How Star Trek: Lower Decks Managed To Get Enterprise’s Jolene Blalock To Appear, And Why She’s Only Credited By Her First Name

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The final episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks provided a thrilling conclusion for fans, leaving some eagerly anticipating future Trek series that adhere to the show’s established canon. Notably, numerous actors from the past made appearances in these episodes, including one who had previously appeared only in Star Trek: Enterprise, available with a Paramount+ subscription. Fans might wonder how Jolene Blalock, a franchise icon, was brought back to reprise her role as T’Pol, and why she was credited using just her first name. Mike McMahan recently revealed the answers to these questions in an interview with TopMob.

In an exclusive chat before the finale, I had the privilege to sit down with Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan, discussing the daring twist he introduced to the Star Trek universe and, needless to say, the joy of welcoming back none other than Jolene Blalock to this captivating sci-fi world. T’Pol, a fan favorite and one of the franchise’s most cherished characters, hadn’t made an appearance in any new-age projects until now. Here, Mike McMahan shares the behind-the-scenes story that led to her return:

Starting with a heartfelt invitation, he reached out personally to Blalock, setting the wheels in motion for this exciting reunion.

Ensuring clear and respectful interaction with Jolene was crucial for us. I penned a letter expressing how significant her Enterprise contributions were to me, both as a Star Trek enthusiast and a writer, emphasizing my admiration for her portrayal of T’Pol. I shared this script with her, which she read, watched the series, and surprisingly agreed to be part of it. It seemed that she had declined other Star Trek offers due to feeling like decoration rather than an integral part. Perhaps our direct approach caught her attention instead of an agent’s, as she expressed liking the show herself before joining us.

In Star Trek: Lower Decks, although T’Pol hails from a different universe, she remains quite similar to the character we knew from Enterprise. This is because Mike McMahan has previously mentioned that T’Lyn was modeled after T’Pol. So, it’s not surprising that he and his team were able to capture her personality and moments flawlessly.

Though T’Pol didn’t make it onto TopMob’s list of top “Star Trek” characters, she is deeply admired and often recognized as one of the most beloved characters in “Enterprise.” This was her grand return to the franchise after many years, and as mentioned, showrunner Mike McMahan made sure to honor any requests or stipulations she had, resulting in the intriguing scene where her name appears without a surname in the closing credits. The showrunner has addressed this matter below:

She asked if she could go by the name Jolene, and we responded, “Feel free to be whoever you want to be, Jolene.” In this profession, people often have limitations imposed on them. We wanted to assure her that she was in control of her decisions because we were grateful for her return. She didn’t explain why, but she requested to simply be known as Jolene here, and we were more than willing to accommodate that.

In the Star Trek: Lower Decks credits, Blalock is merely referred to as “Jolene.” Although the creator didn’t clarify the reason for this, they did confirm that it was honored. Given there isn’t another significant “Jolene” in Trek history, I can speculate that the reason might not be controversial and could simply be due to a lack of similar characters within the franchise.

As a long-time Trekkie who has been following the Star Trek universe for over three decades, I must say I am genuinely excited about the prospect of Jolene reprising her role as T’Pol in future Star Trek shows. Having grown up watching the adventures of Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise, I can attest to the impact that each character has had on me and countless others.

T’Pol, as a Vulcan science officer, was always one of my favorites due to her intelligence, discipline, and strong sense of duty. Her unique perspective on emotion and logic made for some truly captivating scenes, and I believe she would bring that same depth to any new series she appears in.

If Joline does return as T’Pol, I hope the writers will delve deeper into her character, exploring her emotional growth and personal relationships outside of her Vulcan upbringing. I also think it would be interesting to see how she adjusts to the ever-changing world of Starfleet and its new challenges.

In terms of possible appearances in Strange New Worlds or Starfleet Academy, I believe T’Pol would fit seamlessly into these stories, offering a fresh perspective on the mysteries and adventures that each show presents. Moreover, with Robert Picardo reprising his role as the EMH, the possibilities for character crossovers are endless, making it all the more exciting to imagine T’Pol appearing in holographic form.

Ultimately, I hope that Jolene is open to returning to the Star Trek universe and that the writers can create compelling stories that do justice to her character. As a fan, I am eagerly awaiting any news regarding her potential appearances and look forward to seeing T’Pol once again grace our screens.

The television show “Star Trek: Lower Decks” has concluded, but you can still watch the entire series on Paramount+. Discussions about the series are still lively even after its finale, and if you’re interested in learning more about the Klingon connection to “Discovery”, be sure to check out what Mike McMahan shared with TopMob about it.

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2025-01-03 00:08