by SirTrekker
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Original message modified Jun 28, 2004 @ 11:00:
Topic: Bring Kirk back? Yes, but not on Enterprise.
Don't get me wrong; I think James T. Kirk is the definition of "hero" when it comes to the Star Trek franchise, and it would be wonderful to see him back in action on the small or big screen. But I have yet to be convinced by anyone who's posted so far as to why James T. Kirk needs to be brought in to breathe life back into Enterprise. Do you mean to tell me that among the writers and the fans who have written outstanding Trek fiction, there's not one original idea or concept worthy enough to replace the rather soap-opera-like plot of bringing a past character back from the dead? Are we so at a loss for something new and exciting that we'll settle for a ratings tactic? And, you know damn well that's what it is. Why else would Rick Berman even consider the notion of bringing William Shatner and other TREK icons back on Enterprise? Because he needs to lure the disgruntled amongst us back to Enterprise in order to save it from the cancellation axe next season. It's all about ratings, folks. Forget intelligent storylines, compelling dialogue, gripping action...if it doesn't get the numbers, Enterprise might as well bend over backwards and kiss its own ass goodbye. And do we really want Kirk's return to be handled that way, as a desperate ratings ploy? It should be grand, explosive, bold, like Kirk himself.

I know we all hated Kirk's death, and the way it was handled, but that doesn't change the fact that it happened. To bring him back in a believable and acceptable way would take a great deal of forethought on the part of the writers. It would demand quality storytelling because you know damn well no one will settle for less. I'm not saying Enterprise's staff of writers aren't capable of this. But I think that idea is something best left for its own entity, like a movie or miniseries event. It doesn't really fit on Enterprise. Besides, wouldn't Kirk's presence in Archer's time period qualify as a continuity error, and don't we complain about continuity enough already when it comes to Enterprise? So, what are we saying here, that the fact that Enterprise had an episode featuring the Borg is horrible and reeks of continuity tampering, but having Kirk come back to life on Enterprise is a keen idea? People will moan and groan about the fact that the Xindi were not mentioned in any other Trek yet were responsible for a devastating attack on Earth, but we'll accept without question the return of James T. Kirk on the same series? Sorry, folks, you're still not sellin' me on that one.

Yes, Kirk should come back. The fans want it, William Shatner wants it, and Rick Berman knows it should be done. But his return has no place on Enterprise. Shatner can play anyone on that show and make it good, because that's what Shatner does...but Kirk deserves his own spotlight, while Enterprise should exist on its own merits rather than those of someone else.