Star Trek: Enterprise (TV Series) Precious Cargo (2002) User Reviews

Fairly standard ST:E episode. Decent story and script, but predictable and unchallenging

[mstomaso · 5/10 · 25 February 2007]

Trip Tucker is the protagonist in this episode and while the episode may have been intended as something of a character study for him, we don't really learn anything new about him through this.

Paadma Lakshi plays the precious cargo - a princess in a stasis pod being transported by pair of questionable individuals. Since she looks more human than the aliens who are transported, it should be no surprise that she is one of the 'good guys'. The aliens are not particularly bright and do not appear to be possessed of completely developed personalities.

Though the script and story are a little better than usual for this series, the plot is almost completely predictable and Ms Lakshi's acting is actually below the franchise standard. Altogether average episode.

Not one of the best of the series

[msghall · 7/10 · 5 April 2021]

First of all, guest star Paadma Lakshi can't act, that's clear from the beginning. Beauty yes, talent little. Also, Trip is at his annoyingly whiniest. But the episode is fine otherwise, especially if you turn the sound off.

Just ok

[timothy_sarver · 5/10 · 3 May 2019]

Its not nearly as bad, or good, as most of these reviews are saying. Its just a uninspiring, by the book TV episode. it doesn't do anything new or fresh with the plot or characters. Its just a dumb filler episode. 5/10

Princess Leah and Trip

[Hughmanity · 7/10 · 29 March 2021]

Some obvious linkages to the "First Monarch" and her dalliance with Trip to Leah and Han Solo in Star Wars. They even give her a "you're my only hope" line to make it all the more obvious.

It had potential but like too many Enterprise episodes it's done in too obvious a fashion, linear plot line and campy enough to cringe at times.

When it's not doing those things it's fun and almost hearkens back to TOS with Kirk saving some damsel in distress. I gave it a 7 for that reason but it felt like a pity rating.

The worst episode of the worst season of the worst series

[hddu10-819-37458 · 10 December 2017]

Enterprise is without a doubt the worst iteration of the Star Trek franchise that made it to television. The premise of Enterprise was extremely promising; a prequel to the original Star Trek series wherein we would see earth's progression from embattled backwater to prime-position on the Federation. However, from the very beginning episode it became clear that the series was simply going to pander to the sexual frustrations/dysfunctions of the more die hard fans by showing a lot of skin and sexual tension (i.e. T'pol and Trip changing in front of each other, Captain Archer in the shower, male and female crew giving each other the up-and-down glances to foreshadow future "hook ups" written into the story etc). In this extremely bad episode, Trip is forced to rescue a Paris Hilton styled princess, with an excruciatingly horrible "performance" from Padma Lakshmi (she has got to be the worst walk-on actress ever) from some "bad guys". Of course there is the same basic sexual tensions, skin (she rips the bottom of her dress off during the escape) and wafer-thin dialogue. Poorly written, acted and cast. Truly the low-point all around.

Mildly entertaining episode

[snoozejonc · 6/10 · 11 September 2020]

Enterprise helps a cargo ship carrying an important passenger and Trip Tucker gets very involved.

Yes the acting isn't great. Yes the story is cliched and predictable. However, it's not as bad as its appearance on numerous 'top 10 worst Star Trek episodes of all time' would suggest. For a start Kaitaama didn't annoy me in comparison to the way other Trek characters have done previously and although the plot is uninspiring, it's not as ludicrous as plenty of episodes throughout the franchise.

Does the sexual tension work? I think it probably does when they are not conversing. They are both physically attractive people and in a situation where she is a scantily clad damsel and he's a dashing hero who's down to his underwear, so that in itself is should be mildly entertaining.

Would I watch it again? No. Would I recommend it? Probably not, but it depends on what type of story someone is looking for. If this was done in 1966 and it was Shatner with some sixties glamour model in a halloween costume it would probably be considered a camp classic.

The Admirable Crichton (Tripp)

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 18 March 2017]

This episode has some fun things going for it. First of all, a couple aliens who are having trouble with their ship are helped by Archer and the Enterprise. It turns out they are a couple low-lifes who have some interesting cargo. It is a gorgeous princess who is being taken to a planet to assume her role as royalty. She and Tripp end up together in a tight little escape pod, sparring all the way because she can't tolerate "commoners." There is all this sexual tension going on as they attempt to survive on a water covered planet. There is a great scene where Archer and T'Pol interrogate one of the aliens who was left behind, making him think he will be executed. T'Pol pretends to be a heartless judge who has already had 17 crewmen executed. Lots of fun, but, of course, very easy to figure out.

