The Untold Story of Star Trek: Enterprise's Original Concept

The Original Concept

Star Trek: Enterprise, originally titled simply Enterprise, was envisioned with a radically different concept for its first season. Executive producer Brannon Braga, who co-created the prequel with Rick Berman, recently revealed that the series was initially planned to be set on Earth, in the 22nd century, almost 90 years after the arrival of Vulcans on Earth, as depicted in Star Trek: First Contact.

enterprise_castandcrew

The core mission of Enterprise was always intended to revolve around the pioneering voyages of the first Starship Enterprise, under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer, portrayed by Scott Bakula. However, the original concept pitched to Paramount and the UPN Network was a departure from the traditional Star Trek series, focusing on the building of the first starship and the events leading up to its launch. Braga and Berman's vision aimed to capture the gritty, 'mud on the boots' essence of a show set on Earth, with the Klingon attack on Earth and the assembling of the crew taking center stage.

Enterprise NX-01 Launched

Despite the compelling nature of the original concept, Paramount and UPN expressed strong reservations about a show set on Earth and insisted that the series should be set in space. The studio's resistance led to the incorporation of a futuristic element, the Temporal Cold War, to make the series a blend of prequel and sequel. Braga and Berman faced an uphill battle from the outset, and the resulting compromise was a testament to their perseverance and creativity.

Trip T'Pol Demons

Challenges and Obstacles

The cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise after 4 seasons was attributed to low ratings, but the series found a new lease on life through streaming services like Netflix and Paramount+. The newfound appreciation for the show prompted discussions about a potential revival, but this prospect presents numerous challenges and obstacles.

Phlox Enterprise Sickbay

During a gathering of the Enterprise cast in 2012, Brannon Braga raised the possibility of an Enterprise comeback, eliciting mixed responses from the actors. However, the feasibility of a revival in 2024 appears increasingly remote, given the current landscape of the Star Trek franchise. Notably, Scott Bakula has moved on from Star Trek, and Jolene Blalock has retired from acting, posing significant hurdles to the return of key characters.

Still of Hoshi Sato from Enterprise.

Furthermore, Enterprise's 22nd-century time frame complicates the potential reprisal of characters in live-action, especially as the closest Star Trek show in terms of era, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, is set a hundred years later. While animated series could facilitate voice cameos, Paramount's evolving business dynamics and the potential sale of the studio add further layers of uncertainty to the possibility of a Star Trek: Enterprise revival.

Trip Reed Shuttlepod One

The Future of Star Trek: Enterprise

As Star Trek: Enterprise continues to captivate audiences through streaming platforms, the question of a potential revival lingers. While the challenges and obstacles to an Enterprise comeback are formidable, the enduring appeal of the series and the evolving landscape of the Star Trek franchise keep the door slightly ajar for future possibilities. Whether through innovative storytelling or strategic partnerships, the untold chapters of the first Starship Enterprise may yet find a way to navigate the vast expanse of the final frontier.