Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
m (lk fix)
(16 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
{{sidebar episode|
 
{{sidebar episode|
 
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
 
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
| aSelf = First Flight
+
| aSelf = First Flight
| sTitle = First Flight
+
| sTitle = First Flight
| sSeries = ENT
+
| sSeries = ENT
| nSeason = 2
+
| nSeason = 2
| nEpisode = 24
+
| nEpisode = 24
 
|sProductionSerialNumber = 050
 
|sProductionSerialNumber = 050
 
| nAirdateYear = 2003
 
| nAirdateYear = 2003
Line 15: Line 15:
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
 
| wsStoryBy =
 
| wsStoryBy =
| wsDirectedBy = [[LeVar Burton]]
+
| wsDirectedBy = [[LeVar Burton]]
| nNthProducedInSeries = 49
+
| nNthProducedInSeries = 49
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 49
+
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 49
| nNthReleasedInAll = 678
+
| nNthReleasedInAll = 678
| bFeatureLength = 0
+
| bFeatureLength = 0
| nSerialAirdate = 20030514
+
| nSerialAirdate = 20030514
| wsDate = ''Unknown'' ([[2153]]/[[2143]])
+
| wsDate = ''Unknown'' ({{dis|March|month}} [[2153]]/[[2143]]/[[October]], [[2150]])
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = Bounty (episode)
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = Bounty (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = Regeneration (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = Regeneration (episode)
Line 39: Line 39:
   
 
=== Past ===
 
=== Past ===
[[Commander]] Jonathan Archer meets with [[Commodore]] Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the [[NX-Alpha]]. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book.
+
[[Commander]] Jonathan Archer meets with [[Commodore]] Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the [[NX-Alpha]]. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots at the [[602 Club]]. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book.
   
 
[[File:Flight director station, NX Control.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Archer]] supervising the flight of the [[NX-Alpha]] in [[2143]]]]
 
[[File:Flight director station, NX Control.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Archer]] supervising the flight of the [[NX-Alpha]] in [[2143]]]]
Line 46: Line 46:
 
The [[Vulcan]]s immediately claim that this proves that [[Human]]s are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.
 
The [[Vulcan]]s immediately claim that this proves that [[Human]]s are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.
   
Later in the [[602 Club]], Archer and his new friend Trip Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. Further adding to Archer's anger is that Robinson admits that he faced the Vulcans and blamed the destruction of the ''NX-Alpha'' on [[Henry Archer]]'s warp engine design. Archer and Robinson get into a fight which is shortly broken up.
+
Later in the 602 Club, Archer and his new friend Trip Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. Further adding to Archer's anger is that Robinson admits that he faced the Vulcans and blamed the destruction of the ''NX-Alpha'' on [[Henry Archer]]'s warp engine design. Archer and Robinson get into a fight which is shortly broken up.
   
 
Later, Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. Robinson suggest that they test the theory by stealing the [[NX-Beta]]. Archer reluctantly agrees.
 
Later, Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. Robinson suggest that they test the theory by stealing the [[NX-Beta]]. Archer reluctantly agrees.
Line 57: Line 57:
 
They launch the final two charges, the previous four having failed, and are rewarded with a nebula appearing before their eyes.
 
They launch the final two charges, the previous four having failed, and are rewarded with a nebula appearing before their eyes.
   
Back on the ''Enterprise'', T'Pol makes the suggestion to Archer that the [[dark-matter nebula|dark matter cloud]] be named the [[Robinson Nebula]], after A.G. Robinson.
+
Back on ''Enterprise'', T'Pol makes the suggestion to Archer that the [[dark-matter nebula|dark matter cloud]] be named the [[Robinson Nebula]], after A.G. Robinson.
 
{{pna-episode}}
 
{{pna-episode}}
   
 
== Memorable quotes ==
 
== Memorable quotes ==
  +
"''All the close calls he had flying warp trials and he gets himself killed climbing Mount McKinley.''"
 
: - '''Archer''' on A.G. Robinson's death
  +
  +
"''There were just a few of us; Gardner, Duvall, A.G. and me. We all wanted the first flight.''"
  +
: - '''Archer''' reminiscing to T'Pol about the NX test program
  +
 
"''You remember what Buzz Aldrin said when he stepped onto the moon?''"<br />
 
"''You remember what Buzz Aldrin said when he stepped onto the moon?''"<br />
 
"''No.''"<br />
 
"''No.''"<br />
Line 66: Line 72:
 
: - '''Archer''' and '''Ruby'''
 
: - '''Archer''' and '''Ruby'''
   
 
"''Congratulations.''"<br />
 
"''You mean that?''"<br />
  +
"''Of course not. I'm waiting for Forrest to realize what a horrible mistake he made.''"
  +
: - '''Archer''' and '''Robinson'''
   
 
"''When the first warp five starship is built, its captain won't be able to call home every time he needs to make a decision. He won't be able to turn to the Vulcans. Unless he decides to take one with him.''"
"''Optimism doesn't alter the laws of physics.''"
 
: - '''T'Pol''', to Archer
 
 
 
"''One thing I learned from A.G.: You're never going to get anywhere without taking risks.''"<br />
 
"''You obviously admired this man.''"<br />
 
"''Quite a bit.''"<br />
 
"''And yet he cracked your molar?''"<br />
 
"''Yeah, Humans can have funny ways of forming friendships.''"<br />
 
"''To say the least.''"<br />
 
: - '''Archer''' and '''T'Pol'''
 
 
 
"''When the first warp five starship is built, its captain won't be able to call home every time he needs to make a decision. He won't be able to turn to the Vulcans. Unless he decides to take one with him.''"
 
