Just watched the final bit as well. The use of TNG cast isn't entirely unprecedented as TNG marked the beginning of the second run of Star Trek, with this episode marking the second run's end. In a way, I think the writers were trying for a "coming full circle" type deal. Only problem is that they based the episode in the middle of a TNG episode, in the middle of the TNG series (an episode which wasn't all that good anyways). Keeping in mind that TNG/DS9/Voyager all happened in the same Star Trek "time period," they should have had the TNG component wrap up that end of the timeline as well, ie set them further past ST: Nemesis/Voyager, whichever came later (I cant remember). Had they done this, I think that it could have worked pretty well... or at least it'd be justified. Ending the second run with the beginning of the second run at the end of the second run, chronologically... if that makes any sense.
But, they didn't. And so I agree with arch13 in that they should have just kept the show contained within Enterprise itself (instead of making it a TNG episode) and focus on the creation of the federation.
PS. Just a little background on my experience with Star Trek. A few years ago, I decided that, since I hadn't watched any Star Trek ever, I'd make it my goal to see everything Star Trek. After all, what's a CompSci major who HASNT seen them all? So, for the last few years I've been downloading seasons of all the star trek series and, for better or worse, have now watched them all. With the end of Enterprise, I feel both sad and relieved. Relieved in that my goal is finally complete, sad because now I actually have to go make friends again
