ENT Audios on CD or Download, Would you buy? Read by Cast Members?

[ChristopherPike]

I've often joined in on discussions about a fan-made Enterprise continuation, whether it be audio, animation or just fan fiction. But what of stories read by members of the cast? What if a company out there could possibly put out Spoken Word CDs (a bit like books on audio tape). Nowadays they would be downloadable, I guess.

As a Doctor Who fan, until 2005 the only way to experience new adventures was on audio. They secured Paul McGann (the Eighth Doctor) back in 2001 and he's been recording dramas on that format ever since, along with Peter Davison, Colin Baker & Sylvester McCoy. Here's a link to their site: http://www.bigfinish.com

Would this work as a way of keeping ENT alive? Would anybody buy them?

I sent an email off to BF, hopefully putting the idea the best way I can. There are likely obsticles to this happening. CBS/Paramount probably have an exclusive deal with Pocket Books. But then they don't seem to do anything along these lines no more.

To: Big Finish Productions

Dear Sirs,

I notice that in addition to Doctor Who, your company does Spoken Word continuations to Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis.

Have you ever considered doing something similar with regard to Star Trek Enterprise? As a spin-off and prequel to the Original Series, it also got cancelled without a satisfactory conclusion.

Back in 2005, there was an attempt to rescue Enterprise from its early demise by fans through www.saveenterprise.com and www.trekunited.com. This mostly consisted of deluging CBS/Paramount with letters and postcards. So there’s an audience out there, who like when Doctor Who went off air in 1989 miss their show and would no doubt be interested in dramatic readings from the likes of Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer or Dominic Keating. Subject to negotiations with the studio and the actors, I’m sure this would be a winner for BF.

Thanks for taking the time to read my proposal.

Yours sincerely,

 

[commodore64]

I love Enterprise. I was crushed, despite not liking some of what Coto did, when it ended.

I'll be honest. I'm afraid of fans' re-imagining of Enterprise. I'm afraid they won't treat Archer the way I liked him, focus on a relationship between T'Pol and Trip rather than focus on how T'Pol can be a competent first officer and Trip being a competent Engineer, etc. In other words, they'll disrespect the characters I have grown to love.

 

[suebsg9]

I've often joined in on discussions about a fan-made Enterprise continuation, whether it be audio, animation or just fan fiction. But what of stories read by members of the cast? What if a company out there could possibly put out Spoken Word CDs (a bit like books on audio tape). Nowadays they would be downloadable, I guess.

As a Doctor Who fan, until 2005 the only way to experience new adventures was on audio. They secured Paul McGann (the Eighth Doctor) back in 2001 and he's been recording dramas on that format ever since, along with Peter Davison, Colin Baker & Sylvester McCoy. Here's a link to their site: http://www.bigfinish.com

Would this work as a way of keeping ENT alive? Would anybody buy them?

I sent an email off to BF, hopefully putting the idea the best way I can. There are likely obsticles to this happening. CBS/Paramount probably have an exclusive deal with Pocket Books. But then they don't seem to do anything along these lines no more.

To: Big Finish Productions

Dear Sirs,

I notice that in addition to Doctor Who, your company does Spoken Word continuations to Stargate SG-1 & Atlantis.

Have you ever considered doing something similar with regard to Star Trek Enterprise? As a spin-off and prequel to the Original Series, it also got cancelled without a satisfactory conclusion.

Back in 2005, there was an attempt to rescue Enterprise from its early demise by fans through www.saveenterprise.com and www.trekunited.com. This mostly consisted of deluging CBS/Paramount with letters and postcards. So there’s an audience out there, who like when Doctor Who went off air in 1989 miss their show and would no doubt be interested in dramatic readings from the likes of Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer or Dominic Keating. Subject to negotiations with the studio and the actors, I’m sure this would be a winner for BF.

Thanks for taking the time to read my proposal.

Yours sincerely,

Wow thats a great idea I will send an email as well love to hear stories that are read by the actors; I have the one that Michael Shanks read and it to me keeps the show alive and I like how it centers around like his S3!

I second it; if it will keep Enterprise alive I am game!

