High drama plays out in a relatively simple production as Archer's crew contends once again with the Suliban as well as a classic Trek species.

In "Crash Landing," the NX-01 crew is shocked to find that a small vessel adrift in space contains a human corpse, far beyond where any humans have gone before... or so they thought. The vessel itself has some very strange properties, and the mystery deepens when the Suliban come around and very aggressively make claim to it.

But it's not just his old foes the Suliban that Captain Archer has to worry about — he is introduced to the Tholians, who are just as intractable in their quest to procure the enigmatic craft.

The first and only other time the Tholians have shown up in Star Trek is in the Original Series episode "The Tholian Web" (although they have been mentioned several times throughout the various shows, including "Star Trek Nemesis"). Their personality in "Crash Landing" is very much in keeping with the highly xenophobic temperament established in that classic encounter.

As mentioned, principal photography was fairly simple as the only swing sets built for this production were the inside of the salvaged vessel, and one wall of the Suliban Bridge to be seen on the Enterprise viewscreen. Mostly the standing ship sets were put into service, mainly the Launch Bay, Engineering and of course, the Bridge. Much of the production value of this installment will be created digitally, where the wedge-shaped Tholian ships, as well as a Suliban freighter and several cell-ships, will come to life.

The Suliban players include Cullen Douglas as the "Suliban Soldier" who squares off with Archer via viewscreen, and two "Stunt Suliban," Mike Cassidy and Tim Storms. They get into fights with Trip Tucker and Malcolm Reed, who were stunt-doubled by Shawn Crowder and Marty Murry. As usual, stunt coordinator Vince Deadrick Jr. oversaw that physical action. Vaughn Armstrong also got another day's work as Admiral Forrest, in one of his frequent subspace conversations with Archer.

Tentatively scheduled to air February 19, "Crash Landing" was scripted by staff writers Mike Sussman & Phyllis Strong, who were also responsible for tonight's "The Catwalk," as well as "Dead Stop" and several other episodes. The director is James Whitmore, Jr., who also helmed last season's "Acquisition." The son of the classic actor by the same name, Whitmore has also directed episodes of 24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Roswell, The X-Files and many other shows, and appeared as an actor in Quantum Leap (starring Scott Bakula, naturally) and numerous other TV series.

For more information about the second-season episodes, visit the Synopses and Cast & Crew sections of Production News.

Please note: All production information is subject to change.

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