Oh. So this is why Star Trek: Enterprise failed miserably...

[phucheneh]

Just started trying to watch this. Never got into Voyager or DS9. Intend to try DS9; doubt I give two shits about Voyager.

Wanted to try Enterprise for the 'different.'

Tell me they didn't keep these opening credits for the whole four seasons. Clearly someone should have stood up and said 'this show can never be a success with this horrible montage set to Meatloaf.'

Why do people miss such simple things?

Oh, also, complete lack of effort always annoys me. I hate to nitpick shit like this, but painting Vulcan eyebrows on top of human eyebrows, making some fucktard Y-brows...why? Why not just do it right?

Is this why Trek nerds hate Enterprise? Lots of this type of 'simple fix' stuff what someone just couldn't be bothered with? I normally don't nitpick based on such...but it's....bothering me.

 

[StinkyPinky]

It lasted four seasons so it was hardly a miserable failure.

It was the weakest of the treks but it still had some good episodes. Part of the problem was the weak supporting characters (Mayweather, Reed, that asian chick....weak characters that weren't interesting)

 

[acheron]

Meatloaf would have been 10x better than what they actually used for a theme.

 

[mmntech]

I think it probably had more to do with Trek being on continuously for the 18 years, and they just ran out of idea. Then again Doctor Who has been on since the dawn of time and people still go nuts over it. I've never quite understood that show.

 

[bbhaag]

I didn't mind Enterprise. It gets surprisingly good around the end of the second season and continues to build in the third and fourth.
I seriously think people just cant get past the intro like you mentioned. It's just to much of a mental mind block because it's so bad.

You can't really nitpick make-up and costumes when it comes to Enterprise. I believe the show originally aired on UPN or maybe the CW? Either way the budget was so low for the show that some things just had to give.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I think it probably had more to do with Trek being on continuously for the 18 years, and they just ran out of idea. Then again Doctor Who has been on since the dawn of time and people still go nuts over it. I've never quite understood that show.

I also don't get Dr Who. I tried to watch an episode about five years ago it was about flying eyeballs from outer space. I shit you not. I didn't even finish the episode.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

I like TOS least, because it uses 60s camera tech, 60s sensibilities, etc. Voyager is my next least favorite, then TNG. Then Enterprise and DS9.

I guess my issue with TNG is that it's less serious and less-persistent, i.e. the story doesn't matter much from one episode to the next. Whereas Enterprise and DS9 are clear long-term story arcs.

 

[acheron]

Doctor Who was more understandable when it was just a British thing because Brits are crazy anyway. The more recent series catching on in the US is weird.

 

[phucheneh]

I didn't mind Enterprise. It gets surprisingly good around the end of the second season and continues to build in the third and fourth.
I seriously think people just cant get past the intro like you mentioned. It's just to much of a mental mind block because it's so bad.

You can't really nitpick make-up and costumes when it comes to Enterprise. I believe the show originally aired on UPN or maybe the CW? Either way the budget was so low for the show that some things just had to give.

I'm going to give it a shot...but yeah, definitely being serious in saying that, shallow as it is, I think a different intro could have swayed opinions.

It seems easy to nitpick makeup and stuff, though. Did TNG have a high budget? Sure didn't seem like it. The ship sets were pretty basic, make-up was basic (new alien race: uh, they're humans...but...put a silly bump on their forehead or something!), they still used the same few 'away team' sets for the surfaces of planets...I can overlook dated effects and whatnot, but in general, I don't see a lot of money there.

Enterprise, from what little I've seen, actually has decent effects and overall good production, which is why some little nitpicks are so glaring. The scene I was talking about with the funky-browed Vulcan...his Vulcan buddy was more committed...but his brows went straight across...and then there's the Vulcan chick...whose brows are just...human female. Just such an established Trek thing that seems odd to fail at three times in one scene.

 

[shortylickens]

DS9 is fucking awesome.

