Hoshi Sato: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Fictional character from Star Trek: Enterprise}}

{{ST Character|

{{Infobox character

image = [[Image:ST-HoshiSato.JPG|200px|Hoshi Sato]]|

| name = Hoshi Sato|

bgcolor=#fc0|

| series = [[Star Trek]]

fgcolor=#000|

| image = HoshiSato.jpg

name=Hoshi Sato|

| caption = [[Linda Park]] as Hoshi Sato

race=[[Human]]|

portrayed| portrayer = [[Linda Park]]

gender=[[Female]]|

| first = "[[Broken Bow (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Broken Bow]]" (2001)

hair= Black|

| last = "[[These Are the Voyages...]]" (2005)

eyes= Brown|

| creator = {{Plainlist|

rank= [[Ensign]]|

planet=* [[EarthRick Berman]]|

* [[Brannon Braga]]

affiliation= [[Starfleet]]|

}}

portrayed=[[Linda Park]]

| species = Human

| affiliation = [[Starfleet]]|

| lbl23 = Posting

| data23 = Communications officer,<br />[[Enterprise (NX-01)|''Enterprise'' (NX-01)]]

| lbl31 = [[Star Trek uniforms|Rank]]

| data31 = [[Starfleet ranks and insignia|Ensign]]

}}

'''Hoshi Sato''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|oʊ|ʃ|i|_|ˈ|s|ɑː|t|oʊ}}, played by [[Korean American]] actress [[Linda Park]], is a fictional character in the [[science fiction on television|science fiction television series]] ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''.

'''Hoshi Sato''' ([[July 9]], 2128-2244) is a character in the fictional [[Star Trek]] universe and the communication officer aboard the starship ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)]]'' in the [[science fiction television]] series ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]''. She is a [[linguist]] who speaks more than thirty [[language]]s, including [[Klingon language|Klingon]]. She is also the acknowledged inventor of the [[universal translator]] which was a key instrument in allowing cultures from different worlds to communicate. (Her status as the UT's inventor is confirmed in the first season episode "Fight or Flight".)

In the show Sato, born in [[Kyoto]], Japan on July 9, 2129, is the communications officer aboard the starship ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)]]'', and a [[linguistics|linguist]] who can speak more than forty [[language]]s ([[polyglotism]]),<ref>{{Cite episode|url=https://www.startrek.com/database_article/two-days-and-two-nights|season=1, Episode 24|title=Two Days and Two Nights|series=Star Trek: Enterprise|date=2009-03-10 }}</ref> including [[Klingon language|Klingon]]. She is an acknowledged linguistic genius and expert at operating the [[universal translator]], a key instrument in allowing the crew to communicate with alien cultures.

Hoshi is played by [[Korean American]] actor [[Linda Park]].

==Biography==

There have been hints that Sato might be attracted to her colleague [[Travis Mayweather]], but this has yet to be expanded upon. She also appears to be very close to Captain [[Jonathan Archer]] and they appear to have some history that predates her posting to ''Enterprise'', but the full nature of their relationship as also yet to be explored.

Relatively little of Sato's background has beenwas explored in the series. ItShe is known that she (briefly) suffered from space- sickness and is also [[claustrophobia|claustrophobic]]. The fourth season episode "[[Observer Effect (ENTStar episodeTrek: Enterprise)|Observer Effect]]" revealed that she was once dishonorablydishonourably discharged from [[Starfleet]] for running a floating [[poker (game)|poker]] game and breaking the arm of a Starfleet instructor who tried to break it up (she has a [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in [[aikidoAikido]]). She was subsequently allowed to rejoinreenlist Starfleet on the strengthbecause of her exceptional linguistic skills.

Prior to herBefore posting aboardto the ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]'', Sato wasshe teachingtaught linguistics in [[Brazil]] and; it's unclearis asnot toknown whether she was an active Starfleet officer at thatthe time, or was reactivated to serve under [[Jonathan Archer]]. She later (again,also in "Observer Effect") expressed regret at leaving without having the chance to saysaying goodbye to her students.