 
: - '''A.G. Robinson''', to Archer
 
: - '''A.G. Robinson''', to Archer
   
 
"''Don't worry, you'll get out there some day. If I had my own ship, I'd sign you up in a second.''"<br />
 
"''Don't worry, you'll get out there some day. If I had my own ship, I'd sign you up in a second.''"<br />
 
 
"''I'm going to hold you to that!''"<br />
 
"''I'm going to hold you to that!''"<br />
 
: - '''Archer''' and '''Tucker'''
 
: - '''Archer''' and '''Tucker'''
   
 
"''We didn't build this engine to make test runs around Jupiter. We built it to explore! If my father were alive today, he'd be standing here asking: 'What the hell are we waiting for?' ''"
 
"''We didn't build this engine to make test runs around Jupiter. We built it to explore! If my father were alive today, he'd be standing here asking: 'What the hell are we waiting for?' ''"
 
 
: - '''Archer''', to Commodore Forrest
 
: - '''Archer''', to Commodore Forrest
   
 
== Background information ==
 
== Background information ==
  +
[[File:Shooting First Flight.jpg|thumb|[[A.G. Robinson]] actor [[Keith Carradine]] laughing with Director [[LeVar Burton]], during the creation of this episode]]
  +
[[File:First Flight sailors.jpg|thumb|LeVar Burton with actors [[Scott Bakula]] and [[Connor Trinneer]] as well as a trio of sailors from the {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65| (CVN-65)}}]]
  +
[[File:First Flight fight talk.jpg|thumb|Keith Carradine discussing, with Director of Photography [[Marvin V. Rush]], a fight scene from this episode]]
 
*The flashbacks of this episode serve as a prelude to the first episode of the series, {{ENT|Broken Bow}}.
 
