See Also: 'Countdown' Episode Guide

In the penultimate episode of Star Trek: Enterprise's third season, the Xindi prepare to deploy their weapon while Archer and his crew desperately try to stir insurrection among them.

StarTrek.com yesterday published the following synopsis of "Countdown", which is currently scheduled to air on May 19:

The story continues the struggle to prevent the Xindi superweapon from being used against Earth. In this chapter the Xindi are ready to initiate the weapon's arming sequence, despite opposition within their ranks. Those dissenting factions agree to help Captain Archer's crew stop that "countdown" from commencing...but with conditions.

"Countdown" was written by Enterprise staffers André Bormanis and Chris Black and directed by Star Trek: Voyager actor Robert Duncan McNeill, who directed "Twilight" earlier this season and helmed episodes during the previous two seasons as well.

The following guest actors will appear in the episode:

• Josette DiCarlo as Sphere-Builder
• Mary Mara as Sphere-Builder
• Ruth Williamson as Sphere-Builder
• Randy Oglesby as Degra
• Scott MacDonald as Reptilian Commander
• Rick Worthy as Xindi-Arboreal
• Tucker Smallwood as Xindi-Humanoid
• Stephen Culp as Major Hayes

Most of the Xindi regulars will thus be appearing, as well as the chief MACO and three of the mysterious alien Sphere-Builders who appear in "The Council" in a trans-dimensional realm where part of "Countdown" will be set as well.

In addition, many recurring stunt players, who don't often receive credits, returned for this episode under the coordination of Vince Deadrick Jr. Dorenda Moore, Paul Sklar, Kevin Derr and Michael O'Laskey performed as stunt MACOs while Ian Eyre, Jacob Chambers and Joey Anaya appeared as stunt Reptilians. In addition, Alex Chansky doubled for Culp and Diana Inosanto for Linda Park (Hoshi Sato).

Principal photography on "Countdown" required a rare eight-day schedule, one longer than the usual seven, concluding on Thursday, March 4th. Two days' worth of filming took place on a Reptilian Ship which had its own sets for a Bridge, Cell and Corridor, with additional shooting inside Insectoid and Aquatic vessels and another day's filming set inside the Xindi weapon. Most of the standing Enterprise sets were used as well as the "Avian Residence" first seen in "The Council."

The original production report can be found here at StarTrek.com.

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