What is THE Worst continuity error in Trek history..?!

[fireproof78]

VOY indicates that crew health and brain waves are monitored at all times.

That's super creepy.. Eeeeeeww

Yeah, but, like, Tuvok can barely go three weeks without catching a case of temporary insanity. You have to take some reasonable precautions.

Yeah. Given the potential for brain parasites, alien possession, mind altering drugs, etc. brain wave monitoring might be a small price to pay to protect the crew.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Doesn't quite work in this circumstance. We know from TATV that the Enterprise NX-01 is referred to casually by everyone in the 24th century as "the NX-01." So the Voyager crew should have been like "but NX-01 wasn't named Dauntless, that was Archer's Enterprise."

Who's to say they didn't? We only saw less than an hour of events that presumably took place over several days. The long conversation between Ensign Mulcahey and Tal Celes regarding the strange registry and how it matches that of the 2150s Enterprise was probably left on the cutting room floor.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Perhaps, equipped with such a new and revolutionary engine, the Dauntless was seen as a whole new beginning for Starfleet - hence "NX-01-A"

 

[stardream]

VOY indicates that crew health and brain waves are monitored at all times.

I wondered if that was something the Doctor did that was unique to Voyager. They were in an unknown part of space with unknown anomalies and aliens so who knows when or how your mind could be taken over.

But then he was over fastidious with the crew as per his programming. I remember the episode Memorial where he was nagging at the crew to have a post mission check up. If they had they might have discovered those new memories earlier because he continually had a scan going and could contrast and compare.

 

[Terok Nor]

Not at all.

Perhaps you missed all those episode where the worst events in Earth's history were rattled off like a shopping list. I heard plenty of references to WW2 and the Borg attack but not one mention was made of the Xindi and what they did which is worse than what the Borg managed to achieve.

I'd add that the NX-01 being the first starship Enterprise sent out by Starfleet would give it cause to be name checked every now and then.

I get the issue with the name "Enterprise" which flies in the fact of all the dedication plaques and their "Xth starship to bear the name". It never specifies Starfleet or Federation, and I understand their are probably dozens of minor cargo vessels and cruise liners and whatnot named Enterprise over the years, but leaving out the NX-01 (a Starfleet starship, albeit one that probably never served the Federation) seems like an odd choice.

But I don't get the issue with the Xindi crisis never being mentioned before. I get that seven million people died in an unprovoked attack on Earth, and that that would be a big deal. It pales in comparison to the hundreds of millions in World War III and/or the tens of millions in the Eugenics Wars. Yet I always assumed that it's historical proximity to the Romulan War, and the fact that it was all one-and-done within a year (thanks Enterprise!) instead of drawing itself out into a long process of anti-Xindi conflict and sentiment, meant that it was a historical footnote at best within a couple of generations.

Space is a scary place, and millions of people died every other week in the 23rd and 24th centuries. I'm sure everyone who was alive in 2153-2154 remembered the Xindi incident appropriately, but their descendants were too busy with all sorts of new conflicts and the scary detente they had with the Romulans (who may have attacked Earth themselves and perhaps killed more than seven million during their war).

You're right. I hadn't considered it that way. I stand corrected on that point about the Xindi attack. But I'd still like to know why the Xindi were even needed in a prequel in the first place when the Romulan war was crying out to be explored. The writers could even have used the stupid Temporal Cold War to reconcile any discrepanacies with the established continuity once the Romulan arc was done with.

 

[Terok Nor]

In TMP we have a pictorial history of ships named Enterprise, with the aircraft carrier, the space shuttle, the "Ring ship" and on to TOS.

Remember the very specific phrasing Decker used. He said "All those vessels were called Enterprise." He did NOT say "Those were all the vessels called Enterprise."

Some of them could have been, and indeed WERE, left out. You'll notice that, for example, the second carrier - CVN-65 - wasn't there...

Good point

I just think it was a missed opportunity for the ENT writers to have the NX-01 crew lost to history trying to stop the TCW. So, not an error so much as a wasted opportunity.

That, and not really caring for the characters leaves ENT just hollow for me.

