Fusion

The Enterprise encounters a Vulcan vessel manned by a curiously cordial crew. Over dinner with the crew, T’Pol identifies them as Vulcans without logic, something which the Vulcans refute, claiming instead that they have reached a balance between emotion and logic. T’Pol is skeptical, and reluctantly agrees to try a few experiments in emotional awareness with the persistent Tolaris. But while Archer, Trip and the rest of the crew find themselves becoming fast friends with the emotion-embracing Vulcan visitors, T’Pol discovers that Tolaris is intimately, and dangerously, acquainted with some of his baser emotions.

teleplay by Phyllis Strong & Mike Sussman
story by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
directed by Rob Hedden
music by David Bell

Cast: Scott Bakula (Captain Jonathan Archer), Jolene Blalock (Subcommander T’Pol), John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox), Dominic Keating (Lt. Malcolm Reed), Anthony Montgomery (Ensign Travis Mayweather), Linda Park (Ensign Hoshi Sato), Connor Trinneer (Commander Charles “Trip” Tucker III), Enrique Murciano (Tolaris), Robert Pine (Tavin), Vaughn Armstrong (Admiral Forrest), John Harrington Bland (Kov)

Notes: This episode somewhat shockingly establishes that mind melds aren’t the norm among 22nd century Vulcans; the process is considered somewhat taboo, and T’Pol isn’t even aware of what’s involved or how to participate. Robert Pine is the father of Chris Pine, who would assume the role of Captain James T. Kirk in a big-screen reboot of the Star Trek franchise in 2009.