Categories:
N/A Bound

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 4

Pros: Orion girls. Three of them. It's nerd paradise.
Cons: A pretty stupid plot, when you think about it. Fortunately, it's hard to think when looking at —or writing about— Orion girls!
Review: Available here

N/A In a Mirror, Darkly

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by James L. Conway
Season: 4

Pros: The "alternative" universe concept is utilized well, resulting in an energetic, unique episode.
Cons: With only so few episodes in the series left, why spend time looking at characters who "don't exist?"
Review: Available here

N/A In a Mirror, Darkly II

Written by Manny Coto , Mike Sussman
Directed by Marvin Rush
Season: 4

Pros: The Defiant and Gorn are nerdy-cool!
Cons: Pointless to the brink of frustration!
Review: Available here

N/A Demons

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 0

Pros: The characters are interesting enough. The theme is relevant.
Cons: Fails the 30 second rule. That is, if you think about it for 30 seconds, suddenly it all looks pretty stupid.
Review: Available here

N/A Terra Prime

Written by Manny Coto , Judith & Gar Reeves-Stevens , Andre Bormanis
Directed by Marvin Rush
Season: 0

Pros: A beautiful ending to an overall smartly conceived and executed story.
Cons: It's the last (non-holographic) episode of a wonderful science fiction series.

N/A These Are the Voyages

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 4

Pros: The writers had their hearts in the right place when they wrote this retrospective, multi-series tie-in episode for the series finale.
Cons: It's a lazily written episode that actually manages to hurt the overall quality of the series rather than help it.
Review: Available here

 Trek the Way It's Supposed to Be (Back to Top)
1 The Forge

Written by Judith & Gar Reeves-Stevens
Directed by Michael Grossman
Season: 4

Pros: Everything is good. Everything I tell you!
Cons: It torments me to think this might be one of the series' last episodes.
Review: Available here

2 Damage

Written by Phyllis Strong
Directed by James L. Conway
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 23

Pros: The best written and directed episode of the series.
Cons: It was aired on UPN.
Review: Available here

3 Impulse

Written by Johnathan Fernandez & Terry Matalas
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 28

Pros: Incredibly stylistic, moody, well-written. Special effects are fantastic.
Cons: Vulcan-zombie chase scenes are slightly reminiscent of 'First Contact'...wait, is that a bad thing?
Review: Available here

4 Broken Bow

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by James L. Conway
Season: 1

Pros: Fast-paced, well written, perfect tone. All around the ideal pilot episode.
Cons: Klingon homeworld is four days away? Seems a little too close.

5 Twilight

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 20

Pros: One of Trek's best written episodes. Very emotional yet not lacking on action.
Cons: Everything is reset back to normal, with no ramifications, in the end.
Review: Available here

6 Future Tense

Written by Mike Sussman , Phyllis Strong
Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
Season: 2

Pros: In terms of shear raw-entertainment value, this episode earns its high ranking. Great remake of the Tholians, fun sci-fi concepts, good character moments.
Cons: It gives no answers about the Temporal Cold War.
Review: Available here

7 Cogenitor

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 2
Predicted Rank: 15

Pros: Absolutely perfect direction, great SF symbolism, emotional acting, beautiful special effects...WOW!
Cons: The armory is like a red rose, and Reed is a little thorny....again.
Review: Available here

8 Azati Prime

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga , Manny Coto
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 18

Pros: Stunning. Visuals and action are among the finest in television SF. The characters are engaging, each with his/her share of smart lines. Emotional. Engaging. Excellent.
Cons: Okay, okay... it's remniscient of 'Star Wars.' Plus, Archer gets captured...again! (At least he handles it well now.)
Review: Available here

9 The Forgotten

Written by Chris Black , David A. Goodman
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 3

Pros: Several touching moments. Great acting by Trineer, Bakula, and Blalock.
Cons: Degra's conversion to Earth's side could have been sold a little better.
Review: Available here

10 Dead Stop

Written by Mike Sussman , Phyllis Strong
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Season: 2

Pros: A cool alien nemesis, great visual effects, and moody atmosphere makes this episode one of the series' best.
Cons: It's odd that Archer, the most trusting man in the crew, would be the first to suspect the ill intentions of the alien space station.

