The Best of Star Trek: Enterprise: Stratagem Review

[@BrettCaton]

Man, I hate the fact this was cancelled. it was like some old locomotive, slowly building up steam, then someone planted explosives in the tracks, and Trek died forever.

[@quisqueyanguy120]

Yeah, they just cancelled it before the Earth-Romulan war!

[@albundy7718]

Enterprise is the most underrated Trek Series. Many People abandoned it at the Time just over the stupid Main Theme Controversy. Much better than anything Kurtzman puts out today.

[@baahcusegamer4530]

I stuck it out to the end and it rarely had stand-out episodes the way its predecessors had. I do agree it was the last true Star Trek series.

[@PDYork]

It also dropped "Star Trek" from the title for the first two seasons which didn't help either. They made too much of an effort to distance it from Star Trek. If the theme had variations of an instrumental version, it would have also gone over a lot better.

[@baahcusegamer4530]

@@PDYork Personally, I always like the opener and thought it was fine to call it Enterprise, but I see why it bothered others. The weakness was in the writing and, let's face it, the franchise had simply run out of creative steam. I don't consider this a "failing" per se--as a writer, I *totally* get running out of new ideas. But it is what it is. And the franchise has never recovered and inarguably grown only worse with time.

[@UndyingNephalim]

The theme song itself isn't terrible, the problem is context. There are numerous episodes of Enterprise that open with some kind of extreme drama or even horrific events, only to hard fade into an extremely jarring theme song that completely clashes with the mood the episode just set up. There are some hilarious results from this, like the episode that opens with millions of people getting murdered by a giant laser beam only to fade out to that pop song. It might seem trivial, but it psychologically screws around with viewers and colors the rest of an episode on a subconscious level. I agree that the theme song does not reflect the great quality of the show and people should ignore it, but it's completely understandable that people would be offput just by the theme song alone back in the day before it could be easily skipped with streaming.

[@coralinealgae]

The theme song was awful. Every time it started I would change the channel, and if I found something else to watch, I'd just watch that. Ended up dropping it after missing too many eps. That said, Enterprise is one of my favorite Star Trek series. I only fully discovered how much I loved the show after downloading it to watch (so I could skip the song). I quickly bought the full series on DVD. The theme song actually caused me to drop a series that I otherwise enjoyed. It wasn't a theme song controversy, it was just a terrible song.

[@PKMN37]

To think this was when Star Trek was still a smart show.

[@MrWorf35]

Before the Dark times. Before the Empire, before JJ Abrams and his minions.

[@plugsocket9432]

I agree.

[@bjm1374]

This was the last real Trek show

[@RobertWilkinsonJKekMaloy]

Dont see how? We still speak on WWII and WWI and the Revolutionary War, but Kirk and Spock and Bones said FUCK ALL about any zindy.

[@LibertyMagnus]

Rip Trip

[@Scottlp2]

Orville.

[@ROMA--AETERNA]

Truly. It's unfortunate the show's ratings got skewed by the beginnings of “pirating” (downloading) episodes online.

[@RobertWilkinsonJKekMaloy]

@@ROMA--AETERNA just like Metallica made it to the top of the charts when they allowed fans to bootleg their shit way the fuck back in the eighties (and again with the Viper Pit during the Black album tour - LITERALLY SOLD TICKETS for that in-stage spot to BOOTLEG their shows). Oh, and American Woman (the guess who) would NEVER be without bootlegging because American Woman was an impromtu jam during an encore. A few months later the band gets a tape and theyre all like “hoo dis?” Only to realize it was them.

[@andylaauk]

I always felt Enterprise was often underrated and overlooked.

[@SumDumGy]

Agreed

[@TheCrimsonRevenger]

Enterprise. Proving that with competent writers at the helm, Trek could be Dark and Edgy without being Unintelligent and Tacky. In both this episode and the one where they stole a Warp Coil and stranded innocent aliens, Archer proved that Trek could explore really dark and difficult moral dilemmas and still feel like Star Trek.

[@stevew8513]

Another thing is that Trek could not only be dark and edgy, but it could also be optimistic. Whereas Kurtzman's "Trek" is a pessimistic mess of bad writing and hatred for Star Trek's core audience.

[@loginregional]

Jonathan "Airlock" Archer

[@FizzyLptnYoshi]

@@loginregional lol!

[@OhNyo69]

I think DS9 did this pretty well, in particular with the episode "In the Pale Moonlight"

[@brb1994]

I love how for the first 2 seasons they tried to be as enlightened as possible, building the foundation of the prime directive, then after earth gets attacked, we see Archer torture a man in the airlock, showing that they're not quite as enlightened as they claim, making me question that maybe the Vulcans we're right. Maybe they weren't ready.

