Enterprise: Terra Nova

The Enterprise crew discover life on an apparently barren planet when they set out to discover what happened to a human colony known as Terra Nova. When they find their descendants living underground, they must try to convince them that they are in danger from the radiation that killed their forefathers.

It had to happen. Sadly, Enterprise's until now high stock falls dismally with this episode, which plays like something that was left over from making Voyager. In fact it's awfully reminiscent of that series' final season episode Natural Law, with first contact having to be made with a group of 'backward' people, or Friendship One and its radiation fun. After an early setback when Reed gets shot in the leg and dragged off, there's little danger for the crew here, which is a shame as it would provide the drama that is otherwise missing.

There's simply nothing of interest here. The aliens are dull, the characters don't do anything of great significance, the end result seems to be leaving the locals alone which is exactly what Archer doesn't seem to want to do, and it's all a bit of a tedious way to spend 45 minutes. Just when Reed gets something to do he winds up lying on his back for the majority of the time, never in any real danger, and thanks to a spot of co-operation and friendship everything is all right with the world. The humour seems to have dissipated and all we're left with is a plotless story that goes nowhere very, very slowly.

**

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