I agree. Even based on its own merits without comparing it to the other shows or expecting it to fit into the continuity I still don't think Enterprise is a good show. It had its moments but they were rare. It's not really worth all this bending over backwards to fit it in with the other shows because it's just not worth it (IMO).

I know Enterprise has its fans but I just can't get past all its faults. I tried to watch it again from the start but gave up and went for a rewach of TOS instead. There is better Trek out there instead of wasting time on the mess that is Enterprise. No offence to its fans. Feel free to slate any of the other shows including my fave TNG.

 

[Nerys Myk]

You're right. I hadn't considered it that way. I stand corrected on that point about the Xindi attack. But I'd still like to know why the Xindi were even needed in a prequel in the first place when the Romulan war was crying out to be explored. The writers could even have used the stupid Temporal Cold War to reconcile any discrepanacies with the established continuity once the Romulan arc was done with.

Because the goals of the Xindi arc were not compatible with the the Romulan War.

Using the TCW to solve alleged "discrepancies" with established continuity is fanthink.

 

[Terok Nor]

You're right. I hadn't considered it that way. I stand corrected on that point about the Xindi attack. But I'd still like to know why the Xindi were even needed in a prequel in the first place when the Romulan war was crying out to be explored. The writers could even have used the stupid Temporal Cold War to reconcile any discrepanacies with the established continuity once the Romulan arc was done with.

Because the goals of the Xindi arc were not compatible with the the Romulan War.

Using the TCW to solve alleged "discrepancies" with established continuity is fanthink.

Why did we need the Xindi is my real question. If it had been a series set after Voyager then all bets would have been off. Anything could have happened. Why create a prequel and then mostly ignore everything from the other shows until a ratings boost was needed? Might as well have set it in the 25th century or later if all they wanted to do was spend 3 seasons on stuff that had no bearing on the other shows. The only time it got good is when they delved into establsihed stuff like the Andorians or all those Season 4 episodes featuring callbacks to the other shows. That's what a prequel is supposed to be. Not a show that just happens to be set in the past of an established franchise.

Apart from Trip all the characters were awful. Phlox was okay at times but not seen enough to really care about him and T'Pol was all over the place but okay at times too. The rest of the cast were glorified extras apart from Captain Wooden. As I said, it's not worth all the bending over backwards to make it click. It exists. It's part of the franchise. It's there for those who enjoy it to watch and for those who don't to ignore. It's likely we won't be seeing TNG, DS9 or Voyager in any form ever again and if they're not coming back then neither is Enterprise. It's only as relevant or irrelevant as you wish it to be. I consider it pointless and irrelevant and am happy to disregard it. Had it been a good show that I enjoyed I'd make allowances for its failings but it wasn't so it's not worth the effort.

 

[fireproof78]

You're right. I hadn't considered it that way. I stand corrected on that point about the Xindi attack. But I'd still like to know why the Xindi were even needed in a prequel in the first place when the Romulan war was crying out to be explored. The writers could even have used the stupid Temporal Cold War to reconcile any discrepanacies with the established continuity once the Romulan arc was done with.

Because the goals of the Xindi arc were not compatible with the the Romulan War.

Using the TCW to solve alleged "discrepancies" with established continuity is fanthink.

I can understand that. I think that the TCW as not really necessary to begin with, and that the Xindi arc would have been better as the main arc.

 

[Anwar]

They were ordered to do the TCW by UPN Execs, that's why the TCW arc felt so haphazard.

 

[Nerys Myk]

You're right. I hadn't considered it that way. I stand corrected on that point about the Xindi attack. But I'd still like to know why the Xindi were even needed in a prequel in the first place when the Romulan war was crying out to be explored. The writers could even have used the stupid Temporal Cold War to reconcile any discrepanacies with the established continuity once the Romulan arc was done with.

Because the goals of the Xindi arc were not compatible with the the Romulan War.

Using the TCW to solve alleged "discrepancies" with established continuity is fanthink.

Why did we need the Xindi is my real question. If it had been a series set after Voyager then all bets would have been off. Anything could have happened. Why create a prequel and then mostly ignore everything from the other shows until a ratings boost was needed? Might as well have set it in the 25th century or later if all they wanted to do was spend 3 seasons on stuff that had no bearing on the other shows. The only time it got good is when they delved into establsihed stuff like the Andorians or all those Season 4 episodes featuring callbacks to the other shows. That's what a prequel is supposed to be. Not a show that just happens to be set in the past of an established franchise.

