Imagine: ENT entering its final season

[Rigil Kent]

So, aside from the Earth/Romulan War and the actual forming of the Federation, what kind of stories would you have liked to see, presumably one to take place before the war breaks out?

For the most part, your list covers a lot of what I'd like to see with some exceptions.

The Suliban
OK, not really a favourite storyline to address, but for the sake of resolving hanging plot threads, what happened to them and the Cabal? If the Temporal Cold War is no more then how did they fare?

I actually don't care about the Suliban, and would be fine with them not showing them again. I've generally disliked every instance involving the Suliban, so bringing them back would annoy me. Lots.

Mirror Universe
IaMD begs for a follow up. What happened to Mirror Tucker and T'Pol? Did Archer and Reed survive? Will Empress Sato manage to hold on to power?

Again, I'm indifferent to a follow-up. Nostalgia of seeing the "crew" in TOS uniforms aside, IAMD 2 really did nothing for me, and, based on the DS9 MU eps, each additional one is going to get more and more over-the-top and campy. They were already treading dangerous close to self-parody with MU Archer, so I'd be perfectly happy with them not wasting precious air time with episodes that have nothing to do with the RU.

Reed has an ambiguous relationship with Sec31, and he's also Trip's new best friend. He grows closer to Hoshi as well.

Rather indifferent to the final part, but then, Reed/Sato has never done anything for me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall reading that the actors really didn't like one another that much, so I don't see why they have to push them together. Besides, Mayweather/Sato works better for me.

Introduce a new character to command the MACOs on board.

Totally disagree. Why, you ask? For the simple reason that, based on four seasons of episodes, it's pretty obvious that this team can barely handle just the Big Three. Another character would be nothing more than another cliched stereotype of a character.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

The Suliban
OK, not really a favourite storyline to address, but for the sake of resolving hanging plot threads, what happened to them and the Cabal? If the Temporal Cold War is no more then how did they fare?

I actually don't care about the Suliban, and would be fine with them not showing them again. I've generally disliked every instance involving the Suliban, so bringing them back would annoy me. Lots.

Well, I don't care that much about them either, but as I said, resolving hanging plot threads. Perhaps this could be some b-plot in another episode where this issue is resolved/mentioned. We could see a bunch of massacred Cabal Sulibans and find out that the rest of the ordinary ones have fled somewhere far away.

Mirror Universe
IaMD begs for a follow up. What happened to Mirror Tucker and T'Pol? Did Archer and Reed survive? Will Empress Sato manage to hold on to power?

Again, I'm indifferent to a follow-up. Nostalgia of seeing the "crew" in TOS uniforms aside, IAMD 2 really did nothing for me, and, based on the DS9 MU eps, each additional one is going to get more and more over-the-top and campy. They were already treading dangerous close to self-parody with MU Archer, so I'd be perfectly happy with them not wasting precious air time with episodes that have nothing to do with the RU.

C'mon, just one episode. Have Wenya write it!

Reed has an ambiguous relationship with Sec31, and he's also Trip's new best friend. He grows closer to Hoshi as well.

Rather indifferent to the final part, but then, Reed/Sato has never done anything for me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall reading that the actors really didn't like one another that much, so I don't see why they have to push them together. Besides, Mayweather/Sato works better for me.

Travis/Hoshi always struck me as more of a brother/sister relationship. And Archer/Hoshi is the father/daughter relationship.

Introduce a new character to command the MACOs on board.

Totally disagree. Why, you ask? For the simple reason that, based on four seasons of episodes, it's pretty obvious that this team can barely handle just the Big Three. Another character would be nothing more than another cliched stereotype of a character.

Well, if they have a contignent of MACOs on board they should have a commanding officer. Reed has other responsibilities as TAC. I'm not suggesting he/she should be a major character, just someone that shows up on occasion so that we know there is someone there.

[JadziaKathryn]

Gah, no more MU!

I'm all for R/S. I've heard rumors that Linda Park was angling for A/S, but that's just squicky.

At some point I'd like to see Trip introduce T'Pol to his family.

[Rigil Kent]

In regards to MU, I tend to agree with JadziaKathryn: no more, please. Since it really doesn't have anything to do with the RU, I'm not particularly interested, especially when doing so robs us of a couple more RU episodes (ala IAMD). I personally would gladly have given up IAMD for two episodes wherein T'Pol and Trip are actually together instead of going from Bound where they imply that they're finally getting together to Demons/Terra Prime where both are literally complaining about the bond as if it were a bad thing.