11 Similitude

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 24

Pros: Controversial issues are explored with respect and no black or white answers. Great effects, acting, and score enhance the solid script.
Cons: Leave your textbooks at home because science is nowhere to be found.
Review: Available here

12 Proving Ground

Written by Chris Black
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 21

Pros: Clever and crisp dialogue fill an excellent story that ties in several of the series' themes.
Cons: The Xindi come off as intergalactic space punks without a clue.
Review: Available here

13 Borderland

Written by Ken LaZebnik
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 4

Pros: Colorful, active, and has a unique style. A great example of how the show has evolved for the better.
Cons: Brent Spiner proves that the actors from TNG aren't necessarily better than the ENT actors… I guess that's a bad thing?
Review: Available here

14 Cease Fire

Written by Chris Black
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 2

Pros: Full of action, Andorians, Vulcans, this episode rarely misfires. The birth of the Federation is strongly hinted at, as well as great character moments for all major players involved.
Cons: The effects shot of the shuttlepod crashing is awkward. The sense of scale/speed was horribly off.

 Pretty Darn Good, If Not Amazing (Back to Top)
15 Silent Enemy

Written by Andre Bormanis
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Season: 1

Pros: CGI aliens with truly alien intentions. Ticked off Archer. I loved it!
Cons: So the phase-pistols don't hurt the aliens, but the crew must carry them anyway? Why is Hoshi thinking about pineapple and not the badguys? Isn't she scared of aliens?

16 Shuttlepod 1

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 1

Pros: Brilliant prequel concept: two crewmen stranded in space in a shuttlepod. Works well.
Cons: Reed talks about T'Pol's bum and mashed potatoes can plug holes in the hull.

17 Judgment

Written by David A. Goodman , Taylor Elmore
Directed by James L. Conway
Season: 2

Pros: Great acting, smart dialogue about Klingon culture, and topnotch music.
Cons: The ending is rushed. It takes Archer all but ten minutes to escape Rure Penthe. Had this episode been a two parter, it could have been near movie quality.

18 Anomaly

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 8

Pros: No real plot holes; complex emotional aspects; amazing special effects and engaging music.
Cons: The Osaarian's moralility speech is a little dull.
Review: Available here

19 First Flight

Written by Chris Black , John Shiban
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 2
Predicted Rank: 5

Pros: Another character story, much in the style of 'Carbon Creek', with plenty of heart and emotional familiarity. Nice background on the characters and premise of the show.
Cons: It moves a little slow to start off and no evident emotional repercussions from 'Cogenitor' between Archer and Trip.

20 The Expanse

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 2
Predicted Rank: 13

Pros: Absolutely breathtaking visual effects in the ending; lots of character changing events; Archer feels more in command in this episode than any yet and it works well.
Cons: The opening special effect of the probe attacking Earth was pretty cheesey. This episode reflects the two modes 'Enterprise' goes in: serious and emotional to comic-book-esque characters and action--they just feel wierd together.

21 Carbon Creek

Written by Chris Black , Rick Berman & Brannon Braga , Dan O'Shannon
Directed by James A. Contner
Season: 2

Pros: Slow, smart, sweet, and full of heart. Recently nominated for a Hugo Award.
Cons: This episode suffers because of its style: too slow at points.

22 Stratagem

Written by Mike Sussman , Terry Matalas
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 18

Pros: A fresh plot and intelligent script make the episode worth the hour.
Cons: Phlox now deals in mind-altering drugs...in addition to women. I swear he's a pimp.
Review: Available here

23 The Council

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 3

Pros: Smartly written story that enhances early parts of the season.
Cons: It seems odd that the weapon would be guarded by so few ships.

24 Cold Front

Written by Stephen Beck
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
Season: 1

Pros: Plot full of twists. Nice acting. Overall good story.
Cons: The music and shot of Daniel's quarters door was cheesey.

25 Countdown

Written by Chris Black , Andre Bormanis
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
Season: 3

Pros: Action-packed. Evokes major nerd fanboy spasms of ecstacy.
Cons: The Sphere-Builders are 99% lame when talking in their cloud room.

