Ep 24. First Flight

In Star Trek: Enterprise season 2 episode 24, entitled "First Flight," the crew of the Enterprise is given a glimpse into the past of their captain, Jonathan Archer. The episode takes place several years before Archer's time on the Enterprise, back when he was a test pilot for Earth's first warp five prototype ship, the NX-Alpha.

As a young and eager pilot, Archer is chosen for the important mission of testing the NX-Alpha's engines, which have been designed to exceed the speed of light. Archer is partnered with his friend and fellow pilot A.G. Robinson, and together they set out to break the warp two barrier.

However, the mission does not go according to plan. As the ship approaches warp two, the engines suddenly fail and the ship crash-lands in the desert. Archer and Robinson are injured but manage to escape the wreckage before it explodes.

The incident is deemed a failure, and funding for the project is cut. Archer is left feeling bitter and disillusioned, especially when Robinson is given all the credit for the mission's successes and hailed as a hero.

Years later, while on a mission with the Enterprise, Archer is contacted by an old friend who has discovered that their crash was not caused by a malfunction, but rather sabotage. Unable to let the matter rest, Archer launches an investigation into the incident.

What follows is a thrilling race against time as Archer and his team work to uncover the truth behind the sabotage before it's too late. Along the way, Archer is forced to confront his own feelings of jealousy and resentment towards Robinson, and comes to a new understanding of his own failures and shortcomings.

The episode is a poignant and gripping look into the backstory of one of Star Trek's most beloved characters, and offers insight into the challenges and sacrifices that were made in order to make interstellar travel a reality. It is a must-see for fans of the series, and a powerful reminder of the bravery and determination that drive humankind to explore new frontiers.