Poll To all forum members : Is Enterprise your favorite Trek show?
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Enterprise was recently revealed to have high viewership on Netflix. Far more than other Star Trek shows. And its regularly brought up for discussion on Reddit. Personally, I think it’s a nice little show in its context. But its not my favourite Trek show, regardless if you are talking solely pre-Disco (DS9) or after (LD).
And superfans did exist at one point, since they helped ENT get that fourth season to begin with when it was looking like the show was going to be cancelled, even with all the intense flame wars going on online at the time. The superfans just did not succeed a second time for season five or even a tv movie, because…reasons.
I dont like it, I gave up half way through the first season. 15 years later I watched it with my wife but we stopped after 5 episodes. The same with Discovery, we didn't like the characters and storyline
I recall the bile even in 2011 on the official Trek boards. Then liking ST09 was equally bitten back for.Man I remember way back in the 00's, I found ENT, loved it, went to the internet to the forums to talk about it, and got sad by the backlash by saying I liked ENT. How dare I enjoy a Trek series the fandom hated?
Its why I defend DISC fans so venomously. I was in their role. Even if I do not like DISC.
It's amazing to me the lashing out. Like, I don't harbor any animosity towards ENT; it had good design language, and some interesting episodes. Just the characters couldn't hook me.
I love Enterprise. I love TOS too, I put it in its own category because it was the trailblazer and made under such different circumstances. TOS changed my life, introduced me to sci-fi, made me think, expanded my horizons. I read every Trek book, I waited all those dry years until the movies were made. I loved the Big Three, I loved the actors.
Enterprise, I loved those characters too. Even though they were written inconsistently at times, and there was not enough love for Archer in the writers room to present him in a way the audience could understand his motives and root for him, as a Trek Captain deserves. I guess I saw the potential and filled in the blanks when the writing came up short. (Except The Thing, no saving that for me, terrible storytelling, betrayal of established characters and plotlines and just gaaah.) I tuned in because of Bakula, but I ended up really appreciating all the actors and their talents. Especially Bakula, Billingsley, Combs. Blalock was stupendous in her trellium story arc, even though she didn't like doing it. Trinneer put such heart and soul into his work. They all did.
I loved the look of the show, the production values were marvelous, direction and music were great. Archer's story arc, the idealistic explorer suffering to grow, making mistakes as we all do, trying to do better. I really was compelled by his journey. The 3rd season was riveting because we saw him descending into hell to complete his mission, struggling with all the moral lines he had to cross as a soldier, because he was an explorer, but digging deep and getting the job done. S4's Observer Effect is my favorite episode of the series because you see so much of Archer's heart and love for his crew and determination to fight for humanity-- plus Bakula's performance. I loved the exploration of the Trip/T'Pol relationship, mirroring the rocky alliance between Earth and Vulcan. I loved how Archer and T'Pol started out at odds because of their respective biases, but found common ground. How Archer fought tooth and nail to keep her on the crew, repeatedly, because he came to respect her so much. How her fascination with emotion set up the trials she went through, and the relationships she formed. I thought the portrayal of the pre-Enlightment Vulcans was really compelling - power-hungry and duplicitous and basically everything Archer saw in them, he nailed them - and then Surak's katra chose him, which was the best seal of approval ever. It was wonderful to find out his rival Soval wasn't like the VHC, but an ally in the waiting, willing to expose himself as a melder because he thought humanity was worth it. I wish we could have seen more Archer/Soval after Vulcan steered onto the better path in S4, and watched their relationship grow. And Shran, what a glorious addition to Trek.
So yes, count me as a big ENT fan. Of the non TOS shows (not counting streaming, I haven't seen enough to offer an opinion), ENT was the most engaging and emotionally satisfying for me. I forgave its flaws because I saw its potential - which they were on a path to achieve, until they had to cram 3 seasons worth of stuff in that last year and had to drop a ton of promising storylines. I really enjoyed these characters and their interactions, struggles, growth. The show could really have gone wonderful places, with Coto running the writers room, if it had gotten the last 3 seasons.
Enterprise, I loved those characters too. Even though they were written inconsistently at times, and there was not enough love for Archer in the writers room to present him in a way the audience could understand his motives and root for him, as a Trek Captain deserves. I guess I saw the potential and filled in the blanks when the writing came up short. (Except The Thing, no saving that for me, terrible storytelling, betrayal of established characters and plotlines and just gaaah.) I tuned in because of Bakula, but I ended up really appreciating all the actors and their talents. Especially Bakula, Billingsley, Combs. Blalock was stupendous in her trellium story arc, even though she didn't like doing it. Trinneer put such heart and soul into his work. They all did.
I loved the look of the show, the production values were marvelous, direction and music were great. Archer's story arc, the idealistic explorer suffering to grow, making mistakes as we all do, trying to do better. I really was compelled by his journey. The 3rd season was riveting because we saw him descending into hell to complete his mission, struggling with all the moral lines he had to cross as a soldier, because he was an explorer, but digging deep and getting the job done. S4's Observer Effect is my favorite episode of the series because you see so much of Archer's heart and love for his crew and determination to fight for humanity-- plus Bakula's performance. I loved the exploration of the Trip/T'Pol relationship, mirroring the rocky alliance between Earth and Vulcan. I loved how Archer and T'Pol started out at odds because of their respective biases, but found common ground. How Archer fought tooth and nail to keep her on the crew, repeatedly, because he came to respect her so much. How her fascination with emotion set up the trials she went through, and the relationships she formed. I thought the portrayal of the pre-Enlightment Vulcans was really compelling - power-hungry and duplicitous and basically everything Archer saw in them, he nailed them - and then Surak's katra chose him, which was the best seal of approval ever. It was wonderful to find out his rival Soval wasn't like the VHC, but an ally in the waiting, willing to expose himself as a melder because he thought humanity was worth it. I wish we could have seen more Archer/Soval after Vulcan steered onto the better path in S4, and watched their relationship grow. And Shran, what a glorious addition to Trek.
So yes, count me as a big ENT fan. Of the non TOS shows (not counting streaming, I haven't seen enough to offer an opinion), ENT was the most engaging and emotionally satisfying for me. I forgave its flaws because I saw its potential - which they were on a path to achieve, until they had to cram 3 seasons worth of stuff in that last year and had to drop a ton of promising storylines. I really enjoyed these characters and their interactions, struggles, growth. The show could really have gone wonderful places, with Coto running the writers room, if it had gotten the last 3 seasons.
Archer, IMO, felt like the most human captain.
After SNW and rewatching TOS, I can say he's in my top 3. Picard I always felt was too stuffy, Sisko felt too stiff, Janeway was a woman ( ) and I can't say good things about DISC's captain's. And Freeman is a mess but she gets the job done.
Does PROD have a captain?
After SNW and rewatching TOS, I can say he's in my top 3. Picard I always felt was too stuffy, Sisko felt too stiff, Janeway was a woman (
) and I can't say good things about DISC's captain's. And Freeman is a mess but she gets the job done. Does PROD have a captain?
Yes, Dal R'El, and I love him! Reminds me of my favorite students.
If you ignore certain key facts, this is almost true.
Enterprise Season 1 was top and was in fact equal to TNG Season 1, so it’s not ‘more than other Star Trek shows’.
We go to 10th place on that list before we find ENT again with Season 2 and fully four seasons of TNG and four of VOY proved more popular than ENT’s sophomore outing.
After that, ENT Seasons 3 and 4 drop way down the list in 18th and 19th place. All seasons of TNG and VOY proved massively more popular than the final seasons of ENT, and by quite a margin.
To claim that ENT was ‘more popular’ than the other shows requires one to be disingenuous or just unable to parse data properly. I’m going to be charitable and assume it’s the latter.
I like it but it's not my #1 show, and I voted accordingly.
