What is 'Enterprise' missing?

[Mark CMG]

I ask again. What would you do? What would you have them do? If something is missing, what would you add? Where should they go? Which parts of the galaxy should they explore? Who should they contact and why? If they should be doing something new, what is the new thing they should be doing?

As to what the Enterprise should do, they are limited by their technology (as far as where they can go over the course of a seven year series) and limited by the history that has already been written (any break in canon obviously rubs people the wrong way.) So where to go within those limitations and what to focus on?

Here's a link to a "Federation Galaxy Map" that might help some folks select some options. There's a lot more that is written canon from novels that I have no knowledge of, so I am not sure what sort of facts and timelines may be untouchable as to who is first contacted, when, in what order, etc. I can only speak to what I know from the various television shows and movies.

 

[Ranger REG]

If you watched "Stigma" then you'll know that's the kind of episode I like. I also like revisiting the old TOS races and perhaps learn more about them. And like TOS, start to realize their other human civilization out there, and provide the Preserver theory.

(Yes, I know that the TOS had limited budget then so they couldn't feature more aliens in makeup, but it has become part of Trek lore.)

 

[Mark CMG]

If you watched "Stigma" then you'll know that's the kind of episode I like.

One of the best Enterprise episodes, IMO. I have a feeling that they will use it for one of their sub-arcs, revisiting the issue when they start to introduce more Vulcans (and perhaps the planet Vulcan) to the series. I'm guessing that the one way that they can keep the old guard fans happy and still use that issue is to reveal that while there is this stigma it is that way because of a ruling minority. Wouldn't it be a nice twist if there were literally only a few Vulcans who couldn't do it, they are in charge, and they've perpetuated such a "feeling of guilt" that the majority of Vulcans simply can't bring themselves to admit they can meld? They'd also have to admit to feeling guilty all these years if they did, wouldn't they? It'd explain how these long lived Vulcans can go from a society that abhors melding to one that uses it fairly openly and frequently in such a short time span. (I like that idea so much I'm going to ask people to take note that I have suggested it will come to pass in the series at some point. )

I also like revisiting the old TOS races and perhaps learn more about them.

Yup. That's number one on my list and also explaining how we are building up to forming a federation as we meet each of them.

And like TOS, start to realize their other human civilization out there, and provide the Preserver theory.

Are we talking about the whole planet/genetic seeding idea? The reason we are only a few steps removed from so many other humanoid races? Or do you mean to say that we should be finding full-blooded actual humans out there some where?

(Yes, I know that the TOS had limited budget then so they couldn't feature more aliens in makeup, but it has become part of Trek lore.)

Bring on the Gorn! We certainly have the technology to create all sorts of alien races now with little to no effort. I wouldn't mind them taking a few of the odd ball ones from the cartoon show (where anything goes...or went) and tinkering with them in a live action way.

 

[Hand of Evil]

What I would do to make it better...

Klingons - I am talking about the TOS ones. Raiders, clans hunting the space lanes. Sure it is not PC but show why Kirk and most everyone else in TOS saw them as savages. Show them performing acts that happen in 3rd world countries.

Prime Directive - Show what happens when someone causes problems, it does not have to be the Enterprise but Harry Mudd.

Harry Mudd - Trader to the Stars. Space is opening up have them falling behind the Enterprise setting up trade routes.

At this time they have not addressed reactions to their actions. I think they could work around with this some.

 

[Viking Bastard]

Lets stop focusing of the stories they're telling and more on how they're tellin' 'em.

They are all alone out there in space. No backup. Nuttin' at all.
From watching ENT, I would not be able to tell.

They are closer to us than the TOS/TNG people.
Really? They don't act like it.

Etc.

.

I don't mind if the dilemmas they face are not original as long as how they
face those dilemmas is different. No technobabble solutions. Human solutions.

I feel that ENT is abandoning it's premise to give us more TNG like stories, the same thing VOY did and I don't want to see ENT go the way of VOY.

 

[John Crichton]

Lets stop focusing of the stories they're telling and more on how they're tellin' 'em.

They are all alone out there in space. No backup. Nuttin' at all.
From watching ENT, I would not be able to tell.

They are closer to us than the TOS/TNG people.
Really? They don't act like it.

Trip is very "modern earth" as is Archer. They dig things like movies and college water polo matches. Ok, the polo is a little of a stretch.

And as for the no backup thing, they don't really have any. They can call the Vulcans for some help but only rarely do they respond and when they do it takes some time for them to arrive.

I don't mind if the dilemmas they face are not original as long as how they face those dilemmas is different. No technobabble solutions. Human solutions.

I feel that ENT is abandoning it's premise to give us more TNG like stories, the same thing VOY did and I don't want to see ENT go the way of VOY.

I think that the technobabble for Enterprise has actually been pretty low in comparison (as it should be). There have only been a few eps where the tech has been the answer. And those particular episodes I agree aren't the best ones.

 

[Viking Bastard]

Trip is very "modern earth" as is Archer. They dig things like movies and college water polo matches. Ok, the polo is a little of a stretch.

[...snip...]

And as for the no backup thing, they don't really have any. They can call the Vulcans for some help but only rarely do they respond and when they do it takes some time for them to arrive.

The thing is that while we are told these things, they are not shown properly. I never get the feeling that they are all alone and are more like us, I'm just told so.

That's what makes good TV writing. This is after all a visual medium.

 

[Ranger REG]

Oh, and one more thing: continuity, continuity, continuity.

For example, the past episode, "Future Tense," featured a warp-speed chase scene between Enterprise and a bunch of Suliban ships. Just to keep everyone to speed, we all know that Warp speed means you are going faster than the speed of light, right?

So how is it possible that before Kirks' time, NX-01 Enterprise has the capability of firing beam weapon at warp speed? I mean that's what the photon torpedoes are for?

Look, I can try and forgive small continuity errors, but I cannot ignore something as blatant as that.

 

[John Crichton]

Isn't the speed just relative anyway? If 2 ships are going at about the same "warp" speed shouldn't they be able to interact with each other.... uh. Wait, I shoudn't even get into this because I know nothing of physics and even less about Trek physics. Forget it.

 

[Viking Bastard]

I don't really see that as a big continuity thing myself.

The only continuity thing that has really bugged me on ENT was the Rommie cloak thingy.

My problems with ENT is that it's just rather... dull. It lacks 'Oomph!'.