 

[ChristopherPike]

I'll be honest. I'm afraid of fans' re-imagining of Enterprise. I'm afraid they won't treat Archer the way I liked him, focus on a relationship between T'Pol and Trip rather than focus on how T'Pol can be a competent first officer and Trip being a competent Engineer, etc. In other words, they'll disrespect the characters I have grown to love.

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what is your opinion of ENT novels to date?

I think the T'Pol and Trip relationship became a valid part of the show, although it's beginnings were contrived to say the least. I've never discussed this before and certainly wouldn't class myself as a shipper... whatever that might be.

As for Archer, the writers all seem to have had a different approach and few got a really good handle on the character. He varied episode by episode... from a borderline Vulcan racist with a chip on his shoulder in Broken Bow, wide-eyed explorer in Civilization and Rogue Planet, stubborn and petulant with A Night in Sickbay, a schemer in Strategem, a war veteran suffering post traumatic stress in Home to a much mellower, leader from Borderland onwards. He was basically used to fit whatever a story needed. Which was your favourite?

Obviously quite a few stories written by fans delve in slash fiction areas that CBS would never be approve of. Doubtful it would ever go that far with no Network pushing for some nudity that week... With audio it's all in the listener's head anyway!

 

[commodore64]

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what is your opinion of ENT novels to date?

I really don't like many of them. In fact, I think I like maybe two, outside those written from the show (Broken Bow, Expanse, etc.). The ENT novels are for the most part pretty silly in that the characters do dumb stuff (like playing D&D), cover already overly done material (like Last Full Measure that explores Archer's plight in doing what's right to save humanity at the cost of his soul in season 3), are poorly written (Surak's Soul) and/or don't have the characters right (Good That Men Do).

I think the T'Pol and Trip relationship became a valid part of the show, although it's beginnings were contrived to say the least. I've never discussed this before and certainly wouldn't class myself as a shipper... whatever that might be.

In TATV, they indicated the relationship was long over. Let's assume they are together though - make them both smart and capable, focusing on their mission rather than purely on the relationship. The relationship stuff is usually dull unless it fits into the episode naturally. Make sense?

As for Archer, the writers all seem to have had a different approach and few got a really good handle on the character. He varied episode by episode... from a borderline Vulcan racist with a chip on his shoulder in Broken Bow, wide-eyed explorer in Civilization and Rogue Planet, stubborn and petulant with A Night in Sickbay, a schemer in Strategem, a war veteran suffering post traumatic stress in Home to a much mellower, leader from Borderland onwards. He was basically used to fit whatever a story needed. Which was your favourite?

Here's the thing - Archer evolved. It's not that he's different from episode to episode, it's that he matured through change. At first he has only human experience to draw on and his own past, but throughout the series (because of what he deals with) he learns and grows even against what he has known all his life (like Vulcans are bad). And yet, some of the traits you describe are always with him. His weaknesses include pride and stubbornness, for example. It's what got him into hot water in ANIS, but help him from being deterred like in Kir'Shara. His strengths are always his strengths -- like compassion. Compassion saved T'Pol in Broken Bow/Twilight/Impulse, Trip in Observer Effect and presented issues in TATV when he wanted to help Shran.

I like Archer the character; he's my second favorite in the Star Trek genre (after Mr. Spock). And this discussion is kind of what scares me about people re-imagining ENT. I just want the person who writes these characters to love them all and understand them all. Admittedly, I have high expectations and part of the reason I'm not a big fan of all the novels.

You still sorry you asked?

 

[ChristopherPike]

You still sorry you asked?

Not at all.

The description you gave fits perfectly what Bakula seems to have had in mind. Someone with no role model to follow, who makes mistakes based on gut reactions and has a steep learning curve to follow.

 

[Hoshi's sis]

I would be interested in purchasing it if followed along the lines that Paramount intended - a continuation of the story where Terra Prime left off or even following along the lines of Pocket Books continuation of Enterprises story.

they seem to have a good format in the build up to the Romulan War. Maybe if this project followed that but also filled in the gaps by concentrating on more character based stories.

Its certainly an interesting idea.

