Enterprise Has The Best Star Trek Movie Of The Last 25 Years Not Seen In Theaters
John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
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25 years ago, Star Trek: Enterprise premiered with "Broken Bow," the best Star Trek movie of the last quarter-century that wasn't shown in movie theaters. Since 2001, Star Trek: Nemesis, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond played in movie theaters, and Star Trek: Section 31 became the first (and only) Star Trek movie made for streaming on Paramount+.
Enterprise, its original title before 'Star Trek' was added in season 3, was created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. After three Star Trek series and three movies set in the 24th century, Berman and Braga wanted to go backwards to depict the early years of Starfleet. Enterprise was the first Star Trek prequel, retconning Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) as the first Captain of the Enterprise, the NX-01.
Premiering September 26, 2001, on UPN, Enterprise launched in grand fashion with "Broken Bow," a feature-length adventure establishing Captain Archer and the 22nd century. In the last 25 years, Enterprise enjoyed a 180-degree turn in fan adulation; the formerly low-rated series that ran for only 4 seasons and was accused of 'killing the franchise' is now respected and regarded as essential Star Trek.
When it comes to making a good first impression, Enterprise hit the mark with "Broken Bow," one of the strongest premieres of any Star Trek series, and a terrific Star Trek movie in its own right that was made for television but was good enough for movie theaters.
Enterprise’s Premiere Was The Best Star Trek Movie Not Seen In Theaters
In 2001, Enterprise took Star Trek to a new level in terms of production values and visual splendor. Directed by James Conway, Enterprise is the best-looking pilot episode (and TV series) of Rick Berman's era as Star Trek executive producer. Enterprise was filmed in 16x9 high definition, anticipating the proliferation of HDTVs. 25 years later, Enterprise still looks stunning on modern screens.
Berman and Braga wrote an engaging opener for Enterprise, involving Captain Archer and the NX-01 bringing a wayward Klingon home. In the process, Archer discovers a Temporal Cold War involving a genetically engineered alien race called the Suliban. More importantly, however, Berman and Braga's crackerjack script is peppered with intriguing character beats and scenes between the NX-01's crew that immerse the viewer in Enterprise's prequel era.
Casting TV veteran Scott Bakula as Captain Archer pays immediate dividends. Bakula is confident and magnetic; a leading man for Enterprise with movie star qualities. Yet Archer is inexperienced, headstrong, and prejudiced against his Vulcan Science Officer. As T'Pol. Jolene Blalock instantly creates the most compelling (and attractive) Vulcan since Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock. T'Pol earning Archer's respect, and vice versa, is a genuinely gratifying payoff for the NX-01's central character conflict.
"Broken Bow" showcases Enterprise's tremendous cast, with Connor Trinneer's Commander Trip Tucker, Linda Park's Ensign Hoshi Sato, John Billingsley's Dr. Phlox, Dominic Keating's Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, and Anthony Montgomery's Ensign Travis Mayweather gelling as a likable ensemble. When they're in over their heads, fighting aliens on Rigel X, and creating what are now Starfleet tropes on the fly, Enterprise's crew combines for a compelling and exciting first flight together.
Enterprise Was The Bridge To J.J. Abrams’ Movies & Star Trek On Paramount+
J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) threw out the old rulebook by Gene Roddenberry and Rick Berman when they rebooted the final frontier for the big screen, with blockbuster results. Look closer at Enterprise, however, and some of Abrams' dazzling movie tricks came from Captain Archer's saga, starting with a neophyte crew launching a starship named Enterprise, who aren't quite ready for the dangers ahead but rise to the occasion.
The NX-01's interior was spectacularly designed as a submarine in outer space.
Enterprise eschewed creating a practical model in favor of a CGI starship, and the NX-01's interior was spectacularly designed as a submarine in outer space. When Abrams reimagined the USS Enterprise's bridge in his alternate Kelvin timeline, Star Trek (2009)'s production designers took inspiration from Apple Stores. Star Trek (2009) also redesigned the phasers to shoot pulsed energy instead of the traditional long energy beams, but Enterprise did the same before Lt. Reed introduced their new phase pistols.
Star Trek (2009) also celebrated the attractiveness of its young movie star cast led by Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, and Karl Urban. Eight years earlier, however, Enterprise pushed the envelope when it comes to Star Trek's sex appeal, touting the beauty of Jolene Blalock and Connor Trinneer. Enterprise's decon chamber scene was controversial in its day, but let's face it: Star Trek has always been sexy, and proud of it, since the 1960s.
