Heading to a medical conference, Phlox explains to T'Pol that she has a disease specific to her species that will result in her death if it isn't treated before it gets worse. Unfortunately, the disease has a social stigma attached to it, and the Vulcans refuse to help T'Pol.

There was a point back in the original series when Star Trek was capable of doing subtle, straightforward allegories. It seems that time is over, as Enterprise seems keener on the 'hit you over the head with a brick' philosophy. This episode is a clear HIV/AIDS allegory, with, in case you missed it, a honking great sign at the end saying 'if you want to know more about HIV and AIDS, call this number'. Now, don't get me wrong: the episode does make a series of very good points, such as the attitudes towards those who've contracted this kind of disease by their actions and those who've got it through other means and shows just how bigoted some people can be. But there are a few problems with how it's executed.

Firstly, the allegory uses the Vulcan mind meld as something that's considered 'disgusting' and unnatural. I'm not sure I believe this. While I remember Spock saying before his first time in the original series that it was a traumatic procedure, I don't recall any mention of the ability making people social outcasts. More importantly, if Spock was already half-human, why would he undertake something that would make him considered even less acceptable to his people? Indeed, considering Sarek's standing, things must have changed incredibly quickly on Vulcan, as he certainly had no qualms about mind melding, and Enterprise isn't set that far ahead of that timeframe. There's even a case to be made for T'Pau, who reads Spock's mind during Amok Time. As an elderly Vulcan, bearing in mind how long they live, she should be around for all of this. Okay, so I'm putting all of this backstory onto the original series when it was years before this episode was made, but you have to keep some kind of internal continuity.

The second problem I have is Archer's superior attitude. He's never got on especially well with Vulcans, but the suggestion that we Earthers got shot of bigotry and prejudice 100 years ago in his timeframe is unrealistic and smug. I don't believe we're that good, and he has no right to speak for an entire planet when there are almost certainly a few Neo-Nazis still kicking about even in his time. It just seems very patronizing and hopeful rather than realistic, which is what this episode needs. And finally, AIDS is something that is unlikely to have been wiped out by Archer's time, so why can't we have some kind of actual mention? Would it be too much to have a gay crewmember on Enterprise? At the very least, Archer should be able to relate Earth experience to the Vulcan situation, bringing it up and suggesting a better way of dealing with the problem. It's the way the whole idea is shrouded in double meanings that irritates. When other shows are able to have gay characters and deal with sexual and moral issues in a full and frank way, I don't understand why Star Trek, once the leader in the field, seems to be happier to back off and walk carefully around a contentious subject.

Meanwhile, there's also a subplot about Phlox's second wife coming on board the ship and making a pass at Trip. The only funny thing about this is Malcolm's reaction to it all, as it's quite clear that from what we already know of Phlox and his people, he isn't going to mind particularly, something he points out to Trip. It's a little bit of harmless fun that doesn't really go anywhere unexpected, but at the same time seems like it could be better used as part of the allegory of the rest of the episode. From some reason, this doesn't appear to have occurred to writers Berman and Braga.

I may not have said enough good things about this episode; it's certainly not bad. It's well acted, it's thought-provoking, and hopefully it will make people think more carefully about their prejudices. I just think it could have been handled a little bit more openly.

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