*The flashbacks of this episode serve as a prelude to the first episode of the series, {{ENT|Broken Bow}}.
* [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Phlox]] ([[John Billingsley]]), [[Lieutenant|Lt.]] [[Malcolm Reed]] ([[Dominic Keating]]), and [[Ensign]] [[Travis Mayweather]] ([[Anthony Montgomery]]) do not appear in this episode. Ensign [[Hoshi Sato]] ([[Linda Park]]) appears in only one scene and has one line.
+
*[[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Phlox]] ([[John Billingsley]]), [[Lieutenant|Lt.]] [[Malcolm Reed]] ([[Dominic Keating]]), and [[Ensign]] [[Travis Mayweather]] ([[Anthony Montgomery]]) do not appear in this episode. Ensign [[Hoshi Sato]] ([[Linda Park]]) appears in only one scene and has one line.
* Trip Tucker refers to Captain [[Jefferies]], an [[engineer]] who worked on the [[NX Program]] in the [[2140s]] who later helped design the {{ShipClass|NX}}. This is a reference to [[Matt Jefferies]] who was the art director of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and designed the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|''Enterprise'']], the [[D7 class|D7-class]] [[Klingon]] [[battle cruiser]], the [[Romulan]] [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)|Bird-of-Prey]] and many other ships. The [[Jefferies tube]]s are also named after him. He died on July 21, 2003, two months after this episode first aired.
+
*Trip Tucker refers to Captain [[Jefferies]], an [[engineer]] who worked on the [[NX Program]] in the [[2140s]] who later helped design the {{class|NX}}. This is a reference to [[Matt Jefferies]] who was the art director of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and designed the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|''Enterprise'']], the [[D7 class|D7-class]] [[Klingon]] [[battle cruiser]], the [[Romulan]] [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)|Bird-of-Prey]], and many other ships. The [[Jefferies tube]]s are also named after him. He died on July 21, 2003, two months after this episode first aired.
* [[A.G. Robinson]]'s final line, "I'll see you out there", is reminiscent of [[Q]]'s final line to [[Jean-Luc Picard|Captain Picard]] in {{e|All Good Things...}}.
+
*[[A.G. Robinson]]'s final line, "''I'll see you out there''", is reminiscent of [[Q]]'s final line to Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] in {{e|All Good Things...}}.
* In the [[602 Club]] there are paintings and patches of many of the spacecraft mentioned on ''Star Trek'', including the [[DY-100 class]], the ''[[Phoenix]]'', the [[NX-Alpha]], and the {{USS|Enterprise|XCV 330| (XCV 330)}}. A patch of the [[Earth-Saturn probe]], featuring [[Shaun Geoffrey Christopher|Christopher]], and added [[astronaut]]s [[O'Herlihy (astronaut)|O'Herlihy]] and [[Fontana]], named after the director and writer of {{e|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}, the episode where it was mentioned.
+
*In the [[602 Club]] there are paintings and patches of many of the spacecraft mentioned on ''Star Trek'', including the [[DY-100 class]], the ''[[Phoenix]]'', the [[NX-Alpha]], and the {{USS|Enterprise|XCV 330| (XCV 330)}}. A patch of the [[Earth-Saturn probe]], featuring [[Shaun Geoffrey Christopher|Christopher]], and added [[astronaut]]s {{dis|O'Herlihy|astronaut}} and [[Fontana]], named after the director and writer of {{e|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}, the episode where it was mentioned.
* Also in the bar is the Rings [[game]] from {{VOY|Fair Haven}}.
+
*Also in the bar is the Rings [[game]] from {{VOY|Fair Haven}}.
* In the bar, Captain [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]] speaks with Ruby, whom both [[Charles Tucker III|Trip]] and [[Malcolm Reed|Malcolm]] once dated. (mentioned in {{e|Shuttlepod One}})
+
*In the bar, Captain [[Jonathan Archer|Archer]] speaks with Ruby, whom both [[Charles Tucker III|Trip Tucker]] and [[Malcolm Reed]] once dated (mentioned in {{e|Shuttlepod One}}).
* [[Vaughn Armstrong]], [[Michael Canavan]] and [[Victor Bevine]] all guest-starred in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. Armstrong played [[Danar]] in {{e|Past Prologue}} and [[Seskal]] in {{e|When It Rains...}} and {{e|The Dogs of War}}. Canavan played [[Tamal]] in {{e|Defiant}} and Bevine played [[Belar]] in {{e|Things Past}}. [[LeVar Burton]] directed Bevine in the latter episode and this one.
+
*[[Vaughn Armstrong]], [[Michael Canavan]] and [[Victor Bevine]] all guest-starred in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''. Armstrong played [[Danar]] in {{e|Past Prologue}} and [[Seskal]] in {{e|When It Rains...}} and {{e|The Dogs of War}}. Canavan played [[Tamal]] in {{e|Defiant}} and Bevine played [[Belar]] in {{e|Things Past}}. [[LeVar Burton]] directed Bevine in the latter episode and this one.
* This episode marks the first appearance of a [[commodore]] in ''Star Trek'' since the ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'' episode {{e|The Counter-Clock Incident}}. The only other mentions have been Commodore [[Probert]] in radio chatter in {{film|1}}, a brief appearance in the council chambers in {{film|4}} and a dubious mention in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode {{e|The Enemy}}.
+
*This episode marks the first appearance of a [[commodore]] in ''Star Trek'' since the ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'' episode {{e|The Counter-Clock Incident}}. The only other mentions have been Commodore [[Probert]] in radio chatter in {{film|1}}, a brief appearance in the council chambers in {{film|4}} and a dubious mention in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode {{e|The Enemy}}.
* The search for the first Dark Matter Nebula would seem to be redundant as Archer mentions in the episode {{e|Breaking the Ice}} that he had previously "made a run" to a dark matter nebula to set up a graviton telescope.
+
*The search for the first Dark Matter Nebula would seem to be redundant as Archer mentions in the episode {{e|Breaking the Ice}} that he had previously "made a run" to a dark matter nebula to set up a graviton telescope.
* The NX hangar exterior was previously seen in the sci-fi series ''{{w|Seven Days}}'' as the ''Never Never Land'' facility.
+
*The NX hangar exterior was previously seen in the sci-fi series ''{{w|Seven Days}}'' as the ''Never Never Land'' facility.
* Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay were two Pilsner glasses {{stala|9532}}, [[Keith Carradine]]'s uniform and boots {{stala|9597}}, and a [[602 Club]] menu card. {{stala|9637}}
+
*Among the items from this episode which were sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay were two Pilsner glasses, {{stala|9532}} [[Keith Carradine]]'s uniform and boots, {{stala|9597}} and a [[602 Club]] menu card. {{stala|9637}}
* The desk lamp seen while Robinson is emptying his locker was previously used during the Starfleet Praxis briefing at the beginning of {{film|6}}.
+
*The desk lamp seen while Robinson is emptying his locker was previously used during the Starfleet Praxis briefing at the beginning of {{film|6}}.
* During the flashback, Trip reveals the reason behind his nickname to Archer. As he is Charles Tucker III, his nickname is short for "triple."
+
*During the flashback, Trip reveals the reason behind his nickname to Archer. As he is Charles Tucker III, his nickname is short for "triple."
* The book ''[[Star Trek 101]]'', by [[Terry J. Erdmann]] and [[Paula M. Block]], lists this episode as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from ''Star Trek: Enterprise''.
+
*The book ''[[Star Trek 101]]'', by [[Terry J. Erdmann]] and [[Paula M. Block]], lists this episode as one of the "Ten Essential Episodes" from ''Star Trek: Enterprise''.
* The NASA patches on the wall of the 602 Club are the following starting at the top and going from left to right:
+
*The NASA patches on the wall of the 602 Club are the following starting at the top and going from left to right:
**Apollo 9, the first manned flight of the Apollo program LM
+
**''Apollo 9'', the first manned flight of the Apollo program LM
**Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission after the Apollo 1 fire, a test flight of the Command and Service Module
+
**''Apollo 7'', the first manned Apollo mission after the ''Apollo 1'' fire, a test flight of the Command and Service Module
**Apollo 12, the second landing on the moon, and the first precision landing
+
**''Apollo 12'', the second landing on the moon, and the first precision landing
**Apollo 14, third landing on the moon (A shot of mission commander [[Alan Shepard]] donning his spacesuit for this mission can been seen in the show's title sequence)
+
**''Apollo 14'', third landing on the moon (a shot of mission commander [[Alan Shepard]] donning his spacesuit for this mission can been seen in the show's title sequence)
 
