Because Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled after only four seasons, audiences only saw four years of Captain Archer's Starfleet career. Star Trek: Enterprise's controversial series finale, "These Are The Voyages...", filled in some blanks about Archer's 10 years as Captain before he helped found the Federation. Interestingly, Captain Archer's canonical post-Enterprise life details were seen in a datafile accessed by the Mirror Universe's Commander Jonathan Archer in Star Trek: Enterprise season 4's "In A Mirror, Darkly Part 2." Captain Archer continued to make history after he left the NX-01 Enterprise behind.
Captain Archer Became Admiral & Federation President After Star Trek: Enterprise Ended
Archer Served The Federation For The Rest Of His Life
Captain Jonathan Archer's command of the NX-01 Enterprise lasted for 10 years, from 2250-2260. Afterward, Archer accepted a promotion to Admiral. In 2161, Archer presided over the founding of the United Federation of Planets by United Earth, Vulcan, Tellar, and Andoria. Archer's close ally, General Thy'lek Shran (Jeffrey Combs), appointed Jonathan as an honorary member of the Andorian Guard in 2164, followed by Archer named Ambassador to Andoria from 2169-2175. Admiral Archer retired from Starfleet as Chief of Staff, Starfleet Command.
Jonathan Archer served as a Federation Councilman from 2175-2183 before becoming President of the United Federation of Planets from 2184-2192. Among Archer's accolades are the Medal of Valor, the Star Cross, and the Federation Citation of Honor. Historians regard Archer as "the greatest explorer of the 22nd century." Jonathan Archer died in his home in Upstate New York in 2245 at age 133, one day after witnessing the launch of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701.
Why Scott Bakula Hasn’t Returned To Star Trek As Archer
Fans Want An Archer Comeback
Scott Bakula is one of the most requested Star Trek actor comebacks by fans, but Bakula has not portrayed Jonathan Archer since 2005. An Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner before he joined Star Trek, Scott Bakula's acting career continued with lead roles in Men of a Certain Age and NCIS: New Orleans, and guest roles in numerous other TV series. While his Star Trek: Enterprise cast mate Jolene Blalock recently reprised T'Pol on Star Trek: Lower Decks, Scott Bakula still hasn't returned to Star Trek.
After distancing himself from Star Trek for years, Scott Bakula joined his fellow Star Trek actors and creatives to accept the Peabody Award for the franchise in 2024. This prompted speculation that Bakula would be willing to return to Star Trek as Jonathan Archer under the right circumstances. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has genuflected to Star Trek: Enterprise and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) cites Captain Jonathan Archer as his hero and inspiration.
