Star Trek Host: Welcome to today's STARTREK.COM chat with Scott Bakula. The Enterprise production is now on a break, and Scott is here with us! Scott is here to chat about this week's all-new episode, "Rajiin."

Q: Will we see a different side of Captain Archer in "Rajiin"?
chad

Scott Bakula: Tonight's show has to do with kind of a Mata Hari-type spy that the Xindi place amongst us, and she has incredible telepathic abilities. She also happens to be quite beautiful. She works her way onto our ship and then uses her hypnotic and telepathic and sensory gifts to learn about our physiology. And then she has to be taken off the ship by her Xindi cohorts. So there's a lot going on, where you see the Xindi chamber again in this episode, and find out a lot more about them and their desperation. I don't think it's a different side of Archer, it's more of the same that we've been seeing this year. But this woman has incredible powers that are well beyond human, or even Vulcan, understanding.

Q: In one of your past chats, you mentioned that Archer wouldn't get any action in space ... does this episode come pretty close? Thanks.
Liviana

SB: I have not seen the trailers, but I'm sure that they've been meant to deceive the audience. So yes, once again I come up empty. Jolene [Blalock] fares better than I do in this episode. To be more correct, if I got lucky in this episode, I have no memory of it. And it wasn't because it was a great party.

Star Trek Host: Can you tell us a bit about "North Star," the episode you just finished filming?

SB: In "North Star," we come across a planet where we detect human bio-signs. And upon closer examination, we discover a civilization that's scattered around this planet, where the humans were abducted from Earth 300 years ago. That's of course 300 years from 2153. So they were a wagon train, their technology has not evolved at all. So we end up in the Old West, complete with hangings, and six guns, and what makes the episode interesting is the relationships between the humans on the planet and the Skagarans, the race who originally abducted the humans.

Star Trek Host: Tell us a bit about "Similitude."

SB: "Similitude" is a very interesting script by a new writer, Manny Coto, and it involves an explosion on the ship that gravely injures Trip, and an effort to clone Trip in order to replace the part of his brain that's been damaged. I don't want to give too much more away about it, because it's really interesting and deals with a lot of topical issues dealing with cloning, but I will say again it's one of our best scripts in three years. And a great episode for Connor [Trinneer].

Q: What was it like working with Nikita Ager, the actress who is playing Rajiin?
Mike

SB: Nikita was wonderful. Again, it was a very challenging role, and she had to do with not a lot of clothes on most of the time. But she did a wonderful job, and again, in a role that demanded a lot of different things from her. We were very lucky to have her cast.

Q: Hi, Scott. I loved the "Extinction" episode. How did it feel to act as a totally different species, especially one that was so physical and elemental?
dulcineadonna

SB: We had a blast. If I have any regrets, it's that we didn't have as much time as you would if you were doing a play or a movie to really work out all of the physical and vocal elements of this species. But considering that we talked about it for about 15 minutes before we started shooting, I was extremely pleased with how it came out, and especially with how Dominic [Keating] and Linda [Park] really invested themselves in the roles.

Q: In "Extinction," did you, Linda Park and Dominic Keating actually speak the mutants' dialogue, or was it manipulated and dubbed in later? If you did speak it, did you have to learn scripted syllables or ad-lib? It sounded authentic; I wish you had time to explain how it was developed.
JMEMIG

SB: We spoke it all. They at times enhanced some of the vocal work, and sometimes added some sounds and noises that we couldn't produce ourselves. But I would say almost 95 percent of it was us. Their language was broken down phonetically, as all the languages are on the show. And we followed that. Again, we made some quick choices at the beginning in terms of rhythm and the musicality of that speech, and we went for it, and it seemed to work. A lot of times, for me, I look at what the make-up is, and try and get a sense of what the species might behave like, might act like, and then try and vocalize that. We all felt very strongly that with the make-up being so extreme, that we needed to make an extreme choice in our acting — that our regular voices coming out of those faces would have felt wrong.

Q: Mr. Bakula, are you an Elvis fan or a Beatles fan?
xmulderx

SB: Yes, and yes. Big time, both guys.