**N/A A Shuttle Mission
 
**N/A A Shuttle Mission
 
**STS-54
 
**STS-54
**Apollo 11, the first lunar landing
+
**''Apollo 11'', the first lunar landing
**Apollo 15, the fourth lunar landing, first to use a lunar rover, and the only all US Air Force crew
+
**''Apollo 15'', the fourth lunar landing, first to use a lunar rover, and the only all US Air Force crew
 
   
 
===DVD releases===
 
===DVD releases===
Line 124: Line 121:
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
=== Main Cast ===
+
=== Main cast ===
 
*[[Scott Bakula]] as [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer]]
 
*[[Scott Bakula]] as [[Captain]] [[Jonathan Archer]]
 
*[[John Billingsley]] as [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]]
 
*[[John Billingsley]] as [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]]
Line 133: Line 130:
 
*[[Connor Trinneer]] as [[Commander]] [[Charles Tucker III|Charles "Trip" Tucker III]]
 
*[[Connor Trinneer]] as [[Commander]] [[Charles Tucker III|Charles "Trip" Tucker III]]
   
=== Guest Stars ===
+
=== Guest stars ===
 
*[[Brigid Brannagh]] as [[Ruby (602 Club)|Ruby]]
 
*[[Brigid Brannagh]] as [[Ruby (602 Club)|Ruby]]
 
*[[Vaughn Armstrong]] as [[Maxwell Forrest]]
 
*[[Vaughn Armstrong]] as [[Maxwell Forrest]]
   
=== Special Guest Star ===
+
=== Special guest star ===
 
*[[Keith Carradine]] as [[A.G. Robinson]]
 
*[[Keith Carradine]] as [[A.G. Robinson]]
   
=== Co-Stars ===
+
=== Co-stars ===
 
*[[Michael Canavan]] as a [[Unnamed Vulcans (22nd century)#Vulcan Advisor|Vulcan adviser]]
 
*[[Michael Canavan]] as a [[Unnamed Vulcans (22nd century)#Vulcan Advisor|Vulcan adviser]]
 
*[[Victor Bevine]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#Flight Controller|flight controller]]
 
*[[Victor Bevine]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#Flight Controller|flight controller]]
 
*[[John B. Moody]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#Launch bay security|security officer]]
 
*[[John B. Moody]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#Launch bay security|security officer]]
   
=== Uncredited Co-Stars ===
+
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
*[[Anthony Acker]] as a [[Unnamed Vulcans (22nd century)#Vulcan Adviser 2|Vulcan adviser]]
 
*[[Anthony Acker]] as a [[Unnamed Vulcans (22nd century)#Vulcan Adviser 2|Vulcan adviser]]
 
* [[James D. Frey]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#NX technician|NX technician]]
 
* [[James D. Frey]] as a [[Unnamed Starfleet personnel (22nd century)#NX technician|NX technician]]
Line 155: Line 152:
   
 
=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[602 Club]]; [[Buzz Aldrin|Aldrin, Buzz]]; [[Alice Springs]]; [[Ariane]]; [[Henry Archer|Archer, Henry]]; [[Neil Armstrong|Armstrong, Neil]]; [[beer]]; [[bourbon]]; [[Bread Salad]]; [[Burger and Fries]]; [[Caroline]]; [[Chester]]; [[court martial]]; [[Cyrus]]; [[dark-matter nebula]]; [[Duvall]]; ; [[escape pod]]; [[Fontana]]: [[Gardner]]; [[Sherlock Holmes|Holmes, Sherlock]]; ''[[International Space Station]]''; [[Italy]]; [[Jefferies]]; [[Jupiter]]; [[moons of Jupiter|Jupiter, moons of]]; [[kilometer]]; [[logic]]; [[Luna]]; [[Mount McKinley]]; [[midnight oil]]; [[mushroom]]s; [[New Berlin]]; [[NX Control]]; [[NX Program]]; [[NX-Alpha]]; [[NX-Beta]]; [[NX-Delta]]; {{ShipClass|NX}}; [[pretzel]]; [[O'Herlihy (astronaut)|O'Herlihy]]; [[Potato Gratin]]; [[quantum field]]; [[rib]]; [[Robinson Nebula]]; [[Rosalie]]; [[Rosti a la 602]]; [[Sandwich de Jour]]; [[San Francisco]]; [[Starfleet Mission Control]]; [[Starfleet Museum]]; [[Steamed Veggies]]; [[Charles Tucker I|Tucker, Charles I]]; [[Charles Tucker II|Tucker, Charles II]]; [[Tycho Base]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[Vulcan Advisory Council]]; [[Vulcan database]]; [[Vulcan Science Directorate]]; [[warp 2 barrier]]; [[warp barrier]]; [[warp drive]]
+
[[602 Club]]; [[Buzz Aldrin|Aldrin, Buzz]]; [[Alice Springs]]; [[Ariane]]; [[Henry Archer|Archer, Henry]]; [[Neil Armstrong|Armstrong, Neil]]; [[auxiliary power]]; [[beer]]; [[bourbon]]; [[Bread Salad]]; [[Burger and Fries]]; [[Caroline]]; [[Chester]]; [[court martial]]; [[Cyrus]]; [[dark-matter nebula]]; [[Duvall]]; [[EPS grid]]; [[escape pod]]; [[Fontana]]: [[Gardner]]; [[Sherlock Holmes|Holmes, Sherlock]]; ''[[International Space Station]]''; [[Italy]]; [[Jefferies]]; [[Jupiter]]; [[moons of Jupiter|Jupiter, moons of]]; [[kilometer]]; [[logic]]; [[Luna]]; [[Mount McKinley]]; [[midnight oil]]; [[mushroom]]s; [[New Berlin]]; [[NX Control]]; [[NX Program]]; [[NX-Alpha]]; [[NX-Beta]]; [[NX-Delta]]; {{class|NX}}; [[pretzel]]; [[O'Herlihy (astronaut)|O'Herlihy]]; [[Potato Gratin]]; [[quantum field]]; [[rib]]; [[Robinson Nebula]]; [[Rosalie]]; [[Rosti a la 602]]; [[Sandwich de Jour]]; [[San Francisco]]; [[Starfleet Mission Control]]; [[Starfleet Museum]]; [[Steamed Veggies]]; [[Charles Tucker I|Tucker, Charles I]]; [[Charles Tucker II|Tucker, Charles II]]; [[Tycho Base]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[Vulcan Advisory Council]]; [[Vulcan database]]; [[Vulcan Science Directorate]]; [[warp 2 barrier]]; [[warp barrier]]; [[warp drive]]
   
