Star Trek: Enterprise - Season 2 [DVD]

If you are a fan of Trek, you may be in two minds about whether or not to buy this DVD. With all the negative reaction and press from the core of the fans, you may think that it isn't worth buying. Or, if you're someone new to Trek or the Science Fiction genre, you might think that Enterprise seems a good place to start. My take on the matter is that you really need to watch the entire show, probably more than once, to make a true decision about it.

Season 2 is heavily criticised from Trek fans for messing around with the history of Star Trek, as episodes like "Carbon Creek", "Minefield" and "Regeneration" feature the Borg, Romulans and re-write Earth's first contact with the Vulcans. However, as I'm a "younger-generation" of Trek fan, this doesn't bother me. I appreciate the more character driven parts of the show, rather than the continuity of the series.
Other Season 2 episodes stick out for me, but this time for better reasons, episodes like "A Night in Sickbay", "The Catwalk" and "Cogenitor" are very stimulating and interesting episodes and they add so much to the characters and the show.

It is my view, which is very different from others in the Star Trek world, that Scott Bakula - who plays Captain Jonathon Archer - was a good choice for captain. I think that he, like the rest of the cast, is all brilliantly suited to the characters that they play. However I feel that characters like Travis Mayweather and Hoshi Sato are perhaps underwritten in the show. This does drag down the quality of the show in my estimations, but a concerted effort is made in Season 2 to give these characters episodes centred on them. "Vanishing Point" and "Horizon" are prime examples of this and are very fresh and exciting episodes to watch.

This season starts with the second part of Season 1's "Shockwave" - which is brilliant to watch - and then ends with the "The Expanse" - a very intelligent cliff-hanger - which leads into Season 3's story arc about the Xindi. Season 2 could be described as a simple transition phase for Enterprise, but I feel that an assessment like that wouldn't be doing the season justice.

The episodes on the DVD are shown in the following order: Shockwave Part 2, Carbon Creek, Minefield, Dead Stop, A Night in Sickbay, Marauders, The Seventh, The Communicator, Singularity, Vanishing Point, Precious Cargo, The Catwalk, Dawn, Stigma, Cease Fire, Future Tense, Canamar, The Crossing, Judgment, Horizon, The Breach, Cogenitor, Regeneration, First Flight, Bounty and The Expanse.

The DVD's, like in Season 1, come in an easy-to-carry case which you can be proud to display in your home. All 26 episodes come on 7 disks and there are even more brilliant special features than on the Season 1 DVD: behind the scenes looks, secrets of the show, trailers, photo galleries, cast profiles, outtakes, hidden Easter eggs and much more. My final word on the subject, I'm glad that I brought it and I think you will be as well.

If you can forget about most of the Trek back-story from other Trek series and take this on it's own merits it's highly enjoyable. This season shows more character development as the crew(and viewer) travels along with them, discovering new planets and new problems! I originally saw the series on TV, and on second viewing I have been enjoying it more than ever on DVD!

The quality of transfer to DVD is excellent. The interactive menus are attractive and easy to navigate. The "easter eggs" are again fairly easy to find. The behind-the-scenes footage is, like the 1st season, very interesting, with entertaining outtakes too....especially if you aren't used to seeing the actors as themselves!

The design of the box set is great, and matches the 1st Season set. Nicely designed packaging all around.

If you liked the 1st Season then you won't need too much persuasion to buy this one. 5 stars!!!

Slated by the critics, frowned upon by the hardcore, loved by its fans, Star Trek: Enterprise caused many more arguments in the Star Trek community than any other of the previous series.

My personal opinion is that it is a wonderful series. It takes time to "grow" on you, unlike the more accessible Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. But thats what makes it just as good, if not better than its predecessors. When you have made the effort to keep watching the episodes, the series (particularly this season) ultimately becomes a rewarding experience. With episodes that you will watch over and over again.

My favourite episodes include the beautifully crafted "Carbon Creek", the scary but exciting "Regeneration" and, of course, "The Breach", which does what Star Trek does best: challenging your perceptions of someone different than yourself.

Overall, I would say this is the best season of Enterprise (though season 4 runs it close). I highly recommend this delicious slice of Star Trek pie.

With great acting, great set pieces and great storylines, theres only one question you have to ask yourself: "Why havent I bought this DVD yet?" Only when you have bought it and watched it, then youll understand why I gave it 5 stars without a second thought.