A New Dawn for a Pioneering 'Enterprise'

Now, I know that a lot of you have not seen the latest STAR TREK series, and you don't want to know anything about it either. Well, that's fine and dandy. I'm not going to give away any plot details or talk in depth about the characters, or who is going to be doing what. If you want that information, you can go find it out there on the net. This is simply my viewpoint...

STAR TREK -- those two words conjure up so many images in our minds and a myriad of feelings. To me, STAR TREK represents what could be, and what will be in the future. It represents the best of human nature, and how good we can be. Since it's debut in 1966, the franchise has grown by leaps and bounds, boldly going where no market has gone before.

From 'The Next Generation' to 'Voyager' we have been presented with a huge amount of data on the future. In the original 'Star Trek' they never bothered to make a huge timeline and get everything in synch. It was a simple TV show back then; the producers and staff just wantED to make enough money to put food on their tables.

But now, in 2001, we have been presented with a radically different, turn-around series that takes place a whole hundred years before Kirk and Spock.

Starring Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, this bold new series opens at the dawn of human space exploration. The Vulcans seem to want to keep humans down and away from space as they think we're too immature and aggressive.

I saw the first episode on September 26th and I was amazed! I loved the show; I thought the subtleties of the dialogue, the character development, the overall look, and the feel of the show were great. The way the writers began human space exploration, the whole tepidness and resolve of our people as one was, to me, very refreshing, and I for one think the show will be garnering great reviews for a long time to come.

However, I have heard people complain and nitpick about things. Granted, I was a little put off by the Klingons being all "ridged-up" and looking more modern, but then I got to thinking -- How the heck can we expect them to go back to basics and make these guys look more like Spanish Conquerors?! Most people these days who watch STAR TREK grew up with 'The Next Generation,' and as such they don't remember the weird-looking Klingons. For them to go back to basics and have these guys wearing dirt on their faces with the ruffled up hair and the bubble-packaging sashes across their shoulder is about as ludicrous as saying the show should go back to using cardboard phase pistols and entire sets made of simple plywood.

Some of the more hard-lined fans these days don't appreciate the work it takes to make STAR TREK a reality. All they see is a timeline gone wrong or a species name that isn't right. They see all these little mistakes from a STAR TREK point of view, and not necessarily from a TV show point of view.

Certainly, 'Enterprise' has made its mistakes so far. For one thing, I know that according to the timeline previously established, the Federation made First Contact with the Klingons in the early 23rd Century, and not anywhere in the 22nd Century. I also know that phasers weren't invented until just a few years before Kirk was born, and that transporters were an entirely different matter, no pun intended.

But, take a look at it from the show standpoint. You have humans, who have started to make technological advancements, and moral advancements, now wanting to journey out into space to discover new worlds. They're eager, but uncertain; timid, but determined. If they come upon a ship full of murdered aliens, what are they going to do?

From my viewing area on my couch I clapped at the first episode, and even more so with the second. I see a fledgling series that has the same opportunity as 'The Next Generation', but has such a unique vantage point that it's entirely different. So far the acting has been impeccable, and the stories quite intelligent and reserved.

When I first heard that the producers were not going to place 'Star Trek' before 'Enterprise' I was quite angry, and even more unnerved. I figured that the entire fan base would revolt and we'd see Berman's head on a stick before too long, but now I understand why they did it. 'Enterprise' isn't following in the tradition of 'Voyager', it really is going where no man has gone before. They aren't negotiating treaties with Klingons, they're out there trying to figure out what a Klingon is, and they actually like it!

'Enterprise' is a new show, a different show, and a better show. By the time 'Voyager' ended, I certainly think that we were all tired of the 24th Century. If they would have done another show taking place right after 'Voyager', I certainly think the series would have died completely, and we would never see another show. Personally, I'm not ready for that. I grew up with 'The Next Generation', and I certainly want to stick around and see what all the new generations come up with. I think each STAR TREK fan, certainly those fans of 'The Next Generation', owe a debt of gratitude to Rick Berman. I think we all forget that he actually headed 'The Next Generation' through five seasons.

I find it amusing to see fans saying, "I'm so sick and tired of these stupid episodes where they develop this character and do this stupid thing. I want something different; something new and fresh!" Then, when they see 'Enterprise' it's as if an entire hour has gone by before they say, "Gimme the old stuff! It was better!" We're stuck now. I like this show, and I want to see it through.

Before you judge 'Enterprise' as a STAR TREK show, judge it as a show; a regular television show. It's like going in a swimming pool. Your feet are cold at first, but then you can wade on in, and it feels quite nice.

Remember folks, that STAR TREK will never end. Series may come, and series may go, but the heart, the feeling, the passion of the shows will beat forever in our hearts. I just can't wait to see what's next!

Links

• A Convention Diary, Part I
• A New D