===Background References===
+
===Background references===
[[Thomas Akers|Akers, Thomas]]; [[William Anders|Anders, William]]; [[Michael Phillip Anderson|Anderson, Michael Phillip]]; [[Antarctica]]; [[Apollo]]; [[Apollo spacecraft]]; [[astronaut pin]]; [[Alan Bean|Bean, Alan]]; [[Ariane]]; [[Michael A. Baker|Baker, Michael A.]]; [[Daniel T. Barry|Barry, Daniel T.]]; [[Belgium]]; [[Guion Bluford|Bluford, Guion]]; [[Frank Borman|Borman, Frank]]; [[David Brandenstein|Brandenstein, David]]; [[David McDowell Brown|Brown, David McDowell]]; [[James Buchli|Buchli, James]]; [[Canada]]; [[Canadian Space Agency]]; [[John Casper|Casper, John]]; [[Eugene Cernan|Cernan, Eugene]]; [[Roger B. Chaffee|Chaffee, Roger B.]]; [[Kalpana Chawla|Chawla, Kalpana]]; [[Kevin P. Chilton|Chilton, Kevin P.]]; [[Laurel Clark|Clark, Laurel]]; [[Clipper ship]]; [[Michael Coats|Coats, Michael]]; [[Pete Conrad|Conrad, Pete]]; [[Richard Covey|Covey, Richard]]; [[John Oliver Creighton|Creighton, John Oliver]]; [[Walter Cunningham|Cunningham, Walter]]; [[Denmark]]; [[Charles Duke|Duke, Charles]]; [[eagle]]; [[Earth]]; [[Donn F. Eisele|Eisele, Donn F.]]; ''[[Endeavour (OV-105)]]''; [[HMS Endeavour|''Endeavour, HMS'']]; [[USS Enterprise (XCV 330)|''Enterprise'', USS (XCV-330)]]; [[Ronald Evans|Evans, Ronald]]; [[European Space Agency]]; [[France]]; [[Galaxy]]; [[Germany]]; [[Yuri Gidzenko|Gidzenko, Yuri]]; [[Richard F. Gordon, Jr.|Gordon, Richard F., Jr.]]; [[Great Britain]]; [[Gus Grissom|Grissom, Gus]]; [[L. Blaine Hammond|Hammond, L. Blaine]]; [[Gregory J. Harbaugh|Harbaugh, Gregory J.]]; [[Frederick Hauck|Hauck, Frederick]]; [[Susan J. Helms|Helms, Susan J.]]; [[Richard Hieb|Hieb, Richard]]; [[David C. Hilmers|Hilmers, David C.]]; [[Richard Douglas Husband|Husband, Richard Douglas]]; ''[[International Space Station]]''; [[Ireland]]; [[Israel]]; [[James Irwin|Irwin, James]]; [[Tamara E. Jernigan|Jernigan, Tamara E.]]; [[Joseph P. Kerwin|Kerwin, Joseph P.]]; [[Sergei Krikalyov|Krikalyov, Sergei]]; [[Latin language]]; [[Apollo missions]]; [[Space shuttle missions]]; [[John M. Lounge|Lounge, John M.]]; [[Jim Lovell|Lovell, Jim]]; [[Luna]]; [[Steven MacLean|MacLean, Steven]]; [[Maple]]; [[Ken Mattingly|Mattingly, Ken]]; [[Willaim Cameron McCool|McCool, William Cameron]]; [[James McDivitt|McDivitt, James]]; [[Donald R. McMonagle|McMonagle, Donald R.]]; [[Brice E. Melnick|Melnick, Bruce E.]]; [[Microgravity]]; [[Mission Control Center]]; [[Edgar Mitchell|Mitchell, Edgar]]; [[George Mullane|Mullane, George]]; [[George Nelson|Nelson, George]]; [[Netherlands]]; [[North America]]; [[Ellen Ochoa|Ochoa, Ellen]]; [[Olive Branch]]; [[Ellison Onizuka|Onizuka, Ellison]]; [[Julie Payette|Payette, Julie]]; [[Gary Payton|Payton, Gary]]; ''[[Phoenix]]''; [[Ilan Ramon|Ramon, Ilan]]; [[Kent Rominger|Rominger, Kent]]; [[Stuart Roosa|Roosa, Stuart]]; [[Mario Runco, Jr.|Runco, Mario, Jr.]]; [[Russia]]; [[Russian Space Agency]]; [[Saturn]]; [[Saturn V]]; [[Wally Schirra|Schirra, Wally]]; [[Harrison Schmitt|Schmitt, Harrison]]; [[Rusty Schweickart|Schweickart, Rusty]]; [[David Scott|Scott, David]]; [[Alan Shepard|Shepard, Alan]]; [[William Shepherd|Shepherd, William]]; [[Loren Shriver|Shriver, Loren]]; [[Skylab]]; [[South America]]; [[Space shuttle]]; [[Spain]]; [[Thomas P. Stafford|Stafford, Thomas P.]]; [[Sweden]]; [[Switzerland]]; [[Kathryn P. Thornton|Thornton, Kathryn P.]]; [[Pierre J. Thuot|Thuot, Pierre J.]]; [[Valeri Tokarev|Tokarev, Valeri]]; [[United States of America]]; [[Charles L. Veach|Veach, Charles L.]]; [[Paul J. Weitz|Weitz, Paul, J.]]; [[Jim Wetherbee|Wetherbee, Jim]]; [[Edward Higgins White|White, Edward Higgins]]; [[Alfred Worden|Worden, Alfred]]; [[John Young|Young, John]]
