A call from the bridge interrupts Mayweather from his reading, as NX-01 changes course to photograph some seriously erupting volcanoes. Travis seeks leave to visit the E.C.S. Horizon, his home-ship growing up as a boomer. As the rendezvous approaches so does sad news: His father (the Horizon's captain) has died, the tragic news slowed up by civilian channels. His mother, who serves as both ship's medic and as chief engineer, provides him with VIP treatment as do old friends.

The new captain - his brother Paul - however does not receive his sibling as well, dismissing him as an explorer with a personal chef and sarcastically requesting him to "stop by engineering and build us a warp 5 engine." (A sister exists off-stage too, mailing Mom about the events of "Catwalk" and "Minefield.") Horizon is attacked in a raid in which an attached beacon-bomb signals a larger raiding ship. All appears lost but by temporarily jettisoning cargo the Horizon becomes a formidable weapon and Travis saves the day with what he's learned about blowing up alien engines.

This episode was enjoyable from score to directing to acting, to the writing portraying Archer as a good leader. In a strong scene he consoles Mayweather at his zero-gee sweet spot (where this expansive hole fits in Enterprise remains a mystery to which no deck plan has gone before). With minimal exposure the Horizon was still realistic - the "grab hold of something" warp sequence was a nice touch as was Mayweather's childhood wall-map highlighting systems he wished to visit. And there's that cool model of Cochrane's Phoenix again in his cabin!

Then there's the funny B-story with Trip, Phlox, and Archer arm-twisting T'Pol into watching Frankenstein. She protests logically that sitting silently in the dark doesn't seem like fraternizing but soon interprets the film in terms of a human capacity to torment. (Priceless to have Phlox comment on the medical science and have T'Pol shoosh him, then snatch some popcorn.) There's also a good-humored dig with Travis and Malcolm discussing families on starships, an act which Reed believes would require a posted psychologist!

As we've seen with Picard or Spock and now Travis, Starfleet can significantly divide a family. Yet the mess-hall moment with mom (wearing a third hat as referee between her strong-willed sons) shows we can be proud of both her son the captain as well as her son "the most natural stick and rudder man." Like Travis I hope we re-visit his family in another four years - if not sooner.