As a long-time Star Trek enthusiast, I must say that the U.S.S. Enterprise E has left an indelible mark on the Star Trek universe, and its legacy continues to resonate even in the latest series. The ship was not only the stage for Picard and his crew’s most critical moments but also served as a poignant backdrop for the final mission of our beloved android Data in “Star Trek: Nemesis.
The “Star Trek” franchise is full of iconic starships from the Delta quadrant-sailing USS Voyager to the USS Cerritos with its crew of wild and woolly characters. But the ones that will always hold a special place in the hearts of Trekkies are those ships lucky enough to bear the name USS Enterprise. The legacy of starships named “Enterprise” dates back to humanity’s first serious ventures into interstellar space exploration in “Star Trek: Enterprise” with the experimental Warp 5-capable NX-01. Its next few successors include the Constitution-class NCC-1701, Constitution II-class NCC-1701-A, Excelsior-class refit NCC-1701-B, Ambassador-class NCC-1701-C, and the Galaxy-class NCC-1701-D captained by Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
The Enterprise-E, launched a year after the Enterprise-D began service in 2363, continued active duty for an unspecified period through the 2380s. This implies that the crew had just as many exciting voyages on this newer, more advanced vessel before Worf’s (Michael Dorn) actions, suggested in “Star Trek: Picard,” may have led to its destruction.
In Star Trek lore, though specifics about the Enterprise-E’s history and demise aren’t explicitly stated, there are subtle clues scattered across dialogues and other canonical sources that suggest its fate.
The U.S.S. Enterprise E was a crown jewel in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Following the close call with destruction during the Battle of Veridian III (“Star Trek: Generations”), Starfleet names a ship already in construction – the Enterprise-E. First seen in “Star Trek: First Contact” under Captain Picard’s command, where Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) referred to it as “the most advanced starship in the fleet”. The Enterprise-E was unveiled with the approaching Borg threat in mind. Given its military intent, the Enterprise-E is not a vessel for families. Contrasting with the 42-deck Enterprise-D, the Enterprise-E has between 24 and 29 decks depending on who you ask, and measures nearly 700 meters long according to Picard.
Despite not offering all the lavish amenities of Enterprise-D, Enterprise-E does come equipped with a hydroponics bay and a library guarded by a strict librarian, as seen in an unused scene from “Star Trek: Insurrection.” This ship can sustain warp 8 travel for long durations and can even achieve warp 9.99 for 24 hours. Its cutting-edge defense system and powerful armament, including a quantum torpedo turret that fires four rounds every second, make it a formidable vessel.
Here’s where we last saw the U.S.S. Enterprise E
In “Star Trek: First Contact,” the Starship Enterprise-E had been exploring space for almost a year when it encountered the Borg. Given Picard’s past encounters with the Borg, Starfleet instructed the Enterprise-E to monitor the Romulan Neutral Zone. However, Picard disobeyed these orders, which ultimately proved beneficial for the Federation as he played a crucial role in winning the Battle of Sector 001. The crew then pursued another Borg ship through a time warp and remained in the year 2063 just long enough to prevent the Borg from hindering humanity’s first encounter with the Vulcans.
Approximately ten years after the event, the starship Enterprise-E finds itself embroiled in a confrontation between the Son’a and Ba’ku peoples that escalates into the Battle of the Briar Patch as depicted in “Star Trek: Insurrection.” Subsequently, in the year 2379, following significant upgrades such as new photon torpedo launchers, bridge railings, nacelle pylons with improved phaser arrays, the vessel encounters a conflict with Romulan Praetor Shinzon. This clash reaches its peak at the Battle of Bassen Rift, causing severe damage to Enterprise-E including a malfunctioning warp core, broken viewscreen, and considerable hull rupture.
Under Picard’s guidance, Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) deliberately collides the Enterprise-E with Shinzon’s vessel, the Scimitar, causing severe damage to its forward saucer section. In the final moments of “Star Trek: Nemesis,” the Sovereign-class ship can be observed in a spacedock above Earth, undergoing repairs.
What happened to the Enterprise E and why wasn’t it in Star Trek: Picard?
Following its apparent destruction in “Star Trek: Nemesis,” the Starship Enterprise-E continues to embark on new adventures, as revealed in the episode “Seventeen Seconds” of “Star Trek: Picard.” During this time, Captain Jean-Luc Picard learns from Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) that she conceived his son Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) on Casperia Prime two months before leaving the Enterprise-E – a revelation made on the same day they ended their relationship for the fifth time. When Picard inquires as to why he was never informed, Crusher mentions several perilous incidents that disrupted communication: refugees from Kalara V abducted Picard and held him captive for nine days; two Reman assassins threatened Picard with a disruptor in the Donatra system; and finally, a photon grenade almost exploded during negotiations with a praetor. Subsequently, it’s confirmed in the novel “Star Trek: The Last Best Hope” that Worf assumed command as captain soon after these events.
In the “Picard” episode “Vox”, some members of the Enterprise-E crew reacquaint and decide to take a vessel from the Fleet Museum in 2401. La Forge suggests, “We require an older ship – something that operates independently.” The Sovereign-class ship they previously served on seems like the logical choice, but instead, they steal the refurbished Enterprise-D. This ship has been equipped with engines and nacelles from the Syracuse as part of La Forge’s ongoing project. Later, when someone questions the choice not to use the Enterprise-E, La Forge explains, “Clearly, we can’t utilize the Enterprise-E,” to which Worf responds, “That wasn’t my doing.” During a Zoom meeting with the Master Replicas Collectors Club, showrunner Terry Matalas revealed that the ambiguity regarding the ship’s fate was intentionally humorous.
The U.S.S. Enterprise E left a big legacy in the Star Trek universe
Despite having less screen time compared to its prestigious predecessor, the spacecraft Enterprise-E significantly impacted human history. This was the vessel where Captain Picard and his crew thwarted the Borg Queen from causing a time-related Borg apocalypse. Additionally, it was aboard this ship that the Enterprise team bid farewell to their cherished comrade Data (portrayed by Brent Spiner), who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his colleagues in “Star Trek: Nemesis.
Despite the mystery surrounding how Worf might have damaged the family vehicle, it’s clear that Picard’s legacy didn’t end with his departure, as evidenced by a brief appearance of the Enterprise-E in “Star Trek: Prodigy,” where it was seen engaged in the Starfleet armada during the Battle of Gamma Serpenti (“Battle Lines”). According to the Star Trek Logs, an official account maintained by CBS and Paramount, the final mission of the Enterprise-E remained classified.
In the year 2386, the Odyssey-class Enterprise-F took over from the previous ship. This vessel was taken out of service in 2401 and replaced by the USS Titan, which was renamed as the Enterprise-G the following year. Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) took command of this new Enterprise-G in 2402, with Raffaela Musiker (Michelle Hurd) and Jack Crusher serving under her. This event marked a significant milestone for Captain Seven of Nine, especially since she had tried to resign earlier but was instead promoted by Tuvok. (“Picard”: “The Last Generation”)
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2024-10-30 21:00