I don't agree with those who evaluate an episode on a character they don't happen to like. I know that Hoshi has her faults, but in this case, she was dealing with dramatic problems with her essence after transporting from the surface of a planet during a storm. One of the reviewers seems to think that every person is supposed to be a type and he apparently has decided that in this case she should be a feminist with an iron will. Fear of technology has nothing to do with a person's character. Hoshi was put into a totally confusing situation and did everything she could to be noticed as she began to fade. She was in a kind of netherworld of her dreams and the realities of her intense situation. If there were such a thing as a transporter, it would be incredibly frightening, even to the strongest member of a crew. As for the conclusion, I believe it was perfectly logical.
12 Reviews
What happens when you're reassembled by the transporter?
cpy-7240318 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The transporter is always an interesting topic. This episode ended surprisingly and I think it's worth watching. The dialogue is not memorable but the visuals are pretty decent.
This episode gave Ensign Sato some characterization as a dedicated crew member, which is good. Previously she had been characterized as sulky and complaining all the time which is a shame as she's played by a beautiful actress. In this episode, Hoshi boards the transporter in an emergency. After getting off the transporter, she starts imagining herself phasing through materials and being mistaken dead. She is the only one who discovers that aliens are about to blow up the Enterprise. To save her ship, she boards an alien transporter. Everything turns out to be her imagination, and she returns to the point when she arrived back on board. I liked the surprise ending.
The episode's main weak point is in the dialogue. Nearly every main character talks way too much. Captain Archer's awkward address to Mr. Sato following Hoshi's death was absolutely painful to watch. I like Archer, I wish the writers didn't keep writing him as a screw-up. The pacing is also slow and irregular.
Now, what actually happened when Hoshi Sato was dissembled by the transporter? Here's a somewhat dark theory:
The transporter dissembles life forms and creates exact copies. The original is killed and an identical one is created. The copy has a different consciousness but it's identical to the original and behaves in exactly the same way. This is logical because the molecules in the brain must be taken apart in order to re-materialize.
I think the sequence in the episode was what the original Hoshi Sato imagined in the last moments before her death. She thought about how her family would react to her dying, and she feels guilty for leaving the other bridge officers to worry about her. The act of boarding the alien transporter in the dream was the original Hoshi accepting her death and giving up her life to save Enterprise.
This episode gave Ensign Sato some characterization as a dedicated crew member, which is good. Previously she had been characterized as sulky and complaining all the time which is a shame as she's played by a beautiful actress. In this episode, Hoshi boards the transporter in an emergency. After getting off the transporter, she starts imagining herself phasing through materials and being mistaken dead. She is the only one who discovers that aliens are about to blow up the Enterprise. To save her ship, she boards an alien transporter. Everything turns out to be her imagination, and she returns to the point when she arrived back on board. I liked the surprise ending.
The episode's main weak point is in the dialogue. Nearly every main character talks way too much. Captain Archer's awkward address to Mr. Sato following Hoshi's death was absolutely painful to watch. I like Archer, I wish the writers didn't keep writing him as a screw-up. The pacing is also slow and irregular.
Now, what actually happened when Hoshi Sato was dissembled by the transporter? Here's a somewhat dark theory:
The transporter dissembles life forms and creates exact copies. The original is killed and an identical one is created. The copy has a different consciousness but it's identical to the original and behaves in exactly the same way. This is logical because the molecules in the brain must be taken apart in order to re-materialize.
I think the sequence in the episode was what the original Hoshi Sato imagined in the last moments before her death. She thought about how her family would react to her dying, and she feels guilty for leaving the other bridge officers to worry about her. The act of boarding the alien transporter in the dream was the original Hoshi accepting her death and giving up her life to save Enterprise.
Transporter Anxiety Dream
Hughmanity28 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I like Hoshi's character, not sure why she gets a bad rap from reviewers. She's clearly very smart, thoughtful and capable, but also young and a bit out of her element, and expresses some fears and uncertainties as a result. Nothing wrong with that and I think having someone who's not all hung ho about taking on every action challenge makes for an interesting character.
This episode had my interest between the mystery of Hoshi's transporter mishap and the strange off-putting actions of the crew. Like most reviewers here the ending initially disappointed me that it was all just sort of a dream, but after thinking on it the 'dream world' filled with Hoshi's greatest anxiety - that she isn't good enough, doesn't matter to the crew and is ultimately literally invisible to them, was well done in its subtlety.
