the delphic expanse

So, when people talk about the best episodes of the series, they usually speak of a handful of episodes like Twilight, Similitude, , Observer Effect, IAMD and Demons/Terra Prime. However, I think there are some good "under the radar" episodes, so here's a poll.

Discuss below!

edited to add: after much thought, I chose Impulse. Why? Although it's not a deep episode, it's one of the few genuinely scary episodes of Trek. It also accomplishes what it sets out to do, be a scary homage to zombie films.

I enjoyed Future Tense because it's an eerie, low key SciFi episode with some very nice Malcolm/Trip moments.

I picked Hatchery, although both Impulse and Future Tense are good, too.

There are so many things about Hatchery on so many different levels. First, there's Archer's increasing devotion to protecting the baby Insectoids, which is creepy, especially when one of them crawls up his shoulder.

Then there's the reaction of the crew to Archer's actions, which they come to believe are jeopardizing their mission in the Expanse.

And finally, there's the division between the Starfleet crew (not just Malcolm!) who know something is wrong with Archer, and the MACOs, who follow Archer's orders blindly to the extent that Major Hayes is put in charge of the bridge after Archer starts confining his officers to their quarters for disobeying or questioning him.

It didn't hurt that at the end of the episode, as Archer is recovering, Hayes starts to show a little genuine respect for Malcolm and the rest of the crew.

(I liked Impulse for the reasons Honeybee cited, and Future Tense because it riveted my attention the first time I watched that episode -- the repetition of scenes which at first I couldn't figure out why they were occurring, and then rooting for Trip and Malcolm to figure out what what was going on as they realized they'd had that same conversation before, as well as a similar situation when Malcolm and Jon were trying to disarm the warhead.)

Hatchery is also notable for its evolution in the relationship between Trip and Archer - Trip has evolved well beyond blind hero worship - and will do what he has to do to protect the mission. He is loyal, at first, but he's not blindly loyal.

SB is pretty excellent in Hatchery as well, showing Archer's gradual descent into insect loving loopiness.

One thing, the episode does cop out a bit - as they never have to leave the insect babies to die. I think that is what keeps it from the level of a Cogenitor or Similitude. But, that's not necessarily a bad thing, because the light touch has value as well.

I liked Hatchery. Nothing like a good near-mutiny when the captain's all crunked up on some kind of alien-something-or-other to get the heart a-pumping!

Besides all the things mentioned, Hatchery also had T'Pol looking good in a Starfleet uniform and NX-01 ballcap, so as not to be recognized.

I voted Other, and would like to mention The Shipment as a wonderful and probably underrated episode.

It really set up the whole possibility of the Xindi mission becoming something other than one of unavoidable war and/or genocide. By providing a framework where Archer could meet with and establish a mutual trust with an ordinary Xindi, it planted the seed within him that this mission might be accomplished more peacefully.

On a very personal note, I related very strongly to the 'know your customer' message taken to heart by Gralik as the manager of a chemical production facility. Been there, done that, and seeing that the ethical issues were not lost on the Xindi manager made his whole species much more than a stock 'evil enemy' race.

It was also really interesting to get to see an early instance of Degra in action. He is one of my all-time favorite recurring characters and it was good to see his behavior in that situation, especially in contrast to his Reptilian colleagues.

(As might be evident, I'm a big fan of the Xindi arc overall.)

The Shipment is a good choice - very low key, but it sets up a whole slew of moral issues and plot points for The Xindi arc. I'm also a big third season fan, too!

I voted for Hatchery on the list, I enjoyed Scott's acting and the CGI, plus everything others listed above.

For some reason, I also really like Canamar -- off-ship stories appeal to me, they allow the mold to be broken, and in this case it highlighted Archer and Tucker's friendship (which I adore more than slashing them). Plus, Zumos, the wattle-faced seat mate for Tucker, was complete comedy gold for him.

And I love love love Angry!Archer at the end of the ep.

First Flight, too. Great background stuff, Earth in the 22nd century, Archer*Tucker.

Another "underrated" episode is Stratagem. That's an episode where Archer is being very clever, using intelligence/wit rather than muscle and threats to get information - using all of his crew's knowledge and abilities - and getting a job done.

And it's a holodeck episode, without the holodeck - I only wish that the series that did have holodecks has used them in such an interesting way instead of the cliched - holodeck breaks plot over and over.