If the Star Trek franchise does anything for humanity, it is the way it holds up a mirror to our own timeline and shows us historical actions, attitudes, and mistakes to avoid unless we want to summon a darker future. In the Star Trek: Enterprise episode “The Andorian Incident” (S01E07,) Andorian Thy’lek Shran seems to hold the mirror; however, it is not only Shran who holds its weight.
The lasting influence of religious beliefs on multiple generations of a culture
When Archer and Trip first talk to T’Pol about visiting an ancient Vulcan monastery called P’Jemm, where Vulcans go as they experience the purging of emotions known as the kolinahr, she has many doubts. The monastery is more than 3,000 years old and has its own internal culture that does not lend itself to outsiders easily. The purging of all emotion and living a logical life, a part of modern Vulcan beliefs, is very much like the religious beliefs cultures hold today. No matter the belief system, it can influence the larger exterior culture for generations.
Fear of the unknown
Existential anxiety triggers many fears, but one of the most common is fear of the unknown. During the episode, this fear is deflected in 2 ways—the Vulcans’ fear of an attack by Andoria, and the Andorians’ fear of being spied upon by Vulcan. Each wants to protect their culture and important information that could be used against them. The presence of spies and possible alien attacks are the bread of butter of Hollywood today, and this episode reflects that their fears are ours as well.
Using tradition to guard present technological secrets
From the time Archer, Trip, and T’Pol arrive at P’Jemm, the Vulcans there prevent them from investigating Shran’s claims by quoting tradition. The monks first try to keep them out of the catacombs by telling the crew to do so is forbidden. In reality, they’re hiding advanced technological sensor equipment. Shrouding people, places, and cultural touchstones in mystery is a common action used by many cultures to guard what they hold sacred.
“The Andorian Incident” and its themes spring from the old saying, “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.” Shran and his people, while somewhat xenophobic and suspicious, might one day modify their culture for the greater good. Hopefully, modern mankind will reflect on itself one day and work to overcome those same problems.