When she steps on the alien transporter it is the sign that she has conquered her anxiety and fear and was willing to do anything to save the Enterprise and crew. Archer recognizing that at the end was the payoff for her.
I do think there was probably a better ending here, with the aliens somehow real and Hoshi able to save Enterprise with her invisibility, but the writers had painted themselves into a corner by then with the jerk behavior of the crew, and they had also simply run out of time.
I gave it a 7 but it was a near miss on an 8. I hope to see Hoshi grow from this experience in future episodes.
This episode had my interest between the mystery of Hoshi's transporter mishap and the strange off-putting actions of the crew. Like most reviewers here the ending initially disappointed me that it was all just sort of a dream, but after thinking on it the 'dream world' filled with Hoshi's greatest anxiety - that she isn't good enough, doesn't matter to the crew and is ultimately literally invisible to them, was well done in its subtlety.
When she steps on the alien transporter it is the sign that she has conquered her anxiety and fear and was willing to do anything to save the Enterprise and crew. Archer recognizing that at the end was the payoff for her.
I do think there was probably a better ending here, with the aliens somehow real and Hoshi able to save Enterprise with her invisibility, but the writers had painted themselves into a corner by then with the jerk behavior of the crew, and they had also simply run out of time.
I gave it a 7 but it was a near miss on an 8. I hope to see Hoshi grow from this experience in future episodes.
PARK IT
muzixan15 May 2021
There have been many beautiful women on Star Trek, going back to the original series, but Linda Park as Hoshi is in a class of her own. Not only is she the most exquisite creature in the galaxy, but she's one hell of an actor, as she shows in this terrific episode where she is featured. The worst thing about Enterprise is that it got cancelled after 4 seasons & didn't give these great characters a chance to develop into full maturity. I'm just glad we have wonderful stories like these to cherish forever.
Disappointing Conclusion
claudio_carvalho13 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
While investigating some primitive chambers of an ancient civilization, Hoshi and Trip are advised by Captain Archer to return to Enterprise due to the arrival of two storms. They have no time to use the shuttle pod and they have to be beamed to Enterprise. The reluctant Hoshi asks Trip to go first, and after his response that he arrived safe and sound, she is beamed. Hoshi feels weird and uncomfortable after using the transporter, and talks twice with Dr. Phlox about her sensation. When nobody can see Hoshi, Trip and Reed find a problem in the transporter and Dr. Phlox in her molecular examination. Later Hoshi finds two aliens installing bombs in Enterprise and she unsuccessfully tries to communicate with Captain Archer.
"Vanishing Point" is an intriguing and suspenseful episode that unfortunately has a very disappointing conclusion. I was anxious with the situation of Hoshi, and I found the resolution of the story ridiculous. It seems that the author did not know how to end a great plot. My vote is four.
Title (Brazil): "Ponto de Fuga" ("Escape Point")
"Vanishing Point" is an intriguing and suspenseful episode that unfortunately has a very disappointing conclusion. I was anxious with the situation of Hoshi, and I found the resolution of the story ridiculous. It seems that the author did not know how to end a great plot. My vote is four.
Title (Brazil): "Ponto de Fuga" ("Escape Point")
Good premise but...
dting20101 November 2018
I loved the way the entire episode was leading, but the ending was disappointing to say the least. I suppose it was a nice showcase of Hoshi's character. It just seems the writers got lazy and hurriedly ended the episode.
A Look Into Hoshi's Psyche
Samuel-Shovel6 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Vanishing Point" begins with Trip and Hoshi exploring some ancient ruins on an unidentified planet. When a storm hits and returning to Enterprise via shuttlepod is no longer feasible, both Trip and Hoshi must take a maiden voyage on the transporter. Upon their return, Hoshi begins to feel unwell.
This episode is less about Hoshi's fear of the transporter and more about Hoshi's inner psyche and insecurities. Hoshi, at least up to this point, is the most trepidatious character we have on ST:E. She has voiced her concerns and uneasiness in the past (See Season 1's "Fight or Flight") and this is no different. Hoshi's fear of being unheard and unneeded has caused her mind to envision a world in which she's disappeared completely from the Enterprise. She often feels invisible so her mind enacts a scenario where she becomes just that.
The ending where the aliens come aboard and secretly plant bombs on the Enterprise is an opportunity for Hoshi to save the day. She conquers her fear of the transporter by using the alien's version of a transporter, risking her livelihood to save those on the Enterprise.
The fact that Hoshi's mind requires this self-motivation to boost her confidence shows how far out of her element Hoshi can be at times on the Enterprise. While some reviewers have criticized Hoshi, it is important to remember that not every crewman can have nerves of steel, many must have degrees of self-doubt. While I don't think Hoshi is a great character on this show, she maybe a necessary one to show viewers that not all crewman are action heroes.
Conclusion: A fairly pointless and boring episode unless you're a big fan of Hoshi. One of the first episodes to highlight the transporter for a long duration.
This episode is less about Hoshi's fear of the transporter and more about Hoshi's inner psyche and insecurities. Hoshi, at least up to this point, is the most trepidatious character we have on ST:E. She has voiced her concerns and uneasiness in the past (See Season 1's "Fight or Flight") and this is no different. Hoshi's fear of being unheard and unneeded has caused her mind to envision a world in which she's disappeared completely from the Enterprise. She often feels invisible so her mind enacts a scenario where she becomes just that.
The ending where the aliens come aboard and secretly plant bombs on the Enterprise is an opportunity for Hoshi to save the day. She conquers her fear of the transporter by using the alien's version of a transporter, risking her livelihood to save those on the Enterprise.
The fact that Hoshi's mind requires this self-motivation to boost her confidence shows how far out of her element Hoshi can be at times on the Enterprise. While some reviewers have criticized Hoshi, it is important to remember that not every crewman can have nerves of steel, many must have degrees of self-doubt. While I don't think Hoshi is a great character on this show, she maybe a necessary one to show viewers that not all crewman are action heroes.
Conclusion: A fairly pointless and boring episode unless you're a big fan of Hoshi. One of the first episodes to highlight the transporter for a long duration.
I should have done the ironing instead
snoozejonc8 September 2020
Hoshi takes her maiden voyage on the transporter and finds herself experiencing some alarming after effects.
I like Hoshi's character as I find it appealing to see someone in the crew with lower confidence levels than your usual Star Trek types. The fact that they have stuck with this side of her personality is also good from a continuity perspective. This episode focuses on her struggles to be recognised and her feelings of inadequacy.
Unfortunately it's not really done in a very compelling way. Yet another transporter incident within the Trek franchise, which is traditionally a good sign, but this seems to go off in a very random direction. It eventually hooked me in as the episode drew to a close and then I saw the big reveal. After that I pretty much wished that I'd spent the last forty minutes doing that massive pile of ironing that's building up on my bedroom floor.
Additionally I found Archer and Trip Tucker quite irritating in this one. It's difficult to explain why this shouldn't been the case without spoiling the plot line, but regardless of what was really happening they still annoyed me and the twist at the end made no difference.
I like Hoshi's character as I find it appealing to see someone in the crew with lower confidence levels than your usual Star Trek types. The fact that they have stuck with this side of her personality is also good from a continuity perspective. This episode focuses on her struggles to be recognised and her feelings of inadequacy.
Unfortunately it's not really done in a very compelling way. Yet another transporter incident within the Trek franchise, which is traditionally a good sign, but this seems to go off in a very random direction. It eventually hooked me in as the episode drew to a close and then I saw the big reveal. After that I pretty much wished that I'd spent the last forty minutes doing that massive pile of ironing that's building up on my bedroom floor.
Additionally I found Archer and Trip Tucker quite irritating in this one. It's difficult to explain why this shouldn't been the case without spoiling the plot line, but regardless of what was really happening they still annoyed me and the twist at the end made no difference.
ridiculous.
Bobski220017 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Great acted but terrible last 5 minutes. Stupid conclusion. I mean seriously did they get fed up at the end and decide to chuck it off to grab a drink? Side plots go nowhere and it is really like the writers just couldn't be bothered and said meh just have it all a dream or accident or imagination. But what about the side plots? Meh we will just forget them.
Shame its a very good series that was tossed every which way. Don't get me started on the abomination that was the end of the series I mean worst ending of a show next to Dexter in history. So many great actors and stories to be let down by bad writing and lazy directors.
Shame its a very good series that was tossed every which way. Don't get me started on the abomination that was the end of the series I mean worst ending of a show next to Dexter in history. So many great actors and stories to be let down by bad writing and lazy directors.
Lost potential
adriansheridan27 August 2023
Watching this episode I was excited to see a classic Star Trek style transporter incident episode where a second tier officer steps up, moves their character along, we learn more about them and have a great episode to boot. They almost nailed it until the last five minutes and then it all fell apart.
It seems to be an issue with Enterprise in general. The first two seasons are good but not polished (I find there to be a lot of lazy editing too, especially at the end/epilogue of each episode) and episodes sometimes badly written which is a great shame considering the potential of the series and this episode in particular. It's an old school classic set up with a minor character stepping up but alas to no avail.
