Star Trek: Enterprise--interesting article

[Vigilance]

Two words: Babylon 5.

I like Babylon 5... but there was a time when I could enjoy Babylon 5 *in addition* to star trek.

Enterprise might be the most troubling, confusing mess of a trek show ever. They set the show in the early days of the Federation's history... and then completely RUN AWAY FROM IT.

ARGHHHHHHHH. Is it just me?

Andoria, Tellar, Vulcan, Klingon and Romulans' first relations and mettings and conflicts with the Federation... the original mission that spawned "a piece of the action"... the birth of the Prime Directive... the Eugenics wars... do we get those questions? Questions trek fans have thought about... that novelists have written books about?

No, we the Suliban, and *even more* spatial anomalies... which is so much more interesting... errr not.

I just think it's ego. The writers have gone beyond doing what the TNG and DS9 writers did, which was add to the mythology... in both Voyager and Enterprise they have tried to replace the mythology with one of their own invention... and they are failing.

Chuck

 

[Ranger REG]

By "early days" you actually mean, before the formation of the United Federation of Planets, correct?

Of that, I agree, they should have run a "birth of the Federation" arc with the First Contacts and relations with the founding member species/cultures. But I'm speculating they are worried that the mainstream is going to be turned off with yet another "war" arc that was previously done in DS9. For fans like me, I don't mind. At least it would have stayed nearly true to the timeline.

 

[Vigilance]

I suppose it would be another war... but they could really sink their teeth into the backstory of the Trek universe for years before they got to war with the Romulans or the Klingons.

What prompted the the need for the Prime Directive, beyond "disastrous first contact with the Klingons"? They showed first contact between Earth and the Klingons and it didnt look disastrous at all to me.

What prompted the Humans and Vulcans to go from being bitter rivals to the best of friends?

What about first contact with Andoria (touched on a very little) and the Tallar?

When was Starfleet Academy first built?

To me those are interesting, don't involve war, and could be explored for years.

My understanding of the Federation is that Earth, Vulcan, and Andoria are the three pillars of the Federation.

Enterprise really teased me and hooked me (briefly) with Earth and Vulcan having a strained relationship, and Vulcan and Andoria being on the verge of war. I wanted to know what caused these three races staring at each other distrustfully to band together and become friends and allies.

But that storyline was never really pursued. Just so many missed opportunities, which is why Enterprise is the most disappointing trek show to date for me.

Chuck

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

... and should NEVER have attempted to do more of that same tired time travel nonsense that ruins so many Trek series episodes.

Actually, most time travel episodes of Startrek were good. I think it became boring during Voyager, but I guess to me, everything became boring than.

Most of the episodes were interesting, because we usually explored the past of the Earth - both known times and unknown times - and usually, additionally, interesting aspects were shown. The interaction with the past was nice.

Both in Voyager and Enterprise we usually seem to see the future, and somehow, I (and probably many others) cannot relate to it, which is kind of strange, since Startrek always tells us about the future. But on the other hand, the "future-future" presented seems over the top (everybody and his mother has time ships?), and somehow unbelievable.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Silver Moon]

On a related note, I'm glad that DS9 reruns are now airing. There were four episodes of that series that I had missed (2 season one, 1 season two, 1 season seven) and I've already managed to tape and watch two of those in the last week. The show rocks!

 

[mojo1701]

It had potential, and it was abused! Abused, I say! Turned into a travesty. A mockery. A travesty of a mockery.

Of a sham.

 

[Ranger REG]

I suppose it would be another war... but they could really sink their teeth into the backstory of the Trek universe for years before they got to war with the Romulans or the Klingons.

Which is what they're doing now ... if you approved of it so far.

What prompted the the need for the Prime Directive, beyond "disastrous first contact with the Klingons"? They showed first contact between Earth and the Klingons and it didnt look disastrous at all to me.

I agree. If that is the First Contact with Klingon it didn't spark anything to be of great significance to the timeline.

What prompted the Humans and Vulcans to go from being bitter rivals to the best of friends?

I honestly don't know if both cultures have become as tight as UK and US. There is only a few indication that that individual friendships have developed, but overall, there is a mutual understanding and tolerance for each others as they got to know more about the other culture's mindsets.

What about first contact with Andoria (touched on a very little) and the Tallar?

If you mean, when will Earth officially visit the planets of Andoria and Tellar, hopefully as soon as they can wrap up the Xindi and TCW arcs.

When was Starfleet Academy first built?

I'm under the impression that it has already been built, under the jurisdiction of Earth's Starfleet, not Federation's (yet to be established).

To me those are interesting, don't involve war, and could be explored for years.

Perhaps, but eventually, we'd like to see formation of the Federation, possibly with the series finale episode in which the UFP Charter and Constitution formally ratified (signed) by the founding members.

My understanding of the Federation is that Earth, Vulcan, and Andoria are the three pillars of the Federation.

I don't know about the "three pillars" and where it is first mentioned. I honestly thought that Tellar and Alpha Centauri are also represented as the founders of the UFP.

Enterprise really teased me and hooked me (briefly) with Earth and Vulcan having a strained relationship, and Vulcan and Andoria being on the verge of war. I wanted to know what caused these three races staring at each other distrustfully to band together and become friends and allies.

War. In fact, I'd like to think that it was the coalition of Vulcan and Andorian fleets (with logistical aid from Tellar ... assuming their most current series of starship repair station are more reliable) coming to Earth's defense that finally turned the tide of the Earth-Romulan War.

But that storyline was never really pursued. Just so many missed opportunities, which is why Enterprise is the most disappointing trek show to date for me.

Feh. What can you do? I mean other than buy Viacom and its Paramount subsidiary so you can find the appropriate contract clause to terminate Brannon Braga's employment (if that fails, reassign him to another job position), there's not much. For me personally, the rumor mill that Rick Berman's job is on the chopping block does not satisfy me. That only means that Paramount is keeping Brannon Braga where he is, if not promote him to head of the Trek franchise (THE worst-case scenario). If that's the case, then it's time to abandon ship.

 

[myrdden]

Lots of goods points brought up here. I think it is safe to say that most fans of ST or disappointed with ENT because of its squandered potential.