Perhaps this show had more action, excitement, and tension rapped up in one episode than one can handle, especially towards the end. Perhaps the best place to focus was on the Xindi. Ignoring the fact that the opening scene of the sphere builders was reminiscent of the DS9 scenes from the "wormhole" aliens, this episode was more focused towards the Xindi character interaction than the regular main cast. The viewer gets a better in depth look at how they interact, more about their history, and how they have come to be at present day. As with any civilization, not everyone was in harmony. However, the lack of "harmony" or conflict has been what typically makes good story telling. And there was definitely some serious conflict in this episode! Degra, in a typical yet well played out character, has managed to turn Xindi upon Xindi. Of course the Sphere-Builder Woman's interference with the reptilian kind of just added more fuel to the fire, as well. It was sad for Degra to be killed off. It was he, more than Archer, that really turned things around for Archer's mission. I'm not sure if one of the other regular Xindi characters can fill that role, but at least three of the Xindi species are carrying out Degra's motivations. And what a surprise from the Xindi reptilian commander. Though the reptilians do play a role very similar to the Hirogen of the Voyager series, they do fit well within the Xindi arc. At first, the reptilian commander seemed very hostile towards everything, only to turn around and support the Council on delaying the launch of the super weapon. And then, once you think everything was working out, he conspires with the insectoids to launch the super weapon. He definitely gets an awards for the master of deception and manipulation (good kudos goes to the writing as well).

Archer's approach to the Xindi council was somewhat Picard like. His presentation of facts and reasoning was like watching Picard come to the screen again. Archer does get his chance to destroy the super weapon in the final scene. The final battle scene was exciting to watch. Even though the Reptilians and Insectoids escaped with the weapon, there are at least two more chances (episodes) for Archer to destroy it.

Trip sure has had a change in heart for Degra and other Xindi. For the most part, revenge has been the foremost thing on his mind since the initial attack on earth. In this episode, the facts about how and actually why the Xindi launched the first weapon has perhaps finally sunk in to him. Degra and Trip are perhaps the two most characters that have had an about face since the Xindi story arc started.

If Enterprise continues on, there will definitely be some good Xindi stories to follow-up on, like what happened to the Xindi avians and how the Xindi came to be 5 or 6 species.

1) Mayweather gets to pilot a shuttlepod inside one of the spheres.

2) Add MACO to the list of the weekly expendable crew member along with the red shirt crew.

3) Hoshi gets kidnapped.

4) Phlox is on the "worm" diet.

5) In 'The Shipment', Gralik says the Avians were found only on the Xindi home world. So how did they get to this planet where 4000 year old Avian artifacts are located?

6) The sphere-builders speak English.