246: Challenging the Empire

“Judgment” 20th-anniversary reflections

Captain Jonathan Archer of the battle cruiser Enterprise stands before a Klingon magistrate to face the music for aiding and abetting fugitives from the Empire. At least that’s the Klingon side of the story. Archer, actually captain of the Earth starship Enterprise, tells a different story and attempts to prove his innocence with the help of a Klingon advocate who has become disillusioned with Klingon society and has all but given up fighting for change. Challenged by Archer as lacking honor, he takes the fight to the prosecutor and, while still losing by winning, finds a new path for himself.

In this episode of Warp Five, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 20th-anniversary retrospective that takes you through all of Star Trek: Enterprise, one episode at a time. In this installment, we continue Season 2 with “Judgment” as we discuss how the story revisits The Undiscovered Country, works to maintain continuity, and challenges the concept of Klingon society.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Revisiting The Undiscovered Country (00:02:25)
In Need of Two Parts? (00:06:53)
Attention to Detail and Continuity (00:11:09)
Challenging the Empire (00:16:14)
Diversity of Thought Matters (00:26:41)
The Fate of Kolos (00:30:00)
Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:34:51)
Closing (00:37:26)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer)