First Season on Earth?

[uniderth]

In the "if you were the Creator" thread many people brought up the idea of having the first season(or first few episodes) of Enterprise take place on Earth. I think this is an interesting idea. But what I'm curious is what sort of stories would you do? How would you keep the episodes interesting?

So what are your ideas you were making the first season or few episodes on Earth what stories would you do?

 

[Skywalker]

I really like the idea, though I'm not sure I would have set the entire first season on Earth. Maybe make it an arc that takes up the first third of the season, or half of it.

First off, laying down a solid back story and timeline for the last century would be a must. This would be where many of the series' ground rules and early exposition would be laid down. What is the current state of Earth, the Vulcans, and whatever small portion of the interstellar community with which humanity has thus far made contact?

Also, the earliest seeds of the series' overarching plotlines--primarily the Romulan War and the birth of the Federation--would have to be planted right away. Other potential conflicts should also deal with the early rumblings of Terra Prime; perhaps they've existed as a political party for decades by the time of ENT, but have only recently begun gaining in power and influence as Earth starts to extend its reach farther into space. Maybe there are talks of reevaluating eugenics and whether or not it would help humanity to survive against the potential hostile aliens out there in the unknown.

Each main character should have an episode in which the A-story revolves around them, while the B-story would deal with plot-related issues that would come into play in the future. Their backgrounds and personal histories would begin to be examined, as well as whatever it is they're up to prior to their assignment to Enterprise, and why Archer wanted them specifically.

One idea I had for Malcolm (who'd be a Marine in my show) was that he wasn't actually Archer's first choice, and Archer instead had to settle for him after his original selection, Georges Picard, was injured in a training accident (thus explaining why there was a Picard who was involved in the Romulan War in some capacity, but Jean-Luc was the first Picard to leave the Solar System). This would be part of the reason why Malcolm is so introverted and lacking in self-confidence early on in the show.

Another issue to deal with is the construction of Enterprise itself. Perhaps one episode would focus on an attempted terrorist attack on the construction facility, carried out by violent xenophobes who don't want humans to explore space. Terra Prime would be accused of this, naturally, but of course they would deny any involvement.

A lot of stuff could be done with the concept. It was definitely a good one; I wish UPN had allowed Berman and Braga to go through with it. We would have seen an entirely different show.

 

[Lashmore]

I believe I already said this, first off I would try to do a prologue starting with trek's version of the early 1990's and onwards. Describing the Eugenics wars and the final battle fought in Sydney, Australia. Then onto economical decline and Colonel Green's initiation of WW3. And further onto time before and during 'first contact' then further into that.

Which would be about 10/20 minutes of very expensive filming and sets, but would so help non-trekkers play 'catch-up' and get into how important the warp 5 project was.

As for the actual rest of the season. A slow build up spread over a few years. Humans getting over their petty natures and racism, as I felt their should have been more anti-alien sentiments throughout the earth population BEFORE the Xindii. We are human after all and flawed in such things.

An episode or two based on the struggles of earths outer colonies and such, still learning the tricks of colonisation by making mistakes...some of them big.

more concentration of the development of more advanced warp drives such as we saw of the warp 2 prototypes and with the vulcans ever oppressive oversight; which would cause human politicians to also get involved in anti-alien sentiments on fear of the vulcans trying to control human society and development.

Interesting rumours and 'ghost' stories of alien races that are acting reclusive...etc...

Ok, too many ideas but I think you get the idea.

 

[jgdst]

I'm not sure a whole season set on Earth would be the right move, but it would've been good to slow down the pace a bit, so they kept the wide-eyed wonder and fear a bit longer.

There are some pretty good ideas in the posts above. I'm wondering if an introductory miniseries might have worked, based solely on Earth, then leading into the first season, starting with Enterprise's launch. Maybe re-jigging the whole Klingon first contact/Suliban/Temporal Cold War thing, or just ditching it altogether.

One of the things I did really think we missed out on was more of Earth and Starfleet politics, how the two clashed, and how Earth is starting to fumble out into space - the Earth Cargo Authority with their fleet of old warp 2 carriers, colonies that are so far away, Earth hardly hears from them (like Terra Nova), that kinda thing.

I think Enterprise did go some way to making space feel big again, but they could've dropped in a few more elements that still gave the viewer the impression Earth is but a tiny, insignificant dot in the wider galactic community.

 

[SFRabid]

Wouldn't moving "First Flight" to the beginning of season one be an obvious choice?

 

[Praetor]

I really like those suggestions, Skywalker. And yes, I think it was yet another missed opportunity to not do some 'setup' time on Earth.

 

[Middleman]

I would have liked to see more episodes on earth scattered through all 4 seasons (7 seasons would have been better). These earth bound episodes should have been centered around the characters returning home where we get to see a little of their personal lives and families (similar to what we saw in "Home"). I would have found this very interest for Archer, Malcolm and Hoshi. I also would have really liked to have seen Tucker return to his family bring T'Pol with him.

