Grade "ENTERPRISE"
- Thread starter Mach5
- Start date
F - In all honesty, there was simply just about nothing I enjoyed about this show. Let me preface by saying that I haven't actually seen S4 (except for bits and pieces and the finale). But to me, the problems I have with everything prior to that mean it doesn't actually matter. I will comment on this point at the end of this text.
IMHO it did nothing with its premise, instead dwelling mainly on stories and themes that would have been better suited to the 24th century (or later) setting. Making matters worse, I felt that most of the episodes were really poorly written and unengaging.
I think the biggest complaint I have about the show (although the top one already is pretty major, I guess) is that none of the characters did a thing for me. I felt they were a bunch of bland, directionless and - if you will - faceless people who ended up meaning nothing to me. And that, in the end, I think is what really defines whether you become invested in a show or not.
One of the prime examples is Archer. I love Bakula as an actor. But here, I thought the character never once really felt like a Captain. He just didn't exert the necessary sense of authority and dignity. He just seemed like a guy who happened to be the Captain, and his crew listened to him mainly because the show was written that way.
However, the problems I have with the show don't end there. One thing that bothered me a lot was the design of the Enterprise (outside, but mainly inside) as well as things like costume design. If you're doing a prequel, you simply have to do certain things to support the feeling that it's a prequel.
I felt there was nothing about the designs that even tried to do that. As far as I can see, they were going for a very utilitarian design. But IMHO that doesn't work within the context.
If you look at the new Star Trek film (I have to base these statements on screenshots and trailers since I haven't seen it myself), it's very stylized. It uses 50's- and 60's- (maybe even some 40's-) -inspired designs that allow it to look modern yet feel retro at the same time. That way, you're able to create a modern film that still actually feels like a prequel. And that's exactly what I felt ENT should have done. I don't know they didn't do it, mind you.
Before I finish, I will say that I probably would have given season 3 on its own a D. I really felt it was "weak but enjoyable". That sums it up very well for me, mind you. However, if I look at the show as a whole, I simply don't feel a D is suitable.
I mentioned up above that I haven't seen S4 and that that wouldn't change the grade I picked. The reason for this is that - for me - the characters had been basically destroyed within seasons 1 and 2. I just never felt I could take them seriously form that point onwards. So it doesn't really make a difference how 'good' S4 might be. It's using characters that don't work for me. And as I said, the characters are really at the core of it all. If they don't work, nothing really will.
And, really, the only reason I even watched S3 was that I was longing for some Trek nostalgia from new material. It had just about nothing to do with me actually wanting to see ENT or its characters.
I'm happy for people who enjoy the show. I just don't see anything enjoyable in it myself.
IMHO it did nothing with its premise, instead dwelling mainly on stories and themes that would have been better suited to the 24th century (or later) setting. Making matters worse, I felt that most of the episodes were really poorly written and unengaging.
I think the biggest complaint I have about the show (although the top one already is pretty major, I guess) is that none of the characters did a thing for me. I felt they were a bunch of bland, directionless and - if you will - faceless people who ended up meaning nothing to me. And that, in the end, I think is what really defines whether you become invested in a show or not.
One of the prime examples is Archer. I love Bakula as an actor. But here, I thought the character never once really felt like a Captain. He just didn't exert the necessary sense of authority and dignity. He just seemed like a guy who happened to be the Captain, and his crew listened to him mainly because the show was written that way.
However, the problems I have with the show don't end there. One thing that bothered me a lot was the design of the Enterprise (outside, but mainly inside) as well as things like costume design. If you're doing a prequel, you simply have to do certain things to support the feeling that it's a prequel.
I felt there was nothing about the designs that even tried to do that. As far as I can see, they were going for a very utilitarian design. But IMHO that doesn't work within the context.
If you look at the new Star Trek film (I have to base these statements on screenshots and trailers since I haven't seen it myself), it's very stylized. It uses 50's- and 60's- (maybe even some 40's-) -inspired designs that allow it to look modern yet feel retro at the same time. That way, you're able to create a modern film that still actually feels like a prequel. And that's exactly what I felt ENT should have done. I don't know they didn't do it, mind you.
Before I finish, I will say that I probably would have given season 3 on its own a D. I really felt it was "weak but enjoyable". That sums it up very well for me, mind you. However, if I look at the show as a whole, I simply don't feel a D is suitable.
I mentioned up above that I haven't seen S4 and that that wouldn't change the grade I picked. The reason for this is that - for me - the characters had been basically destroyed within seasons 1 and 2. I just never felt I could take them seriously form that point onwards. So it doesn't really make a difference how 'good' S4 might be. It's using characters that don't work for me. And as I said, the characters are really at the core of it all. If they don't work, nothing really will.
And, really, the only reason I even watched S3 was that I was longing for some Trek nostalgia from new material. It had just about nothing to do with me actually wanting to see ENT or its characters.
I'm happy for people who enjoy the show. I just don't see anything enjoyable in it myself.
I don't think there's an "E" option in the grading system.
I voted very good. Like all of the other Star Trek series, there were weak, ill-considered episodes, but even in most of those, there were character moments well worth watching.
C - Mediocre.
Enterprise had its moments, but they were few and far in between, especially in the beginning. It finally started to find its grove about halfway through Season 3, but by then it was too little too late. I'd actually give each season its own rating.
Season 1: C. It actually didn't start to bad. Everything was setup well, and there was plenty of potential. I think it felt a little too much like more-of-the-same, but there was plenty of promise.
