Opening with an awesome low-G football pass auguring just how well this episode scores, Director LeVar Burton delivers Enterprise several kilotons-worth of dilithium ore. With jaw-dropping scenes like the jettison of the occupied pod, there's obviously no stop to the heart-stopping surprises. Writer James Duff needs to get off his and turn out some more of this quality quickly!

I hope the NX-01 eventually catches up with the Y-Class ECS Fortunate for that drink with Captain Keene. What a wonderfully drawn ship! Her interiors and exteriors were realistically freight-y. Bridge, sickbay, even her corridors all looked comfortably different. The crew onboard was dynamic and easy to empathize - especially First Officer (soon to be Able Bodied Crewman) Ryan.

Something smelled like a Tenebian skunk when the away team first came aboard the Fortunate, and credit for that smell belongs to the great acting of Lawrence Monoson. The "abandon your family" guilt trip he laid on Travis as quickly and effectively connected the characters as did the common human experience of "mystery meals" (in boomer case, hydroponics and nutrient packs). Further, the reference to the Northstar tragedy (tactfully described only partially) quietly underlined the danger of the exploration experience.

Complementing that performance, Anthony Montgomery shines as the boomer episode finally arrives, providing delicious details about their life and culture. Mayweather's life aboard the J-Class Horizon (of Sigma Iotia II notoriety in TOS - maybe Travis has handled The Book!) was thoughtfully sketched out as was his bright and eager personality. He'd probably talk me into trying the transporter myself!

The back and forth with Bakula in the Ready Room exchange was excellent, wherein Archer's open approach reaffirms Travis' choice to join Starfleet. In fact, the acting throughout was solid. Each of the main cast contributed, even Porthos (is it just me - does Phlox look pregnant?). Perhaps unintentionally, T'Pol plays hide and seek with the Fortunate's children reinforcing her inner motivation - "I just told them the truth." (This mimicking the Andorian mess.) And nuts! Chef is a "him" so it's not Guinan. Flint perhaps?

With three more NX class starships on the way, we're now dealing with the drama of humanity going into space. It could well indeed result in turf wars with the "pirates" next door if we're not careful. Like good Trek captains um, before him though, Archer asserts better authority than Starfleet - an understanding about the responsible demands of human nature.

So ... another early wake-up-call, another secret base, another lost shuttlepod. But call it another success story for Enterprise!