I spent some quality procrastination time this week using the Internet to sneak a peek at the script currently (and credibly) circulating as the eagerly anticipated pilot episode: "Broken Bow." Wow! If the actual story is not this good then it should have been. I think we're in for a real treat and soon, here with barely a month until the premiere.
And I am an unabashed spoiler-spreader so read - or don't read - this and future columns keeping that in mind. However, herein I'm not going to reveal anything spectacular except to acknowledge an already half-public narrative twist that should be considered a keeper even if the online script turns up bogus. The twist? Captain Archer brings his dog.
Good heavens! Placing a dog on board the Enterprise provides yet another artful touch to the promising series. (I'm starting to enjoy these touches rather regularly now!) The plot potential is immediate and interesting; the pilot hints at several developments, which the show may develop leisurely.
Taking dogs along would enable their use in away teams even if the practice might not be prudent. Dogs are equipped with excellent life-sign detectors (two floppy ones up top and a single wet one in front) but don't appear to be a match even for a TOS-era tricorder. Will the NX01 provide its landing parties with gear superior to standard canine issue? Sets a new biological baseline for technology when you think about it. For that matter, will we consider a dog ready for extravehicular activities after a little pod-dy training?
It's hard to argue that some future directive will prohibit humanity from taking our animal companions along with us into space. In fact, history records the first living creature in space was the Russian cosmo-canine Laika. (No happy ending to her story by the way. She was sent on a suicide mission and burned to a crisp upon re-entry. No hot dog jokes please!) So clearly they're along for the ride today, even if they might not want to be.
The human/animal bond must remain intact into the days of TOS since Sulu notes the absence of dogs on Omicron Ceti III. The Klingon commander Kruge totes his targ along in the third Star Trek movie. And of course Data had Spot. So it certainly seems like they'll be along for the ride tomorrow.
What we encourage to endure represents true accomplishment, not high tech. The deep and rewarding relationship shared with nature is a strength we should take with us into space.