> What would be the reason for the extra two hours
Enterprise is already well sold for syndication, although actually having 100 hours might make it more marketable in the longer run.
But I think the last two hours will simply allow a story that provides a satisfying conclusion to the series. The other post-original Star Trek series all had a two-hour finale.
Manny Coto could do the essence of what he was planning for Season 5 in that two-hour episode.
I can (almost) accept Enterprise being canceled. Perhaps it IS time for Star Trek to take a break. But what a waste to end it this way. 98 total hours instead of an even 100. Having to end with a one-hour show instead of a two-hour finale. Reworking an existing script into some type of satisfying last adventure of the series (maybe the last Star Trek episode ever).
How about putting back those two hours that were taken away earlier in the season? The 98 hours of Enterprise come from 26+26+24+22=98 over the course of four seasons. The last two hours can be shot immediately after the already planned 22 episodes for this season, before they tear down the sets and release the talent. Let Manny Coto write a worthy series (maybe franchise) finale as a two-hour "telefilm." Make it about the founding of the Federation. If available, get Jonathan Frakes to direct it. Spend a bit more time in post-production to make it really special and save it for airing during the Fall sweeps period.
I can see that it is unreasonable to expect another season of Enterprise on UPN (or elsewhere), but surely, Paramount's investment in just two more hours of Enterprise would be worthwhile. If UPN doesn't want it, sell it to the SciFi Channel as a one-time special event.
Slashdot Mirror
> What would be the reason for the extra two hours Enterprise is already well sold for syndication, although actually having 100 hours might make it more marketable in the longer run.
But I think the last two hours will simply allow a story that provides a satisfying conclusion to the series. The other post-original Star Trek series all had a two-hour finale.
Manny Coto could do the essence of what he was planning for Season 5 in that two-hour episode.
I can (almost) accept Enterprise being canceled. Perhaps it IS time for Star Trek to take a break. But what a waste to end it this way. 98 total hours instead of an even 100. Having to end with a one-hour show instead of a two-hour finale. Reworking an existing script into some type of satisfying last adventure of the series (maybe the last Star Trek episode ever).
How about putting back those two hours that were taken away earlier in the season? The 98 hours of Enterprise come from 26+26+24+22=98 over the course of four seasons. The last two hours can be shot immediately after the already planned 22 episodes for this season, before they tear down the sets and release the talent. Let Manny Coto write a worthy series (maybe franchise) finale as a two-hour "telefilm." Make it about the founding of the Federation. If available, get Jonathan Frakes to direct it. Spend a bit more time in post-production to make it really special and save it for airing during the Fall sweeps period.
I can see that it is unreasonable to expect another season of Enterprise on UPN (or elsewhere), but surely, Paramount's investment in just two more hours of Enterprise would be worthwhile. If UPN doesn't want it, sell it to the SciFi Channel as a one-time special event.
I'd be satisfied with something like that...