Entanglement, Part 1
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| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "Entanglement, Part 1" | |
| |
| Episode no. | 4.06 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 4 |
| Release Date | March 2004 |
| Writer(s) | Rob Caves |
| Story Elements by | Rob Caves |
| Director | Dave Mason and Jennifer Cole |
| Year | 2380 |
| Stardate | 57912.3 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | |
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Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
Henglaar faces some personal demons when his ex-fiancée, Independence Chief Engineer Sou, arrives onboard with her now-husband, CMO Qu’qul. But when Qu'qul realizes his wife still has feelings for the Tellarite doctor, he challenges Henglaar to a Klingon ritual for Sou’s affection! The Independence prepares to become the first starship to enter and explore the subspace currents that allows warp travel in the Briar Patch. Officers from the Excelsior investigating strange readings on Ba’ku run into an old enemy.
“Station Log, Stardate 57921.3: In light of recent events, Starfleet has green-lighted the exploration of the Patch currents. The first starship to embark on this historic mission will be the USS Independence, commanded by Jennifer Cole."
In her quarters, Commodore Jennifer Cole is joined by her old friend, Commodore Ian Quincy Knapp. She is glad to be back at DS12, since their patrol assignments and blockade duty along the Tholian border have been a somewhat fruitless exercise, in her opinion. She scoffs at the idea of war that Knapp admits has been discussed, since they still lack strong support from many of their allies. Knapp admits his own surprise that her vessel was selected for this mission into the currents, rather then his former command, the Excelsior, but is happy for his friend. Cole admits she will be glad to explore once more, and get away from patrolling, her comments making Knapp nostalgic for his time in command of a starship, instead of a starbase. He knows that the assignment makes sense, allowing him to raise his daughter in a stable environment, but he still misses the days in the centre seat. Cole, formerly the commander of DS12, during its construction, can identify with his feelings very easily. They also discuss Knapp daughter, Traya, who is soon to be on her to a moon of Cardassia Prime for an academic exchange with her school. While Cole sees it as a chance for Traya to strike out on her own, Knapp can’t help but feel his daughter is growing up a little to quickly. Being a parent means he is entitled to worry, but Cole is quick to play down his concerns, despite admitting she has not had any practical experience herself.
Meanwhile, Captain Elizabeth Shelby is not very happy that Excelsior has been relegated to a patrol assignment, feeling her crew is more then capable of handling the exploration of the current systems. She voices her concerns to Admiral Alynna Necheyev, who does agree on some points, but Command has decided that Excelsior will be more use as a weapon of war, if the Tholians launch a major offensive. Starfleet must send a clear message to any aggressors, such as the Tholians, that they too can make usage of the Patch’s newly revealed secret, and use it. There is also worry about the Tholians continued search for tetrahedrons, especially since they are involved with Siroc. Shelby cannot help but be concerned about how they seem to be fast-tracking a ship to be ready to explore the current system. She fears that this is too heavily stepped in political standing then exploration, just as the mission of the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger was. But Necheyev shrugs off her concerns, stating that the Independence will be the first Starfleet vessel to navigate the currents, and their success will lead to further flights, including Excelsior. Seeing Necheyev will not be moved on this subject, Shelby grudgingly admits defeat, and is summarily dismissed. But behind the closed doors of her office, it seems Necheyev has more then her own fair share of concerns…
With Excelsior tucked into its docking bay, Lefler, Aster and McCabe are spending their uneventful shift in Main Engineering, where McCabe is telling the tale of his night in the Poindexter Lounge. After being tied up and barraged with a medley of songs that would not be his choice, he could not even end the program because it had been encrypted. His first and only choice of suspect is Jenna McFarland, known for her practical jokes. Aster and Lefler cannot help but be amused at the security chief’s night, but they both consider an other to join him at the now-debugged lounge after their shift ends. Lefler explains they are still finishing up an atmospheric sweep they conducted of Ba’ku, while Aster adds that with the environment still dropping in temperature, they suspect that, despite previous efforts, not all the old Breen cooling units have been removed. Checking in with the away team deployed, hoping for a quick report in order to call it a night, she speaks with the team leader, Lieutenant Doa. But their plans for a early night are put off when the Bre’ellian officer reports readings not only of kelbonite ore, but faint energy readings. Since this could indicate a cooling unit that is still active, Lefler and Aster decide to head down to the away team’s position, McCabe quickly tagging along.
