Star Trek: The Next Generation
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225885376
2008-07-15T21:23:51Z
88.106.81.179
/* Cast */
{{Infobox Television
| bgcolour = #69B3FF
| show_name = Star Trek: The Next Generation
| image = [[Image:TNGopeninglogo.png|250px]]
| caption = ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' intertitle
| format = [[Science fiction]]
| picture_format = [[NTSC]] [[480i]]
| audio_format = [[Dolby SR]]
| runtime = Approx 45 mins. <!-- It's only 1 hour if you include the adverts. See [[Template:Infobox Television]]. The commercials are NOT counted in the runtime. -->
| creator = [[Gene Roddenberry]]
| starring = ''see [[Star Trek: The Next Generation#Cast|below]]''
| opentheme = [[Alexander Courage]]<br>[[Jerry Goldsmith]]
| endtheme = [[Jerry Goldsmith]]
| country = {{USA}}
| language = [[English language|English]]
| network = [[television syndication|First-run Syndication]]
| first_aired = [[September 28]], [[1987]]
| last_aired = [[May 23]], [[1994]]
| num_seasons = 7
| num_episodes = 178
| executive_producer = [[Gene Roddenberry]]<br>[[Rick Berman]]<br>[[Wendy Neuss]]
| list_episodes = List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes
| preceded_by = ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]''
| followed_by = ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''
| website = http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/
| imdb_id = 0092455
| tv_com_id = 137
}}
'''''Star Trek: The Next Generation''''' ('''ST:TNG''', '''TNG''') is a [[Science fiction on television|science fiction television series]], part of the [[Star Trek|Star Trek universe]] created by [[Gene Roddenberry]]. Set in the [[24th century]], about 80 years after [[Star Trek: The Original Series|the original ''Star Trek'']], ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' features a new crew and a new [[Starship Enterprise|starship ''Enterprise'']]. It premiered the week of [[September 28]], [[1987]] to some 27 million viewers<ref>[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20058192_5,00.html Star Trek TNG: An Oral History] ''[[Entertainment Weekly]],'' 2007/09/24. Retrieved on 2007/09/25.</ref> with the two-hour pilot "[[Encounter at Farpoint]]" and ran for 178 episodes (the greatest number of episodes of any Star Trek show in the series) in seven seasons, ending with the finale "[[All Good Things...]]" the week of [[May 23]], [[1994]].
The series was broadcast in [[first-run syndication]], with dates and times varying among individual television stations. The show gained a considerable following during its run and, like its predecessor, remains popular in syndicated [[rerun]]s. It was the first of several series (the others being ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'') that kept new Star Trek episodes airing until [[2005]]. ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' won 18 [[Emmy]] Awards and became the first syndicated television show to be nominated for the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series in its seventh season. It was nominated for three [[Hugo Awards]] and won two, becoming the first television series since the original [[Star Trek]] to be recognized. The series also formed the basis of the seventh through tenth [[List of Star Trek films|Star Trek films]].
