Could a major Star Trek star return to the franchise in a bold take and revive his character? It could happen!
Star Trek fans can have a divisive reaction to Enterprise. The 2001-2005 series had a unique setup, taking place in the early days of Starfleet before the Federation was formally created. It was an intriguing take on the first Enterprise under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer, played by TV veteran Scott Bakula.
The show had its ups and downs, often accused of shoehorning in bits of Trek stuff like Ferengi and the Borg, despite how that conflicted with canon. It did have a good cast and some thrills. It’s sadly overshadowed by its series finale, a terribly done holodeck episode that pretty much shunted the main character aside to focus on Riker (Jonathan Frakes).
The series has been mostly ignored despite its many champions. However, there is talk of the possibility of a new story on Archer that would be a bold take on the franchise!
A President Archer show could happen
Speaking exclusively to TrekMovie.com, former Enterprise writer/producer Michael Sussman discussed a classic “Easter egg” that came in the acclaimed two-part storyline “In a Mirror Darkly.” Often considered the best episodes of the series, these take place in the “Mirror Universe” where this Archer survives the brutal Terran Empire with (literal) backstabbing abounding.
At one point, Archer accesses the files of the USS Defiant from the prime Trek universe, showing that reality’s Archer’s file. That includes the revelation that Archer would go on to become the Federation President. When talking about possible Paramount+ Trek series ideas, Sussman remembered that little bit that’s now canon and how it could form a new series.
Tentatively titled Star Trek United, the show would revolve around Archer’s tenure as Federation President, with Sussman comparing it to such popular political dramas like The West Wing, Homeland, and The Diplomat.
“It’s a political thriller and a family drama set in those chaotic, formative years of the Federation. We did 98 hours of Enterprise, and I think (Bakula) felt he really explored that character, but this was a very different direction for Archer to go in. And I think he was really intrigued by that.”
Sussman even added, “One of my aspirations would be that the series could do for Star Trek what Andor did for Star Wars. It’s a show where you can tell adult stories about adults and tell them in a very grounded, realistic way.”
This would be an intriguing take on the Star Trek property, focusing less on space adventures and more on the politics of the early Federation. Seeing Archer shifting from captain to statesman would have given Bakula some prime material, and it would also be interesting to tackle events like the Earth-Romulan war and how various alliances were forged.
Sussman took the idea to Paramount with Bakula, making it clear he was on board. They pitched it with plans for a follow-up on the pilot script and story arcs, but Paramount+ was pulling back a bit from scripted shows. Also, they felt there would be some thematic overlap with the Starfleet Academy series to hold off on the idea.
However, Sussman is hopeful that a new management regime may be interested in the tale. He’s even reworked the idea to move it from Earth to the planet Babel, known from the TOS episode “Journey to Babel,” that would offer a different feel for it. He calls Star Trek United’s concept “rich, resonant, and worth exploring.”
The idea of a series set in the early days of the Federation is sound, and having it revolve around an older Archer would be fantastic. Enterprise fans would be happy to see the show revived and redeem it from that awful finale. Thus, Star Trek fans can hold out hope that this concept eventually comes to the screen to give us another take on an underrated Star Trek hero.
Star Trek Enterprise streaming on Paramount+.