199: The Search for Pineapple

Silent Enemy.

Most aliens in Star Trek are presented in terms that the human mind can understand. The Klingons, the Romulans, even the Borg. We can make sense of their actions and motives. But in reality, new life that we meet out in space will have a lot less in common with us. Enterprise attempted to address this truth midway through its first season in “Silent Enemy,” which pitted our crew against beings that only CGI could create—and who never spoke a word.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary Fruhling, Brandon-Shea Mutala, and Dennis Castello to discuss this episode that includes not an alien mystery, but also a culinary one. Join us as we talk about the true nature of Malcolm Reed, Captain Archer’s decision to tuck tail and run, the real reason the Enterprise needed phase cannons to be installed, and, of course, the infamous B-story: the search for Malcolm’s favorite food.

In our news segment, we discuss a new collection of the classic James Blish TOS novelizations, the results of the Strange New Worlds short story contest, and Simon Pegg’s thoughts on the foundation of Star Trek.

News
Barnes & Noble Release “The Classic Episodes” Anthology (00:04:00)
Simon Pegg on the Foundation of Star Trek (00:11:07)
2016 Strange New World Winners Announced (00:23:41)

Feature: Silent Enemy
Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:30:46)
Aliens Unknown (00:43:09)
Tucking Tail (00:52:37)
The Search for Pineapple (01:05:17)
Direction, Visuals, and Sound (01:23:52)
Final Thoughts (01:38:18)

Hosts
C Bryan Jones and Zachary Fruhling

Guests
Brandon-Shea Mutala and Dennis Castello

Production
C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Renee Roberts (Associate Producer) Zachary Fruhling (Associate Producer) Sam Piassick (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)