== Production ==
After the box-office success of the [[Harve Bennett]]-produced ''Star Trek''-based movies, [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] decided to create a new Star Trek series in 1986. Roddenberry initially declined to be involved but came on board as creator after being unhappy with early conceptual work. The creation of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' was announced on [[October 10]], [[1986]]. The show was, unusually, broadcast in first-run syndication rather than running on a major network, with Paramount and the local stations splitting advertising time between them.<ref>{{cite book|title=Star Trek Creator: The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry|author=Alexander, David|publisher=Roc|year=1994|id=ISBN 0-451-45440-5}}</ref>
Roddenberry hired a number of ''Star Trek'' veterans, including [[Bob Justman]], [[D. C. Fontana]], [[Eddie Milkis]], and [[David Gerrold]]. Paramount executive [[Rick Berman]] was assigned to the show at Roddenberry's request.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
''The Next Generation'' was shot on 35mm film<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/technical|title=IMDB Technical Specifications for Star Trek: The Next Generation|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>, and was one of the first television shows with sound recorded in [[Dolby Surround]].{{Fact|date=May 2007}} The filming negatives were scanned in a straight-to-video device.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
=== Season one ===
The first season was marked by a "revolving door" of writers, with Gerrold and Fontana quitting after disputes with Roddenberry.<ref>{{cite book |title=Star Trek: "Where No One Has Gone Before" : A History in Pictures (Star Trek (Trade/hardcover)) |last=Dillard |first=J. M. |authorlink=J. M. Dillard |year=1994 |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn= 0-671-51149-1 |pages=pages 130-131 |quote= "The writers were being rewritten by Gene, and there was a lot of tumult because people didn't know where they stood."}}</ref>
Season One has been criticized as aimless and formulaic. Mark Bourne of ''The DVD Journal'' wrote of season one: "A typical episode relied on trite plot points, clumsy allegories, dry and stilted dialogue, or characterization that was taking too long to feel relaxed and natural."<ref name="journal_1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdjournal.com/quickreviews/s/st-tng.season01.q.shtml|title=DVD Journal: Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season One}}</ref> Other targets of criticism include poor [[special effects]] and plots being resolved by the [[deus ex machina]] of [[Wesley Crusher]] saving the ship.<ref name="verdict_1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/startrektngseason1.php|title=DVD Verdict: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season One}}</ref><ref name="scifi_1">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw8324.html|title=Sci Fi Weekly: Star Trek: The Next Generation—Season One DVD}}</ref> However, [[Patrick Stewart]]'s acting skills won praise and critics have noted that characters were given greater potential for development than those of the original series.<ref name="verdict_1" /><ref name="journal_1" />
While the events of most episodes of season one were self-contained, many developments important to the show as a whole occurred during the season. The recurring nemesis [[Q (Star Trek)|Q]] was introduced in the pilot, "[[Encounter at Farpoint]]", the alien [[Ferengi]] first appeared in "[[The Last Outpost (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Last Outpost]]", the capabilities of the [[holodeck]] were explored, and the history between [[William Riker|Will Riker]] and [[Deanna Troi]] was investigated.
Later season one episodes set the stage for serial plots. The episode "[[Datalore]]" introduced Data's [[evil twin]] brother Lore, who made several more appearances in later episodes. "[[Coming of Age (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Coming of Age]]" dealt with Wesley Crusher's efforts to get into [[Starfleet Academy]] while also hinting at the threat to Starfleet later faced in "[[Conspiracy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Conspiracy]]". "[[Heart of Glory]]" explored Worf's character, [[Klingon]] culture, and the uneasy truce between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, three themes that would play a major role in later episodes. [[Tasha Yar]] left the show in "[[Skin of Evil]]", and the season finale, "[[The Neutral Zone (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Neutral Zone]]", established the presence of two of TNG's most enduring villains: the [[Romulan]]s and, in a foreshadowing manner, the [[Borg (Star Trek)|Borg]].
The series premiere became the first television show to be nominated for a [[Hugo Award]] since 1972. Six first-season episodes were each nominated for an [[Emmy]] Award; "[[11001001]]" won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, "[[The Big Goodbye]]" won for Outstanding Costume Design for a Series, and "[[Conspiracy (TNG episode)|Conspiracy]]" won for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series.<ref name="companion">{{cite book|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|author=Nemeck, Larry|id=ISBN 0-7434-5798-6}}</ref> "The Big Goodbye" also won the [[Peabody Award]] for excellence in television programming.
