Star Trek: Enterprise (TV Series) Observer Effect (2005) User Reviews

Infection

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 10 July 2010]

This episode opens with Malcolm and Travis having a discussion while playing a game of chess. Their conversation seems very out of character as the coldly discuss how every time people visit a planet somebody dies, it seems odd because if the planet is that dangerous why have away teams been sent there and shouldn't they be more concerned for their crew mates. As the Away teams return Trip suddenly gets ill and after landing the shuttle Hoshi also succumbs to the mystery illness. Dr Phlox's investigation leads him to find that they are suffering from a silicon based virus which will kill them both in a matter of hours if he can't find a cure. At this point we learn that there was a very good reason for Malcolm and Travis acting out of character; they had been possessed my non-corporeal aliens who wish to observe how humans will deal with the situation. Phlox comes up with an idea about how to save them but to administer the possible cure they will have to move them from quarantine to sickbay and either Phlox or the captain must expose himself to the virus as the equipment can't be operated while wearing protective suits. As it looks like crew members are going to start dying the two aliens argue about whether or not they should intervene to save the infected crew.

This was an good episode that managed to be exciting without any spectacular action scenes. While I immediately thought that Malcolm and Travis were behaving rather strangely I didn't work out that they were actually possessed by aliens for some time, I liked that they were just observers and hadn't deliberately infected anybody and that the infection would have happened if they weren't there, in fact ultimately their presence saves the crew. It was good to see Hoshi take a more central role for a change as Linda Park is good in the role.

One of the better ones.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 30 May 2015]

This is a very interesting episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise". A couple beings without corporeal bodies have entered the ship and are able to inhabit the bodies of crew members. The possessed do not know this is occurring nor do they have memories of it. The pair are investigating new species and how they deal with a problem. It seems that there is a horribly virulent disease that various humanoids contract in this part of space...and they want to see how these humans deal with it. Interestingly, these beings think they are amazingly advanced...but they also have an amazingly ambivalent view of folks who are dying. However, over the course of the show, one of them begins to feel come empathy and how this all plays out is for you to see when you see the show.

The best thing about this show is the writing. The idea of ethereal beings occupying folks isn't exactly new--but why and what they do, THAT is very interesting. See this one.

Very Good Use of Ethics/A Bit of a Kirk-Like Conundrum

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 March 2017]

It was nice to a have single episode which has a beginning and an ending. This is a fascinating story of how a prime directive can be used as an excuse to lose all the traits that are worth having. I don't know if there are really universal truths. It would seem that if there was such a thing as a superior, advance species, that species may view those who are behind them on the evolutionary scale as we view insects. The difference is that we are sentient, with a need to surpass what we are and to love and connect with others of our kind. When the Organians come on board, using hosts from the crew, they are strictly analytical researchers. Watching their subjects die doesn't faze them because they've watched it thousands of times. But the rub is what is the point of evolving without those qualities of compassion and sacrifice. I suppose we could make a case for our psychotic dictators who served their self interest. But these oddities in the stream don't speak for the species. If anything, they are the exception that proves the rule. Archer speaks well. I suppose on could make the case that such a lowlife like Archer could never convince such an advanced set of beings. It is not unlike our Captain Kirk. He managed to out-think Nomad. Remember. I really enjoyed this episode. It is thought provoking and a cut above some of the other episodes.

Human Compassion

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 11 April 2010]

Commander Trip and Hoshi are contaminated by a silicon based virus in a planet visited by Klingons and are kept in quarantine by Dr. Phlox. He researches with T'Pol an almost impossible cure since Trip and Hoshi have only five hours. Meanwhile Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Travis are the hosts of two non-corporeus advanced life forms that want to observe the human behavior in the stressed conditions caused by the incurable virus.

"Observer Effect" is one of the best episodes of "Enterprise". The engaging story has great performances and dialogs, and the conclusion is excellent with Archer giving a lesson of one of the most beautiful characteristics of the human beings: compassion. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Observador" ("Observer")

Human Compassion: A Case Study

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 1 March 2018]

In "Observer Effect", Trip & Hoshi contract a silicon-based virus while a visiting an uninhabited M-class planet. With no known cure on record, Phlox & T'Pol search for a way to save their shipmates. Death looms large as the clock ticks on. Meanwhile, two non-corporeal beings have taken possession of Travis & Reed. Their mission is to examine how different species react to the virus; they consider first contact if they deem a species worthy. The two consider intervening to stop the deaths of the Enterprise crew.

This episode has a bit of a low rating (some may find its slow pace boring) but I fathered enjoyed it. It really shows the compassionate and empathetic side of human behavior, even when the end results aren't logical. The observers have evolved so far above most other species that they've given themselves a bit of a superiority complex. It takes this new observer (who seems to be on one of its first missions) to change protocol and remind its partner about the common decency in the universe. Their laboratory may be gone, but they've gained a valuable piece of perspective. This episode may be a tad heavy-handed but it's enjoyable, nonetheless.

Note: I also enjoyed the way Hoshi's corpse springs up when the being enters her and talks to Archer, very eerie.

Another Enterprise Pre- Other ST Species Reference Episode

[joesocwork · 8/10 · 5 November 2021]

Throughout the series I've been intrigued and entertained how Enterprise references to species of other Star Trek series while trying to simultaneously add to and maintain canon. This was a major episode, for of all species, ***spoiler*** the Organians of "Errand of Mercy" in The Original Series; with even a mention of the Cardassians in the other series.

Clever episode about perspectives of the Enterprise Crew and humans in general from an outsider's perspective. I'm just disappointed that the Organians didn't live up to the morality set up to their species in Errand of Mercy.

A new refreshing plot.

[vodkamate-48063 · 8/10 · 3 May 2019]

This was definitely one of the better episodes. Usually there are a lot of episodes with very similar plots scattered throughout the Star Trek series. Voyager, DS9 and Enterprise all seem to recycle. But this one was different. Different and interesting with a sprinkle of ethics on top.

Strong prime directive themed episode

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 10 December 2020]

Two observers watch Enterprise deal with crew members who have contracted a fatal virus.

This is a strong episode that takes a unique approach to the principles of the prime directive. For me the themes covered are more interesting than how the story is told.

Any plot where the lives of the main cast are at risk is never that plausible and although all scenes are well made you are just waiting for the observers to make everything okay again. The real mystery is who the observers are and when their identity is revealed it gives a return on the investment of your time, particularly for fans of the original series.

All performances are strong, with the main cast having to vary their characters due to the nature of the plot.

I enjoyed this one for how it turns the tables on the interference v non-interference debate we've seen in multiple episodes of Enterprise.

For me it's a 7.5/10, but I always round upwards.

To interfere or not to interfere, that is the question

[tomsly-40015 · 9/10 · 14 April 2024]

A pretty clever episode about two highly developed incorporeal beings who take over the bodies of various crew members to observe how the humans aboard the Enterprise make decisions and respond to a deadly threat from an alien virus. However, the episode would have benefited from a bit of CGI to at least visualize them jumping from one body to the next.

Unfortunately, a lot of the tension is once again lost because it's clear at the end that neither Trip nor Hoshi will die from the virus. In fact, both are brought back from the dead as if nothing had happened. The actual message loses its significance through this resurrection: Just like with the Prime Directive, these incorporeal beings also act according to a protocol of not interfering in the development of other species. But they have now broken their own doctrine - even though the show is halfway through the fifth and final season. One of the two characters could have died to give the episode some meaning.

But in Happy End Star Trek the motto is: If you interfere in the development of other species with the best of intentions, then it's somehow okay.