A funny idea that was ultimately scrapped would have completely changed how fans see a character from Star Trek: Enterprise, but it actually would have made a lot of sense. Star Trek: Enterprise will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. The show, starring Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, is enjoying a surge in popularity with fans now, more than it did during its original four seasons on UPN.
As a big Star Trek fan, I always appreciated how Enterprise focused mostly on human characters, but it was cool they included a couple of aliens. Captain Archer’s ship had T’Pol, a Vulcan science officer played by Jolene Blalock, and Doctor Phlox, the Denobulan chief medical officer brought to life by John Billingsley. I recently learned there was a story idea that didn’t make it into the show, something that would have explained why Doctor Phlox was such a lovable, quirky character. Apparently, the executive producers, Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, decided against it.
Andre Bormanis, a co-producer and science consultant for Star Trek, recently appeared on The D-Con Chamber podcast with Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating. They watched and discussed Star Trek: Enterprise, season 2, episode 8, “The Communicator.” During the podcast, Bormanis shared that he originally proposed the character of Dr. Phlox be written as a veterinarian. You can find a quote from Bormanis and watch the full interview below.
Andre Bormanis mentioned he repeatedly tried to explain to Brannon that Phlox is a veterinarian specifically for creatures on his home planet, Denobula. Apparently, Denobulan medical professionals aren’t permitted to treat other Denobulans, but since they aren’t Denobulan, Phlox is qualified to treat them.
Dominic Keating: “That’s hilarious. We might as well be horses.”
Andre Bormanis agreed, saying it was worth a try. However, Brannon or Rick thought the idea might be a bit much.
It would have been a clever and fitting reveal if Star Trek: Enterprise had shown that Dr. Phlox was actually a veterinarian. After all, the Enterprise’s doctor kept a collection of alien animals – like desert larvae, chameleons, eels, and even a mischievous bat – right in the ship’s sickbay.
It would make perfect sense if Doctor Phlox was actually a veterinarian, considering his habit of using unusual alien remedies to heal the crew of the Enterprise. This would also explain why he joined the interspecies medical program – he wanted to treat humanoids, and being unable to practice on his own species, the Denobulans, led him to seek patients elsewhere, ultimately bringing him to Earth and the Enterprise.
John Billingsley made Dr. Phlox a truly endearing and quirky character, and his scenes in Star Trek: Enterprise‘s sickbay were always enjoyable. It would have been a humorous and fitting addition to his character to learn that Phlox was only officially qualified to treat animals on his home planet, given how Billingsley portrayed and developed the role.
It makes sense why Rick Berman and Brannon Braga didn’t want to reveal Dr. Phlox was a veterinarian. While it might have been amusing initially, it would have undermined the seriousness of his role as Chief Medical Officer and potentially damaged a character fans grew to love on Star Trek: Enterprise.
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2026-04-07 12:08