Sci-Fi
May 10th, 2005, 03:16 AM
From The Boston Herald:
The finale frontier: Vulcan star of `Star Trek: Enterprise' complains about ending: It's not logical (http://theedge.bostonherald.com/tvNews/view.bg?articleid=82256)
By Amy Amatangelo
Jolene Blalock goes where few Trekkie stars have gone before.
The actress, who has played the Vulcan T'Pol for four seasons on UPN's ``Star Trek: Enterprise,'' is not afraid to say she is unhappy with the series finale (airing Friday at 9 p.m. on WSBK, Ch. 38; an additional episode airs at 8).
``I have certainly been the vocal one,'' Blalock said in a telephone interview. ``I had assumptions, and we all know what happens when we assume.''
The controversial series finale features the return of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' stars Jonathan Frakes as Riker and Marina Sirtis as Troi.
``I assumed that the ending would be about our show and not a wrapup of the conglomerate,'' Blalock said. ``I understand and respect what (the producers and writers) were trying to accomplish. . . . Reading the script for the finale was sad because I wish I would have known. Of course, that's the way it goes, so we go forward. It was just insulting.''
Blalock also was displeased with the way the series handled the long-simmering potential romance between T'Pol and Trip (Connor Trinneer).
``It was so monotonous. There were a lot of feelings, but nothing ever happened. We repeated the same story over and over,'' she said. ``Either make it a relationship or don't, but you can't walk this line forever. It's boring.''
If Blalock sounds more like a devoted viewer than an actor, that's because even before starring in the fifth ``Star Trek'' series, the San Diego native was a fan of the long-running franchise.
``Thinking about `Star Trek' not being on the air for the first time in 18 years is strange. I'm very grateful and fortunate that I was able to be part of this incarnation. It's sad to see it go, but I really believe in my heart of hearts that it's not gone forever.''
Despite her concerns about the way the series wraps, she has fond memories of her last day of shooting.
``I loved going to work every day. I loved the routine. I loved the people that I worked with. All the cast members worked on that last day. So as one person would complete their last scene, we would send them out (with applause). Scott Bakula and I were in the very last scene. Before we started shooting that scene, I caught eyes with Scott, and it was just a moment I will never forget. And he walked over and he shook my hand before we started shooting that last scene, and I almost lost it. It just said it all.''
Blalock hasn't ruled out reprising her character for any future ``Star Trek'' movies - if and when Paramount makes that decision.
``It all depends on the material. I wish the best for T'Pol, and I don't wish her to be viewed as everything that they made her - a drug addict, weak woman, confused, lost.''
The 30-year-old actress now has the opportunity to spend time on her art (her preferred mediums are crayons and colored pencils) and explore career options. She appears in the upcoming movie ``Slow Burn'' with Taye Diggs and Ray Liotta.
``This is my turn, and it's a good time for me because I'm fortunate enough to not need to work. So (I have) the liberty and the ability to be selective and take my time with this one until it's right, until it's a script I can't help but be passionate about. I want to read something where I clap at the end. I want to be excited.''
The finale frontier: Vulcan star of `Star Trek: Enterprise' complains about ending: It's not logical (http://theedge.bostonherald.com/tvNews/view.bg?articleid=82256)
By Amy Amatangelo
Jolene Blalock goes where few Trekkie stars have gone before.
The actress, who has played the Vulcan T'Pol for four seasons on UPN's ``Star Trek: Enterprise,'' is not afraid to say she is unhappy with the series finale (airing Friday at 9 p.m. on WSBK, Ch. 38; an additional episode airs at 8).
``I have certainly been the vocal one,'' Blalock said in a telephone interview. ``I had assumptions, and we all know what happens when we assume.''
The controversial series finale features the return of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' stars Jonathan Frakes as Riker and Marina Sirtis as Troi.
``I assumed that the ending would be about our show and not a wrapup of the conglomerate,'' Blalock said. ``I understand and respect what (the producers and writers) were trying to accomplish. . . . Reading the script for the finale was sad because I wish I would have known. Of course, that's the way it goes, so we go forward. It was just insulting.''
Blalock also was displeased with the way the series handled the long-simmering potential romance between T'Pol and Trip (Connor Trinneer).
``It was so monotonous. There were a lot of feelings, but nothing ever happened. We repeated the same story over and over,'' she said. ``Either make it a relationship or don't, but you can't walk this line forever. It's boring.''
If Blalock sounds more like a devoted viewer than an actor, that's because even before starring in the fifth ``Star Trek'' series, the San Diego native was a fan of the long-running franchise.
``Thinking about `Star Trek' not being on the air for the first time in 18 years is strange. I'm very grateful and fortunate that I was able to be part of this incarnation. It's sad to see it go, but I really believe in my heart of hearts that it's not gone forever.''
Despite her concerns about the way the series wraps, she has fond memories of her last day of shooting.
``I loved going to work every day. I loved the routine. I loved the people that I worked with. All the cast members worked on that last day. So as one person would complete their last scene, we would send them out (with applause). Scott Bakula and I were in the very last scene. Before we started shooting that scene, I caught eyes with Scott, and it was just a moment I will never forget. And he walked over and he shook my hand before we started shooting that last scene, and I almost lost it. It just said it all.''
Blalock hasn't ruled out reprising her character for any future ``Star Trek'' movies - if and when Paramount makes that decision.
``It all depends on the material. I wish the best for T'Pol, and I don't wish her to be viewed as everything that they made her - a drug addict, weak woman, confused, lost.''
The 30-year-old actress now has the opportunity to spend time on her art (her preferred mediums are crayons and colored pencils) and explore career options. She appears in the upcoming movie ``Slow Burn'' with Taye Diggs and Ray Liotta.
``This is my turn, and it's a good time for me because I'm fortunate enough to not need to work. So (I have) the liberty and the ability to be selective and take my time with this one until it's right, until it's a script I can't help but be passionate about. I want to read something where I clap at the end. I want to be excited.''