In a surprising revelation, executive producer Brannon Braga shared insights into the original concept for Star Trek: Enterprise Season 1. The original prequel, initially titled Enterprise, was intended to be set on Earth in the 22nd century, deviating significantly from the later-established Star Trek norm. Braga, who co-created the prequel with Rick Berman, disclosed this information during a Star Trek: Enterprise cast reunion in 2012.
According to Screen Rant, the original pitch envisioned an Earth-centric storyline, detailing the aftermath of a Klingon attack and focusing on the construction of the first starship.
Captain Jonathan Archer, portrayed by Scott Bakula, would lead the formation of the crew, offering a grittier and more grounded perspective.
However, Paramount and the UPN Network reacted negatively to this deviation from the traditional space-oriented Star Trek narrative.
Braga revealed that the studio questioned the concept, expressing disbelief at the notion of a Star Trek series set on Earth.
The pushback led to a compromise, introducing the Temporal Cold War element to incorporate a futuristic aspect into the show.
This decision resulted in a hybrid narrative, blending prequel and sequel elements to satisfy both the studio’s preferences and the creative vision of the producers.
Braga acknowledged the challenges faced in bringing the concept to fruition, emphasizing the persistent battle with the studio to maintain the essence of their original pitch. The final product, Star Trek: Enterprise, managed to navigate these hurdles, offering fans a unique blend of Earth-based and space-centric storytelling.
