Enterprise 20th: Ranking every major character from Star Trek: Enterprise
By Chad Porto
3. Charles “Trip” Tucker
The second-highest-ranking member of a starship is rarely the chief engineer but in the case of Enterprise, Charles “Trip” Tucker was just that. As the second in command of all the Human Fleet officers and crew aboard the Enterprise, the only person who had more sway than him was the Captain himself. And T’Pol depending on the day.
Trip, named as he is due to being the third man to carry the name Charles Tucker after his father and grandfather, was one of the cooler characters on the show. Not in a Fonzie way, but in an attitude way. While he could grow frustrated on occasion with things didn’t go his way, he was far more interested in the adventure and discovery of other customs and cultures than many would give him credit for.
He was kind and compassionate and cared about those he served with, remaining loyal to a fault. He was open to new cultures but he was not afraid to get dirty. For instance, that time when he threatened to assault a trio of Denobulan scientists he was sent to rescue, who refused to leave until their work was done. Weeks from that point.
He wasn’t a dolt but he was at times too good-intentioned for his own good and sometimes that bit him in the backside. Like when he got robbed on Risa alongside Malcolm Reed. Like with many on this list, it wasn’t just the writing that made the character so well-liked, but the actor too. Connor Trinneer, the man who played Trip, deserves all the credit for making the character as beloved as he is.
Tucker’s kind but stern sensibility made him a crowd favorite and was a character that everyone rooted for; which is why the series finale still angers fans to this day.