With a juggernaut of a television franchise like Star Trek, delving into the lore by creating a prequel series was undoubtedly a challenge for the writers of Star Trek: Enterprise. This was the first show to feature what life was like before the Federation existed.
Set in 2151, almost 100 years before Kirk and his crew set out on their 5-year mission, the show follows the adventures of Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) and his crew in the first Enterprise, the NX-01. The show ran from 2001-2005, and many Star Trek fans disregard it; however, the series was a necessary prequel, and those that followed it owe Captain Archer and the NX-01 their due.
Enterprise is the first Star Trek to have a crew venture out into deep space without a guidebook from Starfleet or the Federation. In fact, the Federation had yet to form when Enterprise began, and deep space travel was not yet common.
Past Star Trek series, such as The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, transport viewers far into the future, where the Federation is well-established. Enterprise did just the opposite, filling in a gap in time that was much needed in the canon. While The Original Series episodes “Menagerie Parts I and II” (S01E15-16) give us some idea of what life was like in Starfleet’s earliest days, it was painted in the broadest strokes possible (and someone please tell me who those two people were strolling the Enterprise’s hallways dressed like they’re on a discount cruise!)
When the original series began in 1966, viewers saw a tight-knit crew of people, including women and aliens, all working together to man a starship. While there were some conflicts, the Enterprise was home to all of them, even Spock.
Enterprise gives us a more honest view of how Vulcans and humans related to each other once the afterglow of first contact wore off. The Vulcans felt the humans weren’t ready for space travel or to meet other species because of how illogical and emotional they were. Archer’s frustration is especially palpable, even telling T’Pol that if he weren’t so rational or patient, he’d have already knocked her on her butt! His early relations with his science officer make you wonder if early Starfleet had an HR Department.
Enterprise might not be every fan’s favorite, and some say it harmed the franchise, but there’s more content than ever. Star Trek’s future looks bright, and that’s partly due to Enterprise’s creating a greater connection to its beginnings.
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