I've no interest in a show that is just a series of name drops and self referential "injokes". Or one that doesn't introduce new things. That's the worst kind of prequel. Season 4 is a mixed bag for me because of that. Too many stories that are about "Star Trek". The previous seasons did it more subtly, in fact one might say it was so subtle, that many fans missed most of the call backs.

Apart from Trip all the characters were awful. Phlox was okay at times but not seen enough to really care about him and T'Pol was all over the place but okay at times too. The rest of the cast were glorified extras apart from Captain Wooden. As I said, it's not worth all the bending over backwards to make it click. It exists. It's part of the franchise. It's there for those who enjoy it to watch and for those who don't to ignore. It's likely we won't be seeing TNG, DS9 or Voyager in any form ever again and if they're not coming back then neither is Enterprise. It's only as relevant or irrelevant as you wish it to be. I consider it pointless and irrelevant and am happy to disregard it. Had it been a good show that I enjoyed I'd make allowances for its failings but it wasn't so it's not worth the effort.

Having problems with the characters or the writing are much more legitimate reasons for disliking a show than canon or continuity "discrepancies".

 

[Terok Nor]

I think having problems with continuity issues in a prequel is a valid concern. If this was Star Trek in the 25th century we would not be having this discussion.

I'm not interested in a show of callbacks either which is why I stated earlier in the thread that Enterprise is a show no one asked for or wanted. But since it was a prequel it did a piss poor job in my honest opinion. If it hadn't been a prequel it was still stuffed full of bland characters and derivative storylines.

The thread asks the question "what is the worst continuity error in Star Trek history?".

My answer is Enterprise, a prequel full of continuity errors.

 

[fireproof78]

I think the characters are my bigger grievance with ENT. Continuity errors are apart of any show's development, and rarely are they an issue. VOY was fraught with them but they were minor irritations more than anything else.

ENT's characters, for me, are the weakest point. I don't feel connected with any of them, and some feel deliberately irritating and arrogant, and rarely competent. That isn't really entertaining to watch so much as it is me going to want to psychoanalyze the crew and help them get better.

As I said before, ENT never really meshed for me in terms of lining up with continuity of TOS, but I could forgive that, since the Romulan War could have impacted the Federation far more than was realized. But, the rest just doesn't work for me.

But, ENT's existence made for a fun joke in Star Trek 09

 

[Nerys Myk]

I think having problems with continuity issues in a prequel is a valid concern. If this was Star Trek in the 25th century we would not be having this discussion

No more than any other show. And yes, a 25th Century show would generate continuity concerns.

I'm not interested in a show of callbacks either which is why I stated earlier in the thread that Enterprise is a show no one asked for or wanted. But since it was a prequel it did a piss poor job in my honest opinion. If it hadn't been a prequel it was still stuffed full of bland characters and derivative storylines.

Oh I'm sure there were many people interested in a prequel. Heck I even wrote an outline for one in the waning days of Voyager. Fanfic and even Profic is full of preTOS stories. So there is a demand. Which might be why some folks didn't like Enterprise. It didn't follow the fanon in their head

The thread asks the question "what is the worst continuity error in Star Trek history?".

My answer is Enterprise, a prequel full of continuity errors.

Nah. The only one that ever held up to scrutiny was the cloaking device in "Minefield". A better record than the other shows.

 

[Terok Nor]

I think the characters are my bigger grievance with ENT. Continuity errors are apart of any show's development, and rarely are they an issue. VOY was fraught with them but they were minor irritations more than anything else.

ENT's characters, for me, are the weakest point. I don't feel connected with any of them, and some feel deliberately irritating and arrogant, and rarely competent. That isn't really entertaining to watch so much as it is me going to want to psychoanalyze the crew and help them get better.

As I said before, ENT never really meshed for me in terms of lining up with continuity of TOS, but I could forgive that, since the Romulan War could have impacted the Federation far more than was realized. But, the rest just doesn't work for me.