Enterprise Is More Popular Than Ever 25 Years Later
Star Trek: Enterprise was the victim of several factors that resulted in its premature end, from 'franchise fatigue' to UPN executive changes that eroded network support for Star Trek. In 2005, Enterprise ended with a whimper and anger, as its series finale, "These Are The Voyages,..", and the decision to kill off Trip Tucker remain sore spots with fans two decades later.
Stardate 47988.1 · Crew Assessment
The Final Frontier
Trivia Challenge
🚀ShipsEnterprise!
⭐CrewMake it so
☠EnemiesResistance is…
⚡TechWarp speed!
📖LoreLive long…
01
The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk’s original Enterprise from The Original Series?
✓ Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The “-D” suffix belongs to Picard’s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer’s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager.
✗ Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard’s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer’s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager.
02
Kirk’s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character?
✓ Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose “Live long and prosper” salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager’s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock’s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk’s Enterprise.
03
Starfleet’s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called?
✓ Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet’s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations — though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While “General Order One” is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols.
04
“Resistance is futile.” This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called?
✓ Correct! The Borg are Star Trek’s most terrifying villains — a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode “The Best of Both Worlds.”
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare “Resistance is futile.”
05
Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him?
✓ Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain’s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His “Make it so” is one of TV’s most iconic catchphrases.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard.
06
Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called?
✓ Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity’s first contact with the Vulcans.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive.
07
At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it — by cheating. What is this test called?
✓ Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win — earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation — because he doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario.
08
In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth’s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. “KHAAAAN!” Who is this iconic villain?
✓ Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, is Star Trek’s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG’s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9’s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk’s legendary scream across the cosmos.
Mission Complete Your Starfleet Record
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Are you an Admiral — or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty?
The advent of streaming and binge-watching over the last decade was a godsend that completely changed how fans perceive and enjoy Enterprise. Star Trek fans who skipped the prequel during its UPN run discovered the quality of what they missed. Meanwhile, a new generation found Enterprise as well; Berman and Braga's plan to create a Star Trek that feels closer to our present day paid off with a series that still feels fresh, relatable, and current 25 years after it premiered.
Star Trek series often have strong premieres, followed by a rocky first couple of seasons before the shows find themselves in season 3. This was certainly the case with Enterprise, which left the creative struggles of its first two seasons behind with its ambitious, 9/11-inspired season 3 Xindi arc, before Enterprise became the show it always should have been in season 4 under the late showrunner Manny Coto.
However, it all begins with "Broken Bow," which holds up wonderfully as a tremendous series opener for Enterprise, and embodies the new frontier spirit of Star Trek in an era where boldly going where no man has gone before was more dangerous, daunting, exciting, scary, and, yes, sexy. More than an excellent series premiere, Star Trek: Enterprise's "Broken Bow" remains a wonderful Star Trek movie 25 years later.
Star Trek: Enterprise is streaming on Paramount+
- Release Date
- 2001 - 2005-00-00
- Network
- UPN
- Showrunner
- Brannon Braga
- Directors
- David Livingston, Allan Kroeker, Michael Vejar, David Straiton, Roxann Dawson, LeVar Burton, James A. Contner, Robert Duncan McNeill, James L. Conway, James Whitmore Jr., Michael Grossman, Marvin V. Rush, Patrick R. Norris, David Barrett, Jim Charleston, Michael Dorn, Rob Hedden, Terry Windell, Winrich Kolbe, Les Landau, Manny Coto
- Writers
- Chris Black, Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Judith Reeves-Stevens, David A. Goodman, Alan Brennert, André Jacquemetton, Brent V. Friedman, Fred Dekker, Ken LaZebnik, Maria Jacquemetton, James Duff, Jonathan Fernandez, Paul Brown, Stephen Beck, André Bormanis, Manny Coto, Michael Sussman, Allan Kroeker, Brannon Braga, David Wilcox, John Shiban, Judith Reeves-Stevens, Phyllis Strong, Rick Berman, Tim Finch
-
Scott Bakula
Jonathan Archer
-
Jolene Blalock
T'Pol
- Franchise(s)
- Star Trek
- Creator(s)
- Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Gene Roddenberry
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.