#The Aenar

[spockvarietyhour]

Star Trek Enterprise "The Aenar"

[giffingthingsss]

[best-star-trek-character]

[sshbpodcast]

Even a fanfic season of Enterprise is better than a 9/11 season

by Ames

After the deplorable nationalist nightmare that was season 3 of Enterprise, pretty much anything would be an improvement. And the final season of the Trek prequel series was… fine, I guess? Under the eye of the late showrunner Manny Coto, the show got back to its roots. A lot. Sometimes too much. But it’s a prequel series after all and that was sort of its expectation, so ya know what, your hosts at A Star to Steer Her By can sort of forgive it.

Much of season 4 feels a little like fanfic, much of the season was made up of two- and three-parters, and the whole thing fizzled to a finale that most fans utterly deplore, but still. Better than season 3. So what did your SSHB hosts think of these last twenty-something episodes? Grab your ushaan-tor and find out below and on this week’s podcast episode (jump to 1:15:34 for season chatter) featuring bonus picks from guest star Liz! En garde!

[images © CBS/Paramount]

Top Three Episodes

It was especially hard to come up with good episodes this season, partly because they all ran together in multi-episode arcs that were hard to pick apart, and partly because so much of it was very meh. So what rose to the challenge?

“Borderland”: Caitlin The first three-part romp starts off with the potential to build to something decent (though you’ll see shortly that that doesn’t exactly come to pass). But the Enterprise folks knew enough about how to win our hearts: involve Brent Spiner! We’re really easy to please in that regard, and meeting a new Soong who loves to ham things up is enough to bring this episode to the tops list.

“Cold Station 12”: Ames And Brent is even better in the second part of the Augments journey, so we’re seeing a little more representation of that arc here. Watching Soong reunite with his loser son Smike is touching enough on its own, but then he also grapples with his own ethics when he sees the delight that his other loser son Malik takes in torturing people. Just what is a mad scientist to do?

“The Aenar”: Ames In a season that mostly scrapes by as “fine,” there aren’t a ton of standouts, so when the Aenar show up, at least they’re something original and interesting. This newly contacted race of blind telepaths who live under the ice proves engaging enough in an otherwise confounding three-parter. More of these guys and less of the Romulans, I say, which is normally sacrilege on this podcast.

“United”: Chris, Jake You’ll notice that Chris and Jake overlap entirely in their tops picks this season, which seems like some kind of conspiracy to me. They’re getting along as well as Vulcans and Andorians and Tellarites in the middle of this confusing plot about Romulan nonsense, so that’s something. And as usual, Shran proves to be an utter delight even if his fight to the death with Archer ends in a cop out.

“In a Mirror, Darkly”: Chris, Jake Chris has been bigging up this mirror universe claptrap literally since the start of this podcast eight years ago, and it turns out to be the campy nerdfest we all expected it to be. It’s definitely the most we’ve enjoyed the mirror universe since “Mirror, Mirror.” Even the title sequence gets in on the game! So if you like fun romps that are full of little easter eggs, this episode may be for you! (Chris is going to LOVE Lower Decks.)

“Observer Effect”: Ames, Caitlin This one’s actually a super simple concept executed surprisingly well! It just goes to show that bottle episodes can be some of the best episodes because, rather than going all out on bells and whistles, the focus is more on characters, pacing, and filming technique, all of which “Observer Effect” excels at! The slow build of suspense is masterful, and every actor gets to play an Organian at one point or another. Fun!

“Terra Prime”: Caitlin, Chris, Jake Many fans argue that this is where the whole series should have ended, and we’re inclined to agree. Sure, there’s a lot of fat to trim off of the two-parter that “Demons” and “Terra Prime” comprise, but who can say no to watching Peter Weller’s performance as the irredeemably xenophobic Paxton? We also appreciated some lovely work from Connor Trinneer and Jolene Blalock with their doomed baby thing.

—

Bottom Three Episodes

You’re going to see a couple of episodes with full sweeps from your hosts in the Bottoms list because, boy, were there some bad eggs this season. Not to mention that most of the two- and three-parters were unfortunately uneven as hell.

“The Augments”: Jake Remember how the Augments arc started out with such potential? Well it doesn’t quite stick the landing in the final installment of that arc, which just became repetitive and full of more teenage angst. Sorry, but Malik just plain isn’t that interesting a character, let alone a villain. The whole batch of augmented kids start to feel too much like a drama on the CW, with not enough substance to carry three episodes.