If you get sick of Enterprise, watch DS9. Its on Netlfix and Amazon prime.

 

[MrCassdin]

DS9 > TNG > TOS > Enterprise > Voyager > Star Wars

 

[mmntech]

I like TOS least, because it uses 60s camera tech, 60s sensibilities, etc. Voyager is my next least favorite, then TNG. Then Enterprise and DS9.

I like TOS for the same reasons I liked the campy 60s Batman show as a kid. It's just a fun throwback to another time. TOS was a very influential show when it first aired. It's what paved the way for the science fiction revival in the 70s. I don't think 2001 or even Star Wars would have done quite so well without it.

Doctor Who was more understandable when it was just a British thing because Brits are crazy anyway. The more recent series catching on in the US is weird.

Yeah, I know a few Whovians. I normally really enjoy British TV but there's just something off about Doctor Who, and I can't quite put my figure on it. It's really cheesy but not in a fun way.

 

[Imp]

Tried Enterprise during the first season. Didn't stick with it. Only made it halfway, I think.

Doctor Who is, I've heard, a kids show for adults. It's been around so long that people in their 50s grew up watching it. The show changes every two to three years with a new Doctor or companion, seasons are only 13-ish episodes, it's supposed to be quirky/weird and cheap looking. It wasn't until the past few seasons since I started liking it a lot.

 

[shortylickens]

Shorty's Official And Legally Binding Deep Space Nine Episode Guide:
(Ignore at your own peril)



Season 1. . http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/episodes?season=1


] Required Viewing: [

- Emissary (pilot).
Just like TNG, the pilot and finale are directly related, and necessary viewing if you want any clue as to what happens in the series. Unlike TNG, DS9 has tons of multi-episode arcs and season long arcs and arguably a 7-year arc as the things setup in the first year pay off by the last year.
You need to pay attention to Siskos relation with the religious Bajoran people and the spirits or prophets in the wormhole. Its mostly what the series is about.

- Past prologue.
Introduces Garak who (eventually) becomes one of the most important characters in the whole series. Also sets up the Bajoran Underground, which comes back again repeatedly. You need it to get a feel for Kiras character.

- A man Alone.
Sets up Obrians Wife, Keiko, as the station school teacher, and Nogs relationship with Jake, which also lasts for 7 years.

- Babel.
Just a darn good episode.

- Dax.
Establishes a lot of lore about Trills. Helps to make sense of Trill plots in later seasons.

- Battle Lines.
A somewhat important secondary character dies, which sets the stage for another character to come in and cause conflict.

- Progress.
Just a darn fine episode. Gives Kira some real depth. Insight into the Bajoran Resistance.

- The Forsaken.
Provides insight into Odo.

- Dramatis Personae.
Good episode.

- Duet.
EXCELLENT episode. Insight into Bajoran occupation by Cardassia. Gives Kira some more depth.

- In the Hands of the Prophets.
Sets up Vedek Winn, who will be an important player all thru the series into the Finale.



] Good, but not Required: [

- Captive Pursuit.

- Q-Less.

- The Passenger

- The Storyteller.
Starts the relationship between Obrian and Bashir, which becomes more important as the series progresses.

- If wishes were Horses.



] Could Be Ignored if trying enjoy the series: [

- Move Along Home

- The Nagus.
Also, any other Ferengi-centric episode is best ignored if you wish to keep from getting fed up with DS9. Trust me on this. Only hardcore fans can stomach them. Quark-centric episodes arent too bad, but the Nagus and Quarks mom and his extended family are annoying.

 

[Jeff7]

Sadly, they kept the theme song.


My preferred version.

Archer's Theme version. I don't care for the electric guitar that shows up toward the end. It seems out of place.

...
] Could Be Ignored if trying enjoy the series: [

- Move Along Home

- The Nagus.
Also, any other Ferengi-centric episode is best ignored if you wish to keep from getting fed up with DS9. Trust me on this. Only hardcore fans can stomach them. Quark-centric episodes arent too bad, but the Nagus and Quarks mom and his extended family are annoying.