I dislike about the show that they chose to go with the 'alien at the week' format at first, while I had the hope this would be about the formative years of the Federation, rather than just a 'temporal cold war'. Later years corrected this, though then I found S3 a bit heavy - I suppose I just complain about everything
Season 4 was perfect in this regard.
I also disliked that save for some terminology and spec changes, the technology seemed basically interchangeable with 24th century Starfleet. Positive exception: the grappler.
I did like that it made the pre-Federation interstellar neighbourhood of Earth feel like a very different place. Vulcans are arrogant pricks that try to keep humanity under control, Klingons are a menace that most sensible races would meticulously avoid annoying (and especially a new and still underdog interstellar race such as humans), perhaps only the Vulcans could stand against them in an armed conflict. That's quite different from the Kirk era, where the Federation and the Klingon empire basically seem equivalent opponents, or the 24th century feel, where Klingons still seem a major power, but probably no match for Starfleet if they really put their resources into fighting them. (I still consider the Yesterday's Enterprise timeline where the Klingons have nearly defeated the Federation an unlikely outcome.) Most other alien races, including future core Federation members are still unknowns, for example the Andorians, though we get to know them during the series. Humans are on their way to become the Federation humans we know and love, but they're not quite there yet. All these aspects, I do like.
I dislike about the show that they chose to go with the 'alien at the week' format at first, while I had the hope this would be about the formative years of the Federation, rather than just a 'temporal cold war'. Later years corrected this, though then I found S3 a bit heavy - I suppose I just complain about everything
Season 4 was perfect in this regard. I also disliked that save for some terminology and spec changes, the technology seemed basically interchangeable with 24th century Starfleet. Positive exception: the grappler.
I did like that it made the pre-Federation interstellar neighbourhood of Earth feel like a very different place. Vulcans are arrogant pricks that try to keep humanity under control, Klingons are a menace that most sensible races would meticulously avoid annoying (and especially a new and still underdog interstellar race such as humans), perhaps only the Vulcans could stand against them in an armed conflict. That's quite different from the Kirk era, where the Federation and the Klingon empire basically seem equivalent opponents, or the 24th century feel, where Klingons still seem a major power, but probably no match for Starfleet if they really put their resources into fighting them. (I still consider the Yesterday's Enterprise timeline where the Klingons have nearly defeated the Federation an unlikely outcome.) Most other alien races, including future core Federation members are still unknowns, for example the Andorians, though we get to know them during the series. Humans are on their way to become the Federation humans we know and love, but they're not quite there yet. All these aspects, I do like.
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Vulcan defense force coming in. Archer proved them right immediately.
No. But I enjoy it quite a bit. It's not my least favorite.
I feel something of the opposite.
I enjoyed ENT from day one. Still do. Great show.
I disliked DSC from day one. Still do. Terrible show.
I'm often met with "ugh, Trek fans always hate new things, just give it time."
And i'm like... nope. Loved TNG. Loved DS9. Loved VOY. Loved ENT. Hated DSC. Loved PIC. Like LDS. Like SNW. Like PRO.
There just one singular combo breaker in the chain. (TOS I keep off the side, I enjoy that too but I saw all of that much later, well after being a Trek fan.)
Man I remember way back in the 00's, I found ENT, loved it, went to the internet to the forums to talk about it, and got sad by the backlash by saying I liked ENT. How dare I enjoy a Trek series the fandom hated?
Its why I defend DISC fans so venomously. I was in their role. Even if I do not like DISC
I feel something of the opposite.
I enjoyed ENT from day one. Still do. Great show.
I disliked DSC from day one. Still do. Terrible show.
I'm often met with "ugh, Trek fans always hate new things, just give it time."
And i'm like... nope. Loved TNG. Loved DS9. Loved VOY. Loved ENT. Hated DSC. Loved PIC. Like LDS. Like SNW. Like PRO.
There just one singular combo breaker in the chain. (TOS I keep off the side, I enjoy that too but I saw all of that much later, well after being a Trek fan.)
Hahaha, I'm one of the weirdos who voted #1. 
