1995 brought another Trek series. This one featured a new starship, a return to episodic storytelling, and Trek's first female Captain, Kathryn Janeway. It was also the flagship for Paramount's new television network, United Paramount Network (UPN). Despite running seven seasons, the addition of Seven of Nine wasn't well-received by the entire cast.

Plagued by fledgling UPN's under-performance, Enterprise's premise (a prequel about the Federation's founding) was undercut by the decision to make the third season a reaction to 9/11. Lackluster ratings meant Captain Archer and his crew would only get four seasons.