=== Season two ===
[[Image:Enterprise Forward.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D]], flagship of the United Federation of Planets at its time]]
The show underwent significant changes during its second season. [[Beverly Crusher]] was replaced as doctor during the season by [[Katherine Pulaski]], played by [[Diana Muldaur]] who was twice a guest star of the original Star Trek. The show's recreational area, [[Ten-Forward]], and its mysterious bartender/advisor, [[Guinan]], played by [[Whoopi Goldberg]], appeared for the first time in season two. Owing to the [[1988 Writers Guild of America strike]], the number of episodes produced was cut from 26 to 22 and the start of the season was delayed. Because of the strike, the opening episode, "[[The Child (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Child]]", was based on a script originally written for ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'', a previous attempt to create a new weekly Star Trek series, while the season finale, "[[Shades of Gray (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Shades of Gray]]" was a [[clip show]]. Both episodes were critically panned.<ref name="scifi_2">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw8559.html|title=Sci Fi Weekly: Star Trek: The Next Generation—Season Two DVD}}</ref>
Nevertheless, season two as a whole was widely regarded as significantly better than season one. Its focus on character development received special praise.<ref name="verdict_2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/startrektngseason2.php|title="DVD Verdict: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season Two}}</ref> Co-Executive Producer [[Maurice Hurley]] has stated that his primary goal for the season was to plan and execute season-long [[story arc]]s and [[character arc]]s.<ref>{{cite video|title="Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Two DVD Special Features}}</ref> Hurley wrote the acclaimed episode "[[Q Who?]]", which featured the first on-screen appearance of TNG's most popular villain, the [[Borg (Star Trek) |Borg]]. Season two focused on developing the character [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]], and two highly-regarded episodes from the season, "[[Elementary, Dear Data]]" and "[[The Measure of a Man (TNG episode)|The Measure of a Man]]" featured him prominently.<ref name="scifi_2" /> [[Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)|Miles O'Brien]] also became a more prominent character during the second season, while [[Geordi La Forge]] found a position as chief engineer. Klingon issues continued to be explored in well-regarded episodes such as "[[A Matter of Honor]]" and "[[The Emissary]]", which introduced Worf's lover [[K'Ehleyr]].<ref name="journal_2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdjournal.com/quickreviews/s/st-tng.season02.q.shtml|title="The DVD Journal: Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Two}}</ref> Five second-season episodes were nominated for six Emmys; "[[Q Who?]]" won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series.<ref name="companion" />
=== Season three and beyond ===
In the third season, [[Michael Piller]] became head writer, and [[Gene Roddenberry]] took less of an active role, with Piller and Berman becoming the executive producers. Doctor Crusher came back to replace Doctor Pulaski who was always noted as a guest star in the second season. [[Ronald D. Moore]] joined the show after submitting a [[spec script]] that became "[[The Bonding (TNG episode)|The Bonding]]"; he became the franchise's "[[Klingon]] guru".<ref name="companion" /> Six third-season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys; "[[Yesterday's Enterprise]]" won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and "[[Sins of the Father (TNG episode)|Sins of the Father]]" won for Best Art Direction for a Series.<ref name="companion" />
[[Brannon Braga]] and [[Jeri Taylor]] joined the show in its fourth season. Seven fourth-season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys; "[[The Best of Both Worlds (TNG episode)|The Best of Both Worlds, Part II]]" won for both Outstanding Sound Editing in a Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Series.<ref name="companion" />
The fifth season's "[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification]]" opens with a dedication to Star Trek creator [[Gene Roddenberry]], who died
[[October 24]], [[1991]]. Although Roddenberry's health had been deteriorating before his death, and his involvement with the series diminished, he continued to be credited as executive producer.<ref name="companion" /> Simultaneously, responsibility for the show gradually shifted to Berman, who took over the franchise upon Roddenberry's death.<ref name="companion" /> Seven fifth-season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys; "[[Cost of Living (TNG episode)|Cost of Living]]" won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series and there was a tie between "[[A Matter of Time (TNG episode)|A Matter of Time]]" and "[[Conundrum (TNG episode)|Conundrum]]" for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects. In addition, "[[The Inner Light (TNG episode)|The Inner Light]]" became the first television episode since the 1968 original series [[Star Trek]] episode "[[The City on the Edge of Forever (TOS episode)|The City on the Edge of Forever]]" to win a [[Hugo Award]] for Best Dramatic Presentation.<ref name="companion" />
Three sixth-season episodes were nominated for Emmys; "[[Time's Arrow (TNG episode)|Time's Arrow, Part II]]" won for both Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Hairstyling for a Series and "[[A Fistful of Datas]]" won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series.<ref name="companion" />
