Archer, Hoshi and Malcolm return from a mission to a pre-warp civilization riddled with paranoia – and on the brink of war between two major political powers. But as they prepare to leave the planet behind, Malcolm realizes that he left his communicator behind. Archer and Malcolm go back to retrieve the communicator, trying to prevent not only cultural contamination but a sudden technological advance that could forever affect an entire world. But when they’re captured in the process – carrying more advanced technology – Archer can either contaminate the planet’s cultures by breaking the news to his captors that he and Malcolm are aliens…or they could die trying to protect that secret.
teleplay by Andrè Bormanis
story by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
directed by James Contner
music by Dennis McCarthyGuest Cast: Francis Guinan (Gosis), Tim Kelleher (Lt. Pell), Brian Reddy (Dr. Temec), Dennis Cockrum (Alien Barkeep), Jason Waters (Soldier)
Notes: Fittingly enough for someone who shares a name with the Enterprise-D’s bartender, Francis Guinan is no stranger to Star Trek, having appeared in the early Ex Post Facto episode of Voyager. Fellow guest star Tim Kelleher was an ill-fated crewman in the final episode of Next Generation.
LogBook entry by Earl Green
