Do I need to watch TOS to understand this show's context?

[Vykan12]

I've read that Enterprise is a prequel of sorts, in that it takes place before the United Federation of Planets is ever created. I'm wondering if watching TOS first would meaningfully enrich the understanding of this series. Note that I've watched most of DS9 and Voyager, and had no problem following it.

 

[commodore64]

Unfortunately, not really. I think you don't have to know anything about the TOS universe and still understand Enterprise.

 

[JiNX-01]

I would say the first 3 seasons are easily enjoyed without having watched TOS. As for season 4, I would suggest you might want to watch the following TOS episodes:

Space Seed (connections to the so-called Augments arc.)
The Tholian Web/Mirror, Mirror (connections to In a Mirror Darkly I and II)

I don't know if anyone else has suggestions...

 

[Ro Boat]

It helps to know Trek, but not necessarily TOS. There are often story lines that foreshadow pieces of later Trek society.

Prime directive
Families on starships
First contact
Red alert
And much more

I would say it is probably more important to have a knowledge of the TNG era than the TOS era.

I think one of the most enjoyable parts of ENT is watching how the crew deals with situations before there were so many rules.

 

[Saga]

you don't need to watch TOS to enjoy Ent. but, if you have the time i do suggest you watch TOS before Ent as it will add to the experience.

 

[ChristopherPike]

I wouldn't think so. In fact, the less Star Trek you've seen the better... much like the new film. Sure, being steeped in canon adds another dimension, when aliens start name dropping aspects that become huge in the future. But mainly I found knowledge makes you defensive and argumentive about how this all fits in!

Much is made of Season 4 and it's kisses to TOS, but I don't think not knowing all about Space Seed or TWOK leaves you at a disadvantage during The Augment trilogy. The story makes clear how they're different from other human beings. Likewise our first trip to Vulcan, a race you'll be familar with by that point. Well now, you'll discover the more honorable underclass who will have risen to dominance by TOS.

Some years back, I decided to embark on viewing all of Star Trek in chronological order and found the only story that benefited from being seen before ENT was First Contact. Mainly to see what humans were like during this time.

 

[DarKush]

I pretty much agree with everyone else. I don't think you have to watch TOS before watching ENT.

In the fourth season there are more obvious ties between TOS and ENT-Orions, Augments, Klingon forehead issue, Romulan intrigue, Vulcan reformation-but I don't think the ties will have you scratching your head if you haven't seen TOS first. Just like for the Ferengi, Duras, and Borg episodes (Season 2?), you don't have to watch TNG to understand the references. Of course it would perhaps enhance your enjoyment.

 

[Cakes488]

I guess you don't need to...but you really really should check TOS out......you may end up even liking it better than ENT (don't kill me)

 

[SFRabid]

When watching Enterprise last you catch references to things in other series. When watching Enterprise first I would expect that you would catch those ties on the other side.

 

[E-Blonde]

This series stands alone. That said, some events were written into Enterprise simply because the other series/films made references to events in their past.

TOS was about a 5 year voyage of the starship Enterprise, it was not a comprehensive history of all things starfleet. So, ENT is free to not be a rehash of TOS. But becasue they are related and ENT predates TOS, you'll find inferior technology and knowledge of what's 'out there'.