has been drafting about his father to Trip. It is nineteen pages and Trip has no interest in listening to it all.

Tensions and belligerence among crewmembers increase. While a hungry Archer pries the food away from Hoshi who is working on the perfect recipe, Reed decides to test one of his security alerts and run a drill on the crew's response time. He reprimands Archer for his slow response time while Trip rushes in, dragging away the Captain just to show him the extra features on his new chair. Reed is outraged that the tactical alert is being ignored for the chair, stating that this isn't a "bloody pleasure cruise." They become so agitated that Archer has to separate them.

Act three

T'Pol, who is highly alarmed at the seriousness of the situation tries to talk to the Captain about the crew's erratic behavior. She suggests declaring a medical emergency and have Dr. Phlox examine the crew, beginning with the Captain, but Archer doesn't want to listen to it and throws her out of his quarters.

As the Enterprise approaches the trinary system, crew members begin to fall unconscious one by one until T'Pol is the only one left awake.

File:BlackHoleNavigation.jpg

T'Pol plots a course away from the black hole

"...The crew's bio-signs were growing erratic. I began to doubt any of them would survive more then a few hours. Ironically, Dr. Phlox's obsession with Ensign Mayweather's headache has provided some useful data. His cerebral scans have helped me determine that the radiation coming from the trinary system is causing...//...my radiometric analysis is complete. As I suspected, reversing course won't take us out of danger quickly enough. The radiation appears to extend outward at least half a light year in every direction except one. If I can chart a course between the stars, we could escape the radiation before the crew succumbs. But I won't be able to pilot the ship alone."

T'Pol rushes to the Captain's quarters and tries to revive him. She explains to him what is going on but he is semi-passed out so she drags him out and puts him in the shower. She explains to him what the black hole is doing to them and that they need to get out of there as quickly as possible. She explains that they have to pass within two million kilometers of the black hole and that the course she charted will get them out of the radiation in seventeen minutes. However, given the massive debris field, she needs Archer to pilot the ship while she determines the course corrections.

File:EnterpriseNavigatesBlackHole.jpg

Enterprise navigates the debris field

They encounter large debris pieces that require phase cannons. To their surprise they realize that weapons are all online and ready, thanks to Mr. Reed's recent upgrades. Finally, a semi conscious Archer manages to pilot the ship out of the system. The crew regains consciousness as they clear the field and everyone is in relatively good health.

Archer tells Reed that his new tactical protocols were very useful during their crossing of the debris field and wants to make them standard procedure, only insisting that a better alarm sound be devised.

Finally, Archer examines the new chair Trip fixed for him and realizes that it feels much better and is in fact "totally different". Trip says he just lowered it by 1 centimeter.

Memorable quotes

"I thought Vulcans had all this mental focus and discipline."
"We also have sensitive hearing."

- Tucker while using a loud tool on the bridge to fix Archer's chair, which is annoying T'Pol


"Keep those target discriminators aligned. We don't want a torpedo mistaking one of our own nacelles for an enemy vessel!"

- Reed in the armory


"I appreciate your concern Malcolm but this isn't a warship."
"Well, that's obvious, sir."

- Archer, when Reed suggests developing a new tactical system for Enterprise


"And Malcolm? Don't call it battle stations. Think of something less aggressive."

- Archer


"Just what the captain needs in a crisis; a place to rest his beverage!"

- Reed, when Tucker suggests putting a cupholder in the captain's chair


"Hand me the Kreetassan spice, I'll add it to the stock. Oh – and I'm out of carrots."
"There are twenty-five--"
"CARROTS!!"

- Hoshi Sato's response to Cunningham who is trying to get her to speed up her cooking


"With all due respect Ensign, you've been cooking the same meal over and over again."

- Cunningham finds Hoshi Sato obsessing over her cooking in the galley


"Shut off that damn noise!"

- Jonathan Archer, referring to the alert klaxon in a similar manner to that of Jean-Luc Picard in TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"


"It's a chair!"
"It's the Captain's chair."

- Reed comments on Tucker's obsession with fixing Archer's command chair


"You're lucky you're a decent engineer because you obviously don't know anything about writing.'"
"I'm not the only one!"

- Archer and Tucker


"You ignored a tactical alert for THIS?"
"Give it a rest, will you!"
"This isn't a bloody pleasure cruise! Without proper discipline on this ship, this mission is doomed!"
"Why don't you go play soldiers somewhere else?!"
"If this were a military situation, you'd be taken out and shot!"