[@LordVader066]

This episode was actually written by Picard S3 showrunner Terry Matalas

[@fearthehoneybadger]

Welcome back, Dave.

[@jesuschristislord77733]

No kidding, I'm pleasantly surprised. I thought he was banned.

[@pauld6967]

Yes, welcome back.

[@SzTz100]

@@jesuschristislord77733 I think his other channel was banned, he was going too deep into right wing politics and conspiracy theories, especially about Covid.

[@plugsocket9432]

@@SzTz100 It was You Tube who didn't like his political viewpoint because it went against their own narrative. Nothing wrong with right wing politics and some of Dave's conspiracy theories about the virus came true.

[@plugsocket9432]

@@chewcab8008 On You Tube however it is available elsewhere for free.

[@kahemingway88]

Stratagem is a very underrated episode and one of my favorite Enterprise episodes. It has such an interesting plot with trying to figure out what's subterfuge and what's really happening. The ending was fantastic and a rare triumph during a rather bleak situation. I'd argue it's one of Archer's best moments as a Captain and it's really surprising that it's hardly ever mentioned.

[@zoltanrudolf]

Welcome back Dave, those of us that are stuck on KZbin have missed you greatly.

[@IceStorm-l4t]

The worst of Star Trek Enterprise is far better than anything that came after it.

[@ToniHunterOne]

I completely agree. Enterprise is completely underrated. Even by most Trekkies. I loved it and I was in on the ground floor with OST and Captain Pike/Captian Kirk. I really wish they had given Enterprise more of a chance. All the main characters were really fleshed out well. The stories were getting more intriguing as well as the character's backstories.

[@Arkantos117]

Enterprise was better than Voyager dude.

[@Arkantos117]

@@generalawareness101 You're probably one of the 'trekkers' who sperged out over singing in the opening. Voyager was one of the worst things to happen to Trek canon.

[@MLPDethDealr32]

Enterprise was NOT that bad of a series. I will never understand the hate it gets.

[@ToniHunterOne]

@@generalawareness101 You have highly conflicting statements here. There is no way you are a true TREKKIE. Zero, zip, nada. Enterprise is a prequel. Meant to happen prior to The Original Star Trek. As far as Voyager goes, The actors were great, the premise was great but it doesn't hold up well during a binge-watch. They are subtle inconsistencies and just plain bad scriptwriting. I began watching Star Trek in 1967. I have not missed a single incarnation of the show and I don't always like some of the episodes never the less we have our favorites. If you only just started watching the series until two or three years ago . . . Well, your comments defy logic. You are not a true Trekkie.

[@danmannz]

Good to have a break from reality for a change!

[@korrinmichealson5344]

I enjoyed the previous episode, proving ground, as well. Shran and Archer have great back and forth, I wish they would have used the andorians a little more often.

[@breezy1370]

It felt like the first time ever that a crew outsmarted the aliens in an episode. I remember watching the twist at the end being gobsmacked. It was so satisfying

[@leosiwicki2013]

Star Trek Enterprise was ahead of its time and probably why as of late we all are seeing that. The new series they are doing just does not have that vibe of a true Star Trek show. Yep this is one of my favorite episodes. Another one I like is the Night in Sick Bay but I think that is the pet lover in me.

[@jinky0u812]

I've been rewatching Enterprise as of late, and I just can't understand how it failed as a Star Trek series. It's BEYOND light years better than what have today for Star Trek! The Temporal Cold War, the Zindi storyline, if they only would have taken the fan raised money for a fifth season, we could have seen the Earth-Romulan War! I'm STILL mad about that to this day!

[@jasonschlierman412]

Les Moonves. Nuff said.

[@ENCwwe]

Season 3 of Enterprise was excellent. Some of the best Trek content.

[@RustyOrange71]

A simulation within a simulation within a simulation. Genius!

[@SumDumGy]

Welcome back, Dave, and thanks again for your contribution to celebrating this underrated series.

[@Jamie-kv9eg]

This guy hasn’t stopped making videos btw. He’s on other platforms.

[@benpeters5851]

Which ones?

[@davidwebb4904]

@@benpeters5851 Odysee

[@Dr.Jellyfingers]

Think BrandNewTube also

[@realmanuches]

Yah but no one goes there. Lets be honest. Totally forgot about him since hes not on YT.

[@sagaciousone6240]

Bitchute

[@Dharzjinion]

So happy to see you again :) Wish they would make an un-woke Season 5 of Enterprise. Also, Degra was an amazing character.

