Now that the Enterprise crew is communicating regularly with Earth, Hoshi observes that Dr. Phlox is getting more letters from home than anyone else. Phlox has been corresponding with a human medical colleague named Dr. Lucas, who is now serving on Phlox's home planet Denobula. In his letters Phlox shares his observations of human behavior during their first deep space venture, and he mentions his growing relationship with Ensign Cutler, whom Phlox is mentoring to be a part-time medic and who he suspects is romantically interested in him. Phlox is called on to treat two alien astronauts rescued from a disabled pre-warp craft. The astronauts reveal they are from a planet called Valakis, and have been traveling in space for over a year searching for technology to develop a cure for an epidemic that is slowly hugging their people. The Valakians appeal to Captain Archer to allow Phlox to help them, and without objection from T'Pol, Archer agrees and sets course for their world.
Star Trek: Enterprise, a prequel set before the original series, follows the crew of Earth's first warp five starship. Lead by Jonathan Archer and his crew, the series follows their adventures as they explore never before seen parts of the galaxy, setting foot on new worlds and meeting new races, as well as some familiar ones.