The seventh season was ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s last. The finale, "[[All Good Things...]]", was a double-length episode (separated into two parts for reruns) aired the week of [[May 19]], [[1994]], revisiting the events of the pilot and providing a bookend to the series. [[Toronto]]'s [[Rogers Centre|SkyDome]], which was renamed 'Rogers Centre' in 2005, played host to a massive [[CITY-TV]]-sponsored event for the series finale. Thousands of people packed the stadium to watch the final episode on the stadium's [[Jumbotron]].<!-- wasn't this the highest-rated series finale of all time since MASH? can anyone find this info? --> Five seventh-season episodes were nominated for nine Emmys, and the series as a whole was the first syndicated television series nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. "All Good Things..." won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects and "[[Genesis (TNG episode)|Genesis]]" won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series. "All Good Things..." also won the second of the series' two Hugo Awards.<ref name="companion" />
===Cast===
{{see|List of Star Trek: The Next Generation actors}}
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:TNG crew.jpg|250px|right|thumb|{{speedy-image-c|[[2007-07-29]]}}
----
From left: [[Geordi La Forge|LaForge]], [[Deanna Troi|Troi]], [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]], [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]], [[Worf]], [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]], [[William Riker|Riker]]]] -->
<!-- if updating this table, please also update [[List of Star Trek characters#Star Trek: The Next Generation]] -->
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
|align=center colspan=4|'''Main Cast'''
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Character !!Position !! Species
|-
| [[Patrick Stewart]] || [[Jean-Luc Picard]] || Commanding officer (seasons 1-7) || Human
|-
| [[Jonathan Frakes]] ||[[William Riker]] || First officer (seasons 1-7) || Human
|-
| [[LeVar Burton]] || [[Geordi La Forge]] || Conn officer (season 1)<br />Chief engineer (seasons 2-7) || Human
|-
| [[Michael Dorn]] || [[Worf]] || Tactical and conn officer (season 1)<br />Chief of security and tactical officer (seasons 2-7) || [[Klingon]]
|-
| [[Gates McFadden]] || [[Beverly Crusher]] || Chief medical officer (seasons 1, 3-7) || Human
|-
| [[Marina Sirtis]] || [[Deanna Troi]] || Ship's counselor (seasons 1-7) || Half-[[Betazoid]] (mother) / half-Human (father)
|-
| [[Brent Spiner]] || [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]] and Lore|| Second officer (seasons 1-7)<br />Operations officer (seaons 1-7) Data's Brother (Seasons 1 - 7)|| Android
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
|align=center colspan=5|'''Former Main Cast'''
|-
| [[Wil Wheaton]] || [[Wesley Crusher]] || Conn officer (seasons 1-4) || Human
|-
| [[Denise Crosby]] || [[Tasha Yar|Natasha "Tasha" Yar]] <br />as well as [[Sela (Star Trek)|Sela]] || Chief of security and tactical officer (season 1; guest appearances season 3 and 7) <br /> as well as Romulan Commander(seasons 4-5) || Human<br />as well as Half-Romulan / Half-Human
|-
| [[Diana Muldaur]] || [[Katherine Pulaski]] || Chief medical officer (season 2) || Human
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
|align=center colspan=5|'''Secondary Main Cast/Recurring Ship Crewmembers & Starfleet Personnel'''
|-
| [[Colm Meaney]] || [[Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)|Miles O'Brien]] || Helm/Tactical/Transporter Room (season 1-6, guest star in series finale) || [[Human]]
|-
| [[Rosalind Chao]] || [[Keiko O'Brien]] || Botanist (season 4-5) || [[Human]]
|-
| [[Patti Yasutake]] || [[Alyssa Ogawa]] || Nurse (season 4-7) || [[Human]]
|-
| [[Whoopi Goldberg]] || [[Guinan]] || Bartender (season 2-6, Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: Nemesis) || [[El-Aurian]]
|-
| [[Michelle Forbes]] || [[Ro Laren]] || CONN/Tactical (season 5-7) || [[Bajoran]]
|-
| [[Dwight Schultz]] || [[Reg Barclay|Reginald "Reg" Barclay]] || diagnostic technician, systems engineer (season 3-7, Star Trek: First Contact) || [[Human]]
|-
| [[Majel Barrett]] || [[Lwaxana Troi]]<br />Starfleet computer voice || ambassador (season 1-7) <br /> Voice of Computer (season 1-7) || [[Betazoid]] <br /> [[AI]]
|-
| [[Lanei Chapman]] || [[Sariel Rager]] || CONN (seasons 4, 6) || [[Human]]
|-
| [[Scott Trost]] || [[Shipley]] || transporter room/engineering: diagnostics team (season 3-6) || [[Human]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
|-
| [[Cameron Oppenheimer]] || [[Kellog]] || security (season 4-7, Star Trek: Generations - First Contact) || [[Human]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
|-
| [[Guy Vardaman]] || [[Darien Wallace]] || engineering/CONN (seasons 1-7, Star Trek: Generations) || [[Human]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
|-
| [[Michael Braveheart]] || [[Martinez]] || medical staff (seasons 2-7, Star Trek: Generations - Insurrection) || [[Human]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
|-
| [[Julie Warner]] || [[Christy Henshaw]] || operations (season 3) || [[Human]]
|}
The cast underwent several changes through the series' run. Denise Crosby chose to leave the show shortly before the first season ended.<ref name="companion" /> Michael Dorn's Worf replaced Tasha Yar as security chief and tactical officer. Crosby returned to portray Yar in alternate timelines in "[[Yesterday's Enterprise (TNG episode)|Yesterday's Enterprise]]" and "[[All Good Things...]]". Crosby also played Yar's half-Romulan daughter, Sela.
