1.”In a Mirror, Darkly” (Season 4, Episodes 18 & 19) – These episodes explore an alternate universe where we see an entirely different version of Captain Archer—ruthless and power-hungry—which stands as testament to his versatility as a character in the Star Trek universe.

2.”Azati Prime” (Season 3, Episode 18) – Displaying great personal courage and sacrifice, Archer takes on a suicide mission to destroy the Xindi superweapon.

3.”Similitude” (Season 3, Episode 10) – An ethically charged episode where Archer grapples with moral dilemmas over a clone’s rights—showcasing the depth of his character and leadership.

4.”Zero Hour” (Season 3, Episode 24) – The season finale where Archer fiercely leads his crew in stopping the Xindi weapon from destroying Earth. High stakes that highlight his leadership in a crisis.

5.”The Forge” (Season 4, Episode 7) – An important arc begins here as Archer embarks on a spiritual journey on Vulcan, deepening his understanding of Vulcans and their culture.

6.”Twilight” (Season 3, Episode 8) – In this poignant episode, we see another facet of Archer’s character as he deals with memory loss while trying to save humanity from the Xindi threat.

7.”Demons”/”Terra Prime” (Season 4, Episodes 20 & 21) – A two-parter that revisits one of the original series’ themes: xenophobia. Archer must confront extremists who oppose Earth’s collaboration with alien species.

8.”The Andorian Incident” (Season 1, Episode 7) – The episode where Archer’s diplomatic skills are put to the test when they encounter the Andorians. It sets up crucial relationships that last throughout the series.

9.”Regeneration” (Season 2, Episode 23) – This episode is a nod to Star Trek fans featuring the Borg, a fan-favorite adversary. Archer’s command skills face a severe test as he deals with this formidable threat.

10.”Broken Bow” (Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2) – The pilot episode that introduced us to Captain Jonathan Archer and his crew. A gripping narrative loaded with action and the spirit of exploration set the foundation for the entire series.