I think it was mainly a timing thing in my case. TNG was on when I was in early grade school, DS9 and VOY started in middle school and ENT in high school, so I was in the triple-whammy of Trek series at any given time as a kid. ENT is the only one I really watched from start to finish on air.
For me, DS9 and ENT are basically tied here. I like the darker themes in those shows, not because I'm gloomy but because I love how they look into people's motivations in those circumstances. They've got the right mix, for me, of action and humour along with the core sci-fi explorational stuff. All the main and recurring characters are really good. (Don't argue. LOL
)
DS9, I think they got a bit lost sometimes in figuring out the spiritual/religious/metaphyical elements amongst everything else going on. ENT, if I never see another temporal cold war ep again I'll be just fine. But weirdly, I think one of the things I really like about ENT is that it is a shorter series. DS9 had enough at its centre premise to keep all 7 seasons relevant. TNG could stand to lose probably a full season worth of cringy clunkers. VOY--I'm going to get crucified for this--was a clunker from start to end for me. Sorry, sorry, I know, I just never got into it right from the pilot.
I'm not saying ENT didn't miss the mark a few times. Maybe it was that constant threat of cancellation in the last two seasons, but they didn't miss their mark very often. It felt to me like they got a sense of focus in the scripting that other shows lacked. Compelling plots, likeable characters, and not a lot of nonsense--what can I say, it works for me!
I think it was mainly a timing thing in my case. TNG was on when I was in early grade school, DS9 and VOY started in middle school and ENT in high school, so I was in the triple-whammy of Trek series at any given time as a kid. ENT is the only one I really watched from start to finish on air.For me, DS9 and ENT are basically tied here. I like the darker themes in those shows, not because I'm gloomy but because I love how they look into people's motivations in those circumstances. They've got the right mix, for me, of action and humour along with the core sci-fi explorational stuff. All the main and recurring characters are really good. (Don't argue. LOL
)DS9, I think they got a bit lost sometimes in figuring out the spiritual/religious/metaphyical elements amongst everything else going on. ENT, if I never see another temporal cold war ep again I'll be just fine. But weirdly, I think one of the things I really like about ENT is that it is a shorter series. DS9 had enough at its centre premise to keep all 7 seasons relevant. TNG could stand to lose probably a full season worth of cringy clunkers. VOY--I'm going to get crucified for this--was a clunker from start to end for me. Sorry, sorry, I know, I just never got into it right from the pilot.
I'm not saying ENT didn't miss the mark a few times. Maybe it was that constant threat of cancellation in the last two seasons, but they didn't miss their mark very often. It felt to me like they got a sense of focus in the scripting that other shows lacked. Compelling plots, likeable characters, and not a lot of nonsense--what can I say, it works for me!
It plays a big role in our favorites. While I would say TNG is my favorite overall, Voyager was the show of my childhood, that I was able to watch beginning to end as it aired. VOY always hold a special place in my heart.
You are right though in saying ENT didn't miss the mark that often. It gets alot of undue hate, and honestly I feel like it's the most consistent Star Trek series. Almost every episode is at least "good". Every one of the other series has a few episodes that are just outright BAD. ENT really doesn't have a BAD episode, and i'm going to be bold and include "These Are the Voyages" with that... it was maybe not the best idea for the series finale, but it really wasn't a bad episode.
DS9 I see as something of an outlier. It's a great show. It's just a great show that... doesn't quite scratch the itch the way that TNG and VOY do. I jockey DS9 and ENT for the #3 spot... I usually lean towards ENT being #3. Although in reality, I get more nitty gritty and rank by seasons. Seasons REALLY matter in Star Trek. PIC S3 and ENT S4 are #1 and #2 respectively. TNG 3-7 rank #3. VOY and DS9 get a bit in the weeds, with ENT 1 and 2 sprinkled in there somewhere. Dead last is easy, DSC S1 and 2. (the list evolves, sometimes DSC 3-4 get moved up above DS9 S1 and TNG S1, although realistically I would probably watch those over DSC so... idk.)