Gates McFadden left the series after one season; Beverly Crusher was replaced by Katherine Pulaski, played by Diana Muldaur. Muldaur never received billing in the opening credits, and instead was listed as a special guest star in the credits shown during the first act. Pulaski proved unpopular with viewers and was dropped at the end of the second season;{{Fact|date=May 2007}} McFadden reprised her role as Crusher.
Wesley Crusher was also written out of the show. According to actor Wil Wheaton's website, he wanted to leave the show because he was frustrated by having to fit other roles around his Trek schedule despite his character's decreasing role in the series.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} Wesley Crusher reappears in several later episodes.
== Plot ==
{{see|List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes}}
The episodes follow the adventures of the crew of the [[Galaxy class starship|''Galaxy''-class]] [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise NCC-1701-D'']].<ref name="companion" /> As the [[United Federation of Planets]] [[flagship]], the ''Enterprise'' is designed for both exploration and diplomacy but is capable of, and formidable in, battle when necessary.<ref name="companion" />
Patrick Stewart's voiceover during each episode's opening credits was patterned after [[Where no man has gone before|that of the original series]], but the phrase "continuing mission" replaces ''Star Trek''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "five year mission", and the gender-neutral phrase "no one" replaces "no man":<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/506/1|title=Boldly Going: ''Star Trek'' and spaceflight|author=[[Dwayne A. Day]]| work=[[The Space Review]]|date=2005-11-28}}</ref>
{{cquote|Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship ''Enterprise''. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.}}
The ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew contact and discover many races and species with whom they interact as a means for exploring the "human" condition.<ref name="companion" /> Dramatic devices such as [[time travel]] or temporal loops, natural disasters, [[holodeck]] malfunctions, and other internal and external conflicts often occur without alien encounters, though these, too, are used to explore issues of humanity.<ref name="companion" />
== Episodes ==
{{main|List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes}}
===Best episodes===
To celebrate the series' 20th anniversary, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' chose its "Top 10 Episodes":
# "[[Yesterday's Enterprise]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_10,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[The Best of Both Worlds (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Best of Both Worlds]]", Parts I and II <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_9,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[The Inner Light (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Inner Light]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_8,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[Tapestry (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Tapestry]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_7,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[All Good Things...]]" <ref>{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_6,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[The Measure of a Man (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Measure of a Man]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_5,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[Sins of the Father (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Sins of the Father]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_4,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[First Contact (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|First Contact]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_3,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[The First Duty]]" <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754_2,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
# "[[Chain of Command (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Chain of Command]]", Parts I and II. <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057754,00.html |title='Star Trek: The Next Generation': The Top 10 Episodes |publisher=EW.com |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
==Notable guest appearances==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
! colspan="4" | Actors/Actresses
|-
! Name
! Role
! Episode
! Notes
|-
| [[Kelsey Grammer]]
| Capt. [[Morgan Bateson]], ''[[USS Bozeman]]''
| "[[Cause and Effect]]"
| Was supposed to appear standing next to [[Kirstie Alley]], reprising her role as "[[Saavik]]".