[@HarosOfStyx]

again? he's been uploading to Bitchute and Odysee all this time.

[@evertonporter7887]

We certainly need more conservative Star Trek now.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

They killed Enterprise when they adopted a series long story then constantly changed air times, making it easy to miss episodes, at least in my area. There was no way to make sense of the series story because the continuity was disrupted.

[@thanksfernuthin]

I love Star Trek: Enterprise. It was the best Star Trek after the first series in my mind. Because it came the closest to the original series.

[@kahemingway88]

I feel the same way. My favorite is TOS, followed by Enterprise.

[@thanksfernuthin]

@@kahemingway88 And the best ones get cancelled too soon!

[@Mjfox3145]

He’s back! Missed ya Dave.

[@ianboden3056]

Great episode, solid writing, i think the show is better appreciated now especially as you have the poor efforts of Discovery now!

[@michaelhart2618]

Great seeing you back and talking about trek. Interesting how now enterprise was considered a bit of an “ugly step child “ 10-15 years ago but now with trek in the state that’s it’s in, we started to look back on it more fondly

[@SumDumGy]

Welcome to Team Enterprise.

[@davidwebb4904]

Maybe a review of the Stargate SG1 episode #4:16, “2010” would be more relevant to the present situation....

[@Scottlp2]

Was just thinking that.

[@JumpingJack6]

I was one of the odd ball ST fans who really liked and enjoyed Enterprise... I have binge watched it 4 or 5 times now.... this episode is one of my favs no doubt. But my two favorite ones are Trip episodes -- "Unexpected" and "Similitude"

[@whya2ndaccount]

Welcome back! I wasn't sure what had happened.

[@kari2570]

The episode "Dear Doctor" is one of my favourite eipsodes, I like the big questions they have to ask themselves, and Phlox is probably my favourite character :P

[@Danny_Boel]

there were a number of great episodes, but the picture quality in SD is a bit of a letdown...

[@SumDumGy]

I got the BluRay bizarre pretty cheap. I think AmazonUK had a better price on it than the US, even shipped.

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks Dave, nice to see a non-apocalypse video! :) It was a very good episode, and your analysis is spot on. I still think it is sad they cancelled this show, when it had really come to full blossom. It was a good cast, and at the end it seemed like they really had potential for some great storytelling...oh well. Anyway, thanks again and nice to see you here again.

[@anteusify]

I remember I loved Degra at the end of his story arc.

[@edennis8578]

So you've been vindicated, Dave. A bittersweet victory.

[@elimgarak4667]

This is one of my, if not my favorite episode. Glad you covered it.

[@MoonjumperReviews]

Fun Fact: This "Enterprise" episode is essentially a remake of a 1967 season 1 episode of the original "Mission: Impossible." In that episode, "The Train," the IMF team used a train car (instead of a shuttlecraft) to con a Soviet-block dictator. Just like in the Enterprise episode, they rigged up the train car with hydraulics for movement, recorded sounds for realism, and filmed images of passing countryside at the windows. CBS/Paramount owns "Mission: Impossible" just like they own "Star Trek," so that made it an homage, rather than a rip-off, LOL! But both episodes are well done. The part that I didn't buy in the Enterprise episode was their placing of the "starscape" viewscreens at least two feet away from the windows, instead of flush with the windows. So, that should have made it obvious that it was fake. Anyone who gets close to the window would be able to see the cargo bay, left and right, top and bottom. That was stupid. They should have been flush with the windows and as I recall in the "Mission: Impossible" episode, the film screens were nearly flush with the windows--which makes more sense.

[@CheeseDanish85]

I think this episode was very engaging for the same reason my favorite DS9 episode was (In the Pale Moonlight). You're watching people you know to be moral and principled, come up against the lines they normally wouldn't cross, in order to prevent or end a terrible loss of life. Both episodes ask "what would you be willing to do if everything was at stake?" Even if you do your best to stick to your values and principles, you may have to eventually cross some lines. The stories in both episodes have a real sense of tension and urgency throughout, precisely because the stakes are so high. If the protagonists fail, they could lose everything, but at the same time you are watching them compromise themselves, to varying degrees. You cheer them on, but also mourn the loss of their moral "purity".

[@daredad6481]

I miss ya deep dives heaps Dave! I'm in lockdown in Victoria Australia! All of this sensor ship will backfire. God bless and I will find you other channels!

[@ROMA--AETERNA]

I really enjoyed Star Trek: Enterprise, on par with and sometimes better than The Next Generation.