Q: Scott, are you still in costume?
Alyson

SB: Am I still in costume? Yes. I just got out of my Western wear, and I'm back in uniform.

Q: In "Extinction," did you have to eat real mites?
leapee

SB: (laughs) No. Dominic wanted to, and we gave him a few for lunch. But I think that there's a disclaimer that "No mites were hurt in the making of this movie."

Q: Which Xindi race is YOUR favorite ... or if you like, which one are you most looking forward to squishing?
CapnSoth

SB: (laughs) Well, I don't know that we'll ever bump into the Aquatics, but I do love the look of the Aquatics. Of course, my character hasn't met them yet. I love the Reptilians ... the visual that they created with the Reptilians I think is spectacular. And we had a great episode with one of the Xindi Sloth, who I think are also quite wonderful. There's something wonderfully complex about the whole Xindi situation and the various species, and their own in-fighting racial issues, that again is relevant and makes for great storytelling. For instance, in "Rajiin" tonight, we find out that the Reptilians and the Insectoids are intent on sending this spy and are very intent on pressing the issue, where the other species are less anxious.

Star Trek Host: What species is "Rajiin"?

SB: Rajiin is not Xindi. She is someone that they have enlisted, blackmailed, to help them. She doesn't know the extent of their mission to destroy Earth.

Q: Do other actor friends ever drop in at the set to say "hi"?
FirstFederation

SB: Yes! You actually never know who's going to stop by. Most recently, Christian Slater stopped by. He's a guy I've known since he was eleven, and as the fans know was in a Star Trek movie ["Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"], and is a big fan of the show.

Q: What was your favourite subject at school? And why was it your favourite subject?
Divus

SB: Well, I enjoyed school. At different times in my life I had different favorite subjects. When I was in college, I had a very cool French teacher, so I loved French in college. I had a wonderful English teacher in high school. I guess usually the teachers really made classes your favorite, more often than the subjects.

Q: Dear Scott, don't want to hear too many spoilers about this Wednesday's show so I'd like to ask a question about "Anomaly." Who purposed the idea of sliding down the railing to get to the Armory, and is it as fun as it looks? Thanks.
Alrisha

SB: We did the slide on the railing in the pilot for the first time. And that is the quickest way to get down those kinds of stairs. It's great fun until you hit the bottom. Then it wakes you up. I wouldn't recommend trying it at home.

Q: Hi Scott, it's really nice of you to chat with your fans as it gets me even more into the shows. I love the show and the new journey you guys are going in (i.e. the Expanse). My question is, how do they decide what will be filmed and in what order, during production? I've read on STARTREK.COM that in "Extinction," for example, they came back at the end to do the scorched-like scene, which is actually the opening scene, but was done last. Thanks Scott, I appreciate your time!
Alex C.

SB: The order in which we shoot is determined by many things. Basically, you have to fit a 55 page script into seven or eight days. So you have to take into account how many days and pages on each set, and which stages have sets on them that have to be torn down, and how long does it take to build the new sets for the new episode. So there are a lot of variables, especially when it comes to new sets.

Q: Hi Scott, you three looked like you had a blast running around making funny noises in the "Extinction" episode. What was most fun for you? (i.e. Proving yourself the alpha male by beating Dominic into submission over food, pinning Jolene to a big rock, etc.) Thanks!
Ramona E.

SB: I think the most fun was getting more and more into the species as we went along, and finding new things. This is a little thing, but for instance the scene after I wake up from the dream, and I move forward to speak to Linda and she drops down like she's been up in a tree (drops down into frame). That's just a little thing, but it says so much about that species being different from us.

Q: What makes you laugh on set?
sharpe

SB: Everybody. We have a very funny set. Sometimes we have too much fun, and the work gets ... slowed down because of it. But we're lucky to be able to work in an environment where we can have such a good time.

Q: Scott, your birthday is coming up. Any special plans?
Jadzia

SB: Not as of yet. We're in the planning stage. I will be working, though.

Q: Is the captain's chair on Enterprise comfortable?
maquis2

SB: Sort of ...

Q: Mr. Bakula, what do you think of the name change from Enterprise to Star Trek: Enterprise?
SamBeckett

SB: I don't understand it. No one asked me.