|-
| [[Tim Russ]]
| Devor
| "[[Starship Mine]]"
| Lt. Commander [[Tuvok]], ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''.
|-
| [[Famke Janssen]]
| Kamala
| "[[The Perfect Mate]]"
| Has since made several appearances with Patrick Stewart in the ''[[X-Men]]'' films.
|-
| [[Kirsten Dunst]]
| Hedril/Kestra
| "[[Dark Page]]"
| Has gone on to play Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi's [[Spider-Man film series|''Spider-Man'' film series]].
|-
| [[Teri Hatcher]]
| Bronwyn Gail Robinson
| "[[The Outrageous Okona]]"
| Went on to play [[Susan Mayer]] in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] TV series ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''.
|-
| [[Ashley Judd]]
| Ensign [[Robin Lefler]]
| "[[Darmok]]"<br />"[[The Game (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Game]]"
| Became a major character in [[Peter David]]'s ''[[Star Trek: New Frontier]]'' novels.
|-
| [[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]]
| Cardassian interrogator [[Gul Madred]]
| "[[Chain of Command (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Chain of Command, Part II]]"
| Emmy Award-winning English actor who is known for playing sinister or evil characters. Previously starred as St. John Talbot in ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]'' and Chancellor [[Gorkon]] in ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]]''.
|-
| [[Terry O'Quinn]]
| Admiral Erik Pressman
| "[[The Pegasus (TNG episode)|The Pegasus]]"
| Plays [[John Locke]] in the award winning [[ABC]] series ''[[Lost]]''.
|-
| [[Paul Winfield]]
| Captain [[Dathon]]
| "[[Darmok]]"
| Previously starred as Captain Clark Terrell in ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''.
|-
| [[John Tesh]]
| Klingon in Worf's painstick ritual
| "[[The Icarus Factor]]"
| Was co-host of ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' from 1986–1996.
|-
| [[Joe Piscopo]]
| The Comic
| "[[The Outrageous Okona]]"
| Was a cast member of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.
|-
| [[William O. Campbell]]
| Thadiun Okona
| "[[The Outrageous Okona]]"
| Starred in ''[[The Rocketeer]]''. Originally auditioned for the role of [[William T. Riker]], but lost to [[Jonathan Frakes]]
|-
| [[Bob Gunton]]
| Captain [[Benjamin Maxwell]], ''USS Phoenix''
| "[[The Wounded (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Wounded]]"
| Starred in the first episode dealing with the Cardassians.
|-
| [[Carel Struycken]]
| [[Mr. Homn]]
| Several episodes that deal with [[Lwaxana Troi]] ([[Majel Barrett]]).
| Played [[Lurch]] in the movies ''[[The Addams Family (film)|The Addams Family]]'' and ''[[Addams Family Values]]''.
|-
| [[James Cromwell]]
| Prime Minister Nayrok<br />
Jaglom Shrek
| "[[The Hunted]]"<br />
"[[Birthright (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Birthright]]", Parts I and II
| Would later play Minister Hanok in ''Star Trek: DS9'' episode "[[Starship Down]]", then [[Zefram Cochrane]] in ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]''.
|-
| [[Walter Gotell]]
| Kurt Mandl
| "[[Home Soil]]"
| Played General Gogol in the [[James Bond]] movie series.
|-
| [[Madge Sinclair]]
| Capt. Silva LaForge, ''USS Hera''
| "[[Interface (TNG episode)|Interface]]"
| Played Bell Reynolds in the ''[[Roots (TV miniseries)|Roots]]'' TV mini-series.
|-
| [[Tony Todd]]
| Kurn
| "[[Sins of the Father]]"<br />"[[Redemption (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Redemption]]"
| Played the Candyman in the slasher movie ''[[Candyman (film)|Candyman]]''.
|-
| [[Tom Jackson]]
| Lakanta
| "[[Journey's End (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Journey's End]]"
| A noted musician & actor.
