Picture a Star Trek convention: hordes of sweaty young men with bad facial hair, rotund women wearing figure-hugging uniforms and little kids dragging their parents around to see all the latest exhibits. Can you imagine any possible motivation to destroy your life in such a pointless manner?
The truth of it is, Star Trek Fans (capitalised, for they are a breed of their own) are little more than a vocal minority which the media just love to pick up on. Hey, these guys are a hell of a lot more interesting than Dave from Kent, right? The result is that your perception of Star Trek is likely to be somewhat tainted. The best I can do without having the luxury of a knife to your throat is to simply reassure you that the majority of the show’s viewers wish these irritating fools would go away just as much as you do.
The reality is that Star Trek is no longer the domain of geeks alone. The modern incarnations of the series have brought it bang up to date in terms of special effects and simple storylines, the two elements that America lives upon. Whereas the original series with Mr. Spork and Co. remains a sci-fi buff’s paradise - much like the obscure references to Blake’s 7 they love to throw around - The Next Generation was always intended as a mass-market show to appeal to the mass American audiences. The result being, it remains Star Trek in name only.
Sadly the show has finished its run and one must be content with re-runs on obscure cable channels for that burst of thrilling nostalgia which comes with the opening titles. The premise is simple - the 24th Century equivalent of the old USS Enterprise is now boldly going where not many people have probably been before, under the Captaincy of Jean-Luc Picard, more than ably played by the Shakespearian actor Patrick Stewart (who has since gone on to greater things in films such as X-Men and Deep Throat 4). From the pilot episode introducing the cast, to the series finale featuring their parting of ways (and convenient build-up to a movie...), we are treated to an ongoing journey throughout the galaxy and all the trials and tribulations that crop up along the way.
Star Trek has much more going for it than the scheduling or critics ever suggested. Even at a superficial level, there is the interesting situation of seeing how a closely-knit group of people develop together in space. Although this avenue was never explored fully - I suspect to maintain the show’s commercial viability - there are brief flashes throughout the seven series, such as Troi’s ongoing relationship with Riker and, eventually, Worf. The show also looks at an individual’s role in the big picture, such as Wesley Crusher’s feelings of superiority to his colleagues and eventual movement to another plane of existence (now how’s about that for moving up the career ladder...). The show’s producers always maintained that The Next Generation was merely a soap opera set in space, and in many respects this is true.
Stewart is capably supported by a cast of relative unknowns, even today. Jonathan Frakes had a minor reputation around Hollywood prior to his role as Riker in TNG, and has since moved on to directorial roles in other films. Brent Spiner enhanced his standing greatly with his at times inspired portrayal of the android Data. And Marina Sirtis perhaps proved to herself that she does not need to expose her breasts in order to get ahead in the (fickle) world (of acting).
Although there is always some kind of techno-babble accompanying each episode’s journey, this never prevents the show from being accessible to a wide range of people. In essence, TNG is a seven-series story which, although not on the epic proportions of Babylon 5, has a happy and satisfying ending. A wide range of issues have been covered, from racism (using the same ’’alien’’ metaphores as in the original series) to sexism (looking at the positions of females aboard the ship). Although at first glance it can be passed off easily, at the second or third time round you start to pick up on the real meaning of the shows and the points the writers were trying to express.
Particular mention must go to the epic double episodes which I will honestly remember for as long as I live. The series finale featuring Picard’s abduction by the Borg was Star Trek at its finest, although puritan fans may disagree. It was a perfect demonstration of the show’s potential to thrill, excite, interest and more, all in one go.
The Next Generation is not without its flaws. At times, it can become horridly sickly with over-drawn emotional storylines that are more likely to go on down Dawson’s Creek way than Alpha Centauri. The first three series suffered from average writing and the feeling from fans that the show had to live up to the expectations heaped upon it by the cult status of the original series. Also, several episodes can be highlighted as precisely how not to make a television series - ridiculous or repeated stroylines that lead nowhere and left one with an empty feeling.
Regardless, it must be reiterated that The Next Generation is by far the finest of the modern breed of Star Trek shows. It beats Deep Space Nine hands down, and tramples all over Voyager. Available as repeat showings now, The Next Generation is well worth a look in, although you may find it takes upwards of ten to twenty episodes to really get you hooked and donning your uniform.