# Star Trek: Enterprise fans- Neat article on AICN about it

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 23, 2013, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949 "2013-08-23T09:30:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/21 "2013-08-26T22:35:43Z")

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> [@Frylock](#):
>
> Wait.
> 
> Are you guys saying the finale indicates that everything we watched was a fictionalized account, rather than the actual events?

Not directly, but … ok, I guess I’ll box it: Riker and Troi were watching a holodeck re-creation of what the Archer-Enterprise crew was doing in the finale, and there was some line about how the records were fragmented and the recreation wasn’t perfect. I don’t think they came out and said the whole series was on Riker’s Tivo, but the implication was there: if there’s anything that didn’t work for you in the series, you can chalk it up to the Enterprise-D’s computer filling in the gaps in the historical record.

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**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/22 "2013-09-01T18:53:01Z")

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> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#):
>
> Ye gods, do we really need to have LGBT characters shoved down our throats at every opportunity.

Teehee.

I think people are confused that there aren’t any gay characters. Not that there should be one in every episode, or every ship, or that there needs to be a gay captain. But it seems odd that there aren’t any gays anywhere. There’s Russians and Vulcans and sexy robots and people that aren’t even solid physical beings. But no gays.

But it’s a side effect of the post-scarcity non-monetary economy.  
Remember that nobody in Star Fleet gets paid. They dress up in costumes and go trekking around the stars because they like it. It’s sort of like extended cosplay, if you will. So naturally, ship crews are selected for social reasons as well as technical competence.

So all the prancing nancyboys are serving together on the _USS Queen Mary_. Those who prefer to serve on a crew with a more disciplined style may be on the _Marquis de Sade_. Service on the _Ginsburg_ has a a certain style as well. None of these series have been shown on network television so far, but any of them may be some day.

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**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/23 "2013-09-01T20:04:16Z")

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I just can’t get out of my head the fact that, technically, Enterprise is the only one of the TV series that’s canon in the new movies’ universe. (In all of the other series, Spock’s mother - and planet Vulcan, for that matter - still exist.)

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**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/24 "2013-09-01T20:13:31Z")

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> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> I think people are confused that there aren’t any gay characters. Not that there should be one in every episode, or every ship, or that there needs to be a gay captain. But it seems odd that there aren’t any gays anywhere. There’s Russians and Vulcans and sexy robots and people that aren’t even solid physical beings. But no gays.

I never particular wanted to know which character want to bang which other characters on my television… not that it ever stopped Star Trek from discussing it endlessly, to no particular point.

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/25 "2013-09-01T21:15:19Z")

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> [@smiling\_bandit](#):
>
> I never particular wanted to know which character want to bang which other characters on my television… not that it ever stopped Star Trek from discussing it endlessly, to no particular point.

You don’t watch television shows with romantic subplots?

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/26 "2013-09-02T06:12:50Z")

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> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> So all the prancing nancyboys are serving together on the _USS Queen Mary_. Those who prefer to serve on a crew with a more disciplined style may be on the _Marquis de Sade_. Service on the _Ginsburg_ has a a certain style as well. None of these series have been shown on network television so far, but any of them may be some day.

Kink-y! 🆒

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**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/27 "2013-09-02T07:10:25Z")

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> [@terentii](#):
>
> Kink-y! 🆒

I read that in Hedy Lamarr’s voice.

. . . wait for it. . .

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**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/28 "2013-09-02T10:04:49Z")

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That’s _Hedley_.

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**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/29 "2013-09-02T15:31:09Z")

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> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#):
>
> I just can’t get out of my head the fact that, technically, Enterprise is the only one of the TV series that’s canon in the new movies’ universe. (In all of the other series, Spock’s mother - and planet Vulcan, for that matter - still exist.)

Yeah, I kind of like the little nod they gave to this when Scotty says he got sent to that remote ice planet because he screwed up the transport of, _“…one of Admiral Archer’s prize beagles”_.

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**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/30 "2013-09-02T16:00:40Z")

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> [@Hail\_Ants](#):
>
> When the series finale aired I remember Jolene Blalock actually saying she thought making it a TNG episode was insulting. Turns out Scott Bakula was pissed off about too, and Braga (who wrote that finale) considers it his biggest mistake.

That’s something coming from the guy who wrote that thing with the transwarp lizards…

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**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/31 "2013-09-02T16:38:18Z")

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> [@Hail\_Ants](#):
>
> Yeah, I kind of like the little nod they gave to this when Scotty says he got sent to that remote ice planet because he screwed up the transport of, _“…one of Admiral Archer’s prize beagles”_.

Not only that but T’Pol could easily still be alive & kicking; though I doubt Blalock will be making any cameos in the new movies.

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**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/32 "2013-09-02T16:41:43Z")

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> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#):
>
> I just can’t get out of my head the fact that, technically, Enterprise is the only one of the TV series that’s canon in the new movies’ universe. (In all of the other series, Spock’s mother - and planet Vulcan, for that matter - still exist.)

They are all canon in the Greater Trek Multiverse.  
That lets us bring in the kzinti, and Mr Arex. But exclude time traveling space nazis. Win/win.

