On Brannon Braga's 100th Episode
some thoughts from monkee
Ah, Brannon Braga – the man we all love to hate. Lumped together with Rick Berman as the dreaded "B and B," or referred to vaguely as one of 'The Powers That Be,' he's been blamed, at one time or another, for everything perceived to be wrong in the Trek universe. He killed Captain Kirk. He ruined the romantic potential between Janeway and Chakotay. He introduced Seven of Nine to Voyager to 'sex it up,' and then had the audacity to fall in love with the actress who played her. Some believe that he has no respect for continuity, or the Original Series. Many believe that he's destroying the future of the entire Trek franchise.
Well, he did kill Captain Kirk.
The rest is arguable.
I can't say that I have loved and admired everything he's ever done. Somebody dropped the ball big time on Star Trek: Voyager, and since it was supposedly his show, I think he has to take the blame. In addition, my sense is that his tastes run more towards the sorts of things that appeal to Trek's prized young male demographic. I'm a 41 year-old woman, so I'm bound to have some problems with that. I could certainly live without T'Pol's catsuits, and Tucker and Reed's occasional adolescent behavior on Enterprise, for example.
But, but, but...when I look down the list of episodes that Braga has written, I have to admit that there is much to admire. He's penned MANY of my very favorite Trek outings. In Next Generation, he wrote 'Parallels' and 'All Good Things.' In Voyager – 'The Cloud,' 'Emanations,' 'Deadlock,' 'Scorpion,' 'Year of Hell,' and 'Timeless.' And he wrote my favorite Enterprise episode to date, 'Carbon Creek.'
What's that you say? Those aren't your favorite episodes? That's okay. Look down the list yourself. He wrote some of your favorites, too.
Do you like time travel stories? Braga's your man. He wrote 'All Good Things,' 'Future's End,' 'Year of Hell,' 'Timeless,' and the brilliant 'Cause and Effect,' just to name a few. He's known for 'high concept' episodes, and you do have to respect a mind that can come up with ideas like 'Schisms,' 'Frame of Mind,' 'Parallels, 'Remember,' and 'Memorial.' Sure, sometimes these things backfire on him in a big way, and you have to wonder what he was thinking – 'Threshold,' and 'Genesis' anyone? – but even those episodes have their moments. I was a bit surprised to see Braga's name attached to some of my favorite, fun, 'lightweight' episodes – like 'Fistful of Datas,' 'Future's End,' and 'A Night in Sickbay.' As a writer, he really can do it all, and well, when he sets his mind to it.
Maybe he should stick to writing. I don't know. Maybe he lacks the necessary far-sighted vision to be co-running the franchise. Or maybe the franchise is going to be just fine. I happen to like Enterprise, but the jury's still out, and the ball remains in the air. Only time will tell, and time, as Soran will tell you, can either burn you badly, or bring you bliss. Braga's ultimate legacy to the world of Star Trek is still unknown.
But on the occasion of his 100th episode, let's take a moment to peruse that list, and be grateful. Here's to you, Brannon Braga. Thanks for all of these fine hours of television. Now, stop worrying so much about T'Pol's catsuit, and give us some more great stuff!
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