Relatively little of Sato's background has been explored in the series. It is known that she (briefly) suffered from space-sickness and is also [[claustrophobia|claustrophobic]]. The fourth season episode "[[Observer Effect (ENT episode)|Observer Effect]]" revealed that she was once dishonorably discharged from [[Starfleet]] for running a floating [[poker (game)|poker]] game and breaking the arm of a Starfleet instructor who tried to break it up (she has a [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in [[aikido]]). She was subsequently allowed to rejoin Starfleet on the strength of her linguistic skills.

==Fate==

Prior to her posting aboard ''Enterprise'', Sato was teaching linguistics in [[Brazil]] and it's unclear as to whether she was an active Starfleet officer at that time, or was reactivated to serve under Archer. She later (again, in "Observer Effect") expressed regret at leaving without having the chance to say goodbye to her students.

According to a computer bio screen, shown in the episode "[[In a Mirror, Darkly]]", and taken from the memory banks of the USS ''Defiant'', Sato was born in [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]].<ref>{{cite web |date=24 Aug 2017 |author=_MichaelSussman |title=To those interested, the original production artwork from IAMD. @StarTrek #Enterprise |url=https://twitter.com/_MichaelSussman/status/900853960289918976 |website=Twitter }}{{cite web |title=Starfleet Personnel File: Sato, Hoshi |url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIB55prVYAALd30?format=jpg |website=Twitter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522050534/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIB55prVYAALd30?format=jpg |archive-date=2021-05-22 |access-date=2021-06-01 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was instrumental in the development of the [[universal translator]]. She eventually marries a man named Takashi Kimura, and retires from [[Starfleet]] with the rank of lieutenant commander.

==Mirror Universe==

In the [[Mirror Universe]], Hoshi held the rank of Lieutenant (unlike the 'regular' universe's Hoshi, who is an Ensign). In addition to being the communications officer, Mirror Hoshi acted as the consort of [[Admiral Forrest|Captain Maximillian Forrest]] and then Commander Archer after Archer took control of the ''Enterprise''. After Archer used the [[USS Defiant (NCC-1764)|USS ''Defiant'']] (NCC-1764) to put down the rebellion, Hoshi poisoned him and took command of the ship and taking Mirror [[Travis Mayweather]] as a new consort. Upon reaching Earth, Hoshi demanded Earth's surrender and proclaimed herself Empress (it is unclear whether she succeeded).

In the [[Mirror Universe (Star Trek)|Mirror Universe]], Sato held the rank of [[Starfleet ranks and insignia|Lieutenant]]. In addition to being the communications officer, she acted as the "Captain's Woman" (a combination yeoman/concubine) of [[List of minor recurring characters in Star Trek: Enterprise#Maxwell Forrest|Captain Maximillian Forrest]] and then [[Starfleet ranks and insignia|Commander]] [[Jonathan Archer]] after Archer took control of the [[Starship Enterprise#ISS Enterprise|ISS ''Enterprise'']].

After Archer used the USS ''Defiant'' to put down the rebellion, Sato poisoned him and took command of the ship, taking the Mirror [[Travis Mayweather]] as a new consort. Upon reaching [[Earth]], she demanded Earth's surrender and proclaimed herself [[Emperor|Empress]].

In the 'real' Star Trek universe, computer records of the same [[USS Defiant (NCC-1764)|USS ''Defiant'']] (NCC-1764) revealed that this universe's Hoshi was born in [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]]. She will eventually get married (to a man named Takashi Kimura), and will retire from Starfleet with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Sadly, Hoshi and her husband will die in January 14th, 2244 when the colony where they live, [[Tarsus IV]], is stricken by a food shortage, and [[Kodos the Executioner|Governor Kodos]] orders the deaths of half of the colony's population. Hoshi and her husband will be among the dead. Note: episode writer [[Mike Sussman]], in confirming this information to the [[TrekBBS]], cautioned that the fate of Hoshi is not necessarily officially canonical since some of the above information was not actually visible on screen.[http://www.trektoday.com/news/020505_01.shtml]

