Star Trek: Enterprise (season 3)

The third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Enterprise commenced airing on UPN in the United States on September 10, 2003 and concluded on May 26, 2004 after 24 episodes. Set in the 22nd century, the series follows the adventures of the first Starfleet starship Enterprise, registration NX-01, and its crew.

Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 3
DVD and Blu-ray cover
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkUPN
Original releaseSeptember 10, 2003 (2003-09-10) –
May 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

Starting with the third episode of this season, producers added Star Trek to the name of the show, previously the series was known simply as Enterprise. The opening theme was also changed for a more instrumental version.

With UPN seeking to attract a wider audience for the show, this season the writers pivoted from the stand-alone episodes Star Trek had been known for, to a single, serialized storyline: the crew's mission to prevent the Earth being destroyed by a newly introduced alien species, the Xindi. Episodes focus on action-driven plots and a military assault team is stationed aboard as the crew faces more combat during missions away from Enterprise.[1]

Plot overview edit

The third season embraces a heavily serialized format initially dedicated to the search for a Xindi superweapon. It focuses on the Enterprise NX-01's mission to prevent a second, more powerful Xindi attack from destroying Earth. It also explores and develops the early encounters between Humans, Vulcans and Andorians. Additionally, main characters such as Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol receive considerable development.

Cast edit

Main cast edit

Recurring cast edit

Episodes edit

In the following table, episodes are listed by the order in which they aired.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDateDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
531"The Xindi"UnknownAllan KroekerRick Berman & Brannon BragaSeptember 10, 2003 (2003-09-10)40358-0534.07[2]
Captain Archer and Lieutenant Reed visit a mining facility in order to track down a Xindi.
542"Anomaly"UnknownDavid StraitonMike SussmanSeptember 17, 2003 (2003-09-17)40358-0544.29[3]
The crew of Enterprise encounters the rigours of the Delphic Expanse first-hand, and deal with pirates operating from a giant cloaked alien sphere.
553"Extinction"UnknownLeVar BurtonAndré BormanisSeptember 24, 2003 (2003-09-24)40358-0554.00[4]
While pursuing the Xindi, three crew members are exposed to an alien virus and begin to mutate into Loque'eque, a long-dead alien race.
564"Rajiin"UnknownMike VejarS : Paul Brown
T : Chris Black
S/T : Brent V. Friedman
October 1, 2003 (2003-10-01)40358-0564.51[5]
A slave girl Archer rescues from an alien bazaar seeks refuge aboard Enterprise but betrays the crew instead.
575"Impulse"UnknownDavid LivingstonS : Terry Matalas
S/T : Jonathan Fernandez
October 8, 2003 (2003-10-08)40358-0574.17[6]
Enterprise encounters a Vulcan ship whose crew has become unstable due to Trellium-D exposure. Sub-Commander T'Pol soon begins to exhibit the same symptoms.
586"Exile"UnknownRoxann DawsonPhyllis StrongOctober 15, 2003 (2003-10-15)40358-0583.46[7]
A Beauty and the Beast-like tale involving Ensign Sato encountering a potentially helpful telepath on a deserted world.
597"The Shipment"UnknownDavid StraitonChris Black & Brent V. FriedmanOctober 29, 2003 (2003-10-29)40358-0593.70[8]
Captain Archer learns of kemocite, a key element in a new weapon being built to destroy Earth, and seeks to follow its supply to the superweapon.
608"Twilight"UnknownRobert Duncan McNeillMike SussmanNovember 5, 2003 (2003-11-05)40358-0604.06[9]
A parasite causes Captain Archer to lose his short-term memory, and he (with the help of T'Pol and Doctor Phlox) seeks a way to change the past.
619"North Star"UnknownDavid StraitonDavid A. GoodmanNovember 12, 2003 (2003-11-12)40358-0613.88[10]
Investigating a planet found to be inhabited by humans, the crew find a town resembling the American "Old West".
