Star Trek: The Next Generation

It was notably also after the release of a couple franchise movies, which ... were a mixed bag. The first Star Trek movie was generally thought to be a let-down, although succeeding movies were better liked. The movies, however, just could not fill the gap left by a weekly series that you had a chance to live with and get to know.

And the series was going to leap into the future of the original series, and introduce all new characters. Many original series Trekkers were dismayed, and vowed to have nothing to do with the new series.

Oh, we'd watch. But merely to sneer, and pity the Kids Today that weren't around when the original series was new and shiny.

Alas for Snobbish Intentions

"Space: the Final Frontier..."

It was, perhaps inevitable; when Patrick Stewart's Shakespearean-trained voice intoned the opening voiceover, most of us quickly succumbed.

Star Trek: the Next Generation simply was a better fit for the eighties. It recognized that the entire command structure of what was essentially a floating city probably wouldn't all hare off into danger simultaneously; the brash First Officer led exploration parties while the seasoned veteran Captain stayed firmly in command of the ship. (Of course, this rule was violated as often as it was followed, but at least they gave it lipservice.)

More, Better Aliens

While Star Trek: the Original Series gave us Klingons, Vulcans and Romulans, The Next Generation expanded our universe to include really incomprehensible aliens, some frightening like the implacable Borg, some irritating like the omnipotent fey gadfly who called himself Q, and some completely unfathomable, like the weird pulsing energy being that called us 'Ugly Bags of Mostly Water'.

An Expanded Crew

The Next Generation expanded on the concept of the 'ensemble' cast; while the Original Series dealt mainly with Kirk, Spock and McCoy, with more or less bit parts for the other regulars, STNG had a plethora of well-rounded characters to deploy.

Of course the Captain and First Officer were of primary interest, but the ship's doctor and 'counsellor' (both women) had major roles. A Klingon security officer and a blind engineer increased the crew's 'diversity ratios'. And to fill the 'outsider looking in' role filled by Spock in the original series, Next Generation gave us an android. But while Spock had borderline contempt for humans, android Data was the artifact that wanted to be real.

A Worthy Trek

Of course every show has its 'what were they thinking?' episodes - the sentient oilslick, anyone? But it didn't take long for Star Trek: Next Generation to win its spurs as worthy bearer of the Star Trek name. It added many cultural touchstones to modern life; always a sign of a show's impact. "Resistance is futile." And who doesn't know what a Borg is?

Many Trek fans today will claim that The Next Generation was the best of the bunch.