Why was the 4th season so much better than the rest?

[eyeresist]

I know many fans were down on ST:ENT on season 1 - 2, and many didn't like the long Xindi arc of season 3. My take on that was seasons 1 - 2 had some weak episodes here and there - however the same can be said of TOS, TNG, Voy, DS9.
...
I've given some thought as to why this series is so special to me and have decided it's at least partly because of the time it was produced. I had just purchased my first house and moved in with my wife of 9 years (at the time). In a nearly empty living room with only a TV and a card table (we were waiting for furniture to arrive) we watched Broken Bow. The theme song spoke to us and we identified with it.

That is a lovely story which almost makes me like the theme song!

Re the low reputation of the first two seasons, and what IrishNero was saying about the Xindi arc, I've found my rewatch of the series very interesting for the way I reassessed some episodes. For one thing, I think we tend to evaluate things according to our mood at the time, so if we're tired or irritable an episode can seem worse. OTOH I find that if I've just watched a great episode, the next episode gets a little boost from that.

One thing about season 4 that surprised me was that Bound is a better episode on rewatch. When I first saw it I disliked what I saw as a very sleazy atmosphere, capturing the worst of TOS in that sense. But when I watched it again, and was aware of what was really happening in the first part of the episode, I enjoyed it more and found it more interesting.
Has anyone else had that reaction?

 

[Long Syntax]

One thing about season 4 that surprised me was that Bound is a better episode on rewatch. When I first saw it I disliked what I saw as a very sleazy atmosphere, capturing the worst of TOS in that sense. But when I watched it again, and was aware of what was really happening in the first part of the episode, I enjoyed it more and found it more interesting.
Has anyone else had that reaction?

I understand the change in opinion of an episode after re-watching it -- I think it's a shared phenomenon ;-). However I found a lot of value in Bound as it explained an obscured point from TOS, namely that the women in Orion society were the ones with the ultimate power and their brutish masters were in reality the slaves. Having just said that, I see it's not that different than some aspects of our own society - lol.

 

[IrishNero]

...namely that the women in Orion society were the ones with the ultimate power and their brutish masters were in reality the slaves. Having just said that, I see it's not that different than some aspects of our own society - lol.

 

[gblews]

IMO, arcs of that length prevent people from tuning in because they feel they've missed something. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea.......in retrospect.

Season 3 was the only season of Ent in which the season finale had more viewers that the season opener. So, it probably was a pretty good idea.

 

[E-DUB]

They wanted enough episodes for a syndication package but really didn't care about the quality. However, they gave the show to someone who did care about the quality and in that atmosphere of "benign neglect" he was able to greatly improve it over where it had been.

I'm of "mixed emotions" about the Xindi arc. I found it exploitative of recent events but felt it brought a much needed focus to the show.

 

[Willow]

IMO, arcs of that length prevent people from tuning in because they feel they've missed something. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea.......in retrospect.

Season 3 was the only season of Ent in which the season finale had more viewers that the season opener. So, it probably was a pretty good idea.

I actually liked S3- the first time thru as well as several rewatches .The season finale is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes....except for the last 5 minutes . (Space Nazis )

 

[mswood]

The Vulcan arc was received well by the fans because it was well written and produced, which was a theme throughout the 4th season.

I know many fans were down on ST:ENT on season 1 - 2, and many didn't like the long Xindi arc of season 3. My take on that was seasons 1 - 2 had some weak episodes here and there - however the same can be said of TOS, TNG, Voy, DS9. Each of those series had some real stinkers (come on, re-watch them - you know there are). But taken as a whole the stories still fit to provide color and background in many cases, so for that reason I still like watching them. Season 3 of ENT... well it seems you either love it or hate it - I for one am in the former camp and enjoyed it (well minus the cliff hanger with alien Nazi's which could be argued as part of season 4).

ST:ENT was and continues to be my favorite of the series, although I know I'm in the minority opinion with respect to the membership of trekbbs (present company excluded I'm sure). I've given some thought as to why this series is so special to me and have decided it's at least partly because of the time it was produced. I had just purchased my first house and moved in with my wife of 9 years (at the time). In a nearly empty living room with only a TV and a card table (we were waiting for furniture to arrive) we watched Broken Bow. The theme song spoke to us and we identified with it. My wife was never a Star Trek fan, but to this day she loves that song - as do I, and maybe for all these reasons and more I love ST:ENT.

(Ok, shoot me for the theme song ;-))

Season one of Enterprise is easily stronger material then seasons 1 of TNG and DS9, and Voyager if you included the four episodes that were shot for season one but held over for season two by UPN.