Q: Would you like Jonathan Archer to have a love interest, i.e., a girlfriend?
maquis2

SB: I don't see how it would be possible to have a girlfriend at this point in time, but I'm not opposed to having a casual love interest here and there.

Q: How did the recent passing of the veteran Star Trek [First Assistant Director] Jerry Fleck affect you?
sharpe

SB: It was a terrible, sad day for everyone involved with Star Trek. Jerry was, in many ways, the heart and soul of the entire team, and he will be always remembered, and greatly missed.

Q: Many people have felt that the show has had a much darker tone to it than the original Star Trek series did in the past. Do you think that there's any possibility of any cheerful, fantastical themes done this season or in the future that may recapture this light-heartedness? By the way, love the work you guys are doing on Enterprise.
Laura

SB: Well, I think we're at a point where the mission is more important than anything, right now. And once this mission is resolved, I think we'll be able to head back into a lighter phase. Certainly we've had many episodes prior to this season that have had a lighter energy about them. And I believe that we will have them again this year.

Q: What is your favorite set?
Sam

SB: Well, we have two kinds of sets. We have standing sets, which are all the ship sets, and of those sets my favorite is actually the hallway walk outside of Engineering, Decon, transporter, the Brig ... it's a walk that makes you feel the most like you're on a real ship. And of the swing sets, as they're called, or non-standing sets, Herman Zimmerman continues to amaze us all with new and exciting visions.

Q: What's your favorite play by Shakespeare?
CaptCaptain

SB: I've always been ... probably ... well, I like "Macbeth" a lot, even though you're not supposed to say that. "The Scottish Play." I actually wrote a rock opera based on that when I was in high school for an English final.

Q: Scott, do you have any of the action figures of yourself?
Hunter

SB: Yes, I have some in my house. My kids have them. We have quite a few — a gang.

Q: What was hotter — kissing Jolene in "A Night in Sickbay" or Nikita in "Rajiin"?
Eden

SB: (laughs) Well, hotter would have been kissing Jolene. But when you see the "Rajiin" episode, again, it'll be clear as to why. Although neither of them are really like ... "kisses." They both came with extenuating circumstances that kind of muddied them up.

Q: You have done three chats in a row ... unknown in ST.com history. Do you enjoy these chats, and will you make a return soon?
Lwaxana

SB: (laughs) I didn't know that that was a record or anything. But yes, I greatly enjoy the chats, and taking schedules into consideration, I'll be back. Not to quote our soon-to-be governor.

Q: How do you like the new "War Room," the command center?
kirksGhost

SB: I think it looks great. I think visually, it's kind of growing each time we're in there. We're getting more and more out of it. I love the ending of "Anomaly," when all the Xindi symbols were flashing across my face.

Q: Scott, do your kids visit the set?
Warpspeed

SB: My kids visit the set a fair amount, yes. They love it here.

Q: Now that T'Pol is resigned from the High Command, will we see her exploring with emotions. More specifically, with Archer?
TrekkieMom

SB: I think we will see her exploring more. Certainly she's not as tied into her people, so I think by nature she's looking for more for relationships, and more willing to extend herself to humans. Certainly our relationship continues to grow and deepen, as does her relationship with Trip.

Q: Hi Scott, I was wondering if you ever have trouble interacting with set pieces or characters that aren't there. How is it to try to dodge a phaser blast, or see an alien, that aren't actually there?
Rideout

SB: Well, you have to pretend, on the one hand. The good news is when I was growing up, a lot of boys spent time playing army, and cops and robbers, and in an odd way that's kind of paid off in terms of the imagination gain. But the best part of all is that the special effects teams make us look good. It's almost impossible to make a mistake.

Q: Scott: any special guest stars slated for this season?
spock

SB: Not that I know of. But that doesn't mean that there won't be any.

Q: Any news on the long-rumored guest spot by Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg?
OmahaStar

SB: Well, those kinds of people have expressed interest, but there's no word on if and when.

