The Star Trek: Enterprise series takes a dramatic turn in Season Three, expanding the theme started at the end of Season Two throughout the 24 episodes of this season. A bold and radical change for the series, the entire season is dedicated to the Enterprise crew a strange region of space called the Expanse, where anomolies are common, and finding the race of aliens that have attacked Earth.

All major stars are on board for this season and many B-plot lines emerge involving them in episodes. The most prevelent is a growing relationship between T'Pol the vulcan first officer, and the ships engineer, Trip Tucker. What starts out as nerve therapy treatments (sort of Vulcan acupuncture) turns into an intimate understanding between these two officers. John Billingsly as Dr. Phlox is also featured in a couple episodes but his role, as that of Ensign Mayweather (Anthony Montogomery) diminishes slightly in this seasons offerings. Dominic Keating as Malcolm Reed, security officer, clashes with the new military presense on the ship for this mission. While the mission is dominant in most episodes, a variety of approaches are used to tell of its progress, developing charaacters even more and providing a few time travel scenarios , which have been very popular with this series. Scott Bukula as Jonathan Archer becomes a tougher, more duty driven Captain and T'Pol(Jolene Blalock), the series sexy Vulcan gets a wardrobe change, a new wig, and more sexy scenes. The Xindi aliens, center to the story, turn out to be a variety of races, with good guys and bad guys setting up for a climatic finish. The last 4 episodes go very quickly and will have you hooked. Oh, yes, just when you think everything is settling down, the writers drop another cliffhanger on you to carry you into Season Four.

Thw widescreen pciture is flawless, with a 1.78:1 ratio. Effects are realistic and visually pleasing; some city shots are obviously CGI generated, as the people walk a bit jerky and look too stiff. Can't complain too much as this series is produced for a small screen. Some shortcuts have to be made. Sets and costuming are up to the usual high quality of a Star Trek series. Sound is offered in 5.1 surround and Dolby digital 2.0 in English.

The discs contain a few commentaries sprinkled through the episodes, featuring producers and writers of the series. Disc 7 contains the extras which if you have any Star Trek series you are very familiar with. There is a cast and crew reflection on the years episodes, a feature of a cast member and his character (Connor Trinneer), an interesting Day in the life of a director with Voyager's Klingon turned director Roxann Dawson), photos, deleted scenes and outtakes, and some background information about how the Xindi Saga evolved into an entire season. A fair amount of extra viewing with a few Easter eggs also thrown in.

Star Trek: Enterprise-Season Three is unique in the series as it follows one storyline throughout the season. The cast adapts well to the change and I think it made the series a bit more interesting but more time could have been focused on Dr. Phlox and Ensign Mayweather in episodes. A bit rougher this season, the crew takes this mission seriously with better results. Best season yet for Enterprise.