And since I never really perceived anything really between Reed and Sato (not to mention, the characters didn't really grab my interest all that much), I remain indifferent toward such a pairing (despite having used in my own Endeavour fics). Given Reed's strict sense of near military discipline, I find the idea of him breaking the no-frat rule unlikely at best, and given Trek's historically bad job of writing romances, I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be something I'm particularly interested in watching.

Well, if they have a contignent of MACOs on board they should have a commanding officer. Reed has other responsibilities as TAC.

And what responsibilities are those exactly? He's basically just the head of security who also fires the ship's weapons ... so why wouldn't he be in charge of the MACOs as well? Apart from one single episode that springs to mind (Hatchery), I don't recall him in the command chair throughout the rest of the series, so his duties seem relatively light.

Frankly, instead of assigning another MACO character who we rarely see, I'd rather have episodes where Reed has to earn back the respect of the MACO detachment that serves under him after having thoroughly and completely lost any and all respect with his sniveling in that episode where he was arrested. Ugh.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

In regards to MU, I tend to agree with JadziaKathryn: no more, please. Since it really doesn't have anything to do with the RU, I'm not particularly interested, especially when doing so robs us of a couple more RU episodes (ala IAMD). I personally would gladly have given up IAMD for two episodes wherein T'Pol and Trip are actually together instead of going from Bound where they imply that they're finally getting together to Demons/Terra Prime where both are literally complaining about the bond as if it were a bad thing.

I agree that we got robbed of two more RU stories with the MU in season four. But now that IaMD is there I think we could spare one episode out of 78 (three seasons à 26 episodes) just to know what happens and get some closure, especially what happens to Mirror TnT.

And since I never really perceived anything really between Reed and Sato

Well, there is Silent Enemy, the set-up which was rather ignored later on.

Well, if they have a contignent of MACOs on board they should have a commanding officer. Reed has other responsibilities as TAC.

And what responsibilities are those exactly? He's basically just the head of security who also fires the ship's weapons ... so why wouldn't he be in charge of the MACOs as well? Apart from one single episode that springs to mind (Hatchery), I don't recall him in the command chair throughout the rest of the series, so his duties seem relatively light.

Well, my take on the MACOs is that there is a platoon-sized contignent from another branch assigned to the Enterprise and as such it should have it's own commander (a Lieutenant). I don't think Reed has light duties. Not only is he head of security, he is also responsible for ship's defences (weapons, tactics, hull plating, counter-measures (in my world)).

[Rigil Kent]

But now that IaMD is there I think we could spare one episode out of 78 (three seasons à 26 episodes) just to know what happens and get some closure, especially what happens to Mirror TnT.

To each their own. I'd rather see more RU stories than another MU episode. Ultimately, they're ultimately pointless in ENT since they don't affect the RU-verse in the slightest. Not to mention, since Bakula is still the "star" of the show and evidently had it in his contract that he would be in at least 50% of every episode, they're going to have to come up with an explanation how he survived Sato's poisoning, and, based on his characterization in that episode, I don't see why he would be needed. He's not one of the great thinkers of that universe and came across as little more than a foul-tempered thug. So, I stand my assessment that, if I'm in charge of the writing team, there won't be any more MU episodes.

I won't comment further on the RU Reed/Sato thing since I already said my piece about them.

Well, my take on the MACOs is that there is a platoon-sized contignent from another branch assigned to the Enterprise and as such it should have it's own commander (a Lieutenant). I don't think Reed has light duties. Not only is he head of security, he is also responsible for ship's defences (weapons, tactics, hull plating, counter-measures (in my world)).

With all due respect, the MACOs are there simply to provide security. Since Reed is head of security, he is, by default, their commander. We don't need another officer. To be perfectly honest, officers get in the way. (And I'm sure CX will whine about that not being true when everyone who has spent time in the military knows that it is.) If you're insistent on there being someone "in charge" of the MACOs instead of Reed, let it be a recurring background NCO, like SGT Kemper or ... heh ... SGT Cole.

As to Reed's duties, simply based on what you've indicated, I'm not seeing him having a lot to do during downtime (of which there should be a lot) except drill with the MACOs or drill the weapons teams (which could easily become one and the same in the unlikely event that UESPA Starfleet pulls its head out of its fourth point of contact.) Besides, he is a lieutenant, so that means he can command the MACOs.

[Entilzha]

Wasn't there some unnamed major shown in the fourth season as the MACOs commanding officer(I could be wrong). I see the MACOs as a special forces unit and Reed may give them over all commands but as I see it he isn't trained to lead such a unit in combat situation because their tactics and training are different from security personnel.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

With all due respect, the MACOs are there simply to provide security.