[@craigmarksully]

I completely agree. It has aged incredibly well and for me Stratagem, Similtude, Cogenitor and Regeneration are amongst the best Trek we've ever had.

[@OrbitalHUB]

It was also finding It's footing towards the end and getting really good...I would have liked to see a young Earth Starfleet supplant a corrupt ''old guard'' of galactic affairs...

[@hawaiianpunch781]

Come back and stay back, Dave. We need more of your brilliant reviews.

[@Acts-1915]

Coolness. Glad you're here!

[@kane4228]

Wow! Great to see you again. I loved your political commentary. It's been forever, and I lost track where you went. Now I know. Thanks!

[@joshuamelton9148]

Welcome back to KZbin Dave.

[@Markus-c3n]

I know and love the episode named "Kriegslist" (war strategy/war ruse) - and it's still one of my favorites.

[@seanp8220]

Brilliant. So nice to hear you talking about something other than the apocalypse

[@rongarbutt6353]

If Star Trek Enterprise had been given 7 seasons like TNG, DS9 and Voyager its status would be much higher. It was cancelled in its prime.

[@rfletch62]

Glad you're back! I get a touch of "The Prisoner" from this one.

[@josephkellett2698]

Nice to have you back Dave. I've missed your videos.

[@stevenclouds]

Glad your back Dave, missed you on the platform

[@silverhawkscape2677]

God Bless you man! Nice to see that you at least have a presence on KZbin. Tuning in on your other site channel. Stay safe man!

[@SmallYoda3]

been a while since your last vid on this channel, glad to see you come back. I hope you keep putting videos up here

[@bloodfistzero]

I was just thinking the other day about how I haven't seen a video from you in a while, and here you are!

[@C-rations2394]

Nice to see you back, Dave. More power!

[@michaelbeacom8277]

Good to hear from you again Dave. You are the one that drew me in to a larger KZbin world.

[@timgiraud7591]

Thanks Dave you have been sorely missed

[@joey86bu1]

I was wondering where you were. Good to see you're back!

[@TheTigersbay]

Great to see you back Mr Cullen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@crispinrovere]

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed these, thank you.

[@syrophenikan]

I’d love to hear you you review “Duet” from Season 1 of Deep Space Nine. In my opinion, one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time.

[@HamanKarn567]

Is that the one with Gul Darheel or the guy pretending to be him?

[@syrophenikan]

@@HamanKarn567 Yes. The actor’s performance is award winning.

[@Knight_Kin]

@@syrophenikan Oh yes, it's absolutely top notch acting by a brilliant actor.

[@MLPDethDealr32]

@@Knight_Kin Darheel: I did what had to be done! My men understood, I'd tell them to go out and kill Bajoran scum, and they did, and they came back clean! Why Major? Because they were clean. ALso Darheel/Maritiza: What you call genocide, I call a days work.

[@retluoc]

Aside from all of season 3, my favorites were Carbon Creek and Dead Stop. Carbon Creek showed the first time Vulcans were on earth. As for Dead Stop...I want to know more about that repair station. It was at least 500 years ahead of anything on the show. Where did it come from and who made it?

[@plugsocket9432]

The Star Trek Enterprise Novels continue Dead Stop. For free you can just read Memory Beta for answers.

[@retluoc]

@@plugsocket9432 Thanks, I just went there and found out that it was the product of a coalition known as the "Ware". I'll look more into the Ware later, but thank you for letting me know that it did have a backstory.

[@agrayer7104]

I'm glad you have something on KZbin

[@Nimiety327]

This is also one of my favorite ENT episodes. You've got great taste! (lol) Also, glad to see you're doing well.

[@chrisw6164]

Looks like he quantum leaped into Nick Nolte

[@catmandenny]

It was nice to hear from you again...however briefly.

[@jamied1579]

It was always one of my favourite episodes as well, very well written. Hugely reminiscent of the original Mission: Impossible series... before it became a chain of overblown action movies

[@GarretGrayCamera]

I never gave Enterprise a chance but after what has happened to Star Trek lately, I'm going to have to check it out.

[@inblackestnight9256]

I didn't watch it when it aired; didn't interest me at the time. Caught a few episodes during a marathon after it ended and was pleasantly surprised. Give it a chance. Not all the eps will be gems, but then again which Trek series hit it out of the park every time?

[@robg5161]

Couldn’t get into Enterprise when it first showed but has definitely grown on me.

[@SumDumGy]

I strenuously objected to its very creation. Then I randomly gave it a shot, having nothing better to do. I’m so glad I did.

