Warp Five 14: A Point-of-View Character

Hoshi Sato.

The Universal Translator made communications easy for the likes of Kirk and Picard—but it wasn't always so simple. One of the many ways in which Enterprise sought to build a deeper connection with own time was in taking a more realistic approach to language. Much as The Original Series had a dedicated communications officer in Uhura, Enterprise gave us the same in Hoshi Sato. Only in the case of Hoshi, the writers also introduced us to the person who would be instrumental in developing the universal linguistics matrix that would power communications with alien races in the 23rd and 24th centuries. In this episode of Warp Five hosts Christopher Jones and Kate Walsh take a close look at Hoshi, how her childhood influenced her interest in languages, how she played the role of the audience in the series, and how she grew immensely during her time aboard the NX-01—even if it happened in the shadows of other characters.