Q: Scott, isn't there anything YOU want to ask your fans?
William_Kirk

SB: What I've enjoyed about being here is hearing that people are enjoying this season and the new direction of the show. It certainly was a somewhat risky avenue for the producers to explore, and we all feel that it's paying off. So in a sense, that question has been answered by me doing these chats.

Q: Scott, do you and "Porthos" spend any time together off set?
Hunter

SB: Not usually. When my kids are here and Porthos is here, we spend some time together, but we haven't gone out for drinks in a month or two.

Q: Hi Scott! My question is ... regarding "Extinction"... Do you think Porthos would still have recognized the mutated Archer?
Tripsyatlady

SB: I would think that he would have. I don't think that the mutation was complete. There were a couple of times in the episode where it seemed like T'Pol was almost reaching him, which implied to me that some of Archer was still there. Which, of course, a dog would know. Especially Porthos.

Q: Are you involved with any charities?
ENTERPRISEUKFAN

SB: I'm involved with a lot of charities: Elisabeth Glaser AIDS Foundation, Broadway Cares, Friends of the Family, and many more.

Q: Hi! I love Enterprise. I recently received the "Best of Designing Women" DVD and was reminded how comically talented you are. Are we going to be able to see some humor this season? Thank you.
Rodney C.

SB: I do hope that we'll get to do some lighter stories, again, I don't know when. As the Expanse is proving to be exciting and action-packed and scary. And not, at this point, too funny.

Q: Mr. Bakula, was there any time an actor was injured on the set, or has it been pretty incident-free?
Dark_Q

SB: We've had a few injuries, actually. But no serious injuries, so considering all the explosions and stunts and fights that we do, we've come through it relatively unscathed.

Q: In the episode "Anomaly," how did they handle the part where you grab the floating coffee cup?
TrekkieTed

SB: That's just great visual effects people doing their magic. I've always been of the mind ... it's kind of the magician's mindset, in that I hate that we give away all our secrets. I hate the "Behind the Scenes" of the magic show, behind the scenes of stunts, behind the scenes of effects, because I think it destroys the viewers' excitement. So, suffice it to say that the visual effects guys will have to cough that up. You won't get it from me while I'm alive.

Q: What can the fans do to help get more publicity for Star Trek: Enterprise?
Pam from Boston

SB: Well, you know, word-of-mouth is a very big thing. I will say, happily, that UPN has agreed to go in with Paramount on an advertising campaign for this next week's episode, which is "Impulse," so there will be more commercials, print, for next week's show. Which is great. But I believe, and my experience with Quantum Leap proved this, that the fans make a difference. And the fans can get the networks' attention by writing in, by e-mailing, by doing all those things that are available. Of course, the obvious thing is if you know someone with a Nielson box, to make sure that they are tuned in to us. But I think that the fans can make some noise. For instance, if you see a magazine, like TV Guide, that's ripping us up one week, write them a letter in support! And maybe that letter will get in TV Guide three weeks later, or two weeks later.

Q: Mr. Bakula, do the producers of Enterprise let you "improvise" on your parts while filming? Or do you have to follow the script exactly?
RickTheDarkOne

SB: We have to follow the script exactly. However, whenever we feel that something isn't working, we call Rick [Berman] or Brannon [Braga] and we work it out.

Q: Scott, can your time-traveling buddies tell us if the Cubs will win the pennant?
GoCUBS

SB: (laughs) Well, since the Cardinals aren't in the playoffs — I'm from St. Louis — there's no one I would rather see get into the World Series than the Cubbies. And right now, it feels like they're going to do it.

Q: Have you been on the Star Trek ride in Las Vegas? It's great!!
TrekkieTed

SB: No, I have not yet. But the next time I'm in Vegas I'm sure I will get there.

Q: We love the picture used in the ad for this chat. When was it taken?
JaneyG

SB: We did a new photo shoot at the beginning of the season. Glad you like it.

Q: What's your favorite color?
darryl

SB: Green.

Q: Do you ever have to perform two different episodes at the same time? And how do you keep track of it all?
Xindi

SB: Quite often we have to do more than one show at the same time. And this year, especially. Quite often you'll have either footage from the episode that's already been cut together so you can get back into the mindset of that show, but most often you hang onto your old scripts and hope that your hair is the same length as when you shot the show, and everything else matches.