 

[The Badger]

First off, laying down a solid back story and timeline for the last century would be a must. This would be where many of the series' ground rules and early exposition would be laid down. What is the current state of Earth, the Vulcans, and whatever small portion of the interstellar community with which humanity has thus far made contact?

Whilst a solid back story is essential, exposition to such should be kept to a minimum. Nothing would turn off casual viewers more than a compressed history course.

Also, the earliest seeds of the series' overarching plotlines--primarily the Romulan War and the birth of the Federation--would have to be planted right away. Other potential conflicts should also deal with the early rumblings of Terra Prime; perhaps they've existed as a political party for decades by the time of ENT, but have only recently begun gaining in power and influence as Earth starts to extend its reach farther into space. Maybe there are talks of reevaluating eugenics and whether or not it would help humanity to survive against the potential hostile aliens out there in the unknown.

If done subtly this could work. It'd have to be at the level of background detail that slowly seeps into the watchers awareness, so they know the important stuff without realising it's important. Remember how early Babylon 5 had references to an upcoming election? At the time it seemed unimportant, just something for the characters to talk about, but it grew into a major plot thread.
An Enterprise equivalent could be to have a character watching a news report about Terra Prime, or plans to reintroduce eugenics, before being interrupted by something more immediate, like a visitor or incoming call. The scene itself is about the subsequent conversation, but important back story has been laid.
A subtle approach also adds mystery to the show. One of the (many) problems with the whole Temporal Cold War arc is that the important details were told to Archer in the very first episode. There was nothing of significance left to discover. Going back to B5, the first appearance of the Shadows was about ten episodes in, and left us curious for more.

A lot of stuff could be done with the concept. It was definitely a good one; I wish UPN had allowed Berman and Braga to go through with it. We would have seen an entirely different show.

Now that I can agree on!

 

[Ssosmcin]

I don't know, I could see a lot of people in the audience wondering why a a Star Trek show has no Star Trekking going on. Like having a movie about Jurassic Park that ends just before the dinosaurs show up. Or part one of Unification as you're waiting and waiting for Spock to arrive.

It might make an interesting mini-series, but for an initial season of a Trek show? Death knell. The general audience probably could care less about the backstory.

 

[JiNX-01]

I like the idea of Earth-based episodes in the early seasons, but I can't imagine a pilot centered at Star Fleet HQ that would grab fan interest.

I would have liked an expanded Andorian Incident-style episode for the pilot that sets up the hostilities between Vulcan and Andoria (and introduces Shran right off ). Archer and Co. get their first taste of the challenges humanity faces in avoiding conflicts, particularly coming late to the party and being behind technologically.

As for the crew's general mission, I would prefer to see them return home every few months to file reports (no real-time interstellar communication with SFC), drop off the dead and severely injured, pick up replacements and fresh supplies and get repairs and upgrades as needed.

I would also liked to have to see the crew spending time with families and friends to see what civilians are doing in the future.

 

[Praetor]

I like the idea of Earth-based episodes in the early seasons, but I can't imagine a pilot centered at Star Fleet HQ that would grab fan interest.

I would have liked an expanded Andorian Incident-style episode for the pilot that sets up the hostilities between Vulcan and Andoria (and introduces Shran right off ). Archer and Co. get their first taste of the challenges humanity faces in avoiding conflicts, particularly coming late to the party and being behind technologically.

As for the crew's general mission, I would prefer to see them return home every few months to file reports (no real-time interstellar communication with SFC), drop off the dead and severely injured, pick up replacements and fresh supplies and get repairs and upgrades as needed.

I would also liked to have to see the crew spending time with families and friends to see what civilians are doing in the future.

Amen. All power to the engines.

 

[Jbarney]

I think doing more with Earth and its situation in the 2250s would have been really nice. Sure some stuff could have happened outside of the solar system, but it would have grounded the series in a way that Enterprise lacked. Starting off with the Klingon story line was disappointing.

 

[uniderth]

I think it would just be cool to see life on earth in that time. Maybe an officer goes to see his kid at school or something. Or how about shopping without any money.

 

[Jbarney]

From a history of the future perspective it also would have been neat to learn more about what happened on Earth between then and now. With a full season on Earth I'm sure they would have had the opportunity to show us scars from the Eugenics Wars/World War III. They could have plotted out a really decent back story of how WWIII happened. It could have really worked.

Jason

 

[Myasishchev]

From a history of the future perspective it also would have been neat to learn more about what happened on Earth between then and now. With a full season on Earth I'm sure they would have had the opportunity to show us scars from the Eugenics Wars/World War III. They could have plotted out a really decent back story of how WWIII happened. It could have really worked.

Jason

They could have shown us why New York City and Washington, D.C., have never been featured in any Trek to date.

Then again, maybe too soon?

 

[Mr.bobo]

In the "if you were the Creator" thread many people brought up the idea of having the first season(or first few episodes) of Enterprise take place on Earth. I think this is an interesting idea. But what I'm curious is what sort of stories would you do? How would you keep the episodes interesting?

...eh, there is a problem...
...all that tensions between Humans and Vulcans may be boring after five episodes... and I don't think so if that's be a good idea...