Enterprise: Season 2 finale

[Interstelar_Concordium_CM]

this looks realy realy good, it might just be what enterprise needs to get enterprise out of this black hole, hears the official report

Production of the second year of Enterprise has climaxed with a season finale that is perhaps the most ambitious episode shot since the series pilot.

Things have already started quieting down along "Star Trek row" at Paramount as the cast, the crew and the various departments wrap up their affairs to depart for a 10-week hiatus. This after a production that, although staying entirely on-lot, incorporated the widest variety of sets and the largest guest cast since "Broken Bow." Of course, those involved with post-production, including the visual effects crew, will be working well into May, and certain actors and crew members could be called back at times for brief second-unit photography.

The ambitious scope of this project, naturally, starts with the script. In "The Expanse," an alien probe of unknown origin launches an assault upon Earth that is so devastating that Admiral Forrest recalls Enterprise. During the journey home Captain Archer receives information that the perpetrators of the attack come from a region of space known as the Delphic Expanse. Ambassador Soval informs Archer that the Delphic Expanse is notorious for bizarre occurrences, and few ships that enter it are ever seen again ... leading Archer to liken it to the Bermuda Triangle. Believing there will be a second attack, Archer tries to convince Starfleet to let him take Enterprise into the Delphic Expanse to seek out this mysterious new enemy.

Vaughn Armstrong and Gary Graham, of course, are back as the admiral and the ambassador. The Suliban and the Klingons both play roles in the complex story, and in that capacity, John Fleck returns as the Suliban warrior "Silik," as does James Horan in another foggy turn as "Humanoid Figure" (sometimes called "Future Guy"). Reprising his role from tonight's episode "Judgment," Daniel Riordan makes trouble again as the 22nd-century "Duras."

Other guest actors include Bruce Wright, as a Vulcan doctor named "Fer'at," who previously played the Bajoran "Sarish Rez" in "Crossfire" (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine). In a scene involving the Klingon High Council, we'll see Gary Bullock as a "Council Member"; Bullock played "Goth" in Star Trek: Voyager's "Rise." (The Klingon Chancellor is played by Dan Desmond, a different actor than the one in the same part in "Broken Bow.") Another notable guest player, although not a Trek veteran, is Serena Scott Thomas (sister of Kristin Scott Thomas) in the role of "Rebecca," a flame of Archer's back on Earth.

The eight-day schedule concluded yesterday (not counting an extra half-day today, which was categorized as second-unit photography). Besides the standing ship sets, some of the backdrops constructed or re-constructed for this episode include a Klingon Bridge, the High Council Chamber, a Vulcan Bridge, Admiral Forrest's office, an Inspection Pod, the interior of a Suliban Vessel and Silik's Temporal Chamber. Another swing set put in use was a Starfleet Hanger, modified from "First Flight," in which Archer is given the chance to inspect debris from the attacking alien probe; that debris is actually airplane wreckage brought in from a junkyard out in the desert north of Los Angeles. An "exterior" set done inside a soundstage has two of our characters surveying the destruction first-hand � which, of course, will incorporate optical effects in post-production. The cast and crew did get outside some, as part of Paramount's New York Streets backlot was transformed into San Francisco's Chinatown, where Archer goes to catch up with Rebecca in a restaurant. Another section of the backlot was used to portray the exterior of Starfleet Headquarters.

As usual, the visual effects team will provide some impressive imagery, which will include the probe attack and its aftermath, the murky perimeter of the Delphic Expanse, and a few surprises.

"The Expanse," written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, was directed by Trek veteran Allan Kroeker. Since the fifth season of DS9, Kroeker has been the go-to guy for season cliffhangers and series finales � he directed "Call to Arms," "Tears of the Prophets" and the DS9 finale "What You Leave Behind"; also the Voyager finale "Endgame"; and last year's Enterprise season finale "Shockwave" and its conclusion, among a long list of other credits.

This season finale is scheduled to air on UPN Wednesday, May 21, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

[thegame]

I'm intrigued, I love Kroeker, he's a genious. Looks like ENT will be off in a new direction in season 3. Lets see what develops...

[Deciviel]

Sounds very intriuging.

[eclipse8472]

very interesting indeed sounds good real good

[Arellia]

It does sound interesting. I hope next season they expand on the characters.

[Tyvek]

sound decent Enterprise seems to be getting better

[Los]

Didnt' know Enterprise was still in a rut.

[John Luck Picard]

the first season of enterprise, i watched evry week. now, it seems that the show is becoming more boring after each week. does anyone else think that captain archer is getting annoying?

[Lindley]

He hasn't been as bad lately as sometimes, but he *is* rather annoying.

[Los]

i better get UPN in my dorm room.