26 Shockwave, Part I

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 1

Pros: Archer's reaction to the death of the colony was fantastic. Future Earth is destroyed? I'll say that's a cliffhanger.
Cons: Poor ignorant T'Pol, if only she believd Archer's "crazy" time-travel stories.

27 Affliction

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by Michael Grossman
Season: 4

Pros: For a plot centered around resolving makeup inconsistencies between the 60s and 80s Treks, it ain't half bad. In fact, it ties in a lot of Trek plots very elegantly.
Cons: I don't totally get the Malcolm Reed Super Spy plot. Are all Englishmen tied into secret agencies?

28 Babel One

Written by Mike Sussman , Andre Bormanis
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 4

Pros: A layered plot with natural connections to other Star Trek stories.
Cons: Bad casting for the Romulans. The scientist is too meek and the leader too unintelligent.

29 United

Written by Judith & Gar Reeves-Stevens
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 4

Pros: Any time you have an episode with a fight to the death, it's a good thing. Any time.
Cons: Does every species have a fight to the death except our own?

 There Are Worse Ways to Spend an Hour (Back to Top)
30 Hatchery

Written by Mike Sussman , Andre Bormanis
Directed by Michael Grossman
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 21

Pros: Excellent acting from Bakula: his 'crazy Archer' is convincing. Plus, what's not to love about baby Insectoids?
Cons: A seasoned Trekkie knows the instant a character is sprayed with something, his mind is toast.
Review: Available here

31 Rajiin

Written by Brent V. Friedman , Chris Black
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 30

Pros: Very Star Trek in style. Solid plot that enhances the show and season's arcs on many levels.
Cons: I'll never understand Hoshi's erratic behavior. Are you scared of aliens or not?
Review: Available here

32 The Shipment

Written by Brent V. Friedman , Chris Black
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 20

Pros: Another great guest actor and more depth added to the Xindi.
Cons: Lots of tiny mistakes and lack of music hurt the episode.
Review: Available here

33 The Breach

Written by Chris Black , John Shiban , Daniel McCarthy
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill
Season: 2

Pros: Excellent ending, great acting from the leads, and a friggin' Tribble! Given the writers, it's no surprise why this episode is done well.
Cons: The guest actors playing the Denobulans weren't terribly good. I've seen better performances. The cave-centric B-plot felt like a funny story directed too seriously for its own good.

34 Fortunate Son

Written by James Duff
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 1

Pros: Tries to give Travis some background/dialogue.
Cons: That speech by Travis at the end almost killed me. Blah bla bla, pace pace pace, blah...

35 Fight or Flight

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 1

Pros: Well-presented message about helping people and not just those you know. Cool mood. Finding a ship of dead aliens is a smart premise for the show's settting.
Cons: My only gripe is that the fear-driven Hoshi concept is abandoned in later episodes.

36 The Aenar

Written by Andre Bormanis
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 4

Pros: You've gotta love blind, albino Andorians. There is no wrong in that concept.
Cons: Why, exactly, do the Aenar buildings have lights? They're blind!

37 Dear Doctor

Written by Taylor Elmore
Directed by James A. Contner
Season: 1

Pros: The moral dilema fits well with the show's pre-Federation setting.
Cons: Well, so Archer's sending the planet to its death on the idea that the cavepeople will evolve. Thanks Phlox.

38 Daedalus

Written by Ken LaZebnik , Michael Bryant
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 4

Pros: Great thematic reinforcement via several methods. Interesting back story to the transporter.
Cons: Its ending is sappier than an episode of Lassie!
Review: Available here

39 Horizon

Written by Andre Bormanis
Directed by James A. Contner
Season: 2

Pros: Emotive and powerful soundtrack, together with character building moments for Mayweather and solid acting.
Cons: What's missing? Orion pirates and a more fulfilling ending.

