Continuing the multi-episode arc started in "Azati Prime," the NX-01 is slowly pulling itself back together while making progress toward saving Earth in "The Forgotten," directed by LeVar Burton and featuring a cameo from a famous animator.

In the story, written by Chris Black and David A. Goodman, Archer has gotten the attention of two high-ranking Xindi — weapon designer Degra (whom we got to know very well this week in "Stratagem") and an Arboreal council member — but they demand absolute proof of his claims that they've been manipulated into their hostilities against the human race. If sufficiently convinced, they promise to stop the planet-killing weapon from being launched. Meanwhile, amidst continuing repair work, the deaths of about a fifth of the Enterprise crew from recent events weigh heavily on the survivors, especially Trip, who is having a very hard time writing a letter to the parents of one of the deceased.

Randy Oglesby and Rick Worthy reprise their ongoing roles as two of the more open-minded Xindi on the otherwise hard-line council. Less accommodating is a "Reptilian Captain" who comes into play in this episode, played by Bob Morrisey. Morrisey was the Vulcan "Dr. Strom" in "Stigma."

Making a brief appearance as an "Engineer" who gets snapped at by a stressed Tucker is a fan of the show, Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane is the creator of the satirical animated comedy Family Guy and the voice of many of its characters including Peter Griffin, Stewie and Brian. He was also a producer on The Pitts starring the late Kellie Waymire ("Ensign Cutler"), among other notable comedy and animation credits. MacFarlane has a sobering story where a bizarre twist of fate allows him to be with us today: On September 11, 2001, he was scheduled to board American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, but a travel agency error caused him to arrive late and miss the plane. An hour later that plane slammed into the World Trade Center. Talk about close calls.

Production on "The Forgotten" commenced on a Friday two weeks ago that overlapped with additional photography on "Damage" and two other episodes, so while most of the cast was on B-unit, Burton started off easy with scenes that only utilized Connor Trinneer, Jolene Blalock and newcomer Kipleigh Brown as "Crewman Taylor." By the following Monday, things were in full gear with scenes on the Bridge, Ready Room, Launch Bay Two, Mess Hall, Corridors, etc., all still exhibiting a severe state of disrepair but gradually getting cleaned up. Like the last two episodes, "Emergency Lighting" was the scheme on virtually every ship set, along with smoke and sparks work, though not quite as much.

Swing sets included several portions of Degra's Ship, and the bridge of a Reptilian Ship which will only be seen via viewscreen. Did you know Enterprise has a "Morgue"? That's where Archer has been keeping the three dead Reptilians recovered in "Carpenter Street."

The principal schedule on "The Forgotten" officially concluded on Monday of this week, but shooting immediately went into B-unit on Tuesday for some very intricate effects-oriented shots on the Ship's Hull, where Trip and Malcolm step out in EV suits to stop a massive plasma flare threatening to rip the ship apart. Though fewer in number than the Hull scenes in last year's "Minefield," these shots were perhaps more complicated due to the lighting considerations of the bluish "plasma flare." Burton directed with visual effects supervisor Dan Curry at his side, but it is likely Curry will require more photography in the future as the scenes are pieced together. While Trinneer and Dominic Keating were working here, the rest of the cast were on another soundstage taking direction from Roxann Dawson on the next episode, "E²" (pronounced "E-Squared").

This is the first writing collaboration between Black and Goodman. Black, working solo, scripted the recent "Proving Ground" and the upcoming "Doctor's Orders," along with many prior Enterprise credits. Goodman, who is responsible for the Futurama episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before," also wrote "North Star," "Judgment" and "Precious Cargo."

This is Burton's third stint at the helm this season, after "Extinction" and "Similitude," breaking his Enterprise record of two per year. This, of course, on top of his many directorial credits on the prior three Trek shows.

"The Forgotten," the 20th episode of the season with four left to go, is tentatively set to air April 28. Check Episode Detail for further information.

Please note: All production, story and scheduling information is subject to change.