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Silent Bob Rant – Why Enterprise can’t be saved.
By Bob Hubbard

A Silent Bob Rant – Why Enterprise can’t be saved.

Before I start this I want to make a statement. I think it is great that the small group of fans who enjoy Enterprise want to save it. The fact that they can pull together and do what they have done so far (The Full Page Ad, the raising of funds, the networking, etc) is in my opinion, nothing short of miraculous. I tip my hat to them and their dedication.

Now the rant.

A group of well meaning but sadly naive fans of the canceled show “Enterprise” are attempting to convince the “Powers that Be” to give the show a 5th season by paying for it themselves.

This attempt is doomed.

Reason 1 – The show is simply not “Trek”.
In the 60’s fans of the original show staged a campaign to rescue it from cancellation at the end of the second season. That worked. The following year however, it did not. Star Trek was canceled after 3 seasons. The spin off animated series is considered an embarrassment by many fans and is not listed as “Official” by most standards. The Original Series (TOS) set a standard which was picked up by it’s children, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. Each of these children expanded the history and vision of the original. When Enterprise was announced it was seen by the fans as a chance to see the history which forged the legacy. This was not to be. The first series to debut without the familiar “Star Trek:” prefix, it was soon apparent just how “alternate universe” it was.

First contacts, whole relationships, and even the time line itself was altered to fit the laziness of the writers, who could care less about writing quality Trek, and more about so-called “get new fans” type crap. When the lack of consistency with established Trek History is mentioned, we are hit with “Fanon” and “Canon” arguments. I’m sorry, but that is simply bull.

Paramount has bullied “Fanon” resources from the market over the last decade. Fan sites are regularly hit with “Take-Down” notices. Their goal is to be the only licensed source of Trek. Therefore, if they are the only source, then it IS Canon. The Star Trek Encyclopedia, published by Pocket Books, and assembled by Michael Okuda, Denise Okuda and Debbie Mirek is the Official Source for Trek information. Why? Because. Because it was written by 3 individuals who have been heavily involved in writing the episodes and working with the production of the series and films. It is published by the Official Publisher of all things Trek. And, most importantly, it had the Paramount seal on it, indicating it’s Official Product nature.

Enterprise over the course of it’s first 3 years regularly ignored that guide. Sadly, by the time it brought in a team that knew and loved the rich Trek universe, it was too late. Ratings had dropped, advertisers were increasingly hard to satisfy, and the series had been moved to the Friday Night Death Slot.

Reason 2 – The Studio Doesn’t Care what the Fans want.
It is great that the fans want to fund the series. But, if the funds are raised, what guarantee is there that the shows that are produced are of any quality? What is in it for the studios? Will the storylines continue to improve? Will it be placed in a timeslot that will allow the fans to view it?

Reason 3 – The Fans Don’t Understand How This Really Works.
Say the money is raised. Now what?
- The actors have all been released. New contracts will have to be negotiated. Several of them have new projects lined up. They may want more money. Yes folks, more. Unlike the rabid fans, these actors are doing this for a living. It’s just a job to them. They will want to be well compensated for their work.
- Sets may have to be rebuilt, props recreated, etc. When a series is canceled, often times the sets, clothes, props, etc are destroyed. It may be too late to save some of them already.
- What is in it for the studio to broadcast it? They still need to promote it, market it, find advertisers willing to spend money on it, and find a spot in their broadcast schedule to fit it in. Regardless of what it costs them to get it, if they can’t make money, and a lot of it at that, on it, it is simply not in their best interests to bother with it.

Enterprise is a series that debuted with a great deal of potential, but sadly through the greed and poor management of the parent and the producers failed. It failed to meet it’s potential, it failed to meet it’s marketing goals, it failed to meet it’s rating requirements and more importantly, it failed to meet it’s legacy as the latest member of the Star Trek Universe, having turned it’s back on that legacy for the first 3/4th of it’s existence. It is better to let it go out in a blaze of glory, rather than suffer through a mediocre “just going through the motions” slow and painful death of an unappreciated and unpromoted (by the network) 5th season.

Star Trek deserves better.

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Bob Hubbard also known on various on-line forums as "Silent" Bob, and just "Kaith", is a long time sci-fi fan. Currently head of the I.K.V. Devisior, an independant science fiction, anime and fantasy fan club, he has held positions with numerous other groups. He has organized activities at Media Play and Barnes & Nobel, worked con security, participated in club challenges for charities, and participated in masquerades, art shows and model shows at several Toronto conventions.
You can reach Bob at his website, http://rustaz.com