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The episode is set on 16 April, 2151 (Paramount Pictures, n.d.). A Klingon, the first that Earth has ever encountered, lands on Earth on the North American continent, pursued by something unknown (Berman et al., 2001). The Vulcan ambassador to Earth insists that the Klingon be allowed to die as Klingon culture dictates, and then his corpse returned to his government as soon as possible; otherwise, a war might develop. The Earth government disagrees, and decides to return the Klingon, still alive, to the Klingon homoeworld Qo'noS. To do this, they launch the first Enterprise, captained by Jonathan Archer.
This Enterprise, dubbed NX-01, is the first of an experimentalIn the scientific method, an experiment is a set of actions and observations, performed to verify or falsify a hypothesis or research a causal relationship between phenomena. The experiment is a cornerstone in empirical approach to knowledge. See the list projectA project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. Temporary means that the project has an end date. Unique means that the project's end result is different than the results of other functions of the organization. It can a to create a spaceship capable of traveling at warp factor 5Enterprise-D goes into warp. In the fictional universe of Star Trek the warp drive is a form of faster-than-light propulsion that allows a starship to go faster than the speed of light. On Earth it was invented by Zefram Cochrane, in 2063, as depicted in. Tensions exist between the advanced Vulcans - who have ships that travel faster - and the people of Earth; the Vulcans refuse to give Earth better technologyTechnology ( Gr. tau;εχνολογια < τεχνη "craftsmanship" + λογος "word, reckoning" + the suffix ια) has more than one definition., a decision that foreshadows the Prime DirectiveIn the Star Trek fictional universe, the Prime Directive is Starfleet's most prominent guiding principle. The Prime Directive dictates that there be no interference with the natural development of any primitive society, chiefly meaning that no primitive c, but are also seen as having undue cultural influence ; there is a hint of racismRacism refers to beliefs, practices, and institutions that negatively discriminate against people based on their perceived or ascribed race. Sometimes the term is also used to describe the belief that race is the primary determinant of human capacities, o on both sides. Zephram Cochrane makes a cameo appearance in an archive tapeMagnetic tape is an information storage medium consisting of a magnetisable coating on a thin plastic strip. Nearly all recording tape is of this type, whether used for video with a video cassette recorder, audio storage ( reel-to-reel tape, compact audio, revealing that his speech to mark the start of the warp 5 project was the source of the phrase "to boldly go where no man has gone before."
En route, the Klingon is kidnapped from Enterprise. Investigations reveal that this was the doing of the mysterious Suliban, who an informant claims are pawns in a " Temporal Cold War". Through a combination of ingenuity and violence, the crew of Enterprise manages to recapture the Klingon and return him to Qo'noS. It transpires that the Kilngon contains tactical information in his blood, and the Klingons would indeed have preferred him to die rather than live wounded. Despite this, they are (relatively) pleased and decide not to declare war on Earth for the time being.