On Ba’ku, Lefler, McCabe and Aster have joined Lieutenant Doa as they continue to track the strange readings, hiking through various overgrown locales as they close in on them. As the Bre’ellian reports they are closing in on the errant power reading, Lefler asks Aster if he is picking up any life-signs, although his own readings are being blocked by the high kelbonite concentrations in the hillside. As the walk up a steep incline, Doa following the trail on his tricorder, Aster suddenly bellows for everyone to drop to the ground. In the silence that follows, all eyes are on the young lieutenant, and when quizzed by Lefler, he admits with some nervousness that he had a premonition - Lefler being hit by a phaser blast. He is stunned by how real it seemed, although Lefler, on-edge herself, sympathises with her junior officer. Doa slowly rises, indicating the way is clear, but as the others start to stand, a blast of energy streaks across out of nowhere, and strikes the Bre’ellian officer, who drops to the floor instantly. As McCabe returns fire, Aster checks on Doa, but the lieutenant is already dead. As more phaser fire screams overhead, Lefler calls for help from Excelsior. On the bridge, Shelby quickly informs them that reinforcements are being dispatched, as Barrett reports that DS12 is sending fighters out as well. He scans the upper atmosphere on Shelby’s order, as she has Zen prepare the ship for emergency departure. Still under heavy fire, McCabe manages to get a glimpse of their attackers, and realises it could be Orions. Lefler orders him to get around in order to flank and surround them, as she and Aster maintain their own field of fire. McCabe slowly starts to make his way around as his two shipmates keep the attackers attention diverted. As they return fire, Vorina disregards the pleas of her flunky, DiFalco, to call for beam-out, since they wont get paid if they don’t get the readings they are taking. But as the return fire increases, DiFalco disregards her, even as she tells him to call for reinforcements. Without them realising, McCabe has managed to circle around and fires at them. Caught between the two groups of phaser fire, they are outgunned and cornered quickly. On McCabe’s demand, they drop their weapons, but as Lefler and Aster come in closer, Vorina manages one last smile before calling for an emergency transport, her and DiFalco vanishing in a flash of red light. Their attackers gone, Lefler quickly informs Shelby of the identity of their chief assailant, who quickly has them sweep the area for any other surprises. Barrett reports a single Breen cruiser leaving Ba’ku orbit, who is not responding to their hails, as Excelsior quickly departs in pursuit. A contingent of DS12’s fighters pursue the Breen, as they make a run for the edge of the Patch, but the head start they already have may give them the distance they need. Shelby asks Elbrey her opinion, but she too is at a loss for a definitive answer, as the Excelsior’s commanding officer kicks herself for ever letting Vorina go from custody. Proceeding at high impulse, the Excelsior gives chase, heading out of the Patch with alacrity.
Unfortunately for Henglaar, this means even more trouble for him, as Sou and Qu’qul call on him in the sanctity of his quarters. With Excelsior’s sudden departure from the station, they have been stranded onboard, and Henglaar finds himself forced to play innkeeper after Dr. Anderson suggested the two Independence officers could stay with him. Qu’qul though, shares the same reservations as Henglaar does, despite Sou’s efforts to shush him. Henglaar grudgingly offers up his home for them for the foreseeable future, as Qu’qul comments on the choice of furniture.
Aboard the Breen vessel, as it makes its way clear of the metreon gases that make up the Briar Patch, Vorina berates the commander of the vessel, angry and the loss of data she was meant to collect. She angrily remind the armoured officer, easily translating his machine-like code, that she does not report to him. She heads for her quarters, as the ship jumps to warp.
Onboard Excelsior, Barrett reports to an angry Shelby that the advance fighters have lost contact with the Breen ship, and scans for a warp trail are inconclusive. Shelby remains patient but furious as he runs a subspace distortion analysis. Pretty soon he has confirmed the warp trail, which finally gives Shelby some good news, as the Excelsior jumps to warp in pursuit.