But, ENT's existence made for a fun joke in Star Trek 09

This is my thinking too. Voyager was full of continuity errors but engaging enough on occasion to overlook them. The same can't be said of Enterprise because the characters were appalling. Voyager didn't have a particularly great cast either but the good ones were interesting like Seven, Janeway and The Doctor. They could carry even the most boring, generic and implausible episodes. No one on Enterprise apart from maybe Trip could do that.

It's not just the fact Enterprise doesn't fit in. It's the fact it's a bad show.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Different strokes. I find the characters in Voyager to be the worst group in Trek. And Voyager is at the bottom of list when I rank the shows. It's the only Trek show I stopped watching.

 

[HIjol]

29 pages late to the Party, but one thing I wondered about in TNG, "The First Duty" was, what "mistake" Picard made that he and Boothby were referring to. Maybe not an earthshattering continuity error, but I was and am a big Boothby/Ray Walston fan, and I have never been able to find anything out about it...

 

[Terok Nor]

I think having problems with continuity issues in a prequel is a valid concern. If this was Star Trek in the 25th century we would not be having this discussion

No more than any other show. And yes, a 25th Century show would generate continuity concerns.

Just because the other shows had minor mistakes it doesn't mean it's okay for a prequel series set before those shows to impose major continuity errors. It's like saying "he stole an apple so it's okay for me to steal an orchard". Being a prequel it had a duty to stick to the facts. No Enterprise NX-01 played any part in the on screen history of Trek until 2001 and no amount of retconning and backwards bending is going to change that.

Nothing after the explosion of Romulus and Spock's disappearance is written in stone as far as the Prime Universe goes. In 2001 Trek began with TOS and ended with Voyager's finale. The future of the franchise had not been written yet and still hasn't been apart from the Abrams movies set in a different universe.

I'm not interested in a show of callbacks either which is why I stated earlier in the thread that Enterprise is a show no one asked for or wanted. But since it was a prequel it did a piss poor job in my honest opinion. If it hadn't been a prequel it was still stuffed full of bland characters and derivative storylines.

Oh I'm sure there were many people interested in a prequel. Heck I even wrote an outline for one in the waning days of Voyager. Fanfic and even Profic is full of preTOS stories. So there is a demand. Which might be why some folks didn't like Enterprise. It didn't follow the fanon in their head

I had no fanon in my head. I stick to what's on screen as long as it fits in with everything from all the shows. Enterprise doesn't really manage to do that enogh fo my liking.

The thread asks the question "what is the worst continuity error in Star Trek history?".

My answer is Enterprise, a prequel full of continuity errors.

Nah. The only one that ever held up to scrutiny was the cloaking device in "Minefield". A better record than the other shows.

Riker and Troi casually using the holodeck during "The Pegasus" as if Riker's entire career isn't about to be ripped away from him. Their demeanours in this episode are completely wrong as is the timeframe available to them to take part in this silly escapade.

Phlox finding a cure for Borg assimilation. The Borg showing up on the NX-01. Not one person thought to "google" that incident in the 24th century? Janeway can look up an unimportant captain's log from 100 years earlier but Picard can't look up this very Borg-like incident from before Q Who?

Trip failed to mention the aliens he encountered had enormous ears and were obsessed with profit? Hmmm. Who does that sound like?

The Defiant, complete with state of the art 23rd century machinery, arrives in the 22nd century of the Mirror Univese. Over 100 years later technology has not progressed at all by the time of Mirror Mirror?

These are just some examples of huge clangers this series dropped. I'm sure there are many more but I'm not familiar enough with the series to list them.

 

[Nerys Myk]

29 pages late to the Party, but one thing I wondered about in TNG, "The First Duty" was, what "mistake" Picard made that he and Boothby were referring to. Maybe not an earthshattering continuity error, but I was and am a big Boothby/Ray Walston fan, and I have never been able to find anything out about it...

Not really an error, as much as something never followed up on. Trek is full of those.

 

[Terok Nor]

29 pages late to the Party, but one thing I wondered about in TNG, "The First Duty" was, what "mistake" Picard made that he and Boothby were referring to. Maybe not an earthshattering continuity error, but I was and am a big Boothby/Ray Walston fan, and I have never been able to find anything out about it...

Badly judged one night stand together?