Enhancing Star Trek: Enterprise for a Full 7-Season Run

A Star Trek: Enterprise fan believes there was one key improvement that could have been made to the early 2000s show.

Star Trek: Enterprise was the sixth series in the sci-fi franchise, debuting in 2001 shortly after the conclusion of Star Trek: Voyager. It concluded in 2005 after four seasons. This series stood out for being a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, marking the first time the franchise delved into the past. Set in the 22nd century, Enterprise follows the adventures of humanity's first interstellar ship, the Enterprise, and its crew, with a focus on key characters like Captain Jonathan Archer, Commander Trip Tucker, and Sub-commander T'Pol.

While Star Trek: Enterprise had some hidden gems and interesting storylines during its four seasons, many fans wished it had followed the traditional seven-season format seen in other Star Trek series. One common desire among fans was to see more exploration of the Romulan War. However, Reddit user ltw07a had a different perspective on how the show could have been improved with a longer run. They shared their thoughts on the subreddit r/startrek in a post titled “The only way Enterprise would’ve been better…”. In their post, they mentioned that although they enjoyed seasons 3 and 4, which focused on the crew's search for a Xindi superweapon and laid the groundwork for Star Trek: The Original Series, they felt that the show lost its original optimistic tone in favor of more serious, serialized story arcs.

Reddit quote is loading

The post on Reddit

ltw07a proposes a season-by-season plan for improving Star Trek: Enterprise. The first two seasons would stay the same, but the third season would introduce a buffer season before diving into the Xindi arc in the fourth season. The fifth season would focus on the Romulan War, with nods to The Original Series. The sixth season would cover key events of the war with time-skips. The seventh season would conclude the war and show the early formation of the Federation.

This new schedule aims to create a more cohesive storyline by bridging the gap between seasons. By gradually shifting tones and setting up the Romulan war over a season, the proposed plan ensures a smoother progression. Some fans compared the structure to Deep Space Nine, but the original poster defended it, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the show's unique optimistic vibe.

Star Trek: Enterprise may not be flawless, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Many fans dream of a reworked seven-season run, similar to how the Star Trek: Picard Q spinoff project was recently canceled by Paramount. Despite these disappointments, fans can still anticipate more Star Trek content in the future, especially after the Paramount Plus streaming service undergoes the same consolidation as other major streaming platforms.

Fans can currently stream Star Trek: Enterprise on Paramount Plus.

Source: Itw07a/Reddit

Editor's P/S:

The article presents an intriguing perspective on how Star Trek: Enterprise could have benefited from a seven-season run. Redditor ltw07a's proposal to introduce a buffer season before delving into the Xindi arc and gradually building up to the Romulan War seems like a thoughtful approach. By bridging the gap between seasons, the show could have maintained its initial optimism while smoothly transitioning into more serious storylines.

While some fans may argue that the original four-season format allowed for a more concise narrative, the proposed seven-season plan offers a tantalizing glimpse into what Enterprise could have achieved with a longer run. The opportunity to explore the Romulan War in greater depth, while also showcasing the early formation of the Federation, would have enriched the show's historical significance within the Star Trek universe. Perhaps someday, fans will be treated to a reimagined version of Enterprise that incorporates some of these ideas, bringing this beloved prequel to its full potential.