I voted #1 too, originally, but then I looked at my Eaglemoss models - Phoenix, Ringship Enterprise, NX-Alpha, NX-01 Enterprise, NX-Refit, and the SNW Enterprise, and had to amend it.
I love Enterprise. I will always love it. But SNW exists.
I love Enterprise. I will always love it. But SNW exists.
That's putting it lightly. I know you were in the trenches with me back in the day and I don't need to tell you how relentless Archer bashers were to the point some people wanted to kill him off and make Trip the captain.
He's gotten a bit of redemption by much of fandom in the last few years, though.
That was definitely the case. He and Braga likely knew their run was over and they wouldn't get another Trek show after Enterprise failed.
Man I remember way back in the 00's, I found ENT, loved it, went to the internet to the forums to talk about it, and got sad by the backlash by saying I liked ENT. How dare I enjoy a Trek series the fandom hated?
Its why I defend DISC fans so venomously. I was in their role. Even if I do not like DISC
Disco actually is bringing in new fans and is some people's favorite though. Enterprise actively repelled fans with how low the ratings dropped. Not exactly an equivalent situation.
Oh my goodness! That’s awful! What a horrible thing to say! Also, I love, love, love Trip but nah, not at all interested in seeing him be captain.
Like it or not, Archer, T’Pol and Trip were the main characters — the Kirk, Spock and Bones of their show. Who says something like “They should have killed Kirk off”? And then what? Had only two main characters? Suddenly shine the light on someone in the background? At least on TOS, if you brought Uhura into the spotlight, you’d have some idea who you were getting. Hoshi and Travis were sadly and sorely underutilized — I 100% agree with that — but it was so grievously obvious they were practically nonentities and suddenly spotlighting them would make that oversight even more blatant. What did these viewers even have in mind?
So bang on. I like it for the nostalgic element, but you've given me something completely new to think about. Maybe one of the reasons I like it is also because it's lacking some of the doldrums found in the other series.
Someone could go through quite a few TNG and VOY episodes in a row, and it's "mmhmm...another nebula...another transporter accident...another time wobble...yeah, holodecks are trippy...oh some Borg, THANK GOD something is finally happening here!" ENT never had that time to waste after their season one was in the books, and the writing was on the wall. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: ENT is actually a better series because we were "robbed" of seasons 5, 6, and 7.
Just like when a store is in trouble, they make changes to fix things, but word is out that the store is in trouble. So everyone stops shopping there, and now the store is in way deeper trouble.
He's mostly an affable guy who's well-liked and cares for the crew, but man, he does not rise to the levels of Archerdom in his command style. I'm not saying Archer is a bad guy; it's just that it's so hard to imagine things playing out under Captain Tucker III. Trip doesn't have that 'I'm the Captain, shush and just do it' vibe that Archer seems able to switch on and off. (To start with, I wonder if T'Pol would still have "Natalie from Pensacola"ed Trip if he were the CO
.)Trip's attitude toward the Vulcans (and arguably broader xenophobia) would have been enough to keep me from wanting to see him as captain for an extended period of time (for those who watched it, think of Saul Tigh's tenure as commander of Galactica).
After "Cogenitor" in particular though...heck no. But I might have liked to see a follow-up-in-spirit where Trip found himself in a similar situation but handled it with a greater respect for the alien civilization, or at least a greater appreciation of the fact that he shouldn't be judging them with the limited exposure he was receiving.
...I guess in the end I just really don't quite understand why people particularly liked Trip as a character, which I'll freely grant may be a Me Problem.
After "Cogenitor" in particular though...heck no. But I might have liked to see a follow-up-in-spirit where Trip found himself in a similar situation but handled it with a greater respect for the alien civilization, or at least a greater appreciation of the fact that he shouldn't be judging them with the limited exposure he was receiving.
...I guess in the end I just really don't quite understand why people particularly liked Trip as a character, which I'll freely grant may be a Me Problem.
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