+
[[Thomas Akers|Akers, Thomas]]; [[William Anders|Anders, William]]; [[Michael Phillip Anderson|Anderson, Michael Phillip]]; [[Antarctica]]; [[Apollo]]; [[Apollo spacecraft]]; [[astronaut pin]]; [[Alan Bean|Bean, Alan]]; [[Ariane]]; [[Michael A. Baker|Baker, Michael A.]]; [[Daniel T. Barry|Barry, Daniel T.]]; [[Belgium]]; [[Guion Bluford|Bluford, Guion]]; [[Frank Borman|Borman, Frank]]; [[David Brandenstein|Brandenstein, David]]; [[David McDowell Brown|Brown, David McDowell]]; [[James Buchli|Buchli, James]]; [[Canada]]; [[Canadian Space Agency]]; [[John Casper|Casper, John]]; [[Eugene Cernan|Cernan, Eugene]]; [[Roger B. Chaffee|Chaffee, Roger B.]]; [[Kalpana Chawla|Chawla, Kalpana]]; [[Kevin P. Chilton|Chilton, Kevin P.]]; [[Laurel Clark|Clark, Laurel]]; [[Clipper ship]]; [[Michael Coats|Coats, Michael]]; [[Pete Conrad|Conrad, Pete]]; [[Richard Covey|Covey, Richard]]; [[John Oliver Creighton|Creighton, John Oliver]]; [[Walter Cunningham|Cunningham, Walter]]; [[Denmark]]; [[Charles Duke|Duke, Charles]]; [[eagle]]; [[Earth]]; [[Donn F. Eisele|Eisele, Donn F.]]; ''[[Endeavour (OV-105)]]''; [[HMS Endeavour|''Endeavour, HMS'']]; [[USS Enterprise (XCV 330)|''Enterprise'', USS (XCV-330)]]; [[Ronald Evans|Evans, Ronald]]; [[European Space Agency]]; [[France]]; [[Galaxy]]; [[Germany]]; [[Yuri Gidzenko|Gidzenko, Yuri]]; [[Richard F. Gordon, Jr.|Gordon, Richard F., Jr.]]; [[Great Britain]]; [[Gus Grissom|Grissom, Gus]]; [[L. Blaine Hammond|Hammond, L. Blaine]]; [[Gregory J. Harbaugh|Harbaugh, Gregory J.]]; [[Frederick Hauck|Hauck, Frederick]]; [[Susan J. Helms|Helms, Susan J.]]; [[Richard Hieb|Hieb, Richard]]; [[David C. Hilmers|Hilmers, David C.]]; [[Richard Douglas Husband|Husband, Richard Douglas]]; [[International Space Station]]; [[Ireland]]; [[Israel]]; [[James Irwin|Irwin, James]]; [[Tamara E. Jernigan|Jernigan, Tamara E.]]; [[Joseph P. Kerwin|Kerwin, Joseph P.]]; [[Sergei Krikalyov|Krikalyov, Sergei]]; [[Latin language]]; [[Apollo missions]]; [[Space shuttle missions]]; [[John M. Lounge|Lounge, John M.]]; [[Jim Lovell|Lovell, Jim]]; [[Luna]]; [[Steven MacLean|MacLean, Steven]]; [[Maple]]; [[Ken Mattingly|Mattingly, Ken]]; [[Willaim Cameron McCool|McCool, William Cameron]]; [[James McDivitt|McDivitt, James]]; [[Donald R. McMonagle|McMonagle, Donald R.]]; [[Brice E. Melnick|Melnick, Bruce E.]]; [[Microgravity]]; [[Mission Control Center]]; [[Edgar Mitchell|Mitchell, Edgar]]; [[George Mullane|Mullane, George]]; [[George Nelson|Nelson, George]]; [[Netherlands]]; [[North America]]; [[Ellen Ochoa|Ochoa, Ellen]]; [[Olive Branch]]; [[Ellison Onizuka|Onizuka, Ellison]]; [[Julie Payette|Payette, Julie]]; [[Gary Payton|Payton, Gary]]; ''[[Phoenix]]''; [[Ilan Ramon|Ramon, Ilan]]; [[Kent Rominger|Rominger, Kent]]; [[Stuart Roosa|Roosa, Stuart]]; [[Mario Runco, Jr.|Runco, Mario, Jr.]]; [[Russia]]; [[Russian Space Agency]]; [[Saturn]]; [[Saturn V]]; [[Wally Schirra|Schirra, Wally]]; [[Harrison Schmitt|Schmitt, Harrison]]; [[Rusty Schweickart|Schweickart, Rusty]]; [[David Scott|Scott, David]]; [[Alan Shepard|Shepard, Alan]]; [[William Shepherd|Shepherd, William]]; [[Loren Shriver|Shriver, Loren]]; [[Skylab]]; [[South America]]; [[Space shuttle]]; [[Spain]]; [[Thomas P. Stafford|Stafford, Thomas P.]]; [[Sweden]]; [[Switzerland]]; [[Kathryn P. Thornton|Thornton, Kathryn P.]]; [[Pierre J. Thuot|Thuot, Pierre J.]]; [[Valeri Tokarev|Tokarev, Valeri]]; [[United States of America]]; [[Charles L. Veach|Veach, Charles L.]]; [[Paul J. Weitz|Weitz, Paul, J.]]; [[Jim Wetherbee|Wetherbee, Jim]]; [[Edward Higgins White|White, Edward Higgins]]; [[Alfred Worden|Worden, Alfred]]; [[John Young|Young, John]]
   