At DS12, Commodore Knapp is in a briefing session with Admiral Necheyev and Commodore Cole, as they discuss not only the Independence’s mission, but a massing of Tholian forces nearby to the Patch. Necheyev wants to make a show of exploring the currents, while Knapp and Cole are more apprehensive, although Cole admits now is a good a time as any. To Knapp’s surprise, Necheyev orders Cole to be ready to launch the next day, as he feels they should wait for Excelsior to return, although Cole and Necheyev believe that with both the battle groups of the USS Saratoga and USS Odyssey, they will be well defended. Cole does point out she is down a Chief Engineer, so Knapp volunteers Lefler, since she was left on Ba’ku before Excelsior left. Cole leaves to prepare, as Knapp once again challenges Necheyev’s decision, but she is confident as they have the bulk of the various groups assigned to the station present, despite Knapp’s own worries.
Henglaar is keeping himself busy when Sou, minus Qu’qul, drops in on him, which does not improve his general mood. They verbally spar, but Sou is not in the mood herself, responding to several of Henglaar’s remarks with her own retorts, regarding her husband and Henglaar’s throwing himself into his work. The snide comments eventually turn to the subject that is bothering both of them - their failed relationship. All Sou wants is to try and talk to Henglaar, but he hides his pain with his usual countenance of miserly attitude. She angrily states that they never had a chance as a couple since he was always busy with one thing or another - work, his brother, his garden - so they never dealt with their issues as a couple. The subject begins to get to Henglaar, who wonders at the point of this opening of old wounds, but Sou questions his attitude towards Qu’qul, which surprises him since he believes the Klingon to not be particularly enamoured with him! He feels they have no common ground to even meet on, not even medicine, since Klingon approaches are not always… medicinal. They argue over his attitude, but when Sou wonders if it is done to his being married to her, she is brought up short by Henglaar admitting that may have something to do with it. She explains she wants to move on from what happened between them, have something resembling a friendship again, admitting she still has feelings for him, and she does not believe he feels any different. This rubs the Excelsior’s CMO the wrong way, and with one final snarky comment, leaves Sou alone as he heads to his office. Dr. Anderson, unfortunately finds herself caught out as he approaches, but sees her superior looking the worse for wear, and asks if he is feeling. But Henglaar is nowhere near okay, as he tells Anderson, it is “like she hit me with a stun blast to my hind brain” before heading into his office.
The atmosphere on the bridge of the Starship Independence is fraught with tension, especially as Lefler reports that the final shield test in complete. Her support convoy move away, as the ship prepares to make the transition to warp. Cole orders a tachyon pulse, before telling her helmsman to jump to warp. With a brilliant flash of light, the Sovereign-class starship leaps into the opening maw of a subspace current.
In her quarters aboard the Breen ship, Vorina is disturbed from her thoughts as a fuming DiFalco barges in, complaining about the Breen. He labels them incompetent, but Vorina quickly states that she will deal with them, and he should not waste time thinking about it, although he is not placated. He angrily states that Sha’Kev, Vorina’s deceased Andorian partner-in-crime, would now how to handle them - she does not take kindly to this, leaping to her feet, and, furious, demands DiFalco never mention him again, stopping short of throttling him, instead shoving him backwards. After a moment to calm down, she orders him to go about securing passage back to Ba’ku from the spaceport at Weldar, on a refugee ship from that system. She quickly dismisses the seething flunky, as she resumes her seat. Once DiFalco has left, a shimmering transparent hologram of Siroc flares into existence opposite her, who demands a status report - it is he who requires the scans she has failed to bring. The former Orion slave tries to pin the blame first on the Federation, then the Breen, but Siroc is not buying into her excuses. She begs for another chance, although he considers terminating his dealings with her, especially considering how his association with Sha’Kev ended. But Vorina admits she has a plan, and Siroc cannot help but be intrigued.