And season two I actually prefer over TNG and Voyager's second season. but Enterprise is hurt by having it's weakest episodes so earlier in the season. If i could erase the bulk of episodes between Dead Stop and Catwalk, I would easily rank this season higher then season 4.

In fact season four really didn't produce a lot that really was necessary for the show or characters.

Home, the vulcan arc, the Andorian/ Tellerite arc, and the Terra prime arc are the only stories that really added anything of real substance to the over reaching story needs of enterprise or it's characters.

And even those have some serious weaknesses to them. With the Vulcan Arc the overly emotional acting for the Head Vulcan ruined ever scene he was a key feature in, and seriously hurt the full arc. I find it hard to believe that the producers wouldn't have called the set to dial down his performance once they saw the first dailies.

I really liked the idea of the Andorran/ Tellerite conflict and humanity being a bridge between them, just as Braga and Berman had used humanity to bridge a relationship between Vulcan's and Andorians, over seasons one and two. Less thrilled with how they managed such a powerful small craft for the Romulans.

And with Terra Prime I really don't buy into the performance of Peter Weller, who can act. He lacks any charisma of a someone who could lead an organization. At least one for humans, he would have been emotional wise a much better actor for the vulcan leader, while fox would have worked better here.

But that leaves a lot of episodes (regardless on if I enjoyed them, that felt appropriate to the show and its situation.

I mean I can't believe more viewers aren't upset about the two part mirror universe episode (which i thought was well done), but it added nothing to the show or its characters. All other uses of the mirror universe show our characters learning something about themselves, not so much here, well not at all here. Knowing the show was done at this point, I would have rather had material that actually impacted our characters instead of a meaningless romp to let the actors have some fun.

 

[TRON JA307020]

A lot of the premises of TOS are good ones, but the special effects aren't so good (budget and technology, understood), the acting is often over the top, and a lot of the details are maddeningly inconsistent.

As we get further and further from the 60s, people lose sight of the context of TV and film productions of that time, and they just write TOS off as "cheesy" and "cheap."

The TOS special effects may look primitive to us today, being accustomed to hyper-realism half a century later, but TOS was by no means a cheap, low-budget show.

TOS was actually one of the most, if not THE most, expensive network television shows of its day due to the constant need for visual effects, not to mention sets and costuming. The average cost per episode was $185,000, which is about $1.3 million in today's money. The pilot episode "The Cage" alone cost $615,751 to produce. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $4.6 million.

And for a television production of that time, the visuals were groundbreaking. Seriously, try to think of another show of the mid to late 60s that matches the quantity and quality of TOS visuals. Most shows on television at that time needed maybe one visual effect once per season, but TOS had to have four special effects companies on rotation due to the constant need for effects shots.

Also, acting at that time was expected to be more grand, theatrical, and bombastic. Ever seen anything with Charleton Heston in it? This is a long tradition inherited from stage productions.

Kor

Agreed Kor. Episodes like the Cage, City on The Edge of Forever, Doomsday Machine, the Corbomite Maneuver were just as good or better than anything out there today. The effects were good as well as the stories. I would rather watch the episodes I mention then NuTrek any day. They don't have what you called hyperactive effects but the dtory and drama more than make up for that.

 

[eyeresist]

Enterprise is hurt by having it's weakest episodes so earlier in the season. If i could erase the bulk of episodes between Dead Stop and Catwalk, I would easily rank this season higher then season 4.

Singularity is a lot of fun. The Communicator ... opinions are mixed.

And with Terra Prime I really don't buy into the performance of Peter Weller, who can act. He lacks any charisma of a someone who could lead an organization.

I thought he had a ton of charisma. However, there wasn't much sense of him leading an organisation, as he spent all his time monologuing in his office.

I can't believe more viewers aren't upset about the two part mirror universe episode (which i thought was well done), but it added nothing to the show or its characters. ... Knowing the show was done at this point, I would have rather had material that actually impacted our characters instead of a meaningless romp to let the actors have some fun.

I see what you mean, but I enjoyed it, as I think did anyone who is interested in the MU.

IMO, arcs of that length prevent people from tuning in because they feel they've missed something. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea.......in retrospect.

Season 3 was the only season of Ent in which the season finale had more viewers that the season opener. So, it probably was a pretty good idea.

Shame they blew their lead with SPACE NAZIS.

 

[F. King Daniel]

But I liked the Space Nazis

 

[Ithekro]

At least this time it was alien on Earth in World War II dressed as a Nazi working with Nazi rather than some other planet and time. In context he fit right in to his situation.