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/33 "2013-09-02T20:41:34Z")

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_Enterprise_ was very uneven - the ratio of dross to gold was very high. A big disappointment, and esp. in the concluding episode. It was a shame to deprive the _Enterprise_ crew of a dignified sendoff, and to kill Trip, _and_ to keep us from hearing Archer’s big speech. And of course Riker and Troi looked hardly at all as they did in the TNG episode from years before which this episode was so clumsily shoehorned into.

> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> …Remember that nobody in Star Fleet gets paid. They dress up in costumes and go trekking around the stars because they like it. It’s sort of like extended cosplay, if you will. So naturally, ship crews are selected for social reasons as well as technical competence…

Oh, jeez, this again?

As I’ve argued elsewhere before on the Dope, Starfleet has the power of imprisonment (after court-martial conviction) and potential death (when ordered on dangerous missions) over its members, and enforces the law against Federation civilians (just ask Harry Mudd), as well as providing exploratory, diplomatic and military services. It clearly isn’t just a social club or bowling league.

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**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/34 "2013-09-02T21:34:35Z")

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It’s still a hobby rather than a profession. Nobody in Starfleet gets paid for startrekking.

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/35 "2013-09-03T01:11:54Z")

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> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> It’s still a hobby rather than a profession. Nobody in Starfleet gets paid for startrekking.

Sez who? Uhura and Chekov go shopping on Deep Space Station K-7, Dr. Crusher buys a bolt of cloth on Farpoint Station, Riker wins money gambling on DS9, etc. etc. etc. There are many references to the Federation’s cashless economy, but clearly some money changes hands. No reason to think Starfleet personnel aren’t paid.

> **[Federation credit](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Federation_credit)**
>
> The Federation credit was a monetary unit used by the United Federation of Planets. Although it was stated on more than one occasion that the economy of the future was very different, and that money no longer existed on Earth from as early as the...

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**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/36 "2013-09-03T02:00:00Z")

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> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> They are all canon in the Greater Trek Multiverse.  
> That lets us _ **bring in the kzinti** _\*, and Mr Arex. But exclude time traveling space nazis. Win/win.

\*\*\*\*\*emphasis mine

Actually, season four’s show-runner Manny Coto (the man primarily responsible for making season four so good) has stated that if they had gotten a fifth year they were going to introduce the Kzinti. They also would have begun the Earth-Romulan War…

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**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/37 "2013-09-05T21:26:52Z")

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> [@Hail\_Ants](#):
>
> Actually, season four’s show-runner Manny Coto (the man primarily responsible for making season four so good) has stated that if they had gotten a fifth year they were going to introduce the Kzinti.

Could they do that? The Kzinti were a race from Larry Niven’s Known Space novels (as were the Slavers). I would think that Niven holds the copyright on those creations, and any use of them (other than in the one Star Trek animated episode that he wrote) would have to be cleared through him.

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**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/38 "2013-09-05T21:52:24Z")

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> [@Cartoonacy](#):
>
> Could they do that? The Kzinti were a race from Larry Niven’s Known Space novels (as were the Slavers). I would think that Niven holds the copyright on those creations, and any use of them (other than in the one Star Trek animated episode that he wrote) would have to be cleared through him.

Star Trek Online got around this by giving them a different name.

> **[Caitian](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Caitian)**
>
> The Caitians were a spacefaring feline humanoid species and long-standing members of the United Federation of Planets. Hundreds of years before the 24th century, Caitians hunted and ate Betazoids. After this practice was discontinued, the Caitians...

Hmm. Apparently, they are supposed to be a different, if related, species. Never mind.

> **[Kzinti](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Kzinti)**
>
> The Kzinti were a species of aggressive, cat-like humanoids native to the Alpha Quadrant planet Kzin. In the late 21st century, the Kzinti fought four wars against Humankind, and lost all of them. In the course of these conflicts, some Kzinti tasted...

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**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/39 "2013-09-06T04:26:52Z")

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> [@Cartoonacy](#):
>
> Could they do that? The Kzinti were a race from Larry Niven’s Known Space novels (as were the Slavers). I would think that Niven holds the copyright on those creations, and any use of them (other than in the one Star Trek animated episode that he wrote) would have to be cleared through him.

Bit of trivia regarding that animated episode: It is the **ONLY** example of TOS-era Star Trek (TV and movies) that does not contain William Shatner. It is also probably the best of the animated episodes. Not because Kirk wasn’t in it, but because it was a Larry Niven script…

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-enterprise-fans-neat-article-on-aicn-about-it/666949/40 "2013-09-06T19:03:55Z")

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> [@Miller](#):
>
> Who said anything about sex?

Wait, what’s your understanding of having “LGBT characters shoved down our throats”? :o

Yeah, I know it was an imperfect fit. But I do find that there are a lot of people against PDA on TV shows altogether. A chaste kiss or holding hands only.

And it was the first thing I thought of after reading your comment. I guess I shouldn’t have tried to shoehorn that into a reply to your comment, though.

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