h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts to share on the new show 'Enterprise'?
c.

I like the dog.

Yeah, I gotta say I like the dog too

- ametropia

Just the dog?

I have to say that I was very scared at the prospect of a Star Trek series that pre-dated the original series. There were many many ways in my mind that they could totally screw that up big time But overall? I think they've done a good job with it.

In addition, I was also very scarred about who they chose to play the Captain. All I could see in my head was Quantum Leap and how I didn't want to take him out of Quantum Leap and try to comprehend him as this new Star Trek character; it just wasn't going to work. But, I was completely surprised when it came out, simply because I think he does an incredibly job with his character, and I enjoy the part he plays.

And his dog

One thing I very much dislike is the theme song. When I sat down to watch the premier of Enterprise, and I was sitting there waiting patiently and anticipating the introduction of the very next Star Trek theme, I was NOT expecting THAT! I was a little disappointed. Is it a nice song? Sure. Is it a Star Trek theme? Hell no.

- ametropia

Well, I for one was expecting some new first contacts with old spoken-about aliens, instead they come with new aliens, that all the other series never mentions!(With a few exceptions)

I'm actually very impressed with the series, not just Archer's dog!

One thing that a lot of people who aren't into Star Trek as a whole often don't realize is that it's always been a very character-driven concept. It's not all about laser-beams and spaceships. It's really about extraordinary people finding themselves in extraordinary situations.

I think in 'Enterprise' they've created some very promising characters, who hopefully will take the franchise into new areas. I feel that, in particular, The Doctor and Trip are great characters who have already started to be given some depth and may turn out to rank amongst the most engaging characters we've seen across the five series.

But Porthos the dog is great, isn't he?

Yep.

Well, I'm glad you all appear to like the show. I like it too. I wasn't worried at all about Scott Bakula being the Captain. I thought he was great in Quantum Leap. I was surprised to find his acting in 'Enterprise' a bit forced. Maybe it's just me. I do like his character though. (Yes, and the dog! Thanks to Just Another Number for reminding us of his name. I keep forgetting.)

Have to say I hate the theme song too. But boy, it sticks in your head doesn’t it?

On the subject of new aliens, there were quite a few in the first series that we never saw again. So this is nothing new. It’s a big galaxy out there.

I agree about the character driven plots. I think this is what keeps so many people watching.

I do think they’ve done a great job with the show. There’s a few things niggling at me though. Are they ever going to explain the Klingon brow thing? And I just can’t get over the fact that Trip and Malcolm managed to seal a hull breach with mashed potato! Yes, they were going to use sealant later, but really, mashed potato?!

About the s, sure it IS a big galaxy out there, but in Enterprise 1:2 Cap. Archer says: only 1 planet out of 43000 is populated...

Yes, I don't remember the numbers, but I think he also says that makes quite a lot of planets. We must remember though, that this is fiction, no one really knows how many planets are out there.

Fiction?!!

I like this show......
There's a nice tongue-in-cheek feel about it.
I guess the problem with doing a prequel is that there's an army of trekkies out there waiting to jump all over you for the slightest continuity error. Enterprise has stuck two fingers up to that lot, and makes hulking great gaffes all over the place.......nice one!

The Quantum Leap Connection: For the first time (Channel 4) viewers amongst you, look out for a guest apperance by Dean Stockwell (Bakula's Quantum Leap co-star, "Al") in episode 21 - "Detained".

The Theme Music: Yes it is irritatingly catchy, but it's also been used before, over the end credits of the Robin Williams cheese-athon "Patch Adams".

The Dog: I keep waiting for it to take a p**s in the Plasma Transducers or something.........or for the doctor to steam up to Archer waving a chewed up medical tricorder.....

Re: Theme Song.

"Irritatingly catchy" is certainly one way to describe it...
"Stomach-churningly awful" is another!

Alright, that IS IT!!!
I LIKE THE THEME SONG!!!

"It's been a la-awnng road, gett'n from there to he-ee-ere..."

Quick! Pass the bucket!

(Yauccchhh!!!)

Rimmer, you're allowed to like the theme song! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. (I still think the song is a pile of, um, smeg though.)

I agree. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions and tastes.

But whenever I see Russel Watson, (or hear him) I think that somewhere... a furniture store is missing a sales assistant.

!! (Furniture salesman indeed.)

Hey, did anyone see the episode with the Ferengi? I thought that Picard made first contact with the Ferengi. Am I wrong? Doesn't matter, it was a great episode. Very funny and a couple of those Ferengi had familiar faces.

Going back to what MooseBoy said last week about the "Hunking Great Gaffes" (...And moving on from Russel "Sofa-Boy" Watson!).

I think the most difficult thing about making a prequel series would be how to explain that; with people flying about in ships called Enterprise for the next two or three-hundred years, how come no-one ever mentions the first captain and crew?!

Surely the exploits of Jonathan Archer and co. would have been required learning at The Academy!

I can see them putting it right one of two ways: either they're going to start talking about Archer in the upcoming "Nemesis" movie.

Or, in the final episode of the "Enterprise" series, the crew are going to make one almighty b*lls-up (destroying themselves and a vulcan retirement planet or something...)

Then the final scene of the series will be the president of Earth saying; "...and these events must never be spoken of again!"