Introduction

“Kir’Shara” is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Enterprise.

The episode was the third in a three-part story arc, following on from the episodes “The Forge” (S04E07) and “Awakening” (S04E08). “Kir’Shara” and the Vulcan arc showed themes relating to the Protestant Reformation resulting in comparisons to books such as The Da Vinci Code and The Celestine Prophecy, while the Kir’Shara itself was compared to the Nag Hammadi library.

In this episode, Enterprise attempts to avert a war, and is caught in a crossfire between Vulcan and Andorian starships. Meanwhile. Captain Archer, Commander T’Pol, and T’Pau aim to take the Kir’Shara to the Vulcan capital, and use it to reveal Administrator V’Las’ plot to the rest of the Vulcan High Command.

In addition to the guest stars returning from the previous arc episodes, or the episode “Home” (S04E03), Jeffrey Combs returned as Shran. The episode was shot across seven days using mostly standing sets, with only an Andorian brig built specifically for this episode. “Kir’Shara” also saw the return of the Vulcan lirpa, a weapon which had been first introduced in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Amok Time” (S02E01).

The episode originally aired on 03 December 2004 on UPN and received a Nielsen rating of 2.1/4 percent, which equalled the highest ratings seen during the fourth season. It was warmly received by critics who praised Combs’ performance and noted that this episode was an indication of the improving quality of the series. However, there was mixed opinion regarding the ending of the episode.

Outline

Enterprise heads to Andoria after Ambassador Soval informs them that the Vulcans believe they have been developing Xindi weapon technology. Soval guides Enterprise to a nebula where the Andorian fleet is hiding. Commander Shran is dubious, and abducts and tortures Soval. After believing him, Enterprise joins a fleet of six Andorian ships to intercept the Vulcans. Commander Tucker attempts to buy time by ordering Enterprise directly between the two fleets – this works for a while until Administrator V’Las orders them to be targeted too.

Meanwhile, at The Forge, Captain Archer, Commander T’Pol, and T’Pau, having found the sacred Kir’Shara (which the Syrrannites believe will usher a Vulcan enlightenment), endeavour to take it to the capital. En route, T’Pol and T’Pau discuss the taboo of mind-melds, and T’Pau offers to mind-meld with T’Pol. She states the meld is safe when performed by those trained in the art, and that Pa’nar Syndrome is merely the by-product of an improperly conducted meld. The trio are then attacked by Major Talok and Vulcan commandos, and T’Pol is captured while the others escape. She tells her captors that they are headed to Mount Seleya in order to mislead them from their true destination.

She is then taken to the capital. Archer and T’Pau also arrive after T’Pol’s husband, Koss, provides transporter security codes. They present the Kir’Shara to the Command and reveal that the embassy bombing was merely a pretext to weaken the pacifist Syrrannites prior to the Andorian strike. Visibly angered, V’Las lunges for the Kir’Shara, but is stunned by High-Minister Kuvak, who orders the fleet to stand down. Enterprise returns to Vulcan, and Koss visits to release T’Pol from their marriage. Meanwhile, the Vulcan High Command is dissolved, granting Earth greater autonomy, and the katra of Surak is transferred to a Vulcan high priest. V’Las, relieved of his post, meets secretly with Talok, revealed as a Romulan agent, who states that the reunification of their worlds is only a matter of time.

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Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): David Livingston.
• Writer(s): Michael Sussman.
• Release Date: 03 December 2004.
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.