I think they're more like special ops, at least in my version of season five and beyond. Like you do on Endeavour, we can make them more competent than they were in season three.

As to Reed's duties, simply based on what you've indicated, I'm not seeing him having a lot to do during downtime (of which there should be a lot) except drill with the MACOs or drill the weapons teams (which could easily become one and the same in the unlikely event that UESPA Starfleet pulls its head out of its fourth point of contact.)

Everyone would have downtime on a starship. I mean, what's Travis doing when he's not sitting at the helm (and even then, when they're just cruising at warp, there wouldn't be much to do)? Or Hoshi when she's not opening hailing frequencies or translating alien communications?

Besides, he is a lieutenant, so that means he can command the MACOs.

I meant a Lieutenant in the 0-2 non-navy sense, since I found it odd indeed that they put a Major (O-4) in charge during season four. Besides, Reed got a promotion to Lt Cmdr at the start of "my" season five. As department head I imagine he has a couple of junior officers under him, in the armoury, at security etc. One of those could be the MACO Lieutenant (although he shouldn't be like Lt Gorman )

Wasn't there some unnamed major shown in the fourth season as the MACOs commanding officer(I could be wrong).

Not that we saw, no.

I see the MACOs as a special forces unit and Reed may give them over all commands but as I see it he isn't trained to lead such a unit in combat situation because their tactics and training are different from security personnel.

That's my impression as well.

[Rigil Kent]

The MACOs are not Special Forces. Trust me on this. I'm ex-infantry (regular infantry, not special operations like the Rangers or SF). A well-trained Boy Scout unit could kick the crap out of the MACOs. I shudder to think what a regular infantry unit, or God forbid, an elite unit would do to them.

Everyone would have downtime on a starship. I mean, what's Travis doing when he's not sitting at the helm (and even then, when they're just cruising at warp, there wouldn't be much to do)? Or Hoshi when she's not opening hailing frequencies or translating alien communications?

I disagree, actually. As ChEng, Tucker really shouldn't have much downtime himself since there's always going to be something needing to be fixed, repaired, or adjusted, and we've already seen that he's a very hands-on ChEng. As both XO and SCI (grrrrr), T'Pol should realistically be swamped with so much work that she would have to be working while sleeping and eating. One would presume that Sato would be working on language databases and the like, but given the (ridiculous) UT, she really doesn't serve a purpose on the ship anyway. Mayweather isn't a good example, 'cause he doesn't do or say anything most of the time anyway.

Since ENT is not a dedicated warship (and would frankly suck if it was), why is this TAC so busy? If he's in charge of ship's security, then that includes the MACOs.

I meant a Lieutenant in the 0-2 non-navy sense, since I found it odd indeed that they put a Major (O-4) in charge during season four.

Um ... an O-2 in the Navy is a lieutenant. LT JG, actually.

As department head I imagine he has a couple of junior officers under him, in the armoury, at security etc. One of those could be the MACO Lieutenant (although he shouldn't be like Lt Gorman )

What department? Security/Tactical ... which would include the MACOs.

Where does this obsession about putting more officers on the ship come from? They aren't needed. A senior NCO is going to have more experience than some wet behind the years butterbar.

Frankly, given the low number of crewmembers aboard ENT to begin with, I think they already have too many officers.

[Entilzha]

A well-trained Boy Scout unit could kick the crap out of the MACOs. I shudder to think what a regular infantry unit, or God forbid, an elite unit would do to them.

Hey it's Trek so what can you expect. Even one person could take over the ship.

[Rigil Kent]

And that says a lot about the low expectations we've come to have about Trek, doesn't it? When a so-called "elite" unit looks like a gaggle of wannabes who don't know the first thing about combat tactics, we shrug it off by saying "it's Trek. What d'ya expect?"

[Entilzha]

Actually I never remember the security personnel ever being tough guys in Trek.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

The MACOs are not Special Forces. Trust me on this. I'm ex-infantry (regular infantry, not special operations like the Rangers or SF). A well-trained Boy Scout unit could kick the crap out of the MACOs. I shudder to think what a regular infantry unit, or God forbid, an elite unit would do to them.

As I said above, I know that the MACO depicted aren't like the special ops they probably were thought to be. But in my (and co-incidentally your's, in Endeavour) version of post-season four ENT, the MACOs are much more competent.

I meant a Lieutenant in the 0-2 non-navy sense, since I found it odd indeed that they put a Major (O-4) in charge during season four.

