Singularity (Star Trek: Enterprise)

"Singularity" is the thirty-fifth episode (production #209) of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, the ninth of the second season.

The crew obsess over trivial matters when they explore a black-hole in a trinary star-system and succumb to its radiation.

Plot

It is August 14, 2152, and Enterprise decides to explore a unique black-hole nestled within a trinary star-system. Cruising at impulse, it will take a few days to get there, freeing the crew up for other activities. Captain Archer uses the chance to work on the preface on a book about his father, and also asks Commander Tucker to look at the Captain's chair on the bridge. Meanwhile, Ensign Sato volunteers to help in the galley, Lieutenant Reed begins works on some new ship wide security-protocols, and Doctor Phlox examines Ensign Mayweather's headache.

Over the next few days the crew starts obsessing on their selected tasks. Their behavior is also affecting their interactions — Reed and Tucker nearly come to blows, while Phlox sedates a frustrated Mayweather so he can run more medical tests. The situation becomes so acute that Sub-Commander T'Pol, who remains unaffected, easily notices that everyone is behaving more oddly than normal. Her investigation into the cause reveals that a peculiar form of radiation emitted from the black-hole is the underlying cause. Unfortunately, it will take two days to reverse course and leave the radiation field.

Fortunately, there is an alternate path, although it will require piloting Enterprise closer to the dangerous black-hole. Unfortunately she cannot both navigate the treacherous field and pilot at the same time, now with the senior crew unconscious. T'Pol rouses the groggy captain with a cold shower and hot coffee, enough that he is able to man the helm. His ability to fly is sluggish however, and as they near the exit, a large crumbling asteroid blocks Enterprise's path. Fortunately, Reed’s obsession created an automatic "Tactical Alert" that automatically kicks in and brings all defensive-systems fully online, thus, allowing T'Pol to blast the asteroids with the fully charged phase-cannon. Once clear, things on-board soon return to normal, with the exception of the Captain's chair and Reed's newly proven security-protocol.

External links

• Singularity at the Internet Movie Database
• "Singularity" at TV.com

• Singularity at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

• Singularity at StarTrek.com