Star Trek Prequel: Unveiling the Devastating Problem That Plagued Enterprise from the Beginning

Summary

The premise of Star Trek: Enterprise was flawed from the beginning as it failed to establish the ship as the only human vessel in space, thus lessening the drama of the show.

The original concept of the show, featuring the Enterprise as the only human spacecraft in the vastness of space, was initially considered to be more raw and perilous. However, it underwent modifications due to several factors, leading to a Star Trek series that became more predictable.

Despite Manny Coto's endeavors to infuse Enterprise with fresh vitality and direction, the show was unable to evade cancellation during its fourth season. Nevertheless, the prequel has garnered a renewed following in recent years, thanks to its availability as a streaming option.

Star Trek: Enterprise, the fourth Star Trek series produced by Rick Berman and premiered on UPN in 2001, faced a fundamental problem according to Manny Coto, the show's late showrunner. Despite being a prequel set in the 22nd century and introducing the NX-01 Enterprise led by Captain Jonathan Archer as the first Starship Enterprise, the series followed the established formula of Berman's successful Star Trek franchise. However, Manny Coto, who took over as showrunner for its fourth and final season, believed that this decision was a mistake. In the oral history book "The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek" by Peter Holmstrom, Coto elaborates on the flawed premise of Star Trek: Enterprise. He highlights that although the NX-01 Enterprise was meant to be Starfleet's first Warp 5 ship and explore deep space, it became evident that humans had already been venturing into space long before the launch of Enterprise.

The show needs to feature the human ship as the sole presence out there. When the series begins, viewers are introduced to Anthony Montgomery's character discussing his role as a boomer on a cargo transportation ship. However, this raises questions about the Enterprise's purpose and its trajectory. It lacks clarity and diminishes the overall dramatic effect.

[Brannon's original idea was correct]; they should have portrayed the crew as the first and only ones, completely self-reliant. This would have significantly heightened the drama because they would have had no one to rely on. Additionally, incorporating the Vulcans as backup undermines the original concept.

Why Star Trek: Enterprise's Original Premise Was Changed

Brannon Braga, the executive producer who co-created Star Trek: Enterprise with Rick Berman, originally desired the prequel to have a rougher and more perilous tone. Braga's initial idea involved the NX-01 Enterprise being the sole human vessel in deep space, struggling amidst the dangers of the galaxy. With relatively primitive technology and no support from allies, the inexperienced crew of Enterprise would be thrust into the vast unknown, with Braga envisioning the first season concluding with a damaged and crippled NX-01 barely making its way back to Earth. This aligns with Manny Coto's analysis of the failures in Enterprise's core premise.

However, several factors ultimately diluted Braga's more ambitious plans for Enterprise. Braga and Berman had to comply with UPN's demands, and Berman himself desired to stay within the boundaries of the tried-and-true Star Trek formula that had been successful since Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987. Consequently, Enterprise became a more familiar and predictable Star Trek series, which unfortunately resulted in a decline in viewership. The arrival of Manny Coto as showrunner for season 4 brought fresh energy and direction to the prequel, as he introduced serialized storytelling. Regrettably, despite these creative improvements, Enterprise was ultimately canceled during its fourth season. However, in recent years, Star Trek: Enterprise has gained a new and more appreciative audience who have discovered the prequel through streaming platforms.

Source: "The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek" by Peter Holmstrom