And of course any of the "we wanted some time off from writing" clip shows can be ignored. Some of them do cleverly weave genuine plot into the clips to try to keep you watching, but you could just read the Memory Alpha wiki page to get up to speed.

 

[Captante]

I just finished watching Enterprise on Amazon and I liked it a lot up until the abrupt ending.

Theme music was pretty bad though.

 

[BUTCH1]

Sorry, not that Patric Stewart did a bad job, he was rather good in fact, but there can only be one that's the best, and that is and always will be William Shatner..

 

[ImpulsE69]

Yu aren't alone OP. I too was immediately turned off by the opening theme music, and didn't give it much glance after that. It wasn't Star Trek - I think they were trying to give a Firefly vibe without the things that made Firefly work.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

I like TOS for the same reasons I liked the campy 60s Batman show as a kid. It's just a fun throwback to another time. TOS was a very influential show when it first aired. It's what paved the way for the science fiction revival in the 70s. I don't think 2001 or even Star Wars would have done quite so well without it.



Yeah, I know a few Whovians. I normally really enjoy British TV but there's just something off about Doctor Who, and I can't quite put my figure on it. It's really cheesy but not in a fun way.

Well, thing is, I watched Babylon 5 back in like 2007. After that, I was basically hooked on anything with long term story arcs. DS9 is BIGG on that, Enterprise is moderate on it, and TOS and TNG, well...

Voyager you could argue it's one long story arc, getting home, but that's more like...just the backdrop.

 

[shortylickens]

Season 2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106145/episodes?season=2


] REQUIRED VIEWING [

-The Homecoming, The Circle, The Siege.
excellent 3 part arc that introduces the unstable Bajoran government, and good motivation for the Federation to keep the station and support Bajor.

- Cardassians.
Much more depth for Garak, the Cardassians in general, their politics, and cleaning up a mess leftover from the occupation.

- Necessary Evil.
A necessary episode. Provides lots of insight into the history of DS9 under Cardassian control, Odo, Kira, Odos relationship with Kira, and how his career ended up where it is. Their special bond carries thru all the way to the Finale episode.

- Sanctuary.
You dont actually see the Dominion yet, but this sets up the premise of the Gamma quadrent being a troubled place. You also see a female-dominated society that isnt annoyingly stupid like the society from season 2 of TNG.

- The Alternate.
Explains a little about Odo's past and possible origins.

- Armageddon Game.
More stress and bonding between the Chief and the Doctor. Nice little beat-the-clock episode with a good detective story as well.

- Whispers.
Obrien based episode thats an excellent mystery and also well-written.

- Blood Oath.
A little insight into one of Dax's former hosts and the bonds it developed with some old Klingon warriors. Good Klingon episode, but does not connect to anything else in the series.

- The Maquis 1 and 2.
Further advances the Bajoran/Cardassian tensions which carry on to season 7. Also a good story all-around.

- The Wire.
More insight into Garaks past, and strengthens the odd friendship he has with Bashir.

- The Collaborator.
More insight into the Occupation and the Resistence. As well as setting up future politics.

- Tribunal.
Brief glimpse of Cardassian justice, and a good mystery episode as well. Also, continues the 7 year arc of Obrien being abused for no particular reason.

- The Jem'Hadar.
Again, doesnt actually show the Dominion, but provides the basis for two other races which serve them and precipitates the upcoming multi-season arc of war.


] Good but not Required [

- Invasive Procedures.
More info on the Trill, and a nice little hostage episode as well.

- Melora

- Second Sight.
OK mystery, but nothing here has any effect on later episodes or the characters.

- Rivals.
Kinda funny, but could also be skipped.

- Paradise.

- Shadowplay.

- Playing God.

- Profit And Loss.
The only time Quark grows a heart.

- Crossover.
Alternate Universe episode, the first of several. Pretty good but you could also skip all of them and not miss out on any arcs.


