Once the NX-01 finally returns to Earth, the weary crewmen face repercussions of their journeys, both positive and negative.

Archer, T'Pol and T'Pau attempt to bring the Kir'Shara — an artifact believed to contain Surak's original writings — to the Vulcan capital, as the NX-01 gets involved in a Vulcan-Andorian military clash.