I've been intrigued by the story arc of the Temporal Cold War. The idea that in the distant future there are factions trying to change history and others trying to stop them is a solid concept. Here's what we know so far:
- There is a faction from the 28th century who are3 able to project themselves into the past, but not able to actually travel physically into the past. Instead, they have offer the Suliban genetic enhancements in return for doing them "favors" in the 22nd century. One of their objectives was to create a disturbance in the Klingon Empire (Broken Bow).
- This faction doesn't want Archer's mission of exploration to succeed. At first, we weren't sure why, but in "Shockwave", we learn that the Enterprise (and Archer in particular) are extremely important to the future of Humanity. So important, in fact, that removing him from the timeline changed 31st century Earth from a paradise into a wasteland.
- There is another faction, from the 31st century, and comprising of Humans who is trying to stop the Suliban and their benefactors. Among them is a man called Daniels who was posing as a crewman on the Enterprise. Daniels was killed by Silik. Even after his death, he is able to assist Archer and the Enterprise (how very Doctor Who of him). We don't know much of Daniels' backstory, but when he brings Archer into the future, he talks of a large interplanetory organization called the Federation. It's possible this is who he works for.
- There are other minor players involved such as the Tandarans, who's society has been upset by the change in (some of) the Suliban living in their system. They are eager to find out more about the Temporal Cold War, even willing to decieve Archer and his crew to get it ("Detained", "Two Days and Two Nights").
- A race of non-humanoids known as the Tholians are also interested in abtaining information about the future, and possibly the Temporal Cold War, however their motivations are currently unknown.
It's obvious how this war affect the Enterprise crew, with their missions failure being one of the enemy's goals. However, in between the attacks and somewhat random appearances of people from both sides, they seem to be able to carry on their mission fairly well and don't seem to think too much about it. One thing I find curious is Archers seemingly unwillingness to explore Daniels' cabin further. When they find the future ship, he is willing to pull up the scematic, but doesn't let Malcolm (or himself) look at anything else. On one hand, I understand why he wouldn't want to mess with the future, but on the other hand, from his point of view the future hasn't been written yet. Still, it is kind of cool that we as the audience are left wondering what other secrets could be left inside that small quarters on the NX-01.
I'm enjoying this story arc for the most part, but look forward to things heating up a bit in the future. To date in my viewing there have been five episodes dealing with the Temporal Cold War: "Broken Bow", "Cold Front", "Shockwave" parts I and II, and "Future Tense". To a lesser degree, "Detained" and "Two Days and Two Nights" dealt with this arc as well.
I am currently on episode #41 in the choronology. There's lots more in store for the NX-01 and beyond. Now that my schedule is clearing up a little, I'm eager to see what's next!
NEXT: The Xindi Conflict (full season arc)