 

[Kor]

^ Plus, the acclaimed series "Ancient Astronauts" discussed the use of extraterrestrial technology by the Nazi regime.

It's on the History Channel, so it must be true. And this ties right into that theory.

(Just kidding, obviously)

Kor

 

[IrishNero]

Shame they blew their lead with SPACE NAZIS.

 

[IrishNero]

But I liked the Space Nazis

Actually, given the situation, I probably would have sided with the Space Nazi. He seemed nice in comparison to Silik.

EDIT: Sorry. didn't meant to post twice in a row in the same thread.

 

[mswood]

A lot of the premises of TOS are good ones, but the special effects aren't so good (budget and technology, understood), the acting is often over the top, and a lot of the details are maddeningly inconsistent.

As we get further and further from the 60s, people lose sight of the context of TV and film productions of that time, and they just write TOS off as "cheesy" and "cheap."

The TOS special effects may look primitive to us today, being accustomed to hyper-realism half a century later, but TOS was by no means a cheap, low-budget show.

TOS was actually one of the most, if not THE most, expensive network television shows of its day due to the constant need for visual effects, not to mention sets and costuming. The average cost per episode was $185,000, which is about $1.3 million in today's money. The pilot episode "The Cage" alone cost $615,751 to produce. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $4.6 million.

And for a television production of that time, the visuals were groundbreaking. Seriously, try to think of another show of the mid to late 60s that matches the quantity and quality of TOS visuals. Most shows on television at that time needed maybe one visual effect once per season, but TOS had to have four special effects companies on rotation due to the constant need for effects shots.

Also, acting at that time was expected to be more grand, theatrical, and bombastic. Ever seen anything with Charleton Heston in it? This is a long tradition inherited from stage productions.

Kor

Agreed Kor. Episodes like the Cage, City on The Edge of Forever, Doomsday Machine, the Corbomite Maneuver were just as good or better than anything out there today. The effects were good as well as the stories. I would rather watch the episodes I mention then NuTrek any day. They don't have what you called hyperactive effects but the dtory and drama more than make up for that.

Hardly a fair comparison. in my opinion almost every season, let alone the various series have all had episodes stronger then the best that any of the film's have put out. Certainly first season ToS had fairly high production standards for it's time, but you can easily see the year to year decline, and you could when it aired as well.

For myself, nu-trek reminds me more of being a very young kid watching TOS, more then any other film. And even with it's faults, I like more then most of TOS and TNG film series. But for me, Trek is a beast that works best on tv. And I really miss that.

 

[eyeresist]

But I liked the Space Nazis

Actually, I quite enjoyed Storm Front, but as an end to the Xindi arc it was a real WTF moment.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Space Nazis are wonderfully camp!

I love every Trek iteration of Space Nazis and ENT really threw themselves into it. Check it out, full throttle:

If anything Trek needed more Space Nazis!

Look at this lascivious Space Nazi groping at Archer. What a rascally fellow. Why is his head so big.

 

[K'Toska]

I actually liked S3- the first time thru as well as several rewatches .The season finale is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes....except for the last 5 minutes . (Space Nazis )

I initially read that as, "The series finale is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes" and was like, "WHAT THE HECK, WILLOW, I THOUGHT WE DISCUSSED HATING IT TOGETHER!"

Also... please tell me I'm not the only one who gobbles up anything related to "space Nazis" and the cheesy glory of all Nazi-related movies on Netflix other than the non-fiction ones, of course.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I have been defending Space Nazis against the Space Nazi party poopers for years.

Patterns of Force imprinted me early.

 

[Willow]

I actually liked S3- the first time thru as well as several rewatches .The season finale is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes....except for the last 5 minutes . (Space Nazis )

I initially read that as, "The series finale is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes" and was like, "WHAT THE HECK, WILLOW, I THOUGHT WE DISCUSSED HATING IT TOGETHER!"

Also... please tell me I'm not the only one who gobbles up anything related to "space Nazis" and the cheesy glory of all Nazi-related movies on Netflix other than the non-fiction ones, of course.

Oh, gosh, JadziaDax! I could see how that can be confusing ! Zero Hour was one of my favorite episodes. Then they ended it with SPACE NAZIS! And I was like, WTH? , with my jaw on the ground!
But, on rewatches of Storm Front (for that thread) I actually enjoy it for what it is. And it did bring an end to that silly Temporal Cold War storyline that never went anywhere.

I enjoyed all the guest characters in that episode, from Alicia and the gangsters, to Christopher Neame is the Nazi general (I enjoy him whenever I see him as the villain)