 
{{ENT nav|season=2|last={{e|Regeneration}}|next={{e|Bounty}}}}
 
{{ENT nav|season=2|last={{e|Regeneration}}|next={{e|Bounty}}}}
 
   
   
Line 167: Line 163:
 
[[de:Erstflug]]
 
[[de:Erstflug]]
 
[[es:First Flight]]
 
[[es:First Flight]]
[[fr:First Flight]]
+
[[fr:First Flight (épisode)]]
 
[[ja:ENT:運命の飛行]]
 
[[ja:ENT:運命の飛行]]
 
[[nl:First Flight]]
 
[[nl:First Flight]]

Revision as of 16:25, 14 October 2014

Template:Realworld

When he is told of the death of an old rival, Archer reflects on his days in the NX test program.

Summary

The Enterprise detects a nebula of what they believe to be dark matter. But Captain Archer's excitement at discovering the nebula is dampened when Admiral Forrest contacts him and informs him that an old comrade, A.G. Robinson, had died in a mountaineering accident.

After Trip Tucker loads six spatial charges onto a shuttlepod to excite the dark matter, Archer and T'Pol take the shuttlepod out to the nebula. After departure, T'Pol inquires about Robinson. Archer begins to tell her of when they had served in Starfleet together.

Past

Commander Jonathan Archer meets with Commodore Forrest and proudly announces that he achieved a 92% efficiency in the warp reactor simulation. But he is disappointed when Forrest tells him that Robinson had been selected to pilot the NX-Alpha. That night, he has a drink with Robinson and several other pilots at the 602 Club. Taking him aside, Robinson tells Archer that he did not get the assignment because he is too by-the-book.

Flight director station, NX Control

Jonathan Archer supervising the flight of the NX-Alpha in 2143

Two weeks later, however, Robinson easily breaks the warp 2 barrier. But when he ignores orders to drop to impulse, he accelerates and the ship explodes shortly after reaching warp 2.2. Robinson, fortunately, survived by jettisoning an escape pod while at warp.

The Vulcans immediately claim that this proves that Humans are progressing in warp technology too quickly, and that the warp program will have to be postponed and the warp engine built from scratch. Archer expresses outrage at the idea, and he is joined by Charles Tucker, an engineer working on the NX Program.

Later in the 602 Club, Archer and his new friend Trip Tucker agree that it isn't the engine at fault, but rather the intermix ratio. Further adding to Archer's anger is that Robinson admits that he faced the Vulcans and blamed the destruction of the NX-Alpha on Henry Archer's warp engine design. Archer and Robinson get into a fight which is shortly broken up.

Later, Archer discovers Robinson in the locker room packing, and convinces him that if they could get the intermix right, the ship would achieve stable warp flight. Robinson suggest that they test the theory by stealing the NX-Beta. Archer reluctantly agrees.

With the assistance of Tucker on the ground, Archer and Robinson launch the NX-Beta and enter warp. As Starfleet Security realizes that the ship has been stolen, the NX-Beta encounters similar problems that destroyed the NX-Alpha. However, just as security moves in on Tucker, Archer proudly announces that they are maintaining a steady warp 2.5, thus proving the engine design works.

Present

Archer tells T'Pol that the Vulcans grounded the warp ships until every possible simulation could be run. After a year, however, they admitted that the engine was sound after all.

They launch the final two charges, the previous four having failed, and are rewarded with a nebula appearing before their eyes.

Back on Enterprise, T'Pol makes the suggestion to Archer that the dark matter cloud be named the Robinson Nebula, after A.G. Robinson.

This episode or film summary is incompleteThis episode summary has been identified as lacking essential detail, and as such needs attention. Feel free to edit this page to assist with this expansion.
  • Note: Please obey copyright policy; do not copy material from other sources without permission.

