#8 civilization

"As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Starfleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Starfleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation" 

This episode represents the first interaction of a Star-fleet vessel and a Pre-Warp / Pre-Industrial society. T'Pol says there should be no interaction only observation until the society develops warp travel. Captain Archer decides that it would be ok to look around disguised as the Aliens as long as they stay hidden.

BUT WAIT! Someone has an anti matter reactor on the planet!? Better investigate: It turns out there are some (non indigenous) Mallurians mining an explosive on the planet, The captain decides the have got to go, as they are using an industrial lubricant that is slowly poisoning the city. When he eventually confronts the Alien-Mine-Leader he says there are millions on this planet a few thousand deaths are of no consequence - Well then why not wipe out the city and mine openly instead of doing so from under your antique store...

At one point on the Enterprise, with T'Pol in command and an alien ship (with shields mind you) about to blow the enterprise to tiny bits - Trip decides to defy an order from T'Pol and orders the ships drive system shut down.... wouldn't that have made you a sitting duck and uhm..dead?

Trip needs to be court marshaled, and Star Fleet better get to work on some rules, although the action taken on the planet did not violate the prime directive (although Picard was a hardliner and might have said it did: watch this Debate).

Writer Bonus points! Guess what? The Mallurians star system gets wiped out a hundred and fifty-one years later (in 2262) by the Nomad probe in the second season "Star Trek" episode "The Changeling." That will teach you to break the Prime Directive! 

Trek observed: 6:52:21