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I see this new Star Trek series as an attempt to undo the damage caused by the ultra-liberal, fiercely anti-capitalist & pacifist Gene Roddenberry. I also see a significant influence from JM Straczynski's epic Babylon 5. B5-like elements include the grungy, less-than-perfect sets; moral ambiguity, and the subtle tense conflicts between alien races w/ different aims (i.e. humans chafing under the "UN-like" domination of the Vulcans, obviously "for our own good" but still obnoxious nonetheless.)

How they get from Enterprise to the first (1960s vintage) Star Trek series will perhaps be revealed as the series continues. I for one find it a more-than-refreshing change from the sappy, ultra-liberal followups.

As far as religion goes, there are VERY few good depictions of religion in TV or movie sci-fi. JMS did wonders with religion and religious issues in Babylon 5 and even more in the 13 episodes of the Babylon 5 spinoff "Crusade," whose religious themes are deep and powerful, if not explicitly Christian.

Written sci-fi has better treatment of Christian themes, but not many. First and foremost was Episcopalian Cordwainer Smith, who dealt with many moral and spiritual issues in the short story collection "The Rediscovery of Man." Walter Miller's Canticle for Leibowitz follows an order of Catholic monks through the rise and fall of civilizations in a post-nuclear holocaust world (and provided inspiration for more than one Babylon 5 episode.) Recently, Mary Doria Russell explored what happens when missionary priests meet some unusual aliens in The Sparrow and Children of God. Then there are of course the classic CS Lewis "space trilogy" volumes.

In other words, it's out there, but you really have to look.

Actually, JMS is pretty amazing. I understand from the fan boards he considers himself an atheist. Yet he did an excellent job in Babylon 5 of portraying religious characters that are both realistic and respectful. Both Delenn's and G'kar's religious beliefs are central to their strong characters. Susan Ivanova is Jewish, but it is a natural part of her character and not an attempt at "tokenism". Garabaldi is Catholic and has great respect for the (female) Pope.

I don't mean to sound like a fan-boy. JMS, however, is a helluva fine writer.

Bump, and I agree with you. Excellent commentary. "Enterprise" is indeed trying to undo the damage from the other PC Treks - if for anything, Paramount has let a multimillion dollar franchise crumble away because...well, frankly, the later Treks (TNG, DS9, Voyager) were utter piles of steaming politically correct technobabble soap opera crap. I'm glad to see adventure come back into the Trek universe.

'Gotta AGREE---in generic terms, "B5" was probably one of the BEST "Pure-SciFi" TV series EVER done!

The writers handled diverse religions with respect & curiosity.

AND---the BEST endorsement---Harlan Ellison allowed his name to be used in the Credits!!

Doc

Friend, you need to pick up The Mote In God's Eye. FYI, the Empire of Man is Christian, and there's a Catholic Priest along for the ride with the first expedition to an alien homeworld. And the priest is neither a stereotype nor a joke.

I think that was Pournelle's hand. Niven seems more of an agnostic sort.

Heck, any of Jerry Pournelle's CoDominion books are quite good in this regard.