Marina Sirtis Reflects on Her Controversial Guest Appearance in the Star Trek: Enterprise Finale
Marina Sirtis, renowned for her iconic portrayal of Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), has openly expressed strong criticism regarding her guest role in the final episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. The episode, titled These Are The Voyages…, is infamous among fans for its heavy focus on TNG characters Troi and Commander Will Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, overshadowing the Enterprise cast and storyline.
Enterprise was cancelled after four seasons, ending in a somewhat contentious finale that intertwined storylines between the series. Executive producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga intended this crossover as a tribute to Berman’s long tenure shepherding the Star Trek TV universe and to weave a connective tissue back to the beloved The Next Generation. However, this decision alienated many fans and even the Enterprise cast, who felt the show’s conclusion relegated their characters to a marginal, holographic presence.
A Guest Role That Left a Bitter Taste
The Show People Podcast, where host Andrew Keates inquired about her numerous appearances as Troi across the Star Trek franchise. When addressing the Enterprise finale, she disparaged the episode’s reception and impact, humorously stating it «went down like a cup of hot sick.» She explained that the episode felt more like a TNG installment because Troi and Riker were portrayed as «real» characters while the Enterprise crew were depicted only as holograms.
She further revealed the Enterprise cast, including lead actor Scott Bakula, were displeased by the focus on TNG characters, exacerbating tensions around the finale. Despite these shortcomings, Sirtis noted a poetic symmetry: she was on the set for the very first day of filming The Next Generation and also present for the closing scene of Enterprise, marking her as a poignant figure spanning the golden era of Star Trek television from 1987 through its early 2000s endpoint.
Backlash and Reflections from Cast and Crew
Jonathan Frakes echoed Sirtis’ sentiments in interviews, candidly acknowledging that many fans were unreceptive to their appearance in Enterprise’s final episode. He praised Scott Bakula for his professionalism despite the clear fan preference remaining with the Enterprise cast. Both Frakes and Sirtis expressed that Berman and Braga’s intentions were heartfelt, aiming to honor the fans with a nostalgic tribute, but the resulting episode backfired as one of the most divisive moments in Star Trek history.
Producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga have publicly admitted the finale was a misstep, understanding the disappointment felt by both fans and the Enterprise cast. They explained on The D-Con Chamber Podcast that their goal was never to undermine Enterprise but rather celebrate Star Trek’s legacy. Unfortunately, the emphasis on TNG characters during Enterprise’s finale disconnected many viewers from the story.
Reevaluating Star Trek: Enterprise Over Time
When Enterprise originally aired on the United Paramount Network, ratings were low, and it struggled to achieve the enthusiasm that surrounded previous iterations. Its cancellation in 2005 marked a 12-year hiatus for the franchise on television, until the resurgence sparked by newer series on streaming platforms. In recent years, fans and critics alike have reassessed Enterprise, recognizing its unique contributions and deeper storylines that were perhaps underappreciated during its initial run.
Despite this growing appreciation, the legacy of These Are The Voyages… remains largely negative, remembered as a controversial finale that prioritized nostalgia over narrative coherence. Marina Sirtis’s candid reflections highlight not only the challenges of closing a beloved sci-fi chapter but also the intricate dynamics involved in balancing legacy characters with new stories in long-running franchises.