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

1:09 sounds like the snow cabin episode of black mirror

[@baronflyguy]

Hi Dave, i really enjoy your sci fi reviews. Any chance you could do the expanse ? It’s brilliant. I only started to watch it this year and im a huge fan. The story, characters and science is really well thought out.

[@SteelLegOfHistory]

Welcome back glad to see ya have blessed day and blessed life doing what you love and thanks for all you do for us

[@clarkkent3809]

Glad to have you back man.

[@harmlesspotato2973]

Whoa nice to see you again Dave

[@palerider7171]

Good to see you again. Like the critique.

[@hitandruncommentor]

My favorite, and now looking back oddly prescient, episode of enterprise was the episode where archer and crew pick up a prewarp ship with a single survive on it. The survive carries a media storage device of his species’ art, music and so on that they are desperate to get off world and preserve as their planetary government is seeking to destroy it outright.

[@Sigma25957]

I have missed these reviews and your take on some of my favorite sci-fi shows. Need some B5 sometime.

[@gbpackers5578]

Love these reviews Dave!! Hope to see more from you here!! Cheers!!

[@dringypie]

Good to have you back mate

[@greebo7857]

Talking Enterprise, what I'd like to see covered and explored is the wonderfully complex character arc for T'Pol. It is one of the greatest parts of STE, and is not really spoken about much. None of the other Trek series really have anything like it. Sure, Data and Seven might be along the same line I guess, but IMO T'Pol's journey over four seasons stands alone. They even manage to keep it up in the alternate universe in the two part "In a mirror, darkly" episodes. The episode "Fusion" is a particularly disturbing take on T'Pol's journey into her emotions. Enterprise, like TOS, TNG and Voyager has it's share of lesser episodes, but IMO the writing in STE is seriously underrated.

[@texas-raider]

So good to see you back! Missed ya' man! 👍🏻🇺🇲🇮🇪

[@pipcorteen874]

I've missed you! All the way from rural western Australia!!

[@cairsahrstjoseph996]

Glad to see you here again! :)

[@andrewstevenson3807]

It’s taken the abominations of modern trek to make many people realise that Enterprise was decent, even fantastic in places. What I wouldn’t do for Star Trek like this in 2021…

[@reactivearmour5126]

Good to see you again, Dave. God bless.

[@alfredstimoli2590]

The going into the future to obtain plans of an invasion under the pretext of it being history was done really well in James Garner's 36 Hours, which this episode sort of reminded me of.

[@AndyG73]

Welcome 'back' to KZbin (I am still following you on BitChute and odysee for your main channel). Hopefully more people will join you there.

[@LucidLegend1984]

"It's a SIMULATION... within another simulation!" - David Cross

[@paulaburrows8660]

Great to see you again.

[@Rex_W]

Dave is alive and it feels so good

[@conza1989]

Star Trek: Enterprise, hugely underrated, and Season 3 was absolutely epic, it's a crime that the show stopped at only 3 seasons, it really should've gone the full 7.

[@simonbutterfield4860]

Er they had 4 series.

[@ROMA--AETERNA]

It went four seasons. Sadly, the very last episode is a bad ending to the show; unfortunately, that's typical for Star Trek.

[@conza1989]

@@simonbutterfield4860 Apologies you are quite right, I knew that too, mind blank how that is written. IIRC it was during Season 3 they decided to end it at 4 Seasons instead of extending, even a 5th season would've been great

[@HarosOfStyx]

@@ROMA--AETERNA they wrote that episode because they were told it was cancelled. Not because the writers wanted that.

[@ROMA--AETERNA]

@@HarosOfStyx , understood. Still a bad ending.

[@matthewknapp9425]

welcome back. i was hoping you'd come back online. and they shut you down because you were effective!

[@ericpowell7107]

Glad you are back!!

[@Kaizensan1775]

Thank you. One of my favorite episodes.

[@Christian-fn6yu]

Great to see ya back my man missed ya

[@Emacspirate]

Very good! Nice to see you post a new video here :)

[@starcraftyschannel1926]

I selfishly wish for more Star Trek reviews lol

[@Chaosfox04]

Thanks a bunch because it seemed like an interesting episode but I've only seen bits and pieces. Now I go see the full episode.

[@matthewwilliamsracing]

ahhh welcome back bro! youve been missed! :)

[@nhmooytis7058]

Missed you Dave! I need to get over to BitChute!

[@damienparoski2033]

Your back on KZbin? Welcome back!

[@TACNERD1]

Much forgotten but one of the greatest Treks.

[@williedoc4056]

Welcome back Dave!!!