Jonathan Archer is up there with the many iconic and legendary captains of the Star Trek Universe,
even though Enterprise was only four seasons,
he’s certainly a fan favourite.
But with the ever evolving Universe of Star Trek right now,
perhaps there is room for him to return?
Let’s explore how that might work, AND, how it might actually be happening sooner than you think!
Hello everyone, my name is Captain Jack and welcome to Trek Central!
Now with many iconic actors and actresses returning to Star Trek, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, John Delancie and of course many more,
it’s always nice to imagine other iconic actors reprising their legendary characters
from the Star Trek Universe.
Thinking about it, is there really room for Scott Bakula to return as Jonathan Archer in Star Trek right now?
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Very recently it was announced that Scott Bakula’s long running series,
NCIS: New Orleans
would be coming to a finish later this year on May 23rd 2021.
This of course now leaves plenty of room for Baklula to don the Enterprise uniform once again,
if he wanted to of course.
There is no denying that Enterprise’s finale episode was not the best episode for the fans,
and also the cast.
Rumor has it that Scott Baklua was very very upset at the ending of Enterprise
and how it closed out the story of not only Archer, but the likes of Commander Charles “Trip” Tucker as well.
Though recently, or more specifically last year, Bakula made a surprise appearance during the Star Trek: Day Celebrations,
coming back for the Enterprise reunion panel alongside other cast members
to talk about the series and what they did.
Fun fact, this year is the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: Enterprise,
meaning it would totally make sense to announce an Archer cameo!
I mean common! Please!
The rumour that Scott Bakula will return as Captain Jonathan Archer has been going around for some time now.
This is a perfect time to mention that there is ZERO confirmation that Bakula is indeed returning,
and anyone saying so is likely doing it for the clicks etc.
If he was to return, there would be some grand announcement and I think we would have heard more about it right now.
Let’s explore some of the ways Archer could return in Star Trek right now!
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is our next big flagship series for the Star Trek Universe.
Anson Mount returns as Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise.
Of course, we know that Jonathan Archer is actually the first Captain of the NX-01 Enterprise,
so is there room for him to return?
We’ve had a few theories about this.
It might be possible for a cameo of Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer in the upcoming Strange New Worlds series,
but how would this work you ask?
Well one of the possibilities is a flashback scene!
It’s already theorized that Strange New Worlds will see flashbacks of Captain Pike’s life,
but how would that connect with Jonathan Archer, well for the moment it wouldn't,
but another central character of the show might. Of course this character would be the USS Enterprise.
Although Jonathan Archer never served or had any dealings with the legendary Constitution-class Enterprise,
he would see it christening in 2245.
According to a screen that was supposed to be in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode “In a Mirror Darkly”,
it revealed that Archer died in his home in 2245
a day after attending the christening event for the USS Enterprise.
Ultimately an alternate image was used for that episode, rendering the event not really canon at all.
However, it could be something for the writers of Strange New Worlds to build on.
Seeing an aged cast member wouldn’t be the first time in the launch of the new show.
The late DeForrest Kelly was seen in the opening to Star Trek: The Next Generation after all.
Archer could appear in a flashback scene for the launch of the USS Enterprise,
alongside Pike himself, but also Captain Robert April,
the first captain of the Enterprise and also someone we’ve not spent a massive amount of time with at all.
It’s one of those scenes that could work well,but we’ll have to see if it plays out.
Another theory would be that Archer could turn up in a new series all together.
For a while now, there has been a Star Trek series rumored to be about the Starfleet Academy.
Essentially a series focused on the new and fresh cadets of Starfleet,
before they go on to be ambitious Starfleet officers,
or red shirts who get killed on the first mission.
While I doubt we would see Archer anywhere near an academy anytime soon,
he could make an accruing role depending on the setting and timeframe of the series.
Jonathan Archer would go on to serve as Federation President for sometime,
as well as Starfleet Chief of Staff after Admiral Gardernr stepped down.
If a series about the Starfleet Academy was to go ahead, and set sometime before The Original Series,
but after Star Trek: Enterprise, we could see Archer make a recurring role as the Starfleet Chief of Staff,
or even the Federation President.
A lot of these theories do depend on whether Scott Bakula does want to return to the Star Trek Universe.
Originally, given the ending of Enterprise, it did not seem he was that keen for it,
but lately with his appearance during Star Trek day last year,
the time might be different now, and we could see Archer back sometime soon.
Of course, ViacomCBS’s long standing flagship series, Star Trek: Discovery, is now in the brand new 32nd Century
exploring the new version of Starfleet and the Federation.
Now in this new frontier, there have been other mentions of Time Travel,
but also the Temporal Cold War, an event Jonathan Archer was somewhat involved in.
Weather Discovery will touch on the Temporal Cold War again is unknown right now,
though I would like them to.
But could we see some sort of crossover with Captain Archer dropping into Discovery?
While it’s possible in the grand scheme of magic time travel Star Trek things, i personally do not see it happening.
A lot of people have theorized that this could happen, and while i agree that it certainly is possible,
especially given the Kelvin Timeline hint in Season 3,
I doubt the writers and producers would want to crossover just yet.
Of course, one of the cameos of Jonathan Archer could be like Lenoard Nimoy’s Spock in Star Trek Discovery Season 3
Season 3 saw the late Nimoy cameo as Spcok in a recording,
using footage from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Something like this could be used in any of the currently airing series.
Perhaps Federation President Archer giving a speech about why everyone should come together
in the name of Starfleet and the Federation?
That would go down really well in the new Discovery setting i think.
m just saying, if Archer does return to the Star Trek Universe,
he better be bringing Porthos with him!
Would you be excited to see Jonathan Archer back in the Star Trek Universe once again? Let us know in the comment section below!
Personally I would LOVE to see Archer return, as Enterprise was one of my favourite series of all time.
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For now, I’ve been Captain Jack, thanks for watching and we’ll see you next time! Live Long and prosper my friends!