40 North Star

Written by David A. Goodman
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 28

Pros: A cute episode with several clever moments.
Cons: Slightly formulaic plot and characters.
Review: Available here

41 The Awakening

Written by Andre Bormanis
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Season: 4

Pros: It's Vulcan history… come to life!
Cons: Nothing happens. Nothing…
Review: Available here

42 Cold Station 12

Written by Michael Bryant
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 4

Pros: A focused episode with solid acting performances all around.
Cons: Feels a bit too familiar.
Review: Available here

43 The Augments

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by LeVar Burton
Season: 4

Pros: Layered acting and characters keep the episode interesting.
Cons: The plot is linear and fails to utilize the setup.
Review: Available here

44 Home

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 4

Pros: The wrapup Season 3 needed.
Cons: If ever there was an episode that could put a man to sleep...
Review: Available here

 Mind-meld Hangover (Back to Top)
45 E²

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Season: 3

Pros: Lorian makes for an interesting character. Concept is fun and ties nicely into arc elements.
Cons: Dull at points. Hurt the pace of the season's ending run.

46 Carpenter Street

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 28

Pros: Tight script, Loomis is well-played and believable, subtle humor mixes well with serious nature of episode.
Cons: Lack of dramatic tension and once again Berman and Braga forget a little thing called background information. Too little is given on Daniels or the Xindi to make the episode satisfying.

47 Minefield

Written by John Shiban
Directed by James A. Contner
Season: 2

Pros: Nice character moments for Archer and Reed, along with some pretty visuals.
Cons: Controversy about Romulan cloak and unrealistic lack of crew death hurt its rank.

48 The Xindi

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 8

Pros: Cool, multi-raced enemy. Great SFX. Upbeat music. Ominous ending.
Cons: The massage scene made me groan. Reed's conflict with the Maco commander came off slightly flat.
Review: Available here

49 Zero Hour

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 3

Pros: Decent tension. OK dialogue.
Cons: Ending makes no sense. Singlehandedly hurts season 3's whole story.
Review: Available here

50 Storm Front, Part One

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by Allan Kroeker
Season: 4

Pros: Meh. It has its moments.
Cons: Mobsters in purple suits defending America. Oy!
Review: Available here

51 Kir'Shara

Written by Mike Sussman
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 4

Pros: Solid, if not memorable, ending to the Vulcan arc.
Cons: As an ending to a three-parter, it doesn't live up to the beginning.

52 The Andorian Incident

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Season: 1

Pros: Hehe! The Andorians' antennaes move!
Cons: Wow. Archer really hates the Vulcans.

53 A Night in Sickbay

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 2

Pros: Probably the most stylistically unique Trek episode to date. If you can get over the shock, you can appreciate the humor and smart writing. Phlox, surprise surprise, provides lots of the laughs.
Cons: Comedic timing off at points. Trek fans offended by Archer's "sexy thoughts."

54 Harbinger

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga , Manny Coto
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 21

Pros: Lots of snappy dialogue and hilarious moments.
Cons: Lost in space. Aimless. Too light of a take on what should have been a serious episode.
Review: Available here

55 Storm Front, Part Two

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by David Straiton
Season: 3

Pros: The NX-01 battles over old New York.
Cons: More cliche's than you can shake a fist at!
Review: Available here

56 Observer Effect

Written by Judith & Gar Reeves-Stevens
Directed by Mike Vejar
Season: 4

Pros: Great acting all around. Lots of emotion and dialogue works,
Cons: Cheesey ending. Predictable ending. Almost ends silly enough to ruin the rest of the episode.
Review: Available here

57 The Seventh

Written by Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 2

Pros: Cool alien bar scene and a multilayered, believable villain are the positives.
Cons: T'Pol tripping out on murderous flashbacks and the illogic of the Vulcans using her to apprehend the bad guy are the negatives.

58 Strange New World

Written by Mike Sussman , Phyllis Strong , Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
Directed by David Livingston
Season: 1

Pros: The baseball caps and "where no dog has gone before" reinforce the series' concept of the crew being more like today's culture.
Cons: Pollen that makes the crew crazy is hardly a new concept.

59 Doctor's Orders

Written by Chris Black
Directed by Roxann Dawson
Season: 3
Predicted Rank: 23

Pros: Interesting setup and, at times, captivating.
Cons: Rarely does the suspense pay off. The comedy an