Ep 3. Home

As the fourth season of Star Trek: Enterprise rolls on, the episode titled "Home" is an exploration of the psychological impact of long-term deep space exploration on the crew.

The episode opens with the Enterprise arriving back at Earth's orbit, following their successful mission to stop the Xindi weapon from being deployed. Though the crew is excited to be home after a year-long mission, their return is not without difficulties. Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) is met by representatives of Starfleet Command, who tell him that his ship will be decommissioned and turned into a museum exhibit. Archer is taken aback by this news, but he soon discovers that the real reason he has been given this assignment is so that he can be blackmailed by Section 31, a secretive group within Starfleet that is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the Federation.

Archer's initial reaction is to refuse the assignment, but he quickly realizes that he has no choice. Instead, he decides to make the most of the situation and embark on a tour of Earth with his closest crew members. This tour is meant to allow the crew to reconnect with their families and loved ones, while also giving Archer the opportunity to investigate the mysterious Section 31.

Much of the episode is spent exploring the psychological toll that deep space exploration has taken on the crew. For example, T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) is struggling to reconcile her time aboard the Enterprise with her Vulcan heritage. She is also grappling with the fact that her mother is dying and she is unable to be there with her. Trip (Connor Trinneer) is reunited with his sister, who has been coping with the grief of losing a child while he was away. Hoshi (Linda Park) is met by her parents, who are disappointed that she has not become the successful businesswoman they had hoped she would be.

One of the most poignant scenes in the episode takes place when Archer visits his father's grave. He speaks to his father about the pressures he is under, and reflects on how deeply his father influenced his decision to join Starfleet. This scene is a reminder of the human cost of the events that take place in the series, and it serves as a reminder that even heroes must cope with loss and despair.

The episode also introduces us to a new character: Elizabeth (Lizzy) Tucker. She is Trip's sister, and her character is a powerful reminder of how the events of the series ripple out to affect people outside of the main cast. Lizzy is a grieving mother, but she also serves as a source of comfort and support for Trip as he processes his own grief.

In addition to exploring the psychological effects of long-term deep space exploration, "Home" also sets the stage for the exploration of Section 31, which will become an important plot point in later episodes. This organization is revealed to be motivated by a deep-seated fear of the existential threats that the Federation faces, and they are willing to take extreme measures to protect the Federation.

Overall, "Home" is an emotionally charged episode that provides fans of the series with a powerful reminder of the human stakes of the events unfolding in Enterprise. The exploration of the psychological toll of deep space exploration is a welcome change of pace, and it provides some fascinating character development for the main cast. With the introduction of Section 31, the stage is set for some potentially explosive storylines in the episodes to come.