 

[angie]

I am with commie---since we already have a fanboy novel out that has excited many and I think is poorly written crap--I am against it. I would prefer Paramount be involved at some level.I do say with pretty much any other show I enjoy I would embrace this idea but most shows have a fan base that like the lead character and I am afraid the stories would be hijacked by the minority like most threads on this board.

 

[Hoshi's sis]

Considering that Paramount were involved in giving Pocket Books the go ahead for the direction, for what you refer to as that 'fan boy' novel to go in, I would assume they would want any other project that involved the show, characters and actors to go along the same vein.

Some may not have liked TGTMD, but it was popular and sold a lot.

Thats why I mentioned doing things around more character driven stories. They could fill in the gaps after TATV or in between the period of Terra Prime and TATV. You could concentrate on Archer or the other leads of Trip and T'Pol, or centre around the other minority characters that were never developed on the show.

 

[Nimthim]

I haven't read any of the novels - and am barely up to speed on the show's episodes - so my opinion is certainly not as well informed as all of you. But a novel that doesn't draw you into the characters' lives - feelings, motivations, relationships - makes it hard to get invested in the action.
The Enterprise characters are some of the best to come from Star Trek. Future adventures for these characters that give us more than cardboard cutouts would be an interesting development. (Going to have to read these novels)
I think all the characters would benefit from better treatment. I think the concept of Archer's character is good - I just lose patience when the writers make him a ridiculous comic book super-hero. Realistically, these characters should grow and get promoted and act as smart as we know all of them are. With the Romulan War just around the corner, Archer should be an Admiral directing Earth's fleet - anyone else would have no clue what it's like out there in deep space.
I would think an audio project would have to be as well developed as a good novel, because you need to imagine it as you listen. As commodore64 stated, if someone did this project, they would have to know and love all the characters to make it work well.

 

[Bak_and_Blue]

Here's the thing - Archer evolved. It's not that he's different from episode to episode, it's that he matured through change. At first he has only human experience to draw on and his own past, but throughout the series (because of what he deals with) he learns and grows even against what he has known all his life (like Vulcans are bad). And yet, some of the traits you describe are always with him. His weaknesses include pride and stubbornness, for example. It's what got him into hot water in ANIS, but help him from being deterred like in Kir'Shara. His strengths are always his strengths -- like compassion. Compassion saved T'Pol in Broken Bow/Twilight/Impulse, Trip in Observer Effect and presented issues in TATV when he wanted to help Shran.

I like Archer the character; he's my second favorite in the Star Trek genre (after Mr. Spock). And this discussion is kind of what scares me about people re-imagining ENT. I just want the person who writes these characters to love them all and understand them all. Admittedly, I have high expectations and part of the reason I'm not a big fan of all the novels.

Great description of Archer, Comm. He's my favorite after Kirk.
I also share your reluctance toward fanfic and its reimagining of characters. Some of it is great, I'm sure, but I have only a limited amount of time and energy to spare so I don't read it.
Spoken word productions of good, solid canon stories would be great though.

 

[angie]

I think Paramount gave the go ahead on the Pocket Book story because they didn't care much about ENT which it sees as a failure.

 

[commodore64]

Angie, I think Paramount is always involved from the standpoint they have pretty strict rules about what gets made (which some were negated in Good That Men Do) and have their hacks screen suggested novels. If the author is known, they sometimes let them get away with breaking the rules. I wish Paramount were less strict about some of their rules and more strict about the important ones: "It has to be a decent read and keep true to the characters." That to me seems like the most crucial points. I've even been shocked about some of the characters treatment from TOS (until they were relaunched thanks to TMP and TWoK). Personally, I don't think Paramount cares about the stuff that really matters and cares more about "they followed the rules or this author is kinda known." Awww.

Hoshisis, ideally, they could cover what happened between Terra Prime and TATV. I think that has a lot of potential. I'm still worried about the characters all being treated well.

Bak_and_Blue, thanks!

Nimthim, Archer is the hero. I never saw Archer do anything outside of reality. Okay, getting phasered twice in an AU (Twilight) was a stretch, but the writer explained the first shot was supposed to be a glancing blow. (Yet another reason the writer and director should be working *together*, which never happened on ENT.)

 

[angie]

It usd to be Berman that approved the stories and I am not sure who before but who approved that last one?