With several years of perspective, “Star Trek: Enterprise” producer and writer, Brannon Braga admits that while he had good intentions for the “Enterprise” series finale, the final product didn’t “turn out as well as I hoped.”
The episode, intended by Braga and producer Rick Berman, to be a “love letter” to the fans, was heavily criticized by “Trek” fans. The finale, “These Are the Voyages…” is so derided in the fan community that even Pocket Books had come up with a ret-con for the current “Enterprise” range of novels that continue after the series left the air.
“I think that final, final episode, I may be understating it when I’m saying it didn’t turn out as well as I hoped,” Braga told iFMagaine. “I think the intentions behind it sent a valentine to all the “Star Trek” shows and a very genuine heartfelt one, because we knew “Star Trek” would be off television for a long, long time, but it was kind of a lackluster story.”
Looking back, Braga says he’s not sure exactly what the proper way to end “Enterprise” would have been.
“At the time I thought it was very cool, it was only when it came out, I realized, “this isn’t quite working.” That happens. I don’t know what I would have done honestly,” he said.
Had the series continued on, it would have done so without Braga. He had already signed on to work on CBS’s “Threshold,” and intended to leave the producting duties to fourth-season show runner, Manny Coto. That never happened due to UPN’s decision to put the series and franchise in mothballs.
Now, years later the two are working together again as producers on the seventh season of “24.”
As for the upcoming “Trek” movie, Braga says that he feels the time is right for the franchise to make a comeback, even if it feels a little strange for him not to be invovled in it.
“My analogy with ‘Star Trek’ is I divorced my wife, I love her dearly, she’s with a great guy, and I’m so happy for her,” he said. “At the same time, in the back of mind, someone else is with my wife. That’s how I feel. I can’t help but feel emotionally attached to ‘Star Trek’. But predominantly my feeling is it’s in great hands with J.J. Abrams and I can’t wait to see the movie.
Quite an understatement, Brannon. I attended your Q&A at Kent State and what I took away from your discussion about Enterprise was that you were too busy getting up to speed on Threshold. You neglected Enterprise in favor of your new show, plain and simple, so it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out how it went wrong.
Enterprise could have been SO much more; there were so many story lines and Trek history to explore without having to resort to time-travel, Ferengi, etc. Brannon, you squandered a great opportunity…
When I heard that Braga was going to be personally involved with the finale episode I chose not to watch it. As a result I have nothing but good memories of its final season. Your article confirms I made the right decision.
Braga ran the whole franchise into the ground. Hopefully Abrams can dust it off and do it justice.
Not as well as he hoped? So, was he going for a BIGGER slap in the face to the fans?
Killing off a beloved character, never showing us Archer’s speach, doing it all as a holodeck visual for Riker and Troi…
How is that a love letter? It was a middle finger to the fans. He’s only now realizing this? Glad he’s gone.
The entire show could have been a lot better if they had focused on when the Enterprise we all know and love (NCC-1701) was first launched with Robert April as her first captain. It would have been nice to see the history of Trek we know fleshed out a little bit more and maybe see a little bit of Commander George Kirk and Lieutenant Francis Drake Reed in action as well.
“The entire show could have been a lot better if they had focused on when the Enterprise we all know and love (NCC-1701) was first launched.”
Isn’t that the movie?
Can we say “Understatement”?