Highlights
- Enterprise, the Star Trek spin-off, remains the most divisive series, even for actor Jolene Blalock who played T'Pol.
- The show aimed to be unique by exploring the early days of the Federation but faltered due to execution issues and inconsistent characterization of T'Pol.
- T'Pol's character was sexually objectified and her Vulcan attributes were disregarded, contributing to the show's failure to reach the heights of its predecessors.
After decades of Star Trek content, the spin-off Enterprise remains the most divisive, even for T'Pol actor Jolene Blalock.
Unlike most of the shows in Star Trek canon, Enterprise wanted to do something different. Set in the 22nd century in the early days of the Federation, Enterprise explored the tenuous relationship between Vulcans and humans before holodecks and beaming were common. What could have been an admirable show in canon faltered for issues in execution, including the characterization of the Vulcan, T'Pol.
In the oral history of Star Trek: Enterprise, /Film reported Blalock disapproved of her character’s plotlines. "The concept with the shows aren't the problem. The concepts are amazing. The issue is the dialogue," Blalock said. "I personally believed that T'Pol should have more of her Vulcan culture. I don't believe she should be so desperate like everyone else.”
As the series continued, the actor noted that inconsistencies with T'Pol's character mounted. Blalock was an avid fan of the original series and an expert on how or how not Vulcans would react. T'Pol would reference American and Earth culture, which clashed with the Vulcan culture. The actor also noted there were obvious mistakes, such as having T'Pol eat with her hands, which any Star Trek fan goes against the social etiquette of the Vulcans. But more offensive than anything was the constant sexualization of the character.
Having learned nothing from Jeri Ryan's experience on Star Trek: Voyager as Seven of Nine, the creatives behind Enterprise used Blalock as an unabashed sex symbol. Her uniform would inexplicably always be different from everyone else’s to heighten her sexuality. Blalock also criticized the plot lines where T'Pol gets addicted to drugs. Co-creator Brannon Braga admitted that the actor disagreed with the character's direction, and the conflict was never resolved.
Blalock's concern about her characterization was a small part of why Enterprise failed to get off the ground, even if there were a handful of underrated episodes. It lasted 4 seasons, but never reached the heights of its predecessors. T'Pol was one character who had plot lines dropped and Vulcan attributes disregarded. It is unfortunate for a series that, for the first time, was trying to be unique. Enterprise still had the foundational elements like an admirable captain surrounded by a supportive crew. However, in their attempt to be more character-driven, many parts of the show fell by the wayside. Enterprise did not prove to have the longevity of other series or reach its iconic levels. Characters have been largely forgotten, and after the show ended, it was only a few short years before the Star Trek feature films were rebooted entirely.
Star Trek: Enterprise seasons 1-4 are streaming on Paramount Plus.
Source: The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams (via /Film)