The Neglected Captain Archer: Why He Lacked Respect in Star Trek

In the grand tapestry of the Star Trek universe, Captain Jonathan Archer often gets a raw deal. While contemporaries like Captain Kirk and Captain Picard were revered by fans and peers alike, Archer seems to have been overlooked and undervalued. This raises the question: what exactly did Captain Archer do wrong? The answer lies deeply within the nature of prequels and the exploitation of established franchises without due consideration for the canon.

The Philosophy Behind Prequels

The core issue with prequels is their approach to storytelling. They are often made to leverage the name recognition and fan base of an existing franchise without the need to delve deeply into the established narrative. Instead of respecting and integrating with the pre-existing storyline, the mindset is that "it can't be my fault if my show contradicts earlier ones because my show came first." This mentality shifts the burden of explanation to any subsequent shows that try to integrate with the earlier ones.

Captain Archer's Introduction to Star Trek

Jonathan Archer, the first human Starfleet captain in the timeline, is a figure established independently by Rick Berman through the introduction of a prequel. Berman's decision to introduce Archer without studying the existing canon led to several plot inconsistencies and contradictions.

The first film of the rebooted Star Trek series features a room with a historical diorama of all the ships named Enterprise. The diorama clearly shows that the only Enterprise spaceship between the real-world Space Shuttle and the Constitution-class ships was a centrifugal rotation ring ship, which notably had no artificial gravity plating. This directly contradicts the existence of the NX-class ship, which Archer commands. This oversight demonstrates a lack of attention to the established narrative and the continuity of the Star Trek universe.

Scotty's Role in Exposing the Contradictions

Scotty, the legendary engineer in the Star Trek series, is known for his sarcastic and often biting remarks. In one scene, he notes that a computer registering the registry data of one of his ships reflects only the current knowledge of Starfleet history, not the history of the spacefaring world. This statement exposes the illogic of how the new prequel timeline is presented, as it ignores the broader context of space exploration and the development of technology.

Scotty’s words highlight a fundamental flaw: the computer's information is limited to what was programmed into it. This immediately suggests that the NX-class ship and Jonathan Archer never existed in the prequel's timeline. Archer’s professional achievements and the sacrifices he made to bring the NX-class online are thus invalidated.

Cost-Cutting Measures and the NX-Class Ship

The introduction of the prequel aimed not only at retelling the story but also at reducing costs. By inventing Archer and the NX-class, Berman could circumvent the need to integrate these elements into the existing continuity. This decision to prioritize cost-saving measures over continuity and respect for the established narrative resulted in several inconsistencies and undermined the character's legacy.

Jonathan Archer’s career fighting for the NX-class ship and his subsequent establishment as the first captain of that vessel were crucial contributions that added depth and legitimacy to his character. By introducing Archer without this historical context, the prequel effectively robbed him of the respect and recognition he deserved. It also diluted the impact of his achievements and the sacrifices he made to bring the NX-class to life.

Conclusion: The Cost of Ignoring Precedents

Jonathan Archer’s lack of respect in the early Star Trek films is a direct consequence of the franchise’s brave new direction, which prioritized a fresh start over respect for established lore. This approach led to contradictions, the erasure of a significant character, and a diminishing of the legacy of the NX-class ship. As fans and writers alike continue to explore the Star Trek universe, it is important to acknowledge and respect the continuity that is the cornerstone of the franchise's rich history.