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
! colspan="4" | Non-Actors/Real World Personalities
|-
| [[Mae Jemison]] MD
| Lt. (j.g.) Palmer, transporter room
| "[[Second Chances (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Second Chances]]"
| A former NASA astronaut and physician.
|-
| [[Stephen Hawking]]
| himself
| "[[Descent (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Descent, Part I]]"
| A noted scientist.
|-
| [[James Worthy]]
| Koral
| "[[Gambit (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Gambit]]", Part II
| Played small forward for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] from 1984 to 1994.
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
! colspan="4" | Star Trek Alum
|-
| [[Leonard Nimoy]]
| Ambassador [[Spock]]
| "[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification]]", Parts I and II
| Played Spock in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[DeForest Kelley]]
| Admiral [[Leonard McCoy]]
| "[[Encounter at Farpoint]]"
| Played Dr. McCoy in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[James Doohan]]
| Captain [[Montgomery Scott]]
| "[[Relics (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Relics]]"
| Played Scott in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[Mark Lenard]]
| Ambassador [[Sarek]]
| "[[Sarek (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Sarek]]" <br />
"[[Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Unification, Part I]]"
| Appeared as Sarek in one episode of the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[Majel Barrett]]
| [[Lwaxana Troi]]/''Enterprise''-D Computer Voice
| Seasons 1-7
| Had a recurring role as Dr. [[Christine Chapel]] in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series, and portrays the voice of the "computer" on all Federation Starships after the events of Star Trek TNG season 2. She also plays the character Lwaxanna Troi on Star Trek TNG and DS9.
|- bgcolor="cornsilk"
! colspan="4" | TNG Movie Appearances
|-
| [[William Shatner]]
| Capt. [[James T. Kirk]]
| ''Star Trek Generations''
| Played Capt. Kirk in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[Walter Koenig]]
| Commander [[Pavel Chekov]]
| ''Star Trek Generations''
| Played Ens. Chekov in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series|original ''Star Trek'']] TV series.
|-
| [[Tom Morello]]
| Sona Warrior
| ''Star Trek: Insurrection''
| Lead guitarist for [[Rage Against the Machine]] and [[Audioslave]].
|-
| [[Bryan Singer]]
| Ensign Kelly
| ''Star Trek Nemesis''
| The director of ''X-Men'' films, in which Patrick Stewart (Picard) and Famke Janssen (Kamala) star.
|-
| [[Ron Perlman]]
| Reman Viceroy
| ''Star Trek Nemesis''
| Starred in the movies ''[[Alien Resurrection]]'' and ''[[Hellboy (film)|Hellboy]]''.
|-
| [[Alfre Woodard]]
| Lily Sloane
| ''Star Trek: First Contact''
| Starred in the TV series ''[[L.A. Law]]'', ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'', and ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''.
|}
== Connections with other Star Trek incarnations ==
The show's theme combines the fanfare from the original series theme by [[Alexander Courage]] with [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s theme for ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]''.
''The Next Generation'' has other similarities to ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', itself spun from the plans for ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]''.<ref name="companion" /> The movie's [[Willard Decker]] and [[Ilia (Star Trek)|Ilia]] bear similarities to ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Will Riker and Deanna Troi.<ref name="companion" /> The series' second-season premiere was based on a ''Phase II'' script, as was the [[courtroom drama]] "[[Devil's Due (TNG episode)|Devil's Due]]".<ref name="companion" />
Some sets used in the ''Original Series''-era films were redressed for ''The Next Generation'', and in turn used for subsequent ''Original Series'' films.<ref name="TNGTM">{{cite book|author=[[Michael Okuda|Okuda, Michael]] and [[Rick Sternbach]]|year=1991|title=[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]|publisher=Pocket Books|id=ISBN 0-671-70427-3}}</ref> Part of the transporter room set in ''The Next Generation'' was used in the original ''Star Trek''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s transporter set.<ref name="TNGTM" />