Star Trek Host: Do you have a favorite episode from season 3 so far?

SB: Of the shows that have aired, I would say that probably "Anomaly" is my favorite. Of the scripts so far, probably "Twilight" is my favorite script.

Q: Hello, Mr. Bakula. How did you get the role of Captain Archer?
Chryslerman

SB: Kerry McCluggage and Garry Hart were both at Universal when I did Quantum Leap. We have a long and very good relationship. My production company was already here at Paramount when they approached me about the new franchise. And I was excited, but wanted to meet Rick and Brannon and read the pilot script. Once I read the script and met with the guys it was kind of a no-brainer in terms of a role to play, a place to work, with great collaborators, and it would keep me at home for the next few years.

Q: How long does it take to learn your lines for an episode?
vailan

SB: It varies from episode to episode. It depends on how much technical jargon you have to repeat. So quite often I can learn them in a few minutes time. Sometimes, depending on the complexity, I'll have to spend a few hours.

Q: You were once nominated for a Tony award. Any interest in returning to Broadway? (Perhaps "Andrew Lloyd Webber meets the Final Frontier"?)
accessdenied

SB: (laughs) I'm hoping to get back to Broadway. I've had many invitations over the last few years, but have been unable to go due to work or family issues. But I have full intentions of returning there as soon as possible.

Q: Where can we get a copy of that rock opera you wrote?
Buster

SB: (laughs) It's all in my brain, Buster! And it's not nearly as good now as it was then.

Q: Mr. Bakula, why do hot dogs come in packs of ten and hot dog buns come in packs of eight, and have they fixed that by the 22nd century? :-D
NemesisKahn

SB: They come in the same packs in the 22nd century. But there are two extra hot dogs as incentive. Just like those cans that have a third more stuff on the top.

Q: Do you still take the time to play some sports in the shooting breaks?
designationlocutus

SB: Yes. I take time to play sports whenever I can. I'm very active that way, and all of my kids are. So I'm constantly going from season to season with bats and balls and skis, and boards and sticks.

Q: Are there any plans for any other cast members (e.g., Dominic!!) to come chat on here with us? Thanks.
MalsGal

SB: That's not a question for me to answer. I do lock them all in their trailers when I come over here. I want a monopoly. However, there's a good chance that Dominic will come to your home and chat with you.

Q: Did you enjoy filming "Luminarias" with Robert Beltran?
valdax

SB: Yeah, I had a ball making that movie! I only had a couple of scenes with Robert in that movie — he was actually playing the ex-husband of the girl I was dating — so we had a somewhat adversarial relationship.

Q: John Billingsley said in an interview: "Regarding my relationship with Scott, personally I think some of the homoerotic undertones should be brought to the surface." Any comments?
joe40001

SB: You just gotta know John to understand. He's the only guy I spent a night with, though, since the show started.

Q: Who has the best trailer on the set?
PJinNH

SB: Porthos.

Q: Scott, what is your middle name?
billy

SB: Stewart. No relationship to Patrick.

Q: Mr. Bakula: What about snowboarding? Ever tried it?
Steph

SB: Yeah, I snowboard all the time. I've been snowboarding for, I guess, six years. Prior to that I was skiing for 30 years.

Star Trek Host: Scott's been called back to work ...

Q: Scott, do you watch all the episodes at home with your family?
Mark7

SB: No. I usually am here working, so I usually get the episodes on tape and I watch them at home on tape. Very seldom am I home at 8:00. If I am, I'm putting children to bed.

Star Trek Host: Thanks to Scott Bakula for joining us again!

SB: Thank you all. Have fun with "Rajiin" tonight! And get ready for next week.

Thanks, Scott...have fun working. :) We really enjoyed talking with you!
Stanley

Thank you for this chat, Scott and I wish you all the best! And come back soon.
wimpy

Greetings from Mexico City, Scotty!!
Franek

Thanks Scott! Lots of love from Canada!
Quanta

hasta luego from Bolivia
bravo1701

We love you here in tiny New Hampshire :D
CapnSoth