Jonathan Archer quotes from Star Trek: Enterprise

Archer

Captains starlog, May 6, 2151. After helping them recover their dead crewmen, we had the chance to spend some time with the Axanar. Turns out, they're androgynous and live over 400 years. I look forward to meeting them again, under better circumstances. Before we resume our course, I have agreed to make a brief detour.

Archer

Starfleet could've sent a probe out here to make maps and take pictures, but they didn't. They sent us so that we could explore with our own senses.

Archer

(to Silik) You keep saying you're here to help us. But I can't stop wondering what kind of genetic enhancements you'll get for bringing back that little prize? Eyes in the back of your head? A pair of wings?

Archer

I have reconsidered. I spent the whole night reconsidering, and what I've decided goes against all my principles. Someday my people are going to come up with some sort of a doctrine, something that tells us what we can and can't do out here, should and shouldn't do. But until somebody tells me that they've drafted that directive, I'm going to have to remind myself every day that we didn't come out here to play God.

Archer

(regarding the woman and the aliens who were chasing her) She may just be something I envisioned a long time ago, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna let anyone shoot her.

Archer

When I was in my early 20s on a trip to East Africa, I saw a gazelle giving birth. It was truly amazing. Within minutes, the baby was standing up... standing up on its own. A few more minutes, and it was walking. And before I knew it, it was running alongside its mother, moving away with the herd. Humans aren't like that, Ambassador. We may come from the same planet as those gazelles, but we're pretty much helpless when we're born. It takes us months before we're able to crawl. Almost a full year before we can walk. Our deep space mission isn't much different. We're going to stumble, make mistakes. I'm sure more than a few before we find our footing. But we're going to learn from those mistakes. That's what being Human is all about. I'm sorry you can't see that.

Archer

(to Trip) You knew you had no business interfering with those people, but you just couldn't let it alone. You thought you were doing the right thing. I might agree if this was Florida or Singapore, but it's not, is it? We're in deep space and a person is dead -- a person who'd still be alive if we hadn't made first contact.

Archer

(in an alien sewer) Sewage takes on a whole new meaning when it comes from a dozen different species.

Archer

Captain's starlog, supplemental. We've given Phlox's serum to the captain of the containment vessel. With any luck, they'll be able to use it to prevent future outbreaks. As for Malcolm, Hoshi, and me, it may be a few days before we feel fully human again.

Archer

We came out here to stop the Xindi from destroying humanity. I'll be damned if I have a hand in destroying another race in the process.

Archer

The most difficult test facing any captain, any crew, is the loss of a shipmate. We've come here to honor one of our own. In the time we knew him, he showed us just how much one life can truly matter. We will never forget what he did for us and for the ship he loved so much. We will go forward with renewed determination to complete this mission, so that his sacrifice won't just have been for the people on this ship, but for all the citizens of Earth.

Archer

I've always been much better at avoiding farewells than giving them so I'm not even gonna try. But I'm going to ask all of you to think back to the day when this ship was first launched. We were explorers then. When all this is over, when Earth is safe, I want you to get back to that job. There are 400 billion stars in our galaxy. We've only explored a tiny fraction. You have a lot of work to do. Of all the captains who will sit in this chair, I can't imagine any of them being more proud than I am right now.

Archer

(to T'Pol) We've had our share of disagreements, but you've never taken it out on my desk before.

Archer

We're in bad shape. I can't deny that, but we're still in one piece. Enterprise is a tough ship. She took more then anyone could ask her to and then some. And so have all of you. I wanted to say thank you. I only wish I could thank the eighteen crewmen who were lost. Like you, they understood how important our mission is and they accepted the risks. We came into the Expanse not knowing what we'd find. With no one to rely on but ourselves, but we're going to succeed. To accomplish our mission. For everyone on Earth who's relying on us, and for the eighteen.

Archer

Enterprise may be coming apart at the seams, but I can't say the same for the crew. After nearly eight months in the Expanse they're ready to do what they came to do. No matter what it takes, no matter what the cost.