Back at DS12, McCabe has been keeping himself busy in one of the science labs, dismantling the Breen cooling device they found. He explains to a curious Knapp that it would help increasingly cool the planet along with other devices of it kind found, and ones that are still being discovered. Knapp realises this means the Breen were still continuing with this plan even after its discovery, but is more surprised when McCabe reveals he found an advanced scanning device working alongside the particular unit they have impounded. It has been specifically designed to counteract the effects of the inversion field created by the radiation around Ba’ku, allowing details scans of the planet’s ocean floor. The security chief also postulates that the scanner may have nothing to do with the Breen, but plenty to do with Vorina. With Knapp’s backing, McCabe heads of to look into the possibility of integrating the scanner into an existing system, as Knapp goes in search of Necheyev.
In one of Excelsior’s holodecks, Elbrey and Henglaar are relaxing in the privacy of his gardening program, although Elbrey can easily sense Henglaar’s emotional conflicts. In her usual style, combining their friendship with her counselor’s touch, she helps Henglaar finally admit to himself what his really bothering him, but he reason his feelings for Sou, though strong, are now longer a concern, since she is now married. Elbrey compares his behaviour to that of a child, spurning that which it cannot have, before pointing out that his behaviour will ultimately hurt him more then Sou. Their intimate conversation is abruptly derailed when Qu’qul, armed with a machete, storms in, demanding to know how Henglaar feels about Sou. He tries to ignore the Klingon, but when Qu’qul wonders if he is a coward, that settles it for the Tellerite. After a lot of male posturing, which amuses Elbrey to no end, Henglaar finds himself with a date for the next day to deal with the situation in an honourable, Klingon, way. Although Henglaar would rather not go through with it, Elbrey believes it is exactly the remedy required for the problem, even suggesting letting Qu’qul win. Henglaar though, has no intention of making it easy, especially if the safeties are disengaged. “That’s the spirit!” Elbrey encourages, before advising the Tellerite to find Crewman Thalek fast - the Andorian might have a few tips to offer…
In a shuttlecraft from DS12, McCabe and Knapp are heading towards Ba’ku, in order to use the recovered scanning device. They continue in their activity across several grids of ocean surface, with no results, so the two officers make small talk. McCabe is surprised to find out that Admiral Necheyev baby-sits, although Knapp argues that Traya is more the capable of looking after herself, but with the station on alert, it makes him feel better, and the admiral seems to enjoy it. A panel alerts McCabe to something on the surface of the ocean floor, but clear scans are not possible, due to its size. After discussing options, they initiate an isolytic pulse to define the shape of the massive object, and the results are near-instantaneous. The shuttle suddenly slams into a descent as all control is lost, the two officers trying desperately to regain altitude and control. Knapp sends a mayday, as McCabe manages to restore emergency power, although they still are without impulse engines and thrusters. Knapp valiantly tries to keep the ship steady as they clear the ocean, heading straight for a mountain range, as McCabe sends another alert to DS12. Knapp’s piloting is unsuccessful, and the shuttle is still descending at too great a speed. As power continues to fail, the shuttle continues to careen out of control, heading straight for a crash landing…
To Be Continued…
Background Information
- Sue and Jim Fox Davies were part of the original USS Angeles adventures, as the characters they portray here.
Memorable Quotes
Production Notes
Cast
Regular Cast
| Actor | Role |
| David W. Dial | Commodore Ian Quincy Knapp |
| Risha Denney | Captain Elizabeth Shelby |
| Larry LaVerne | Commander Tolian Naros |
| John Whiting | Doctor Henglaar |
| Joanne Busch | Lieutenant Commander Robin Lefler |
| Wayne Webb | Lieutenant Matt McCabe |
| Barbara Clifford | Counselor Myra Elbrey |
| Arthur Bosserman | Ensign Ro Nevin |
| J.T. Tepnapa | Lieutenant, j.g. Corey Aster |
| Tyler Bosserman | Ensign Andrew Barrett |
Guest Stars
| Actor | Role |
| Susan Fox-Davis | Commander Sou |
| Jim Fox-Davis | Dr. Qu'Qul Siroc |
| Suzy Kaplan | Vorina Dr. Anderson |
| Jennifer Cole | Commodore Jennifer Cole |
| Mark Waters | Lieutenant Doa |
| Dave Mason | DiFalco |
| Adam Browne | Ensign Jorian Zen |
| Craig Byrne | Breen |
