Captain Archer Did 6 Amazing Things That Star Trek: Enterprise Didn’t Show

Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) did 6 amazing things after Star Trek: Enterprise ended. Created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, Star Trek: Enterprise (originally titled simply Enterprise) was the first Star Trek prequel TV series. Set in the 22nd century, Enterprise retconned Archer as the first Captain of the Enterprise, Starfleet’s first Warp 5-capable NX-01 as the first starship to bear that name.

Never the ratings darling Star Trek: The Next Generation was, Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled after 4 seasons by United Paramount Network (UPN). However, Enterprise’s producers had ambitious plans for the series and for Captain Archer, who was to become an instrumental figure in Star Trek history. Archer’s voyages leading the NX-01 Enterprise formed crucial alliances and laid the foundation of the United Federation of Planets.

Ultimately, Captain Archer’s post-Enterprise history was hinted at in a data file seen in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4’s Mirror Universe two-parter, “In a Mirror, Darkly.” This information lays out the canonical events of Captain Archer’s future after his time as Captain of the Enterprise. Archer’s post-NX-01 career includes incredible accomplishments as he embraced a leadership role in the Federation. Here are 6 amazing things Captain Archer did after Star Trek: Enterprise ended.

6

Captain Archer Commanded Enterprise For 10 Years

Audiences Only The First Four Years Of Archer’s Enterprise Voyages

Star Trek: Enterprise hoped to run 7 seasons like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager did, but the prequel only lasted 4 years. Yet Star Trek: Enterprise‘s controversial series finale, “These Are The Voyages…”, established that Captain Archer commanded the NX-01 Enterprise for 10 years, from 2250-2260. Archer’s Enterprise bridge crew also remained aboard for the duration of their decade-long mission.

Had Star Trek: Enterprise continued into season 5, there were plans to upgrade the NX-01. Archer’s Enterprise would have been refitted with a secondary hull beneath the saucer section. This would have made the NX-01 a closer precursor to the design of the 23rd century Constitution Class USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series. The refitted NX-01 Enterprise was finally seen at the Fleet Museum on Athan Prime in Star Trek: Picard season 3.

Archer Is The First Captain Of The Enterprise To Become An Admiral

Following his historic tenure as the first Captain of the Enterprise, Jonathan Archer was promoted to Admiral by Starfleet. Archer is the first Enterprise Captain to rise to the rank of Admiral, followed by Captain Robert April (Adrian Holmes), Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Captain Jean-Luc (Picard), and Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) in later Star Trek eras. Archer’s promotion reflects his historical status as “the greatest explorer of the 22nd century.”

Admiral Archer was confirmed to exist in the alternate Kelvin Timeline of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek movies as well. Admiral Archer (and his prized beagle) were name-dropped in Star Trek (2009). Star Trek: Enterprise is canon in both the Prime and Kelvin timelines since the prequel is set decades before the destruction of the USS Kelvin in 2330 created a divergent reality.

Montgomery Scott (Simon Pegg) tested his transwarp theory on Admiral Archer’s prized beagle in Star Trek (2009).

Unfortunately, not much is known about Archer’s canonical accomplishments as a Starfleet Admiral. However, Archer’s list of impressive Starfleet commendations includes a Medal of Valor with clusters, a Star Cross, the Preantares Ribbon of Commendation, and the Federation Citation of Honor. Admiral Archer retired from Starfleet with the rank of Chief of Staff, Starfleet Command.

4

Captain Archer Had 2 Planets Named After Him

Archer IV & Archer’s Planet Are Named For The Captain

Another unique accomplishment by Jonathan Archer is that he’s the only Captain of the Enterprise who has two planets named after him. Star Trek: Enterprise’s third episode saw Captain Archer lead a landing party to an Earth-like world that eventually was designated Archer IV. Unfortunately, Archer IV was uninhabitable until the 23rd century due to a dangerous airborne toxin that caused Enterprise’s crew to experience hallucinatory paranoia.

A second world, dubbed simply Archer’s Planet, was also named after the first Enterprise Captain. Archer’s Planet hasn’t been seen in Star Trek, and it was only mentioned in the data file seen in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4’s “In a Mirror, Darkly” two-parter. However, Archer IV wasn’t only seen in Star Trek: Enterprise, but was also name-dropped years before by Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3’s classic “Yesterday’s Enterprise.”

3

Captain Archer Became Ambassador To Andoria

Archer & Shran Only Became Closer

Admiral Archer was named to the Andorian Honor Guard by General Thy’lek Shran (Jeffrey Combs) in 2164, four years after Jonathan left the NX-01 Enterprise. From 2169-2175, Archer served as the Federation Ambassador to Andoria. Archer was uniquely suited for diplomatic ties with the blue-skinned species with antennae after he forged a friendship with then-Commander Shran in Star Trek: Enterprise. If Star Trek: Enterprise season 5 happened, Shran would have joined Archer’s NX-01 bridge crew as an advisor.

Shran is one of the most popular of the ten Star Trek characters portrayed by Jeffrey Combs.

Captain Archer and Sub-commander T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) first encountered Shran and the Andorians on the Vulcan moon P’Jem in Star Trek: Enterprise season 1. Archer and T’Pol helped Shran prove the Vulcans were illegally monitoring Andoria from a secret listening station on P’Jem. Shran returned in all four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise, and gradually, the Andorian and his “pink skin” ally, Archer, became trusted friends.

2

Captain Archer Became A Federation Councilman & President

Archer Is The Only Enterprise Captain To Run The Federation

Admiral Jonathan Archer retired from Starfleet for a life of politics. After concluding his post as Ambassador to Andoria, Archer served on the Federation Council. Jonathan was a Federation Councilman for eight years, from 2175-2183. Archer distinguished himself on the Federation Council, which set the stage for the biggest job in the Federation, which is fitting since Jonathan laid the groundwork for the UFP to exist.

From 2184-2192, Jonathan Archer became President of the United Federation of Planets. Archer is the only former Captain of the Enterprise to become Federation President. Archer’s term lasted a full 8 years. However, Jonathan Archer has been referred to as the first Federation President, but it’s not clear if the UFP didn’t have a Chief Executive until 2184, or if this accolade is mistaken. Nevertheless, President Archer helped close out the 22nd century and usher in the 23rd century.

1

President Archer Saw The Launch Of The Starship Enterprise

Archer Lived To His 130s

Star Trek: Enterprise writer Michael Sussman penned a part of Captain Jonathan Archer’s biography seen in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4’s “In a Mirror Darkly” that said, “… died at his home in Upstate New York in the year 2245, exactly one day after attending the christening ceremony of the first Federation Starship Enterprise.” Unfortunately, since it wasn’t seen on camera in the episode, it isn’t officially considered Star Trek canon.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 7, “Those Old Scientists,” established that horonium from the NX-01 Enterprise was placed inside the USS Enterprise NCC-1701, and that Captain Archer was the hero of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount).

Still, taking into account that it was intended for air on Star Trek: Enterprise, this snippet is a fitting end to Jonathan Archer’s life. An extremely elderly President Archer witnessing the christening of the Constitution Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701 would be a thematically perfect final moment for Archer before his death. It caps off how so many of Captain Archer’s greatest life and career moments happened after Star Trek: Enterprise ended.