Brought sci-fi into the mainstream (Star Trek - The Next Generation)

Member Name: drdel

Product:	Star Trek - The Next Generation
Date:	19/07/01 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: main characters, entertainment with a message, inspired peripheral characters

Disadvantages: the odd dud episode, only picard, riker, worf, data strong characters

I know its long gone now but I thought I would reflect on what a great show Next Gen was especially with the current crop of sci-fi shows.

First off, I am not a sci-fi fan at all. I don't particularly like the genre but on discovering The Next Generation my faith was restored.

What makes it so strong is fundamental to any TV show in my opinion. The writing. The main characters are superb. They evolved as the series progressed, and by the end although distinctive in their own ways they were noticeably more believable interesting and human than when the show started. Capt. Picard has to go down as one of the great TV characters ever, so complex, mulitlayered.

The storylines were variable with the odd dud in the mix but by and large the underlying threads of each season were very well handled and managed to blend the usual star trek ethos with genuine entertainment.

Another great strength of STTNG was the peripheral characters. Very important in a TV series. The likes of Q, Barclay, the Borg, were inspired and really added spice to the proceedings.

Finally there is an episode out there for everyone. Humourous, tragic, conspiracy, epic, whatever your taste, there was something you could identify with.

No wonder that it became a top five show in the US really bringing sci-fi into the mainstream. Unfortunately, they never managed to follow it. Subsequent star trek series were unfortunately weak. DS9 became an intergalactic war in a desperate attempt to salvage ratings and Voyager simply was flat. Uninspired chacters with the exception of the doctor, repetitive storylines and endless preaching of the message. The real testament to STTNG geatness was the lifting of so many characters to the other series in an effort to increase popularity. Worf, Riker, Q to DS9, Riker, Q, and the Borg to Voyager. In fact the Borg became central to Voyager. So much for new concepts.

Also inevitably a whole spate of sci-fi sho
ws arrived to our screens and none really could follow in TNG's footsteps sadly.

It rejuvenated an entire genre and was never bettered, what better complement can you give to a TV show.

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