The Andorians first appeared in the origin series episode “Journey to Babel,” and for all intents and purposes that was it. Their unusual look (blue skin, antennae) was both a blessing and curse. Next Generation introduced two additional blue-skinned aliens (Bolians, Benzites) but even they were used sparingly.
Then Enterprise. In its first season, the prequel gave them another shot as one of the first major encounters for Captain Archer in “The Andorian Incident,” represented , as they would be for the duration of the series, by Shran. Mostly they were used as counterpoint to the Vulcans, reluctant allies of humanity. Shran didn’t seem in much more of a hurry to embrace “pink skins,” but at least he respected Archer.
Later in the season Shran shows up again in “Shadows of P’Jem,” thanks to ongoing hostilities between the Andorians and Vulcans. In the second season, “Cease Fire,” Archer is able to leverage his unexpected rapport with Shran to peace talks between the two.
The third season, which is otherwise concerned with the Xindi arc, has Shran show up to offer his support in “Proving Ground,” another significant step in the path toward the Federation.
In the fourth and final season, “Babel One,” “United,” and “The Aenar” give us our most extended look at Shran and the Andorians, as well as the final building blocks (including roles for Tellarites and Romulans) of the Federation, which is what Archer’s relationship with Shran always pointed toward.
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