Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) did 6 amazing things afterStar Trek: Enterpriseended. Created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, Star Trek: Enterprise(originally titled simplyEnterprise) was the firstStar Trekprequel TV series. Set in the 22nd century,Enterpriseretconned Archer as the firstCaptain of the Enterprise, Starfleet’s first Warp 5-capable NX-01 as the first starship to bear that name.
Never the ratings darlingStar Trek: The Next Generationwas,Star Trek: Enterprisewas canceledafter 4 seasons by United Paramount Network (UPN). However,Enterprise’s producers had ambitious plans for the series and forCaptain Archer, who was to become an instrumental figure inStar Trekhistory. 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-Enterprisehistory was hinted at in a data file seen inStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 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 asCaptain 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 afterStar Trek: Enterpriseended.
6Captain Archer Commanded Enterprise For 10 Years
Audiences Only The First Four Years Of Archer’s Enterprise Voyages
Star Trek: Enterprisehoped to run 7 seasons likeStar Trek: The Next Generation,Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, andStar Trek: Voyagerdid, but the prequel only lasted 4 years. YetStar 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.
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HadStar Trek: Enterprisecontinued 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 inStar Trek: The Original Series. The refitted NX-01 Enterprise was finally seen at theFleet Museum on Athan Prime inStar Trek: Picardseason 3.
5Captain Archer Was Promoted To A Starfleet Admiral
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 firstEnterprise 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 laterStar Trekeras. Archer’s promotion reflects his historical status as"the greatest explorer of the 22nd century."
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Admiral Archer was confirmed to exist in the alternate Kelvin Timeline of J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmoviesas well. Admiral Archer (and his prized beagle) were name-dropped inStar Trek(2009).Star Trek: Enterpriseis canon in both the Prime and Kelvin timelinessince 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 inStar 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.
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 toan 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.
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A second world, dubbed simply Archer’s Planet, was also named after the first Enterprise Captain.Archer’s Planet hasn’t been seen inStar Trek, and it was only mentioned in the data file seen inStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 4’s “In a Mirror, Darkly” two-parter. However, Archer IV wasn’t only seen inStar Trek: Enterprise, but was also name-dropped years before by Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) inStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 3’s classic “Yesterday’s Enterprise.”
3Captain 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 inStar Trek: Enterprise. IfStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 5happened, Shran would have joined Archer’s NX-01 bridge crew as an advisor.
Shran is one of the most popular of the tenStar Trekcharacters portrayed by Jeffrey Combs.
Captain Archer andSub-commander T’Pol (Jolene Blalock)first encountered Shran and the Andorians on the Vulcan moon P’Jem inStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 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 ofStar Trek: Enterprise, and gradually, the Andorian and his"pink skin"ally, Archer, became trusted friends.
2Captain 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.
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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.
1President Archer Saw The Launch Of The Starship Enterprise
Archer Lived To His 130s
Star Trek: Enterprisewriter Michael Sussman penned a part of Captain Jonathan Archer’s biography seen inStar Trek: Enterprise season4’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 consideredStar Trekcanon.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 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 onStar Trek: Enterprise, this snippet is a fitting end to Jonathan Archer’s life. An extremely elderly President Archer witnessing the christening of theConstitution Class USS Enterprise NCC-1701would 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 afterStar Trek: Enterpriseended.