Um ... an O-2 in the Navy is a lieutenant. LT JG, actually.

I know that! I just put my original Lieutenant reference there to say that I thought it was ridiculous for them to have a Major in charge during season three. Then you went on and said that Reed, being a Lt, could be that commander and we got a bit side-tracked. Never mind!

As department head I imagine he has a couple of junior officers under him, in the armoury, at security etc. One of those could be the MACO Lieutenant (although he shouldn't be like Lt Gorman )

What department? Security/Tactical ... which would include the MACOs.

Yes and yes.

Where does this obsession about putting more officers on the ship come from? They aren't needed. A senior NCO is going to have more experience than some wet behind the years butterbar.

Frankly, given the low number of crewmembers aboard ENT to begin with, I think they already have too many officers.

The ship is understaffed as it is, with both crew and officers, given that they have 3-4 shifts to fill out.

Besides, you yourself has put an officer-in-charge (Lt jg Reynolds, Hayes and Stiles respectively) of the MACOs on Endeavour, while the TAC is Lt Cmdr Eisler!

Look, I think we're done with this exchange. I just wanted to add a little Aliens flavour to the show, with the MACOs being like the contingent of Colonial Marines. So lets just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

[JadziaKathryn]

Wasn't there some unnamed major shown in the fourth season as the MACOs commanding officer(I could be wrong).

There was Hayes in the third season. It rather seems to me like he was there solely for the purpose of ticking off Reed for some "drama" and "tension." 'Cause, you know, hunting down a superweapon that will decimate Earth isn't enough.

Rigil, I think you're right about low expectations in Trek, but I also must add that to those of us non-military types, the MACOS can look pretty efficient and impressive. I'm not saying that justifies sloppy writing, but just idly noting something.

Mayweather isn't a good example, 'cause he doesn't do or say anything most of the time anyway.

I think someone over at fanfiction.net had a GTAP (Give Travis a Personality) campaign going, and I would like to see some of that. I never heard anything about the Bakula 50% contract, but maybe they should've renegotiated if he wanted more time for his family. That, to me, seems fairly obvious. Then other characters could've been expanded on. Who knows - they could've even expanded on the Hess character enough to give her a first name!

[Rigil Kent]

As I said above, I know that the MACO depicted aren't like the special ops they probably were thought to be. But in my (and co-incidentally your's, in Endeavour) version of post-season four ENT, the MACOs are much more competent.

My version doesn't count, however, 'cause they've got a TAC who was a MACO and is directly responsible for their level of competence.

The problem with making Security guys competent, though, is that goes directly against 40+ years of Trek history where they've firmly established that they weren't competent. Ever. It's why I've acknowledged that my Endeavour series is very obviously an AU that won't lead to TOS or TNG, since my Starfleet is actually a military.

The ship is understaffed as it is, with both crew and officers, given that they have 3-4 shifts to fill out.

And why do they need 3-4 shifts? A modern American submarine has two shifts (Blue and Gold), and they're able to survive without difficulty. I'm not sure how you can say that they're necessarily understaffed, though, since I seem to recall that they established early in the series that sleeping space was already at a premium. (Still dunno where they put the MACOs at ...)

Besides, you yourself has put an officer-in-charge (Lt jg Reynolds, Hayes and Stiles respectively) of the MACOs on Endeavour, while the TAC is Lt Cmdr Eisler!

Apples and oranges. From it's original inception, Endeavour was intended to be a warship. Further, the OIC that you mention is primarily the WSO, not the security chief. Eisler's primary job has moved beyond TAC to a sort of co-XO.

Look, I think we're done with this exchange.

Okay. No need to get angry - I was just disagreeing with you.

Rigil, I think you're right about low expectations in Trek, but I also must add that to those of us non-military types, the MACOS can look pretty efficient and impressive. I'm not saying that justifies sloppy writing, but just idly noting something.

Seriously? You thought they were impressive? *shakes head* There's a laundry list of things that they did wrong, things that I would have recognized as being wrong before I ever considered joining the military...

Ah well.

I never heard anything about the Bakula 50% contract,

I don't think that there was one ... that was my way of pointing out that, unlike DS9 which could have Sisko show up for thirty seconds and not be in the rest of an episode, Bakula seemed to be in almost every single scene of an episode. I'm not going to comment whether that's good or bad since pretty much everyone already knows what I think about that.

Who knows - they could've even expanded on the Hess character enough to give her a first name!

Or an actress. Although I'd rather they focus on the characters we already have instead of introducing even more...