Memorable quotes

"All the close calls he had flying warp trials and he gets himself killed climbing Mount McKinley."

- Archer on A.G. Robinson's death

"There were just a few of us; Gardner, Duvall, A.G. and me. We all wanted the first flight."

- Archer reminiscing to T'Pol about the NX test program

"You remember what Buzz Aldrin said when he stepped onto the moon?"
"No."
"Nobody does. Because Armstrong went first."

- Archer and Ruby

"Congratulations."
"You mean that?"
"Of course not. I'm waiting for Forrest to realize what a horrible mistake he made."

- Archer and Robinson

"When the first warp five starship is built, its captain won't be able to call home every time he needs to make a decision. He won't be able to turn to the Vulcans. Unless he decides to take one with him."

- A.G. Robinson, to Archer

"Don't worry, you'll get out there some day. If I had my own ship, I'd sign you up in a second."
"I'm going to hold you to that!"

- Archer and Tucker

"We didn't build this engine to make test runs around Jupiter. We built it to explore! If my father were alive today, he'd be standing here asking: 'What the hell are we waiting for?' "

- Archer, to Commodore Forrest

Background information

Shooting First Flight

A.G. Robinson actor Keith Carradine laughing with Director LeVar Burton, during the creation of this episode

First Flight sailors

LeVar Burton with actors Scott Bakula and Connor Trinneer as well as a trio of sailors from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65)

First Flight fight talk

Keith Carradine discussing, with Director of Photography Marvin V. Rush, a fight scene from this episode

DVD releases

Links and references

Main cast

Guest stars

Special guest star

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

References

602 Club; Aldrin, Buzz; Alice Springs; Ariane; Archer, Henry; Armstrong, Neil; auxiliary power; beer; bourbon; Bread Salad; Burger and Fries; Caroline; Chester; court martial; Cyrus; dark-matter nebula; Duvall; EPS grid; escape pod; Fontana: Gardner; Holmes, Sherlock; International Space Station; Italy; Jefferies; Jupiter; Jupiter, moons of; kilometer; logic; Luna; Mount McKinley; midnight oil; mushrooms; New Berlin; NX Control; NX Program; NX-Alpha; NX-Beta; NX-Delta; NX-class; pretzel; O'Herlihy; Potato Gratin; quantum field; rib; Robinson Nebula; Rosalie; Rosti a la 602; Sandwich de Jour; San Francisco; Starfleet Mission Control; Starfleet Museum; Steamed Veggies; Tucker, Charles I; Tucker, Charles II; Tycho Base; Vulcan; Vulcan Advisory Council; Vulcan database; Vulcan Science Directorate; warp 2 barrier; warp barrier; warp drive

Background references

Akers, Thomas; Anders, William; Anderson, Michael Phillip; Antarctica; Apollo; Apollo spacecraft; astronaut pin; Bean, Alan; Ariane; Baker, Michael A.; Barry, Daniel T.; Belgium; Bluford, Guion; Borman, Frank; Brandenstein, David; Brown, David McDowell; Buchli, James; Canada; Canadian Space Agency; Casper, John; Cernan, Eugene; Chaffee, Roger B.; Chawla, Kalpana; Chilton, Kevin P.; Clark, Laurel; Clipper ship; Coats, Michael; Conrad, Pete; Covey, Richard; Creighton, John Oliver; Cunningham, Walter; Denmark; Duke, Charles; eagle; Earth; Eisele, Donn F.; Endeavour (OV-105); Endeavour, HMS; Enterprise, USS (XCV-330); Evans, Ronald; European Space Agency; France; Galaxy; Germany; Gidzenko, Yuri; Gordon, Richard F., Jr.; Great Britain; Grissom, Gus; Hammond, L. Blaine; Harbaugh, Gregory J.; Hauck, Frederick; Helms, Susan J.; Hieb, Richard; Hilmers, David C.; Husband, Richard Douglas; International Space Station; Ireland; Israel; Irwin, James; Jernigan, Tamara E.; Kerwin, Joseph P.; Krikalyov, Sergei; Latin language; Apollo missions; Space shuttle missions; Lounge, John M.; Lovell, Jim; Luna; MacLean, Steven; Maple; Mattingly, Ken; McCool, William Cameron; McDivitt, James; McMonagle, Donald R.; Melnick, Bruce E.; Microgravity; Mission Control Center; Mitchell, Edgar; Mullane, George; Nelson, George; Netherlands; North America; Ochoa, Ellen; Olive Branch; Onizuka, Ellison; Payette, Julie; Payton, Gary; Phoenix; Ramon, Ilan; Rominger, Kent; Roosa, Stuart; Runco, Mario, Jr.; Russia; Russian Space Agency; Saturn; Saturn V; Schirra, Wally; Schmitt, Harrison; Schweickart, Rusty; Scott, David; Shepard, Alan; Shepherd, William; Shriver, Loren; Skylab; South America; Space shuttle; Spain; Stafford, Thomas P.; Sweden; Switzerland; Thornton, Kathryn P.; Thuot, Pierre J.; Tokarev, Valeri; United States of America; Veach, Charles L.; Weitz, Paul, J.; Wetherbee, Jim; White, Edward Higgins; Worden, Alfred; Young, John

Previous episode:
"Regeneration"
Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 2
Next episode:
"Bounty"