==Key episodes==

The finale episode, "[[These Are the Voyages... (ENT episode)|These Are the Voyages]]" revealed that Sato remained Archer's communications officer throughout his tenure as captain of ''Enterprise'', and was considering resuming her teaching career in Brazil following the ship's decommissioning. The final episode also revealed that, after serving aboard Enterprise for ten years, she still wore an ensign's insignia. The reasons for this lack of promotion (or possible future demotion) have not yet been revealed, although it is not unheard of for an officer to remain at a set rank for many years without promotion (examples include [[William Riker]] and [[Pavel Chekov]] who remained at the rank of commander for many years without moving on to become captains, and [[Harry Kim]] who never moved beyond the rank of Ensign during the seven year run of ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''). As noted in the ''Defiant'' records, Sato only ever achieved the rank of lieutenant-commander during her Starfleet career, suggesting either a slow rise up the ranks or an early retirement from active duty.

[[File:Linda Park Star Trek Convention Las Vegas 20090808.jpg|thumb|Actress Linda Park, cast as Hoshi Sato, said "Fight or Flight" showed how her character grew during the series]]

Episodes in which Sato's character is expanded or plays a key role:

* "[[Broken Bow (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Broken Bow]]" – Introduction to Sato's character; assigned to ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]''

* "[[Fight or Flight (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Fight or Flight]]"<ref name="ianspelling">{{cite news |last=Spelling |first=Ian ([[The New York Times]])|date=2001-12-01|title=Linda Park's Trek to 'Trek' Remarkably Swift |page=B8|work=[[Reading Eagle]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JdEyAAAAIBAJ&pg=1294,89999&dq=star-trek+enterprise+fight-or-flight&hl=en|access-date=2010-10-14}}</ref> – Sato faces her fears on an alien ship whose crew was murdered.

* "[[Vanishing Point (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Vanishing Point]]" – Her first use of the [[Transporter (Star Trek)|transporter]]

* "[[Exile (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Exile]]" – She remains on an alien planet to learn more about the [[Xindi (Star Trek)|Xindi]].

* "[[The Council (Star Trek: Enterprise)|The Council]]" – Vital in communicating with the Xindi council

* "[[Countdown (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Countdown]]" – Kidnapped and tortured by Xindi-Reptilians, she is [[Brainwashing|brainwashed]] to assist in destruction of [[Earth]].

* "[[Zero Hour (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Zero Hour]]" – Crucial in the destruction of the Xindi superweapon before it can be used to destroy Earth

* "[[Observer Effect (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Observer Effect]]" – Chosen to carry a deadly pathogen in an experiment observed by the [[Organian]]s

* "[[In a Mirror, Darkly]]" – The Sato of the parallel universe is promiscuous, conniving and ambitious, ultimately declaring herself Empress Sato of Earth.

==Hoshi's nameReception==

According to author David Greven, "Ensign Hoshi Sato is an Asian American linguist and the communications officer. Prone to fearful fits and generally seen as ineffectual in any terms other than the linguistic aspects of her job, Hoshi is the resident screamer."<ref name="Greven2009">{{cite book|author=David Greven|title=Gender and Sexuality in Star Trek: Allegories of Desire in the Television Series and Films|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CqXZfrogUr0C&q=%22Hoshi+is+the+resident+screamer%22&pg=PA123|date=26 August 2009|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5458-7|page=123}}</ref>

The character's East Asian-sounding surname "[[Sato]]" is the probably most [[List of most common surnames#Japan|common Japanese surname]] (&#20304;&#34276;). In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], her given name means "star" (星, although the dialogue leaves the typical English-speaking viewer ignorant of the fact. Her name in [[kanji]] is never given in Japanese [[dub]]s, and is only shown in [[katakana]]: ホシ・サトウ).

