Editing Hoshi Sato

{{short description|Fictional character from Star Trek: Enterprise}}
{{Infobox character
| name        = Hoshi Sato
| series      = [[Star Trek]]
| image       = HoshiSato.jpg
| caption     = [[Linda Park]] as Hoshi Sato
| portrayer   = [[Linda Park]]
| first       = "[[Broken Bow (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Broken Bow]]" (2001)
| last        = "[[These Are the Voyages...]]" (2005)
| creator     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Rick Berman]]
* [[Brannon Braga]]
}}
| 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]]''.

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.

==Biography==
Relatively little of Sato's background was explored in the series. She briefly suffered from space sickness and [[claustrophobia]]. The fourth season episode "[[Observer Effect (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Observer Effect]]" revealed that she was once dishonourably discharged from [[Starfleet]] for running a floating [[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 reenlist because of her exceptional linguistic skills.

Before posting to the ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]'', she taught linguistics in [[Brazil]]; it is not known whether she was an active Starfleet officer at the time, or was reactivated to serve under [[Jonathan Archer]]. She later (also in "Observer Effect") expressed regret at leaving without saying goodbye to her students.

==Fate==
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 (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]].

==Key episodes==
[[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.

==Reception==
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>

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

{{Star Trek: Enterprise}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sato, Hoshi}}
[[Category:Star Trek: Enterprise characters]]
[[Category:Fictional female lieutenants]]
[[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]]