“A lot of fans would like to see more Star Trek and perhaps see Archer be involved.”
As much as devoted Star Trek fans would love to witness the return of fan-favorite actor Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer in a follow-up to Enterprise, the disappointing news is that he is “not actively involved” in writer and producer Mike Sussman’s proposed Star Trek: United series at this time. Bakula said during an interview with TV Insider:
“That’s an idea that’s been suggested. I’m not actively involved. A lot of fans would like to see more Star Trek and perhaps see Archer be involved. But there are new people in charge of the franchise, new owners of the studio."
Bakula continued by saying:
"The franchise benefitted from a rest after Enterprise. There had been some fatigue with the number of shows and movies, and that may be what’s happening. Nothing is on my radar right now. But I know better than to say never.”
Bakula portrayed the captain of the first warp-5 starship (Enterprise NX-01) during all four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise. However, in Sussman’s United, Archer would now be tasked with presiding over the United Federation of Planets as its president.
The series would also focus on Archer's children, and Sussman even revealed in interviews that Captain Erika Hernandez, who was portrayed by Ada Maris in Enterprise season 4, would be their mother.
As a fan of Bakula and Sussman’s work on Enterprise, I love the idea that Erika (Maris) and Archer actually shared a meaningful relationship together, even though her character only appeared in three episodes of the series.
My favorite moments shared between the Erika and Archer came in season 4’s “Home,” as the captain of the Columbia NX-02 tried to break through and reach Jonathan after the exhaustive emotional and physical conflict with the Xindi.
I think United could also benefit from the inclusion of key Enterprise characters as series regulars. Perhaps T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) furthered her career with Starfleet, or, better yet, she realized the logical need to serve as an ambassador between Earth and Vulcan.
In fact, maybe T’Pol and Archer's collaborative partnership in United's Federation becomes the reason relations between the two species are more amicable by the time The Original Series comes about a hundred years later. I wouldn't mind seeing a romance spark between the old friends either given their obvious chemistry, but they'd again be facing the obstacle of working together. So, who knows?
And I’d personally like to see Dr. Phlox (John Billingsley) as a series regular working closely with Archer's newly formed Federation Council. Despite Phlox's desire to return home, perhaps the delightful Denobulan became the first Starfleet Surgeon General under the flag of the Federation.
Regardless of what form it takes, Sussman has proved time and time again that he has the storytelling acumen to pull off a United Star Trek series.
Executives at the Paramount Skydance Corporation and CBS Studios (and Warner Bros. once the merger is officially done) needn’t look any further than the compelling must-see episodes Sussman penned like the aforementioned “Home,” “The Augments,” and the two-parter “In a Mirror, Darkly” to know he could successfully show-run what would likely be an opening 10-episode streaming season.
What do you think about a possible Star Trek: United featuring the collaborative talents of Mike Sussman and Scott Bakula? Yes, I firmly believe Bakula will be actively involved if greenlit, but that’s just my opinion. Now, share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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