Maxwell Forrest

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Admiral Forrest
Vice Admiral Maxwell Forrest
Species:	Human
Gender:	Male
Hair color:	blonde
Eye color:	blue
Home planet:	Earth
Affiliation:	Starfleet
Posting:	Starfleet Command
Rank:	Vice Admiral
Portrayed by:	Vaughn Armstrong

Vice Admiral Maxwell Forrest was a fictional character in the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, played by Vaughn Armstrong.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Vice Admiral Forrest (often referred to in dialogue as just "Admiral") was a flag officer of Earth's Starfleet Command in San Francisco in the 22nd century, who directly oversaw Jonathan Archer's missions. During the 2140s, Forrest (then a Commodore) oversaw the NX Program, Earth's attempt to develop a starship with warp drive faster than 120 times the speed of light. Following the success of this project, Forrest was promoted higher, eventually becoming the head of Starfleet Command. It was on his orders that the NX-01's mission began, and he maintained a strong friendship with Captain Archer, frequently shielding the crew from the criticisms of Vulcan Ambassador Soval.

Forrest was killed in a terrorist bombing of Earth's embassy on Vulcan while saving the life of Ambassador Soval in "The Forge". He was succeeded in his post at Starfleet Command by Admiral Gardner. It is unknown whether Forrest left behind any family, as none have been seen on the show.

[edit] Mirror Universe

A Mirror Universe version of Forrest, in which he only achieved the rank of captain and became commanding officer of the Imperial Star Ship Enterprise (and subsequently was not killed on Vulcan) appeared in the episode "In a Mirror, Darkly", which aired in April 2005. Unlike the normal universe's version, who was an upstanding, moral character, Captain Maximilian Forrest (note the different first name) is a loyal servant of the Terran Empire, leading the ISS Enterprise on missions dedicated to subjugating new worlds. Forrest initially falls victim to a mutiny led by his treacherous first officer - Jonathan Archer - who takes over the ship. Later, Forrest is released from the brig by his loyal officers and tries to retake the ship. However, Forrest is forced to trust Archer once again when the Imperial Starfleet orders Enterprise to cross into Tholian space and claim the USS Defiant which had been found there. The Tholians attack and destroy the ISS Enterprise - but not before Captain Forrest shows true heroism when, as his ship is disintegrating around him, he stays behind and sacrifices his life to get the rest of his crew off the ship and into lifeboats.

[edit] Background

The name Forrest was chosen in tribute to DeForest Kelley, who played Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the original Star Trek series.^{[citation needed]} The first episode, Broken Bow, also featured characters called Admiral Leonard, and Commander Williams, but only Forrest became a recurring character.