Summary
- Star Trek: Discovery missed the chance to showcase the 32nd-century USS Enterprise, leaving fans eager for a glimpse of the iconic ship's modern look.
- Despite not featuring the 32nd-century version, the show paid homage to the Enterprise through references and an appearance in the Mirror Universe.
- While some Enterprise sightings were included, fans hope for a future reveal in the upcoming spinoff Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
Star Trek: Discovery ended without showing the 32nd-century version of Star Trek's most iconic ship — the USS Enterprise. Since its introduction in Star Trek: The Original Series, the Starship Enterprise has become one of the most recognizable spaceships in popular culture. Over the years, there have been many incarnations of the Enterprise, and the ship remains a fixture of Star Trek even today. Under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), the USS Enterprise of the 23rd century serves as the centerpiece of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, with a stunning upgrade for modern-day television.
The adventures of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery came to an end with Star Trek:Discovery's fifth season, as Burnham and her crew secured the powerful Progenitors' technology. Star Trek: Discovery season 5 contained more references to past Trek than any other season but still didn't offer a glimpse of the 32nd-century Starship Enterprise. Not only did Discovery introduce one of Star Trek's most unique ships, but it also set the standard for modern Star Trek Starship design. Strange New Worlds continues the legacy of ships named Enterprise, but it would have been cool to see the 32nd-century redesign of the ship.
Star Trek: Discovery Ended Without Ever Showing The 32nd Century’s USS Enterprise
Could the Enterprise pop up on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?
In Star Trek: Discovery season 4, episode 6, "Stormy Weather," Mr. Saru (Doug Jones) mentions the Enterprise as the USS Discovery is investigating a subspace rift. Saru remarks that the Enterprise had encountered a similar subspace rift and "noted heated plasma." While this could refer to a past iteration of the Enterprise, it could just as easily refer to the 32nd-century version of the ship. The USS Voyager-J remains in service during the 32nd century, so it's safe to assume that a ship bearing the name Enterprise also continues to serve Starfleet.
The USS Enterprise was a significant fixture in Star Trek: Discovery season 2.
Perhaps producers feared that an appearance by the USS Enterprise would overshadow Discovery, but it would have been nice to see the 32nd-century upgrades that have been made to the iconic ship. Considering its history as the Federation's flagship, the Enterprise has always been one of the most important ships in Starfleet. It would be surprising if the Enterprise wasn't just as important in the Starfleet of the far future. With Discovery's upcoming spinoff, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, on the horizon, Star Trek still has the opportunity to show the Enterprise of the 32nd century and reveal its current Captain.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Still Had Enterprise Sightings & Mentions
Discovery couldn't end without a glimpse of at least one ship named Enterprise.
Although the 32nd-century version of the Starship Enterprise never makes an appearance, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 includes several other references to the ship. Discovery's search for the Progenitors' technology begins with a discussion about Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the adventure on the USS Enterprise-D that made him aware of the Progenitors in the first place. The mysterious Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) also refers to himself as from the USS Enterprise when he admits to Captain Burnham that he's really temporal agent Daniels from Captain Jonathan Archer's (Scott Bakula) Enterprise NX-01.
Star Trek: Discovery may not have revealed the 32nd-century Enterprise, but the show couldn't end without a glimpse of at least one version of Star Trek's most famous ship.
The most substantial shout-out to the Enterprise comes in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, "Mirrors," when the 23rd-century ISS Enterprise makes a surprise appearance, having traveled from the Mirror Universe. When Captain Burnham and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) enter a pocket of interdimensional space in search of the Progenitors' third clue, they encounter the derelict ISS Enterprise. A plaque on the ship reveals that the crew had escaped from the brutal Mirror Universe with the help of the Mirror Universe version of Saru. Star Trek: Discovery may not have revealed the 32nd-century Enterprise, but the show couldn't end without a glimpse of at least one version of Star Trek's most famous ship.