“Divergence”: Chris The main dumpster fire of the Klingon plot is the fully unnecessary retconning of why Klingon foreheads in The Original Series are smooth but in other series are ridged. It’s the answer to the question no one asked, and frankly makes us feel dumber for learning. Even Trip shimmying through space on a wire or some actual ethical character work from Phlox (for a damn change!) can’t save this awful premise.

“Affliction”: Ames, Caitlin We’re not even done shitting on the Klingon augment virus two-parter, as both are represented on the bad list! We start the whole thing off with some preposterous set up which includes the utter retcon that Reed is an unwilling pawn of Section 31, which we’ve been frankly over since that catastrophe “Extreme Measures” in Deep Space Nine. And don’t worry: Paramount is going to force feed us more.

“These Are the Voyages…”: Ames, Caitlin, Chris, Jake As promised, you have TWO episodes with sweeps, and this is one of them. Frequently voted as the worst of all Star Trek, the series finale is a slap in the face to any actual Enterprise fans out there (if there were any to begin with). But for Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis to basically take over the show just after it’s been canceled is rude as hell and does a disservice to the characters we’ve been following.

“Bound”: Ames, Caitlin, Chris, Jake But I’ve saved this one for last because it’s so insulting. All the men on the Enterprise end up entranced by some Orion slave girls sexing up the place, which isn’t cringey enough on its own somehow that we’re forced to watch a full music video of them writhing around. But it’s okay after all! The writers have subverted the situation by making them empowered slave girls! Who just really like being slaves! What?

—

So long, NX-01! That’s all from the abruptly canceled Enterprise. We’ll never know if this show could have bounced back from some more mediocre ideas, generally unoriginal plots, and more Archer yelling at crewmen than we were expecting. There’s nothing left to do but check out our full series Top Five Star Trek ENT Episodes and Bottom Five Star Trek ENT Episodes blogposts. Keep following along here and on SoundCloud as the podcast prepares to move into less charted territory! Bounce a signal off Echo 1 over on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t give cheese to Porthos!

[deadheaddaisy]

I love these two. He's so tender with her.

Beautiful and precious moments between Shran and Jhamel, to be cherished…

[foodcu-be]

doodles from twitter

[alienoryva]

A targaryen name that only used by one person in the family ;

Aenar (Father of Daenys the dreamer)

Daenys (Daughter of Aenar the exile)

Maegon (Son of Aegon & Elaena/grandson of Daenys the dreamer & Gaemon the glorious)

Aelix (Son of Aerys/great-grandason of Daenys the dreamer)

Daemion (Youngest son of Aerys/great-grandson of Daenys the dreamer/father of lord Aerion/grandfather of the Conqueror siblings)

Aenys i (only child of Aegon the Conqueror & Rhaenys)

Aerea (Daughter of Aegon the uncrowned & Rhaena Targaryen/twins sister of septa-princess Rhaella Targaryen)

Maegelle (Sixth child of Jaehaerys i & Alysanne)

Vaegon (Seventh child of Jaehaerys i & Alysanne)

Viserra (Tenth child of Jaehaerys i & Alysanne)

Valerion (Twelfth child of Jaehaerys i & Alysanne)

Gael (Youngest/thirteenth child of Jaehaerys i & Alysanne)

Rhaenyra i (Daughter of Viserys i & Aemma Arryn)

Helaena (Daughter of Viserys i & Alicent Hightower)

Baela (Daughter of Daemon & Laena Velaryon/Twins sister of Rhaena)

Jaehaera (Daughter of Aegon ii & Helaena/Twins of Jaehaerys)

Daena (Eldest Daughter of Aegon iii & Daenaera Velaryon)

Naerys (Daughter of Viserys ii & Larra Rogarre)

Rhaegel (Third son of Daeron ii & Myriah Martell)

Maekar i (Youngest son of Daeron ii & Myriah Martell)

Aelor (Son of Rhaegel & Alys Arryn)

Aelora (Eldest Daughter of Rhaegel & Alys Arryn/Twins of Aelor)

Daenora (Youngest child/daughter of Rhaegel & Alys Arryn)

Valarr (Eldest son/child of Baelor the breakspear & Jena dondarrion)

Matarys (Youngest son/child of Baelor the breakspear & Jena dondarrion)

Rhae (Youngest daughter/child of Maekar i & Dyanna dayne)