Consulting producer and writer during season 1, [[Fred Dekker]] said Hoshi was his favorite character to write for as he felt she was the most human and relatable of the crew.<ref name="Dekker">{{cite magazine |date=2016 |author=Callum Waddell |title=Subspace Turbulence |url=https://archive.org/details/Star_Trek_Special_Edition_2016_USA/page/n29/mode/2up?q=Fred+Dekker |magazine=Star Trek Special Edition |page=32 |quote=Hoshi was my favorite character in the show. |issn=1357-3888 }}</ref>

In 2001 in an interview with Ian Spelling of ''[[The New York Times]]'', actress [[Linda Park]] who portrays character Hoshi Sato on ''Enterprise'' cited "Fight or Flight" as an example of the progression and growth of her character during the series.<ref name="ianspelling" />

In 2004, [[IGN]] said "Linda Park is possibly the most under-utilized actor on the show and shows the most potential."<ref>{{cite web |date=2004 |author=KJB |title=IGNFF's new weekly look at the latest in Trek. |url=http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/558/558781p1.html |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207013815/http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/558/558781p1.html |archive-date=2005-02-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Slate (magazine)|''Slate magazine'']] ranked Hoshi Sato one of the ten best crew characters in the ''Star Trek'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yglesias|first=Matthew|date=2013-05-15|title=Star Trek Movies, Series, and Characters Ranked|url=https://slate.com/culture/2013/05/star-trek-rankings-movies-tv-series-villains-and-crew-members-from-best-to-worst.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Slate Magazine }}</ref>

In 2015, ''Den of Geek'' noted how Hoshi showed the importance of communication and the depth of her linguistic abilities. They recommended the episodes "[[Fight or Flight (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Fight or Flight]]" and "[[Vox Sola]]" as watches for the Hoshi character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2019 |author=Lisa Granshaw |title=Star Trek: Enterprise and the Importance of Its Characters |website=[[Den of Geek]] |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-enterprise-and-the-importance-of-its-characters/ |access-date=2020-04-20 }}</ref>

In 2016, ''The Wrap'' ranked Hoshi the 37th, on a list of 39 of the best characters in the ''Star Trek'' franchise. They noted her importance as a translator but called her "a poor man's [[Uhura]]" and said the writers failed to flesh out the character beyond her basic premise.<ref>{{Cite web |date = July 20, 2016<!-- NB original publication date, see archive copy --> |author=Jeremy Fuster |url=https://www.thewrap.com/all-39-star-trek-main-characters-ranked-from-spock-to-wesley-photos/ |title = All 39 'Star Trek' Main Characters Ranked, from Spock to Wesley (Photos) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723165049/https://www.thewrap.com/all-39-star-trek-main-characters-ranked-from-spock-to-wesley-photos/ |archive-date=2016-07-23 |access-date=2022-04-20 }}</ref>

[[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'']] ranked Lt. Commander Hoshi Sato the 27th-most important [[Starfleet]] character in the ''Star Trek'' universe.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/star-treks-100-crew-members-ranked/ |title=Star Trek's 100 Most Important Crew Members, Ranked |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=2016-09-05 |magazine=Wired |access-date=2019-03-20 |issn=1059-1028 }}</ref>

==See also==

* [[List of Star Trek characters#Star Trek: Enterprise|List of ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' characters]]

==References==

<references />

==External links==

* {{memoryalphaMemory Alpha}}

* {{Memory Alpha|Hoshi Sato (mirror)}}

* [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/ENT/character/1122628.html StarTrek.com: Jonathan Archer]

* [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/character/bio/1122654.html StarTrek.com: Hoshi Sato] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420182741/http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/character/bio/1122654.html |date=2008-04-20 }}

* {{memoryalpha article|Image:Sato_biographical.jpg|Historical Archive}}

* {{memoryalpha article|Hoshi_Sato_%28mirror%29|Mirror Universe Hoshi Sato}}

{{Star Trek: Enterprise}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sato, Hoshi}}

[[it:Hoshi Sato]]

[[Category:Star Trek: Enterprise characters|Sato, Hoshi]]

[[Category:Fictional emperorsfemale and empresses|Sato, Hoshilieutenants]]

[[Category:Fictional emperors and empresses]]

[[Category:Fictional characters from Kyoto]]

[[Category:Fictional practitioners of Japanese martial arts]]

[[Category:Fictional polyglots]]

[[Category:Fictional linguists]]

[[Category:Starfleet lieutenants]]

[[Category:Starfleet ensigns]]

[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2001]]

[[Category:Fictional characters from the 22nd century]]

[[Category:Female characters in television]]