Visit Paramount+ and you’ll find it hosts two major TV series: the legendary science fiction “Star Trek” and the modern Western “Yellowstone.” Both series feature numerous spin-offs and sequels, making them some of Paramount’s top attractions. However, many fans might not be aware of their surprising link through Taylor Sheridan. Known for creating, writing, and sometimes directing “Yellowstone,” “1883,” and “1923,” Sheridan also made a guest appearance in a season 3 episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

The episode, titled “Chosen Realm,” follows Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) and the NX-01 Enterprise crew as they face a faction of religious extremists. These zealots admire the dangerous spheres engineered by the Xindi, which Captain Archer aims to eliminate to save Earth. In this installment, Taylor Sheridan portrays Jareb, one of the fervent believers who seizes control of the Enterprise, assuming the science station typically managed by Vulcan officer T’Pol (Jolene Blalock).

Although Sheridan’s role is relatively minor, it offers a glimpse into the early acting days of the “Yellowstone” creator, well before his rise as a prominent screenwriter and director. This appearance predates his significant role as Sheriff Hale on “Sons of Anarchy” and comes more than a decade before he directed his first major film, “Sicario” (Sheridan has distanced himself from his initial directorial effort).

As with various “Star Trek” series, the 2001 prequel “Star Trek: Enterprise” featured numerous guest stars, some of whom were not yet well-known — including Taylor Sheridan. Other stars included the late Annie Wersching, seasoned character actors like Jeffrey Combs and Vaughn Armstrong, and even a few big names like Peter Weller. Moreover, another “Yellowstone” actor appears in the series. Michael Nouri played Bob Schwartz in the first four seasons of “Yellowstone,” challenging the formidable Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly. Before encountering the Duttons’ wrath, Nouri donned Vulcan ears in the initiation of a three-part “Enterprise” storyline starting with “The Forge.”

In this plot, Captain Archer and the NX-01 Enterprise journey to Vulcan. There, he encounters Arev (Nouri), the leader of a Vulcan sect known as the Syrannites, followers of an ancient philosopher named Surak. In a dramatic twist, Arev possesses the Katra, or soul, of Syrann. Upon Arev’s demise, he imparts Syrann’s Katra to Archer, who is then tasked with saving the founder’s spirit as the Vulcan High Command seeks to eliminate the logic-driven Syrannite group.

This pivotal episode in the series examines the development of Vulcan heritage, with Nouri’s compelling portrayal of the disguised leader Syrann enhancing “The Forge.” His part serves as another intriguing link between “Star Trek” and “Yellowstone,” two of Paramount’s leading TV sagas. For further insights, explore the finest shows streaming on Paramount+ right now.