"Dead Stop" is the thirtieth episode of the science fiction television series ', the fourth of the second season. It was directed by ' cast memberRoxann Dawson. After the Enterprises debacle in the previous episode, "Minefield |Minefield", the crew finds itself in need of assistance to effect repairs. They send a distress call, and the Tellarites send the coordinates of a station—a station capable of serving their every need at a cost which seems too good to be true.
Plot
Four days after the events of the previous episode, Minefield |Minefield, Captain Archer and Commander Tucker inspect the damage to the ship with an inspection pod. Given the amount of damage, and the travel time to Jupiter Station, Archer decides that it is time for someone to help them out for once, and orders Ensign Sato to send a general distress call. A passing Tellarite freighter soon responds, and sends a barely understandable message directing them to an automated repair facility, three days away at Warp 2. Upon arriving at the facility, the ship is scanned and the station reconfigures itself to suit the crew's needs. Enterprise then docks, and the station sets the full repair price at 200 liters of warp plasma. By using its advanced replication technology, the station can complete all repairs in just 34.2 hours. Archer, left without any other option, agrees, although later he has a gut feeling that not everything is as it appears. On board, intrigued by the station's technology, Tucker convinces Reed to locate the station's computer, but their attempt to enter is detected, and they are beamed back to the bridge. Meanwhile, a false comm message, ostensibly from Archer, directs Ensign Mayweather to an area currently being repaired. He is found dead soon after, an apparent victim of an electrical shock. When Doctor Phlox discovers that the dead Mayweather is a well-replicated duplicate, Archer resolves to search the station for him. Tucker then 'distracts' the computer, and Reed again trips the alarm, giving Sub-Commander T'Pol and Archer time to enter a computer room filled with bodies — among which are a Klingon, a Vulcan, and a Cardassian — apparently the station's method of augmenting its own processing power. Mayweather is rescued just as the station starts attacking Enterprise in retaliation. Archer then detonates the warp-plasma payment to blow up the station and escape. As the ship warps away the few active components of the station begin repairing the damage.
Production
The episode's director, actress-director Roxann Dawson, also provided the voice for the space repair station's main computer, but was not credited for this.
Reception
In 2017 this episode was noted as featuring scary and/or eerie Star Trek content. In 2018, TheGamer ranked this one of the top 25 creepiest episodes of all Star Trek series.