] BETTER TO AVOID [

- Rules of Acquisition.
Ferengi-centric. Pass on this unless you know for a fact you will like it. Gives insight to Ferengi culture but if you go the entire 7 seasons without learning anything about Ferengi, you wont be worse off.

 

[sandorski]

I found the opening very odd at first, but after awhile I began to like it. As mentioned earlier, Star Trek was over exposed by the time it came out. I began losing interest shortly into DS9, tried to rekindle my interest with Voyager, but that failed after a season. I didn't even bother with Enterprise.

A few years back I started to watch Enterprise. I kinda liked the show, but there were always somethings that just seemed weak. Sometimes it was weak dialogue, sometimes the Acting, other times the story was just weak. I never finished the first season.

 

[phucheneh]

Sorry, not that Patric Stewart did a bad job, he was rather good in fact, but there can only be one that's the best, and that is and always will be William Shatner..

Kirk is fine. I can see arguments for Kirk as a fictional character.

But William Shatner is terrible and everyone knows it.

Also, shorty, I will try to make use of your DS9 list. However, I think doing my first adult watchthrough of TNG* taught me that like/dislike for individual episodes is HEAVILY open to interpretation...and I consider a lot of the popular interpretations to suck. I liked plenty of low-rated episodes and hated some of the 'best.'


*most of it, at least. I jumped around a lot and have still not watched all of it. Some episodes will remain unwatched. Forever. E.g. anything with Troi's goddamn fucking mother. Why the weakest character on the show needed like five episodes based around her 10x worse mother, I cannot fathom.

 

[bbhaag]

I'm going to give it a shot...but yeah, definitely being serious in saying that, shallow as it is, I think a different intro could have swayed opinions.

Yep I really do think it was a mental block for a lot of fans myself included. Luckily I watched it on Netflix so I could ff past it or go to the batroom grab a drink ect.

It seems easy to nitpick makeup and stuff, though. Did TNG have a high budget? Sure didn't seem like it. The ship sets were pretty basic, make-up was basic (new alien race: uh, they're humans...but...put a silly bump on their forehead or something!), they still used the same few 'away team' sets for the surfaces of planets...I can overlook dated effects and whatnot, but in general, I don't see a lot of money there.

I don't think any ST series has ever had an exceptionally high budget including TNG. TNG originally aired on FOX though and first ran in 1987 vs 2001 for Enterprise. A lot can change in TV over the course of a decade plus.

Enterprise, from what little I've seen, actually has decent effects and overall good production, which is why some little nitpicks are so glaring. The scene I was talking about with the funky-browed Vulcan...his Vulcan buddy was more committed...but his brows went straight across...and then there's the Vulcan chick...whose brows are just...human female. Just such an established Trek thing that seems odd to fail at three times in one scene.

It has been awhile since I watched it so I'm not familiar with the scene you're refering to. All I can say is try and stick with it because it does get better.

See my bolded responses to your post.

 

[sandorski]

Kirk is fine. I can see arguments for Kirk as a fictional character.

But William Shatner is terrible and everyone knows it.

Also, shorty, I will try to make use of your DS9 list. However, I think doing my first adult watchthrough of TNG* taught me that like/dislike for individual episodes is HEAVILY open to interpretation...and I consider a lot of the popular interpretations to suck. I liked plenty of low-rated episodes and hated some of the 'best.'


*most of it, at least. I jumped around a lot and have still not watched all of it. Some episodes will remain unwatched. Forever. E.g. anything with Troi's goddamn fucking mother. Why the weakest character on the show needed like five episodes based around her 10x worse mother, I cannot fathom.

Shatner was awesome, everyone knows this.

 

[Sonikku]

Enterprise was so starved for ideas that it basically reused identical scripts from voyager. The episode where the crew has to go into stasis while Phlox is the only one awake and slowly goes crazy is basically identical to the Voyager episode with Neelix doing the same thing.