Ep 17. Bound

In Star Trek: Enterprise season 4 episode 17, titled "Bound," the crew of the USS Enterprise encounters a group of Orion slave girls who take control of the ship.

The episode begins with Captain Archer and Commander Tucker attending a reception on a planet. They meet three Orion women who are apparently slaves to a wealthy businessman. One of the women, Navaar (played by Cyia Batten), catches the eye of Tucker.

Later, as the Enterprise is on its way back to Earth, the ship is suddenly taken over by the three Orion women who had boarded the ship as guests. The women use a powerful and illegal pheromone spray to incapacitate most of the male crew members. Only T'Pol, who is immune to the spray due to her Vulcan physiology, and a few other female crew members are able to resist its effects.

The Orions reveal that their plan all along was to take control of the Enterprise and escape to a planet on the edge of known space where they could establish a new colony far away from their former captors. The women also claim that they have been mistreated and abused as slaves and want to take revenge on all men by taking control of the Enterprise.

With Archer and Tucker under the influence of the pheromone spray, it is up to T'Pol to take command of the ship and find a way to stop the Orions. She is joined by Ensign Mayweather and Commander Phlox, both of whom are also immune to the pheromone. Together, they hatch a plan to disrupt the Orions' communications and take back control of the ship.

The Orions, however, are not easily defeated. They are able to outsmart the Enterprise crew several times, including a clever attempt to disable the ship's engines. Meanwhile, Tucker is caught in a personal battle between his feelings for Navaar and his loyalty to his ship and crew.

In the end, T'Pol's intellect and leadership prevail, and the Enterprise is able to regain control of the ship and apprehend the Orions. The episode ends with Tucker and Navaar having a final conversation that leaves Tucker questioning the nature of their relationship.

"Bound" explores themes of power dynamics, control, and the continued legacy of slavery in the Star Trek universe. It also gives T'Pol a chance to shine as a strong and capable leader, something that was somewhat lacking in earlier seasons of the show. Overall, it is a well-crafted and enjoyable episode.