6210"Similitude"UnknownLeVar BurtonManny CotoNovember 19, 2003 (2003-11-19)40358-0624.59[11]
Commander Tucker becomes comatose after an accident, and a rapid-growing clone is created for the purpose of harvesting brain tissue.
6311"Carpenter Street"UnknownMike VejarRick Berman & Brannon BragaNovember 26, 2003 (2003-11-26)40358-0633.71[12]
With the help of Temporal Agent Daniels, Captain Archer and Sub-Commander T'Pol go back to 2004 Detroit to stop a group of Reptilians from developing a biological weapon.TCW
6412"Chosen Realm"UnknownRoxann DawsonManny CotoJanuary 14, 2004 (2004-01-14)40358-0643.93[13]
Religious zealots seek to execute Captain Archer, for supposed acts of sphere desecration, after hijacking Enterprise.
6513"Proving Ground"December 6, 2153 (2153-12-06)David LivingstonChris BlackJanuary 21, 2004 (2004-01-21)40358-0653.44[14]
Xindi scientists test their new, planet-killing weapon in an asteroid field as Captain Archer is suddenly assisted by Andorians in the Delphic Expanse.Fed
6614"Stratagem"December 12, 2153 (2153-12-12)Mike VejarS : Terry Matalas
T : Mike Sussman
February 4, 2004 (2004-02-04)40358-0664.07[15]
A Xindi scientist, Degra, is tricked into giving Captain Archer information about the location of the new superweapon.
6715"Harbinger"December 27, 2153 (2153-12-27)David LivingstonS : Rick Berman & Brannon Braga
T : Manny Coto
February 11, 2004 (2004-02-11)40358-0673.95[16]
Enterprise encounters a dying alien, one of the Sphere Builders, for the first time.
6816"Doctor's Orders"UnknownRoxann DawsonChris BlackFebruary 18, 2004 (2004-02-18)40358-0683.73[17]
As Enterprise passes through a "trans-dimensional disturbance," the crew is put into hibernation, leaving Doctor Phlox in control of the ship.
6917"Hatchery"January 8, 2154 (2154-01-08)Michael GrossmanS : Mike Sussman
S/T : André Bormanis
February 25, 2004 (2004-02-25)40358-0693.52[18]
Captain Archer becomes overly protective of an Insectoid hatchery, to the point of endangering their mission.
7018"Azati Prime"UnknownAllan KroekerS : Rick Berman, Brannon Braga
S/T : Manny Coto
March 3, 2004 (2004-03-03)40358-0703.78[19]
Finding the superweapon on Azati Prime, Captain Archer embarks on a suicide mission to destroy it, and Enterprise suffers a devastating attack by the Xindi.TCW Fed
7119"Damage"UnknownJames L. ConwayPhyllis StrongApril 21, 2004 (2004-04-21)40358-0712.86[20]
Enterprise, now heavily damaged, seeks a warp coil from an alien vessel but is forced to steal it.
7220"The Forgotten"UnknownLeVar BurtonChris Black & David A. GoodmanApril 28, 2004 (2004-04-28)40358-0723.35[21]
Captain Archer deals with the loss of 18 crew members and continues negotiations with two of the five Xindi species.
7321""UnknownRoxann DawsonMike SussmanMay 5, 2004 (2004-05-05)40358-0733.25[22]
The Enterprise crew meet their own descendants from an alternate timeline in the past.
7422"The Council"February 12, 2154 (2154-02-12)David LivingstonManny CotoMay 12, 2004 (2004-05-12)40358-0743.41[23]
Captain Archer speaks at the Xindi Council, sparking a civil war for control of the superweapon.
7523"Countdown"February 13, 2154 (2154-02-13)Robert Duncan McNeillAndré Bormanis & Chris BlackMay 19, 2004 (2004-05-19)40358-0753.46[24]
Captain Archer seeks the support of the Aquatics in order to tip the war in their favor.
7624"Zero Hour"February 14, 2154 (2154-02-14)Allan KroekerRick Berman & Brannon BragaMay 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)40358-0763.91[25]
The final showdown with the Reptilians and their Guardian allies occurs.

Production edit

Season 3 was the first to use a single story arc for an entire season and is only one of two seasons (of every Star Trek series) not to feature a Klingon character,[26] the other being the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.[27] The season was cut from 26 to 24 episodes by Paramount, following some disappointing early ratings. In an attempt at boosting ratings, the series title was changed to Star Trek: Enterprise after "Extinction" (earlier episodes released later on DVD were updated to reflect this change) and the theme music was made more upbeat.