- Malcolm Reed and Trip Tucker fighting on the bridge while under the radiation's influence


"What happened to my chair???"
"Did you know that THIS chair is the EXACT same model used on Neptune class survey ships?"
"Is that why you called me down here?"
"Enterprise is the first warp five vessel in Human history. The pride of the fleet. And you're sitting in a chair they been using on warp two ships for over a decade. You deserve better. So, I'm starting from scratch. I'm gonna build you a throne. Stand right there. I need to get a few para-metric scans. To get your EXACT dimensions - this baby's gonna fit like a glove."
"Isn't that used for aligning phase coils??"
"You won't feel a thing."

- Jonathan Archer and Trip Tucker discussing the captain's chair while under the radiation's influence

Background information

  • This episode establishes black holes as a common phenomenon in the Star Trek universe. A conversation between Archer and T'Pol purports that the Vulcans have surveyed "more than 2,000" black holes. However, by the time of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Decker remarks that Voyager VI, "disappeared into what they used to call a black hole," implying that the definition of what constitutes a black hole may have changed in the intervening years. In fact, the Hirogen used a small quantum singularity to power their relay stations, which was referred to by the crew of USS Voyager as a black hole.
  • This was the first episode to show the galley.
  • Among the many things listed on the "Week's Dinner Menu" are peach cobbler, Plomeek tea, Argelian cole slaw, lamb and beef in soy fondue, and French fries.
  • A part of Malcolm's obsessive behavior in this episode centers around finding a "shipwide emergency alert". This culminated in the "Tactical Alert" to be used in future Enterprise episodes, and what would eventually develop into the more familiar "Red alert" (although this term is not mentioned in this episode, Trip suggests a "Reed alert" after Malcolm's family name).
  • In Tucker's obsession with improving the captain's chair, he says he plans to provide its armrests access to tactical data. Future captain's chairs would in fact have this feature.
  • At 14 minutes and 49 seconds into the episode, T'Pol is seen using a NEC Brand Monitor in her quarters. This opens up a wide range of speculation from the continued existence of the NEC Corporation, to the furnishing of Enterprise using consumer grade products.

Links and references

Starring

Co-Star

Uncredited Co-Stars

References

analgesic; Andronesian encephalitis; Archer, Henry; automatic repair station; "battle stations"; beverage; bib; biography; breakfast; captain's chair; carrots; cat; centimeter; cerebral micro-section; Chef; clearance code; Cochrane, Zefram; coffee; color; command packet; cortical scan; court martial; cup holder; Denobulan; dizziness; duty roster; Earth; EPS grid; first officer; flight school; flux paradox; fraternization; galley; gravitational shear; headache; headrest; hyperspanner; iced tea; impulse manifold; inertial micro-dampers; kilometer; Kreetassan spice (Kreetassan); laser micrometer; logic; Mazarite; mess hall; millimeter; Minaran spinach (Minaran); mortar and pestle; Narcissism; navigation sensor; Neptune-class; neural implant; neurotransmitter; oden; parametric scanner; peach cobbler; phase coil; plasma conduit; plomeek broth; prefrontal cortex; protocystian spore; recipe; Reed alert; riot; Risa; salt; sandwich; serotonin; sprain; Starfleet Command; Suliban; surgical brace; tactical alert; tactical drill; target discriminator; Tasaki; Terrellian plague; throne; trinary star system; Vulcan; Vulcan database; Vulcan neck pinch; Vulcan star charts; water polo

Menu references

Argelian cole slaw; asparagus; barbecue; beef; bread; brisket; cabbage; Carnegie style cheesecake; champagne; cheese; chocolate; crêpe; filet mignon; fondue; French fries; fried chicken; garlic bread; ginger; DeRosa; green apples; green beans; green olive caviar; green peas; grilled alpine surprise; grilled curled onions; grilled trout almondine; grilled vegetable panini; grilled Vietnamese pork; lamb; lasagna; Minaran spinach; mixed green salad; noodle kugel; peach cobbler; Plomeek tea; raspberry sauce; red apples; rice pilaf; roast duck; scalloped potatoes; soy fondue; steamed rice; strawberries; twice-baked potato;

Previous episode:
"The Communicator"
Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 2
Next episode:
"Vanishing Point"