Rhaelle (Youngest daughter/child of Aegon v & Betha Blackwood/grandmother of Robert i,stannis,renly Baratheon)

Rhaegar (Eldest son/child of Aerys the mad king & Rhaella)

Shaena (Second child/Eldest Daughter of Aerys the mad king & Rhaella)

🪻

NOTE: I didn't add the Targaryen name which only uses additional alphabet but the spelling is same (Saera & Shaera / Aemon & Aemond)

[star-trek-fandom-confessions]

#940

Sometimes, I wonder if it's just me, but I sincerely feel Hemmer had much more potential than to just help with another character development. It's not often I find a character that portrays blindness or even deafness, but it seems each one I do find, that I've also liked, end up getting thrown out in a horribly morbid way. There was so much wrong with this. They could have retired him or something to make room for Scotty. I'm not gonna lie, but I've been nervous to bring up a confession. Sure, Hemmer wasn't like a "main" character, but I wished there was more of him. Sometimes, I refuse to acknowledge some events of SNW as canon and that Hemmer is still there. He is a very cool character, Uhura lost her family, and he took almost like a father role to her as well as a mentor. Plus, an Aenar being in Starfleet as not just any engineer, but the Chief Engineer is pretty awesome. Hemmer is a wonderful representation of people and huge props for the actor for that. I wished and hope that more people eventually appreciate Hemmer even for the small things.

[feanoryen]

Don't pit THE MEN of House Targaryen against each other!!!

Aenar is SMART FOR LISTENING TO HIS DAUGHTER

Aegon I is...

Aenys TRIED

Maegor is...

Aegon the Uncrowned MARRIED A LESBIAN ICON & IS AEREA'S FATHER

Jaehaerys I is...

Aemon the Pale Prince is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TARG MAN

Baelon is HUBBY MATIRIAL

Vaegon is A NERDY ACE ICON

V*serys I is...

D@emon is...

Aegon II is...

Aemond is...

Daeron the Daring is A WAR CRIMINAL WHO GET'S A PASS FOR BEING A MINOR

Aegon III DESERVED BETTER!!!

Viserys II is...

Daeron I is...

Baelor I is...

@*g0n !V is...

Aemon the Dragonknight is THE FATHER DAERON II DESERVED

Daeron II is THE BEST KING OF WESTEROS

Baelor Breakspear is THE BEST TARGARYEN MAN EVER

Aerys I is AN AROACE BOOKISH KING

Rhaegel is A DANCER WHO HATES CLOTHES

Maekar is AEGON V'S FATHER

Daeron the Drunken is...

Aerion is...

Maester Aemon is FLAWLESS

Aegon V is THE MOST ICONIC MALE TARG

Duncan LOVES HIS WIFE

Jaehaerys II is...

Daeron the Gay MARRIED HIS BF FOR LOVE

Aerys II is...

Rhaegar is...

Viserys III is...

[prince-aegon-targaryen]

Daenys the Dreamer in 114 BC

[flavoredfaeman]

Here's more art of my boys!

[spockvarietyhour]

Andoria, The Northern Wastes and The Aenar Compound, "The Aenar"

[giffingthingsss]

When I was on that ship with Malcolm I was convinced I was going to die. You ever been there?...I'm not talking close scrapes. I mean when you're in a bad situation, and you know this is it, there's no way out, and you have time to think about it....What went through your mind?

-Whether or not to transfer auxiliary power to the deflector array. Why do you ask?

...Just curious.  

[amoratearte]

🐉 Aenar Targaryen 🌋

Targaryen Family Tree

“Aenar Targaryen sold his holdings in the Freehold and the Lands of the Long Summer, and moved”

Known children: Daenys and Gaemon

[nichestartrekkie0-0]

I genuinely think I got possessed by the song 'F.Y.B.F.' by MC BXB when drawing this. Here's Starfleet Academy Hemmer w/his short hair! @unknownfaceless-ds9 @zierzim :3 Thanks for the request y'all!

(Tuxedo Hemmer and the rest of the Lower Decks crew is coming soon :))

[ophelias-lamentation]

Daenys the Dreamer. Daughter of Aenar Targaryen, a dragon lord of the Valyrian Freehold. She was a dragon dreamer who foresaw the fall of Valyria. Her father listened to her warnings and fled with his family to Westeros. She is the great-great-great grandmother of Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives Rhaenys and Visenya. Her visions led to the Targaryens being the only dragonlords to survive the fall of Valyria.