Time has not fully healed all sentiments for Scott Bakula regarding “These Are the Voyages…”, the finale to “Star Trek: Enterprise”. Despite the years, Bakula conducted himself with grace when discussing the final episode, crafted by veteran “Star Trek” collaborators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. With his initial reaction to the script being less than enthusiastic, Bakula sought a dialogue with his superiors:
“I have to say that when I first read the script I was off-put by it. I had a long talk with Rick and Brannon about it and they explained their idea and philosophy to me. I don’t know that I ever … Gosh, the end of anything is always hard to write. It was a little odd, but that was their call.”
The tempered response from Bakula hints at more critical thoughts he may have had, which he diplomatically steered away from expressing explicitly, reflecting his four-year journey with the show.
Fan consensus often points to the early seasons of “Enterprise” as less compelling, adopting the conventional episodic approach. Conversely, the series gained traction in its third and fourth seasons with longer story arcs, notably the third season’s singular focus on a conflict with the Xindi – a mysterious species which had attacked Earth unprovoked, leaving the show’s protagonists to unravel this aggressive mystery.
However, Bakula did not seem to favor the serialized narrative and the aggressive tone taken by the show to accommodate it.
FAQs About Scott Bakula and Star Trek: Enterprise Finale
- Why was Scott Bakula disappointed with the “Enterprise” finale?
- Who wrote the “Star Trek: Enterprise” finale?
- Did “Enterprise” improve in later seasons?
- What did Scott Bakula think about the extended arcs in “Enterprise”?
Scott Bakula felt off-put by the script’s direction in the series finale and had to seek clarification from producers about their vision for the conclusion of the show.
The finale episode, “These Are the Voyages…”, was written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, who were long-time contributors to the “Star Trek” franchise.
Yes, according to fans, “Enterprise” saw improvement in seasons three and four, which featured longer story arcs and a serialized format.
Bakula was not particularly fond of the serialized nature of the storylines or the wartime context that developed in the later seasons of “Enterprise”.
Conclusion
Scott Bakula, despite confronting his reservations diplomatically, remained somewhat unconvinced about the choices made for “Star Trek: Enterprise’s” final episode. The series, which evolved from episodic to serial in structure, divided its audiences and even its star. Whether these changes were for better or worse, Bakula’s class in handling his critique of the series finale remains a testament to his professionalism as an actor, and his commitment to a show that has left an indelible mark on the “Star Trek” universe.