 " Extinction " was shot across seven days , with the soundstage transformed into an alien jungle for filming . John Eaves designed a Xindi pod , as well as an alien spaceship which he strongly disliked . Jolene Blalock , Scott Bakula , Linda Park and Dominic Keating were each required to undergo extended make @-@ up sessions during six days of the shoot in order to show their characters in various states of mutation . Around four million viewers watched " Extinction " on first broadcast , but the critical reception was mixed . Although the actors who underwent additional make @-@ up were praised , the plot was found to be similar to previous episodes in the franchise and the ending was poor . 
