Next on Enterprise - Judgment

[Takara_Soong 4]

NEXT ON ENTERPRISE - JUDGMENT

 

Archer stands trial before a Klingon tribunal in this excellent episode. Definitely one of the best of season 2 in my opinion. A fascinating look at Klingons during a period of their history that is very different from the TNG era as well as a surprise introduction of an ancestor of an infamous Klingon House.

 

Don't forget the Enterprise chat - every Wednesday evening.

 

Synopsis from startrek.com:

 

Click for Spoiler:

On Narendra III, Archer stands before a Klingon court magistrate and a crowd of blood-thirsty Klingons. The captain is charged with conspiring against the Klingon Empire, and will stand trial. He is banished to his cell, where Dr. Phlox pays him a visit. The doctor, who is tending to Archer under the ruse that the captain is suffering from a mysterious illness, quietly lets Archer know that T'Pol and the rest of the crew are working on a way to free their captain. As Phlox leaves, Archer meets his Klingon advocate Kolos, who warns him not to speak during the tribunal.

 

The trial gets underway, and Prosecutor Orak calls his first witness — Duras, the former captain of the battle cruiser Bortas. After a skirmish with Enterprise, Duras was demoted to second weapons officer. Duras explains that Enterprise was harboring Klingon fugitives, and he asked Archer to surrender them to the Bortas. Duras insists that the captain was very aggressive, and ordered an attack on the Bortas. Archer is appalled by Duras' account and wants a chance to explain himself, but Kolos tells him to keep silent. Orak notes that Archer was clearly the aggressor in the matter, and that the captain was obviously conspiring to disgrace Duras and incite a rebellion. In short, says Orak, Archer is an enemy of the Klingon Empire. Archer insists that Duras' account of events isn't correct, but once again, Kolos refuses to respond to the accusations.

 

Later, Kolos visits Archer in his cell — he's spoken to the magistrate, who is willing to offer Archer a deal. If the captain will give up the location of the fugitives, his life will be spared. Archer, however, doesn't believe the fugitives are guilty of anything, and refuses. Archer insists that he be allowed to defend himself, and expresses outrage the Kolos isn't willing to do more in order to attain justice. Kolos explains that he became an advocate many years ago, when things were different. Times have changed, and he feels that he's too old to change the rules. Archer accuses him of being afraid, shaming the honorable Klingon.

 

A short time later, Kolos seems to have a change of heart, and presents Archer's case with flair. He even convinces the magistrate to allow Archer to give his own version of the events. Archer describes finding a vessel with a small group of aliens aboard, many of them barely clinging to life. The crew brought the refugees onboard Enterprise, offering them food and medical assistance. The refugees explained that they were "annexed" by the Klingon Empire, only to be stripped of their resources and abandoned when they requested aid. When Duras showed up with the Bortas, Archer was reluctant to turn the refugees in. He tried to reason with Duras and negotiate a diplomatic outcome, but the Klingon captain wouldn't listen and the Bortas fired on Enterprise.

 

As Archer recounts his story, Kolos feels the trial turning in his favor. He offers further evidence that Archer is not an enemy of the Klingon Empire — after all, the captain has helped the Empire in the past. He exposed a Suliban plot to divide the Empire and later rescued a Klingon Raptor. Kolos' defense is convincing enough that the magistrate agrees to spare Archer's life. However, he sentences the captain to life in the dilithium mines on the penal colony of Rura Penthe. When Kolos objects to the sentence, the magistrate sentences him to a year on the colony.

 

On Rura Penthe, Archer and Kolos work side by side in the frigid mines. The duo is surprised when Archer's crewmates show up to rescue the captain — T'Pol managed to find a few Klingon officials to bribe. Archer asks Kolos to come with them, but he refuses. Kolos reveals that Archer has made an impression on him — he wants to restore honor to the Klingon people, but he cannot do that as a fugitive. As Archer and his crewmates escape, Kolos returns to work in the mines. Perhaps one day, he can help his people to a better future.

 

 

 

[roguedawg 0]

Wasn't all of this done in the Undiscovered Country?It seems like a rip-off,even the sentence to rura penthe. :unsure:

[Klingonmike 0]

This is a great episode,and no I don't believe its a rip off of "Undiscovereed Country" the only simularities are a Klingon Trial and being sent to Rura Pentha.They are two completely different story lines. You must understand,Klingons have trials, and if they are not executed for their crimes they are sent to prison and Rura Pentha just happens to be the Klingon version of a maximum security prison.

"Undiscovered County" was about how the Federation and Klingon Empire began their truce and peacefull co-existance,and the conspiracy to stop that peace.

 

The only problem I have with this episode was how quickly and easy it was to get Archer out of Rura Pentha, it should have been a two parter.

[Syperphobia 0]

I also believe that this episode should be a two-parter, it had emotion, but I do think they would of incoporated MORE emotion if they had used a two-parter. Part One could feature the Trial and Arrest, and Part Two can go more into the prisons and the rescue attempt. This episode was just wayy to fast.

 

:unsure: Bel Ami

[SpaceHippie 0]

Wasn't all of this done in the Undiscovered Country?It seems like a rip-off,even the sentence to rura penthe.  :)

I don't think it was a rip off od TUC. This episode really shinned a light on the inner workings of the Klingon justice system. Also I think Kolos' speech about the mindset of the young klingons just wanting to be violent for fun (like alot of todays young adults) was riviting. The line "There is no honor in defeating a weaker enemy." Will rank up there with my top favorites. I regret not having seen this episode when I meet Hertzler last month. Oh well.

[Sam The Smuggler 1]

I liked This Episode. I quite enjoyed it, however...I too though that he got out to quickly, oh well..

 

 

Oh, I usually enjoy any Klingon Episode Of Any Trek Show :)