After several effects-heavy or location-heavy episodes, the Star Trek writers will often deliver a script that brings the drama back home to the ship and emphasizes the main characters and their interactions.

Such is the case with "Singularity," the ninth episode to be shot this season, a relatively simple production compared to higher-budget segments such as "Minefield" and "Marauders." In "Singularity," Enterprise takes a close look at an unusual black hole that's part of a trinary star system. But the ship's proximity to this stellar phenomenon has a strange effect on the crew, one that severely strains their relationships.

Principal photography started last Monday, Sept. 23, and concluded yesterday after a standard seven-day shoot taking place exclusively on ship sets: the Bridge, Ready Room, Sickbay, T'Pol's Quarters, Archer's Quarters, the Armory, Engineering, Mess Hall, etc. There is one new set that was built for this episode — the Galley, the place behind the Mess Hall where "Chef" does his work. (Does this mean we'll finally get to meet the elusive "Chef"? Wait and see...)

Not all the action takes place inside, though. There will be some impressive visual effects created in post-production of the ship flying toward the trinary system and a plume of gas being sucked into the black hole. Also, an enhanced image of the black hole revealing a swirling, ghostly vortex will be seen on the Bridge viewscreen. Visual effects supervisor Mitch Suskin is leading the team producing these shots.

"Singularity" is tentatively scheduled to air November 13. It was written by co-executive producer Chris Black, and directed by Patrick Norris. Black also wrote the script for "Carbon Creek" along with three episodes from Season One. Norris previously helmed "Fallen Hero" for Enterprise and has worked on other TV shows such as Roswell, Xena: Warrior Princess and Dawson's Creek.

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.

Discuss Season Two at the Star Trek message boards!