Season 2: D. There were moments in Dead Stop, Judgment, Cogenitor, Regeneration and First Flight, but for the most part this season was a complete waste. All the potential of the first season was squandered and it became routine and uninteresting. If more of the episodes had been stronger, it would've done better, but the material overall was just poor.
Season 3: B-. The first half was fairly uneven, and it wasn't until Azati Prime that the season and show find its legs. Too bad it didn't have the momentum all the way through or it could've been much more successful.
Season 4: C+. I know this is everyone's favorite season, but it just didn't do it for me. While I enjoyed the concept of the mini-arcs, I felt the execution was lacking. Not to say there wasn't life in the episodes. Compared to previous seasons, I felt this season had the most energy Star Trek had seen in years, but I felt there was too much time wasted on stuff that screamed "fan porn". The Klingon ridge episodes? C'mon, give me a break!
Enterprise had its moments, but they were few and far in between, especially in the beginning. It finally started to find its grove about halfway through Season 3, but by then it was too little too late. I'd actually give each season its own rating.
Season 1: C. It actually didn't start to bad. Everything was setup well, and there was plenty of potential. I think it felt a little too much like more-of-the-same, but there was plenty of promise.
Season 2: D. There were moments in Dead Stop, Judgment, Cogenitor, Regeneration and First Flight, but for the most part this season was a complete waste. All the potential of the first season was squandered and it became routine and uninteresting. If more of the episodes had been stronger, it would've done better, but the material overall was just poor.
Season 3: B-. The first half was fairly uneven, and it wasn't until Azati Prime that the season and show find its legs. Too bad it didn't have the momentum all the way through or it could've been much more successful.
Season 4: C+. I know this is everyone's favorite season, but it just didn't do it for me. While I enjoyed the concept of the mini-arcs, I felt the execution was lacking. Not to say there wasn't life in the episodes. Compared to previous seasons, I felt this season had the most energy Star Trek had seen in years, but I felt there was too much time wasted on stuff that screamed "fan porn". The Klingon ridge episodes? C'mon, give me a break!
Oh, there isn't? I didn't know that. It does look odd, though. I don't know, "A, B, C, D, F" just looks weird without the E.
I quit watching after the first season. It was banal tripe from the start.
Season 1 - C+
Season 2 - C+
Season 3 - B+
Season 4 - A
Season 2 - C+
Season 3 - B+
Season 4 - A
F
I tried, I really did when it came out. I watched each week until I finally up and just gave up on it. What got me the most was the total effect of seeing so many missed oppurtunities with the show. Which was the same for Voyager for me. It got frustrating after awhile.
Though there are certian aspects of the show I enjoyed (I have a soft spot for beagles, I liked the MACOS and well I still loved seeing the Constitution class power up and fly into action once more (The Defiant) ) there were just not enough to cover all of the poor writing and flat acting, repeat formulas and just ...a mess.
Vons
I tried, I really did when it came out. I watched each week until I finally up and just gave up on it. What got me the most was the total effect of seeing so many missed oppurtunities with the show. Which was the same for Voyager for me. It got frustrating after awhile.
Though there are certian aspects of the show I enjoyed (I have a soft spot for beagles, I liked the MACOS and well I still loved seeing the Constitution class power up and fly into action once more (The Defiant) ) there were just not enough to cover all of the poor writing and flat acting, repeat formulas and just ...a mess.
Vons
F.
Garbage.
Garbage.
I like ENT. It is my favorite series after TOS. I found only a handful of episodes (example: ANIS) that were really bad. I guess the thing that was most disappointing was the ample missed opportunities: episodes that could have been written better. I would grade the seasons as:
Season 1: Mediocre. Standout episodes were The Andorian Incident and Shuttlepod One
Season 2: Good. Standout episodes were Minefield/Dead Stop and Cogenitor.
Season 3: Very good. Standout episodes were Similitude and Azati Prime/Damage/The Forgotten.
Season 4: Excellent. All of these episodes were excellent, except for TATV, which I refuse to watch.
My overall rating for the series is Very Good.
Season 1: Mediocre. Standout episodes were The Andorian Incident and Shuttlepod One
Season 2: Good. Standout episodes were Minefield/Dead Stop and Cogenitor.
Season 3: Very good. Standout episodes were Similitude and Azati Prime/Damage/The Forgotten.
Season 4: Excellent. All of these episodes were excellent, except for TATV, which I refuse to watch.
My overall rating for the series is Very Good.
"very good." like every other contemporary trek show, it took a few seasons for the show to find its footing. that happened in the (excellent) 4th season, and the show was cancelled at the precise moment it was beginning to get really, really good.
the theme music, though, was (and is) atrocious, and absolute abomination. yuck.
the theme music, though, was (and is) atrocious, and absolute abomination. yuck.
Am I the only one who liked the theme song for the show?
You most certainly are not.
Except for the last season, it's generally pretty crappy. There were one or two episodes the first season that came close to being pretty good, and if there's nothing else on, I can watch it. But between Scott Bakula's wooden acting, the forehead alien of the week, the recycled Voyager scripts, and the general sense of malaise that is modern Trek, it was seriously disappointing.
I say mediocre. Seasons 1 and 2 were very weak, season 3 was an improvement but I didn't like the convoluted storyline (and some terrible characterizations). Season 4 was fun and very entertaining, even if in a fanboyish kinda way. I wish they had a season 5 to close all the storylines about the Coalition.
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