The series had been filmed in High Definition from the pilot episode, but the sixth episode, "Exile", was the first episode to be broadcast in HD.[28]

Broadcast edit

Season Timeslot Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Rank Viewers
(in millions)
3rd September 10, 2003 May 26, 2004 2003–2004 178[29] 3.26[29]

Media information edit

Season three was also included in a complete set containing all four seasons of the series.[30]

Star Trek: Enterprise – Season 3
Set details Special features
  • 24 episodes
  • 6-disc set
  • 1:85:1 aspect ratio
  • Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, English for the hearing impaired, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
  • English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround), French, German and Italian and Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)

DVD and Blu-ray:

  • Enterprise Moments: Season 3
  • The Xindi Saga Begins
  • Enterprise Profile: Connor Trinneer
  • A Day in the Life of a Director: Roxanne Dawson
  • Behind the Camera: Marvin Rush
  • Enterprise Secrets
  • Deleted scenes: "Similitude ", "Chosen Realm" and "E2".
  • Outtakes[31]

Blu-Ray:

  • In a Time of War: Call to Arms, Front Lines, Final Conflict
  • Temporal Cold War: Declassified[31]
Release dates
DVD Blu-ray
Region 1 Region 2 United States (Region free) United Kingdom (Region free)
September 27, 2005 (2005-09-27) September 5, 2005 (2005-09-05) January 7, 2014 (2014-01-07)[32] January 27, 2014 (2014-01-27)

Reception edit

Enterprise's long-term ratings decline, which it had been suffering through its entire run, continued in Season 3, which featured both the show's last episode to be seen by more than four million people ("Stratagem"), and the first to be seen by fewer than three million ("Damage").

In 2019, CBR rated Season 3 of Star Trek: Enterprise as the seventh best season of all Star Trek seasons up to that time.[33]

Dominic Keating said he liked the original theme music, but disliked the revised version used in Season 3.[34]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ ""Extinction" | Star Trek: Enterprise | Jammer's Reviews".
  2. ^ "Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending September 14, 2003". Ratings Ryan. March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15-21)". The Los Angeles Times. September 24, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22-28)". The Los Angeles Times. October 1, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 29-Oct. 5)". The Los Angeles Times. October 8, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 6-12)". The Los Angeles Times. October 15, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 13-19)". The Los Angeles Times. October 22, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. November 5, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9)". The Los Angeles Times. November 12, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. November 19, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ Kissell, Rick (November 20, 2003). "'Bachelor' boosts ABC as CBS rolls on". Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 24-30)". The Los Angeles Times. December 3, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. January 23, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. January 28, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  15. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 2-8)". The Los Angeles Times. February 11, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  16. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 9-15)". The Los Angeles Times. February 20, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  17. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 24, 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 2, 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 9, 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  20. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 27, 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  21. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 4, 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  22. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 11, 2003. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  23. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 18, 2003. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  24. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 25, 2003. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  25. ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. June 2, 2003. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  26. ^ http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/ENT_Season_3 Season 3 - Background Accessed 2014-01-18
  27. ^ "The Ready Room | Go Inside the Storybook Realm | Paramount+". YouTube.
  28. ^ Randy Miller III (January 2, 2014). "Star Trek Enterprise - The Complete 3rd Season". DVD Talk. in fact, "Exile" (episode 6) was the first of the franchise to be broadcast in HD.
  29. ^ a b "Season to Date Program Rankings - Part 2". ABC Medianet. June 2, 2003. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  30. ^ Young, Susan (December 10, 2005). "'Sex and the City' Headlines Seven Complete TV Series Sets". Oakland Tribune. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2014. (subscription required)
  31. ^ a b "Star Trek: Enterprise S3 Blu-Ray Details". TrekToday. November 11, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  32. ^ "Enterprise Season: Three Blu-ray Available". Star Trek.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  33. ^ "Every Star Trek Season of TV Ever, Ranked from Worst to Best". CBR. January 4, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  34. ^ "Star Trek: Enterprise's Cast Shares Their Real Thoughts on the Show's Controversial Theme Song". April 12, 2022.

External links edit