The heel turn matches the era the show ran in. S1 filmed before 9/11 and the story for S2 was already written, too. The whole country took this exact turn.
And IMO, they couldn’t have done a “9/11 tribute season” (since that’s essentially what it was) more clumsily. Some individually good episodes, but it really had a right wing “Global War on Terror is justified” slant that Star Trek shouldn’t have had despite where the country was going.
Two words: Manny Coto
Edit: Was researching something else and came across this article and interview with John Billingsly which is pretty appropriate for this thread. Also, I’d never read that, or any interview with him before, but Billingsly sounds like a great guy.
You would think so, but he was only showrunner on Season 4. He only wrote some episodes for season 3. He is right-wing though. He made a terrible show for Fox that tried to be a right-wing Daily show and was just miserably unfunny even by their standards.
I knew he came on in S3 but I thought he wrote more than few episodes in that one (IMDB only lists 5 which is way less than I thought). Coincidentally, the episode I’m watching now, “Chosen Realm” was one he wrote. It’s…not subtle lol.
What’s weird is when he became showrunner and it was just one long TOS tribute, he was much more open to traditional Star Trek stories.
He also made Odyssey 5, which is my pick for best one season wonder Sci-Fi show of the past 20 years. A truly intelligently-written show.
So I can’t hate on him too much apart from him being some sort of fascist scumbag. He made some decent sci-fi.
Keep in mind, the Federation didn’t even exist yet. Humans underwent their prosperous unification but after experiencing their first attack from an alien power (ignoring the Borg here), they went back to their aggressive ways. The “War on Terror” here was ultimately a bad thing for everyone, so Archer decided to bet on peace rather than continue it.
The show isn’t as progressive as other Star Trek shows but it has it’s reasons for it. We see them trying to be better.
I’m afraid the reason for it is because the country was going hard right at the time and the show went with it. You can come up with in-universe explanations, but that’s the reason.
It was obvious from episode 1. Me and friend just looked at each other and said “it’s the terrorism arc.”
It’s been a long road…
”You see I’ve been through this sector on a ship with no name,
it felt good to get out of comm range.
In the Expanse… you can’t remember your name,
cause there ain’t nobody for your crimes you can blame.””Ba baa ba babababa ba bababa ku la…”
I agree…the change in the theme music in season 3 caused a lot of damage.
That’s what caused archer to harden so much, he had the same heartsong but it was too late.
old fashioned sisko
With just a little dash of Janeway too.
