Bakula: Enterprise Was The Wild West

[T'Arwen]

It didn't help when the writers (or just as likely, the studio) kept changing what Archer was supposed to be every other episode, and what was supposed to be gruff often came across as petulance. I was around this board when the show was on the air. Suffice it to say no one had ever heard a negative work about Bakula prior to him doing Enterprise.

I think Scott Bakula was the perfect choice as Archer precisely because he's such a nice guy. It kind of puts him in league with the likes of Neil Armstrong. Armstrong's been reported to have been an important part of America's space program from the time he joined, but more than that ... he was a really decent person. A good Man. He wasn't arrogant and even the achievement of the Moon landing did nothing to change that about him. And I think it's awesome that Archer embodies all of those qualities.

I would argue that once Scott was cast, the part should've been written to fit his skill-set, if you like. Yes, as an actor, I'm sure he likes having his abilities pushed, but he wouldn't be convincing at it. His strengths should've been focused on in relation to how Archer functioned in these stories and, as you say, be fairly consistant about that ...

While Scott did overact when Archer would snap at an officer (the Expanse as an example), he still did a good job by playing jerk so convincingly. I really wanted to slap him in Daedulus and Cogenitor. Scott was a guy the younger cast members looked up to and it's just too bad Archer couldn't be that type of leader. Of course inconsistent writing didn't help. But when Archer was good, he was good. There are also some bloopers on Youtube that showed me they missed an opportunity to play off Scott's comedic skills.

She did it to experience them without feeling like shit about it. Drugs are like that, you don't feel guilt about your incredible feeeeeeeelings because they are so intense. That's my theory.

Drugs do lower your inhibitions. My own experience with finding out I had a crush on a co-worker thanks to a Bahama Mama tells me that much. Still doesn't make the storyline any less half-baked to me. Had they done the trellium story as an ongoing thing, it might have done more to explain why T'Pol decided to take it in the first place. But no, they went with dropping the bomb. With less than 1 episode to explain it, the whole thing came out sounding rushed and lame.

 

[Corran Horn]

I expected more Sam Beckett in Archer - and I'm not sure I ever really got over that. I felt from the beginning his speechifying was too wooden - it might have been an acting choice but as it went against my expectation I didn't like it. That's on me--I did feel as Archer got more comfortable and lightened up a little I enjoyed the character more.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Until relatively recently, I never saw anything of Quantum Leap, but it would come up on forums like this. So, I tried watching some of it, where Scott was dressed as a transvestite, as his character had jumped into a woman's soul, or whatever the hell happens, so he can live a portion of her life for her. Even though it was to do good, it seemed like arrogant presumption, to me, that he'd be the one to solve people's problems by possessing them, like a spirit. Then his sidekick would magically pop in and out, as an information dump and I'm like ... "what IS this? What the hell am I watching, here?" I still don't understand the appeal. What I know Scott from is ENT where even if his character was inconsistantly written and his performances fluxuated, at least he played a character I could understand.

While Scott did overact when Archer would snap at an officer (the Expanse as an example), he still did a good job by playing jerk so convincingly. I really wanted to slap him in Daedulus and Cogenitor. Scott was a guy the younger cast members looked up to and it's just too bad Archer couldn't be that type of leader. Of course inconsistent writing didn't help. But when Archer was good, he was good. There are also some bloopers on Youtube that showed me they missed an opportunity to play off Scott's comedic skills.

I saw some outtakes, as well, where Scott's hitting on Jolene to make her laugh. He enetered T'Pol's quarters to deliver serious lines, whilst she's in meditation, and he's holding these wine glasses, then uses some cheesey line on her. She just broke out laughing and it was sweet, but what really amused me was the Prop Master breathing down Scott's neck, desperate to get those glasses back off him ...

 

[eyeresist]

I'm another who never watched Quantum Leap. Most shows from that time have dated pretty badly, so I'm sure nostalgia plays a part in its later reputation.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

I watched it when I was between the ages of 0 and 9. It was already over before I was 5, though. It was just one of the many sci-fi things my grandmother (who raised me) had on the TV 24/7, alongside Trek.

She was tickled pink when Bakula was cast for Enterprise. The lead actor/actress was her biggest draw with the shows she watched, as I recall, and she loved him on Quantum Leap.

I tried watching a few episodes of QL earlier this year, actually. I hadn't seen one in almost 20 years. Yeah, uh, I dunno, it has its moments but it's... well, it's very sure of what it wants to be and I'm happy for it.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

I'm a huge fan of QL. Probably one of the biggest reasons was the deep friendship between Sam and Al, and how it was developed over the course of the series. The way they each sacrificed for each other's happiness, and supported each other. And sure, watching Bakula do amazing things with the characters he leaped into each week - lots of subtle touches beyond the broad strokes of how to walk in stiletto heels or act like a chimp. The way Sam reacted every time he got stuck in the 70s with the awful hair and clothes and disco, too funny. Scott endeared me to Sam because of his humanity and sense of humor, and his endless grace. Which is why Sam was picked to be this traveling angel, I think.

The last episode, though. I'm happy for Al, but it killed me. I still can't rewatch it. Bellisario did a more satisfying job for Selleck and Magnum PI., and for JAG.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There was a rumor going around that Don Bellisario was so pissed that QL was cancelled that he deliberately wrote the most confusing series finale he could...

 

[Willow]

There was a rumor going around that Don Bellisario was so pissed that QL was cancelled that he deliberately wrote the most confusing series finale he could...

So, can we assume that Berman/Braga used the Bellisario Playbook in regards to TATV?

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

There was a rumor going around that Don Bellisario was so pissed that QL was cancelled that he deliberately wrote the most confusing series finale he could...

I was pissed at the cancellation too, but I would have at least given Sam the happy ending he totally earned, in addition to Al and his happy family. It's on you, Don.

So, can we assume that Berman/Braga used the Bellisario Playbook in regards to TATV?

Yow, they left Bellisario in the dust if that's the case. Transcended confusing, passed up so-bad-Gene-uncanoned-it STV, and achieved epic unsatisfying awfulness.