In 2005, Star Trek seemed almost over. And, rather tragically, it ended with a cry rather than a bang. Star Trek: Voyager finally completed the run in May 2001, with a new first-part series called “Enterprise” scheduled to begin the following September. However, when the World Trade Center incident occurred on 9/11, the national mood changed overnight. The public suddenly lacked interest in science fiction franchises on peace and diplomacy, and turned their attention to grittier, more violent, revenge-based entertainment like “24”. Star Trek had flagged it in ratings for some time anyway, but when Enterprise debuted on September 24th, it seemed destined from the start.
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Knell of “Star Trek” Death became official in 2002 with a complete failure of “Star Trek: Nemesis.” Meanwhile, “Enterprise” was eventually retitled “Star Trek: Enterprise” and began to dabble with a long form of multi-episode story after two seasons. However, it didn’t help it become more popular, and the series was cancelled after four years.
The final episode of “Enterprise” was also quite disappointing. Show creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga intended to continue the show for several more years before it reached its peak in 2161 with the formation of the federal government. The final episode, called “These are voyages…” (May 13, 2005), ran through the finale through the time shift to events of the era as a simulation of “Star Trek.” No one liked it. Neither “Enterprise” star Scott Bakura nor guest star Jonathan Flakes.
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Braga confirmed at the 2017 Star Trek convention (Covered with Trekmovie) He actually liked the script for “These are voyages…” but he fully understands the criticism.
Brannon Braga liked his idea for the Enterprise Finale
Other than Trekkies, “Enterprise” took place about a century before the events of the original “Star Trek” and followed the adventure of the first starry ship leaving the galaxy. This was before Prime Directive, and was a common trekking technology such as shields, photon torpedoes and human-safe transporters. The fourth season of “Enterprise” took place around 2155. However, the series’ finale skipped to 2370, coinciding with the seventh season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (aired in 1994). Jonathan Frakes and Marina Siltis, who played Commander Riker and counselor Troy in “The Next Generation,” were seen recreating the “Enterprise” characters in the USS Enterprise-D holodeck. By the time he did this, all the “Enterprise” characters were thought to have died in old age.
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This was seen as harm to the “enterprise” characters. Certainly, for the finale, “Enterprise” became “Riker Show”, ensuring that “Enterprise” would end without its own identity. Braga heard criticism and felt that he and his co-writer Rick Berman had started the finale with a really fun and conceit, but he was still a bit defensive. Including “next-generation” characters felt like they had neatly tied the franchise together, especially since it seemed to be an end forever. He said:
“The idea of doing ‘lost episodes’ that I thought was the coolest thing ever when we were writing it.Next Generation“But they go to the holodeck to look back.”Companies“Rick and I thought it was a great send-off to Star Trek, but it didn’t work very well…it was kind of a slap.”Company’ actor. I heard that from everyone, that was the only time Scott Bakra had ever been mean to me. I regret that. ”
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“Enterprise” is not completely loved by all trekkies, but it was better than it gained credibility. It deserves more.