Star Trek Uses a Tired Plot Device

[Samuel-Shovel · 4/10 · 7 November 2017]

The Enterprise encounters a ship needing repairs. When Trip goes aboard to help out the Retellian freighter, he encounters an unexpected passenger in a stasis pod. But is she a guest of the ship or a prisoner?

Woof! Talk about terrible! This script is about as clichéd a plot as ST:E could have possibly have come up with. The age-old plot device of two characters stuck in a terrible situation finding their hate turn into love is extremely hackneyed and I could have done without it for this one.

To make matters worse, the actress playing Kaitaama is a horrible actress and is unfortunately on screen for the majority of this episode. Trip is acting circle around her and I don't even think Connor Trinneer is that good of an actor!

Predictable as they come, this episode should be skipped unless you're a Star Trek completist.

The First Monarch of Krios Prime

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 13 January 2008]

The Enterprise receives a distress call from a Retellian cargo vessel and the crew tells Captain Archer that they have problem with the life support system of an alien that is transported in a cocoon. Trip goes to the alien ship to repair the system while Goff and Plinn come to Enterprise to have a shower and meal. Trip sees a beautiful woman in the cocoon that suddenly wakes-up, and Trip tries to help her to leave the spot. However, Trip is attacked by Goff, who leaves Plinn in the Enterprise and escapes with Trip and the woman. She introduces herself to Trip as Kaitaama, the First Monarch of Krios Prime, and she tells that she had been abducted by the Retellians that asked for a ransom. Trip decides to escape in the pod and convinces Kaitaama to come with him.

"Precious Cargo" is a funny episode, and Trip recalled me Captain Kirk from "Star Trek" again, seducing another female alien. The unpleasant character of the gorgeous Padma Lakshmi actually did not need a consultation with Dr. Phlox to relieve her sexual tension with the presence of Trip. The Retellian Goff is easily lured by Archer and T'Pol, but I liked this episode. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Carga Preciosa" ("Precious Cargo")

Rather predictable but generally enjoyable despite it's many clichés.

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 27 March 2015]

In many ways, this episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise" is highly reminiscent of the original "Star Trek" episode "Elaan of Troyius". Considering that this old episode isn't all that good, reworking the story doesn't bode well for "Precious Cargo".

When the show begins, a couple aliens get help with their ship from Enterprise. Oddly, however, these folks don't seem especially friendly and just want to leave as soon as possible with their cargo. And what IS the cargo--a woman in suspended animation who is supposedly being brought to her home world. What the crew doesn't realize is that the lady is actually a queen and she is their prisoner! Trip discovers this--but too late. He and the cargo are kidnapped and taken on a crazy trip--one where they soon went from totally hating each other (as the 'cargo' is haughty to say the least!) to being crazy-pants in love...something which is really easy to predict...and makes no sense at all. What a dopey cliché!!

Aside from a very humorous interrogation scene, there is so much about this show that is just old and clichéd. See the 'romance' and you'll see what I mean....as well as the 'cargo'...can anyone be THAT out of touch and awful?!

UPDATE: By the way, it isn't just me who hated this episode. At the 50th anniversary Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, this was voted as one of the 10 worst of all episodes from every Trek franchise! That is some ignoble designation!

campy trek

[tpfaff100 · 10/10 · 13 September 2016]

This is among the most humorous Trek episode of the modern era. It reads like a 1950s sci-fi short story.

Campy as all getout, our two lovebirds, Kaitaama and Trip end up on a miserable watery planet with a single jungle continent. They begin by hating each other, Kaitaama being the princess of Planet Krios.

Kaitaama is disagreeable of everything but agrees to keep her disagreement quiet while Trip works on rescuing them from aliens who took them hostage.

This is an episode that reflects original episodes of "Trek" with Trip playing the boy-charmer and Kaitaama the difficult chick. It is not politically correct. It is not in line with 2010-era taboos or "the establishment" TV industry.

This, along with the humor intentionally woven into the story makes it likely the funniest Trek of the modern era! Thanks to the writers for this breath of fresh air!

Swept Away

[Greekguy · 4/10 · 7 August 2018]

Apart from the pleasure of seeing Lina Wertmuller's magnificently titled and very successful 1974 film "Swept Away by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August" replayed in space (with Connor Trinneer standing in for Giancarlo Giannini and Padma Lakshmi for Mariangela Melato), there's not much here. T'Pol's willingness to engage in subterfuge seems a little surprising, as does the lack of natural dangers (animal or insect) in a swampy alien environment.

Oh my god this episode is horrific

[grahamcookemail · 1/10 · 9 August 2020]

Oh my god this episode is horrific. It gives Threshold a run for its money. A terrible story, a ridiculous romance and the worst guest actress in all of Star Trek. She is just woefully wooden, it's like trying to watch a wardrobe act. Everybody involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.