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After 96 or so episodes and more than two years, The Pensky Podcast has made it to the series finale of Star Trek: Enterprise. It’s an infamous finale that has riled up the Trek fanbase since it aired, and it’s never gotten a critical reanalysis in the time since. What makes “These Are the Voyages…” such a reviled piece of television history? It all starts wonderfully, with Riker… but then it all goes downhill, with Riker.
The Wikipedia plot summary for “These Are the Voyages…”:
In 2370, Commander William Riker, aboard Enterprise-D, is troubled by the events depicted in the Next Generation episode “The Pegasus“, and seeks guidance. At Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi‘s suggestion, Riker sets a holo-program to the date 2161, some six years after the events of “Terra Prime“, to a time when the original Enterprise (NX-01) is due to be decommissioned after ten years of active service. The starship and its crew are also returning to Earth for the signing of the Federation Charter, and Captain Jonathan Archer frets over the speech he will give to the assembled delegates.
En route, Riker and Troi observe as Enterprise is contacted by Shran, a former Andorian Imperial Guard member whom Archer believed to be dead. Shran is married to Jhamel (“The Aenar“), and their young daughter has been kidnapped. He asks for Archer’s help in rescuing her from Rigel X. Archer decides to assist, despite Commander T’Pol‘s warning that they may be late returning for the ceremony. Riker joins the Enterprise crew as it assaults Shran’s enemies and brings his daughter safely back. Troi also advises that Riker assume the role of ship’s chef, hoping to earn the confidence of the simulated crew. As he prepares food with the crew, he learns more about their memories and impressions of Trip Tucker.
He also watches as the kidnappers board Enterprise, and how, in order to save Archer’s life, Commander Tucker overloads two conduits and dies after being mortally wounded. Riker notices that Archer is troubled that he must write a speech about how worthwhile their explorations have been, despite his friend’s death, but T’Pol assures him Tucker would have considered it worthwhile. On Earth, Troi watches as Archer enters a crowded grand hall to give his speech and Riker joins her, now sure of what course he should take. The final shot of the episode is a montage of the ships named Enterprise: (NCC-1701-D, NCC-1701, and NX-01) as Captains Jean-Luc Picard, James T. Kirk, and Archer recite the “Where no man has gone before” prologue.
In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss the series finale of Star Trek: Enterprise, “These Are the Voyages…”. Plus! The guys chat about the return of Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, deciding that you have to die, and not getting court-side seats at the founding of the Federation.