Few franchises have been as influential and enduring asStar Trek. Within the vastStar Treknarrative, the prequel series “Enterprise” occupies a distinctive and memorable position.Star Trek: Enterprise, despite its popularity, encountered difficulties leading to an unexpectedly brief run of only four seasons, concluding in 2005. A substantial gap followed the 2005 finale of “Enterprise” in theStar TrekTV series, which remained untilStar Trek: Discoverycame along in 2017.
Recently, key figures from “Enterprise” including actors Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating, and director James L. Conway, alongside producer Mark Cartier, gathered onThe Shuttlepod Showto dissect the reasons behind the series' struggle. Their insights offer a candid look into the complexities of television production and the evolving landscape of science fiction storytelling.
James L. Conway, who directed the series premiere among other episodes, reflected on the show’s challenges in distinguishing itself within theStar Trekuniverse. Conway suggested that “Enterprise” didn’t fully capitalize on its potential as a prequel with new characters and a fresh perspective. Instead, it often tread familiar ground, echoing themes and styles seen in previousStar Trekseries.
James L. Conway: I think the show didn’t live up to the expectation of it being a different show. It just became another Star Trek show instead of taking the whole idea of a prequel and new characters and doing something different. It just felt, I think, very familiar to the audience.
Connor Trinneer, a pivotal actor in the series, attributed the show’s altered trajectory to the influence of external events. He highlighted how the aftermath of 9/11 significantly altered the series' trajectory. A significant change occurred in the third season with a move to a serialized narrative, especially with the Xindi arc, contrasting with the franchise’s traditional episode-by-episode structure. This innovation, shifting away from the classicStar Trekformula, may have been too abrupt for fans who preferred the traditional style. According to Trineer:
“I also think that our world changed so radically with 9/11. It changed our show. That maybe the initial goal for Enterprise had changed when everything changed. Our show changed. We had the Xindi. We had season 3 that was a serial arc for a whole season, which hadn’t been done…”
Dominic Keating, another principal actor, added that the series' narrative shift was partly influenced by the success of contemporary shows like24, which popularized the concept of a single story arc spanning an entire season. This new direction, successful in other series, may not have aligned well with the unique expectations ofStar Trekfans, steeped in the series' legacy. Keating shared:
“It was in response to 24’s success, too. The one arc…
Producer Mark Cartier also weighed in, mentioning the role of network dynamics in the show’s performance. He expressed reservations about “Enterprise” being aired on UPN, a network that may not have been the ideal platform for a series of its caliber. The implication here is that network choice can significantly impact a show’s reach and reception.
Mark Cartier: Well also, it was on UPN, which is not where I would want my show to be…
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From Fledgling Series to Beloved Classic: The Resurgence of Star Trek: Enterprise
In recent years, “Enterprise” has experienced a revival in its popularity, overcoming past challenges. With its availability on streaming platforms, new and old fans alike have discovered or revisited the series, leading to a growing appreciation of its contributions to theStar Trekuniverse. The call for more content related to “Enterprise,” whether through character appearances or story continuations in currentStar Trekseries on Paramount+, is a testament to its enduring appeal. This renewed interest also highlights how perceptions of a show can evolve over time, as viewers reevaluate its place within a larger narrative landscape.
TheStar Trekseries now includes “Enterprise” as a uniquely esteemed installment. Once seen as an underperformer, it’s now regarded with a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for its attempts to innovate within a well-established franchise.Star Trek: Enterprise’sevolution from a fledgling series to a beloved classic highlights the capricious nature of television narratives and the enduring charm of theStar Treklegacy.
