I just came up with an idea for a similar, but slightly different version of TATV that I think could have made the episode somewhat more palatable. It still involves Trip dying, so I apologize to those who are vehemently opposed to Trip ever being killed in any manner.
Anyway, instead of setting it during "The Pegasus," I had the idea to set it shortly after
Nemesis. Following the death of Data, Picard has decided to retire from Starfleet (I know, more heresy!

) and watch over the development of B-4. Since Riker had yet to take command of the USS
Titan, he is instead selected by Starfleet to replace Picard as captain of the
Enterprise. Riker is still deeply affected by Data's death, however, and now questions whether or not he's worthy of following in the footsteps of Picard, Kirk, and the other captains of the
Enterprise. Troi convinces him to view a program on the holodeck that she thinks will help him.
Flash back to 2161. A year removed from the Romulan War, Archer and his crew are on their way to Earth for the decommissioning of
Enterprise and the signing of the Federation Charter. They are ferrying Shran, now an ambassador for the Andorians. En route to Earth,
Enterprise is contacted by Tarah (Suzie Plakson's militant Andorian hardliner from "Cease Fire"), who escaped from prison some time ago and is now a member of an extremist anti-unionist terrorist organization (sort of an Andorian Terra Prime). Tarah tells Shran that her organization has kidnapped his daughter, Talla, and will kill her if Shran doesn't come to Rigel X and turn himself over to answer for "crimes against Andoria."
Even though they all know it's a trap, Archer and crew voice their support for Shran and head for Rigel X to rescue Talla. Trip tries to convince Archer to stay on the ship, but Archer insists on going down to the planet. When they arrive for the exchange, Tarah hands Talla over, but then attacks the rescuers when Archer reveals himself, as she blames him for Andoria's collusion with the Vulcans as much as she does Shran. The rescue team fights their way back to the ship and resume course for Earth.
Back on
Enterprise, Archer and Trip are discussing the upcoming ceremony and toast to the new Federation when the ship comes under attack. As they rush to the bridge, Tarah and two other terrorists beam aboard, blocking their path. Tarah orders Archer to bring them to Shran, Archer refuses, and Trip attacks one of Tarah's henchmen. A fight ensues, and Archer and Trip manage to take down the henchmen before Tarah gains the upper hand on them. Just as Tarah is about to shoot Archer, Trip jumps in front of him and takes the shot himself. Before she can get another shot off, Tarah is stunned by Reed, who has just arrived with some MACOs. They rush Trip down to sickbay, but because Andorian weapons have no stun setting, Trip is grievously wounded and the outlook is grim. As Phlox preps Trip for surgery, Trip leaves Archer with a few words of encouragement.
Later, Archer and T'Pol discuss Trip and his impact on their lives.
Enterprise is nearing Earth, and it's almost time for them to say goodbye. Riker has played pretty much the same role throughout this program as he did in the actual episode, and has one final discussion with Trip while posing as the ship's chef. Riker and Trip discuss the relationship between a captain and his duty to both his ship and his crew, and Trip tells Riker that there comes a time in every captain's career when he'll suffer a great loss, and that he can't let his fear of the unknown hold him back.
On Earth, Hoshi, Reed, and Travis, subdued but optimistic, await Archer's speech and discuss their own futures. Archer prepares to give his speech, and after Phlox departs to join his wives, Archer tells T'Pol that he will retire from Starfleet after
Enterprise's decommissioning, having grown weary of war and watching friends and loved ones die (a reference to the missing Erika Hernandez would fit nicely here). T'Pol understands his decision, but leaves Archer with a few words to reassure him that Trip will always be with them. Just before he heads out, Archer turns back and hugs T'Pol.
Archer delivers his historic speech, and as the audience applauds, Riker ends the program and goes to speak with Picard, who is packing his things in his ready room. Picard informs Riker that he has also grown weary of all the war and death that he's seen, having lost so many, including his brother, his nephew, Tasha Yar, and now Data. Riker mentions that he's not sure if he really has what it takes to command the
Enterprise. Picard merely smiles and tells Riker that every captain has questioned his own worthiness at one time or another. He says that it's not a lack of fear that makes a captain, it's what that captain does with his fear, and tells Riker that he's more than ready to take over.
As they exit the ready room and step onto the bridge, Riker thanks Picard for everything he's done for him, and Picard tells Riker that he'll do the
Enterprise proud. For the last time, he tells Riker, "You have the bridge, Number One," before stepping onto the turbolift and leaving Riker alone on what is now his bridge.
The episode then ends much the same way, except starting with the
Enterprise-E and Riker beginning the famous speech.
Riker: (over the 1701-E) "Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship
Enterprise..."
Picard: (over the 1701-D) "...its continuing mission: to explore strange, new worlds..."
Kirk: (over the 1701) "...to seek out new life and new civilizations..."
Archer: (over the NX-01) "...to boldly go where no man has gone before."
So, yeah, that's it. Cheesy? Probably. But it's crazy-late where I am and I wrote this up on a sleep-deprived brain. Feel free to hate it as much as you want.