Still better than any Star Trek that came after though. Movies included.
It seems to be an issue with Enterprise in general. The first two seasons are good but not polished (I find there to be a lot of lazy editing too, especially at the end/epilogue of each episode) and episodes sometimes badly written which is a great shame considering the potential of the series and this episode in particular. It's an old school classic set up with a minor character stepping up but alas to no avail.
Still better than any Star Trek that came after though. Movies included.
Among the worst episodes in the series....and not very good at making you like Hoshi.
planktonrules26 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
My vote for the worst written character on "Star Trek: Enterprise" is generally Hoshi (Linda Park). Feminists would cringe at her, as she is a walking poster girl for the notion that women are just too fragile and stupid to go into space! Too often she is worrying and whining and showing her fears of just about everything...yet we are expected to believe she's graduated from Star Fleet Academy and is the best person for her job! You wonder HOW she could have been chosen to be aboard the ship, as with billions of humans, surely they could have found someone with linguistic skills like hers who is not a 'little girl', as the writers made her character. Here in "Vanishing Point", unfortunately, Hoshi is even MORE poorly written than usual...if it's possible. And this is really a shame, as Linda Park (who plays Hoshi) only was delivering the lines written for her....and I am sure it's not her fault her character just seems ill-suited for space travel.
The show begins with Hoshi being nervous and worrying about having to use the transporter. When she arrives on the ship, she claims to feel 'odd' and it's only a vague feeling at first. However, as time passes, her whining manages to be more reasonable as she does start to disappear...which, considering what I think of her character, is a very good thing (I want to like her...but the writers make it occasionally difficult). After a bit, she is surprised to see some other creatures who are out of phase--and they mean to do bad stuff to Enterprise. Sadly, however, the show concludes with her return to normal space and time. It also concludes very badly as it's all sort of a dream--a serious cop-out and a totally irritating episode by the time it ended.
Hoshi could be a good character...and was in some episodes. But with shows like this one, it tries the patience of some fans....and I'm definitely included in this group. The ending also really tried my patience!
The show begins with Hoshi being nervous and worrying about having to use the transporter. When she arrives on the ship, she claims to feel 'odd' and it's only a vague feeling at first. However, as time passes, her whining manages to be more reasonable as she does start to disappear...which, considering what I think of her character, is a very good thing (I want to like her...but the writers make it occasionally difficult). After a bit, she is surprised to see some other creatures who are out of phase--and they mean to do bad stuff to Enterprise. Sadly, however, the show concludes with her return to normal space and time. It also concludes very badly as it's all sort of a dream--a serious cop-out and a totally irritating episode by the time it ended.
Hoshi could be a good character...and was in some episodes. But with shows like this one, it tries the patience of some fans....and I'm definitely included in this group. The ending also really tried my patience!
A Real Stinker
Vvardenfell_Man18 April 2024
This series has ups and downs like I just can't believe. The best episodes are on-the-nose Trek in all the right ways. The worst, like this, just phone it in. The premise is lifted from a TNG episode that I'm pretty sure Stargate had already copied before this aired. Recycling old scripts/premises led us to some of the worst TNG episodes and it's safe to say that this trend continues here. I'm really curious about the direction of this episode because that's clearly where it failed to come together. The aliens look goofy--their movements are not threatening or interesting, just odd, like a circus sideshow--and the tenuous thematic connection between Hoshi's self-confidence and her physical disappearance, while latent in the script, is not brought out in a meaningful way. Direction that properly emphasized this theme could have saved the episode. Unfortunately this is filler and everyone looks tired and bored.
Oh, and I really can't give anything set on a spaceship more than 1 star when someone on the crew becomes intangible and DOESN'T GET LEFT BEHIND BY THE ACCELERATING STARSHIP WHILE THEIR MOLECULES PHASE THROUGH ITS HULL. This is one of the dumbest conceits on television and it's fortunate that bloated budgets have (mostly) done away with the material conditions that led to its narrative use and abuse in the '90s and '00s.
Oh, and I really can't give anything set on a spaceship more than 1 star when someone on the crew becomes intangible and DOESN'T GET LEFT BEHIND BY THE ACCELERATING STARSHIP WHILE THEIR MOLECULES PHASE THROUGH ITS HULL. This is one of the dumbest conceits on television and it's fortunate that bloated budgets have (mostly) done away with the material conditions that led to its narrative use and abuse in the '90s and '00s.
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