4.11: Observer Effect

[Dave]

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from Trek Today

Noncorporeal aliens study the Enterprise crew as they respond to a fatal viral infection brought on board from an away mission.

[Dave]

from Trek Today
Will the ominous-sounding aliens in the upcoming episode "Observer Effect" prove to be the same species that, years later, force the Klingons and the Federation into a begrudging peace?

A report at TrekWeb claims that the noncorporeal aliens who study the crew while a virus threatens the ship are the Organians, the aliens from the original series episode "Errand of Mercy" who take on the appearance of simple, backward humanoids when Kirk and Spock come into conflict with the Klingon commander Kor. In order to end the conflict, the Organians make it impossible for the Starfleet or Klingon officers to handle their weapons, revealing themselves to be powerful and elusive beings and forcing a peace treaty upon the two warring cultures.

"Observer Effect" is written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, longtime novelists who have added on to original series history and collaborated with William Shatner on his Kirk novels. It is unknown whether the Enterprise crew will ever discover the true nature of the aliens, since Kirk and Spock were evidently unfamiliar with the Organians when they arrived at their planet. As previously reported in the show's production details, "Observer Effect" features no guest cast members, for the noncorporeal beings take over the bodies of different crewmembers and impact their actions.

[Mariel]

Trip and Hoshi get infected with a silicon based virus when they go down to a planet to investigate an empty Klingon coloney. The Organians first inhabit Mayweather and Reed and discuss how they think the crew will handle this deadly and highly contagious virus. Phlox finds out these aliens are onboard when he sees Trip and Hoshi, who were under a strong sedative, standing and talking. The Organians talk to Phlox and then erase the memory of the discussion. Phlox tries to cure Trip and Hoshi but they die and Archer gets infected also while helping Phlox. The Organians inhabit the dead Trip and Hoshi and talk to Archer and Archer convinces then the heal everyone infected. Enterprise leaves the planet with out knowing what really happened.
:blpaw:

[Eway]

Has no one seen this episode? It happens to be one of the best of season 4 in my opinion. The morality play was classic Star Trek and nice to see.

Anyone else have any comments?

[Dave]

I'm not sure about it being the best in Season 4, but then Season 4 has been an exceptionally strong one so far.

It was a character driven episode with few special effects, set entirely aboard ship; the kind of episode they do to save money. having said that, there were some very good performances by Anthony Montgomery, Dominic Keating, and Linda Park. It's only a pity that their characters weren't playing themselves!

The story is much as has already been said, but the ending is that while Archer and Co. have no idea that they met the Organians, the Organians themselves have been profoundly changed by Archer's little speech.

After 800-1000 years of observing other species interact with the silicon-based virus, this is the first time they have witnessed such compassion and empathy; characteristics that they themselves have lost. They go away and prepare for First Contact with Humans.