Earlier today I was thinking about the variety of reasons why Star Trek Enterprise was such an epic failure and easily the worst Star Trek show ever.1. The theme song. For the first time, they tried to use a pop song as the Star Trek intro/theme song. That does not work for Star Trek. Star Trek themes have always been orchestrated pieces that make you think of adventure and wonder. This theme, while a perfectly fine song, does not work as a Star Trek theme in the least. Right off the bat, this intro is a major turn off for any fan of the show.
2. The uniforms. The "still sort of a space uniform but transitioning into a Star Trek style uniform" thing doesn't work. They all look like they're mechanics at Billy Bob's Towing Service.
3. Focus on the characters' stories. Traditionally, Star Trek has let the viewer get to know many of the crew members quite well. Their backgrounds, their story, how they got in Starfleet, etc. BUT, the previous shows focused on the quality stories of the various species, exploration, battles, etc., and only occasionally done a "character focus" episode, usually seamlessly weaving the characters' stories into the larger plot of the show. In "Enterprise", MANY of the episodes told the "story" of a crew member. This resulted in boring plotlines and also took the "mystery" away from many of the characters.
4. Scott Bakula. The guy looks like a cartoon. Star Trek captains have always had a certain strength. Bakula completely lacks this and comes across as a joke of a captain.
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I always felt the song fit the show, and lets face if the opening theme tune is all you can come up with against the show then you really aren't looking hard enough. It's like saying the adverts really let the show down, it's only a min that you can talk over if you like.
As for the Captian. I really liked him but I couldn't think anything other than Quantum Leap every time I watched it.
Really the problem with Enterprise was that it was a Star Trek show. If they had the same idea but a whole new universe to play in I think they could have had better storys and a much better show since they wouldn't have the cannon of past shows/movies to drag it down.
- Trek definitely deserves instrumental/orchestra theme. That being said, I always loved the intro. credits video shots of the early space program and how it evolved into Enterprise
- Bakula was mimicking every other alpha-male in the Trek universe, and thus he came off as stiff and inauthentic, which just came down to the fact that he's not a good actor and thus an uninspiring captain.
-In regards to it being a Star Trek show, I liked the general premise (much like the premise of the new movie: adventures of the Federation before the original series) but I agree that it was the cannon that held it back from truly breaking ground in the Star Trek universe. They couldn't break new ground in most areas, because Trek's history has the original crew breaking most of the ground, and to mess with continuity would be heresy, and when they tried (i.e. explaining how the Klingons got ridges in their foreheads) it was ridiculous. However I disagree that the show would have worked as a stand-alone sci-fi series. The acting and writing was some of the worst during its first two seasons.
I like the premise of a rag-tag group of explorers setting out on an experimental ship into the cosmos, until you realize that it is the exact same premise as sooooo many sci-fi films.
Hi Alien, thanks for posting!
I agree that the song fit the show. I even agree (with Ben) that it made for a nice intro. But... it wasn't Star Trek. The theme song may seem a small part of the huge problems with the show BUT the intro to a show, especially a Star Trek show, is vital in getting the viewer interested in the show in the first place. If I saw that intro and didn't think it was a Star Trek show, I'd think, "Hmm some SciFi show. But, seeing it and knowing that it IS part of the "Star Trek" franchise... it's a major viewing turn off.
I think your last point, Alien, was really the heart of the whole problem with "Enterprise": it was a Star Trek show that tried to NOT be a Star Trek show, but was still forced to in many ways, leaving it in the wasteland of crappy stilted television.
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