The crew makes contact with an alien at long last, but this historic moment is cut short when they realize they have a chance to make it home through an interplanetary ripple. Stewart and Michael decide to stay behind to learn more about the alien's culture, only to be underwhelmed... when they return, Karen chews them out for their mistake. Meanwhile, Tina uses Zalian, A.R.T., holograms, sedatives, and magnets to give Kent and Natasha their first and only date. Both groups are ripped from their activities by a series of shocking revelations about the universe, the alien and their chances for survival.