Variants of ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[LCARS]] computer interface appear in the ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Voyager'' spinoffs and the ''Next Generation''-era films.<ref name="Encyc">{{cite book|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|author=[[Michael Okuda|Okuda, Mike]] and Denise Okuda, with Debbie Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|id=ISBN 0-671-53609-5|year=1999}}</ref> The series also established the five-number stardate, with the second digit corresponding to the season; ''Deep Space Nine''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s opening stardate of [[Emissary (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|46379]] aligns with ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sixth season, and ''Voyager''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Caretaker (Star Trek: Voyager)|48315]] places it in what would have been ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eighth season.<ref name="Encyc" />
=== Characters and races ===
{{see|List of Star Trek races}}
Three original ''Star Trek'' main actors appear as their original series characters in ''The Next Generation'': [[DeForest Kelley]] as [[Leonard McCoy]] in "Encounter at Farpoint", [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Spock]] in both halves of "Unification", and [[James Doohan]] as Montgomery Scott in "Relics".<ref name="companion" /> [[Mark Lenard]] played Sarek for both "Sarek" and "Unification, Part I", and [[Majel Barrett]] reprised her role of voicing the ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer, as well as playing [[Deanna]]'s mother, [[Lwaxana Troi]].<ref name="companion" /> A script that reportedly featured the character of [[Harcourt Fenton Mudd|Harry Mudd]], a recurring criminal in ''Star Trek'', was cancelled when [[Roger C. Carmel]] died.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} The [[Romulan]]s reprise their antagonistic role in ''The Next Generation'', although the [[Klingon]]s reappear as Federation allies.<ref name="companion" />
''The Next Generation'' introduces two characters who would later have lead roles in ''Deep Space Nine'': [[Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)|Miles O'Brien]] (played by [[Colm Meaney]]) and Worf.<ref name="DS9">{{cite book|title=Deep Space Nine Companion|isbn=0671501062|last=Erdmann|first=Terry J.|coauthors=Paula M. Block|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|date=2000-08-01}}</ref> The character who eventually became [[Kira Nerys]] was initially intended to be a reprisal of [[Michelle Forbes]]' ''Next Generation'' character, [[Ro Laren]].<ref name="DS9" /> Additional ''Next Generation'' characters who appear in ''Deep Space Nine'' include Q, the [[Duras sisters]], Klingon Chancellor Gowron, Klingon Kurn (Worf's brother), Alexander Rozhenko (Worf's son), Keiko O'Brien (Miles' wife), Molly O'Brien (Miles' daughter), [[Lwaxana Troi]], [[Thomas Riker]], [[Vash (Star Trek)|Vash]] and Gul Evek.<ref name="DS9" />
[[Reginald Barclay]], [[Deanna Troi]], [[Q (Star Trek)|Q]], [[William Riker]] and [[Geordi LaForge|LaForge]] appear in ''Voyager''.<ref name="Encyc" /> [[Tom Paris]], a main character in ''Voyager'', was based on the ''Next Generation'' character Nicholas Locarno; [[Robert Duncan McNeill]], who played Locarno, went on to play Paris.<ref name="Encyc" />
Deanna Troi and William Riker appear in the ''Enterprise'' finale "These Are the Voyages..."
The [[Ferengi]], conceived but panned as ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s recurring antagonists,<ref name="companion" /> appear in subsequent Star Trek spin-offs.<ref name="Encyc" /> ''The Next Generation'' also introduces the [[Borg (Star Trek)|Borg]], [[Cardassian]], [[Trill (Star Trek)|Trill]] and [[Bajor]]an species, along with the [[Maquis (Star Trek)|Maquis]] resistance group, all of which play a part in both ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Voyager''.<ref name="Encyc" />
''Deep Space Nine''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Julian Bashir]], played by [[Alexander Siddig]], appears in ''The Next Generation''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "[[Birthright (TNG episode)|Birthright, Part I]]", and [[Armin Shimerman]] played [[Quark (Star Trek)|Quark]] for "[[Firstborn (TNG episode)|Firstborn]]".<ref name="companion" />
=== Actor crossovers ===
The following ''Next Generation'' cast members have appeared as various other characters in other Star Trek productions.
* [[Michael Dorn]] (Worf) appeared in ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]]'' as his ancestor Klingon Colonel Worf.
* [[Brent Spiner]] (Data) appeared in several ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' episodes as Noonien Soong's ancestor, Arik Soong.
* [[Diana Muldaur]] (Pulaski) appeared in The Original Series episodes "Return to Tomorrow" as Lt. Commander Ann Mulhall, and "Is There in Truth No Beauty?" as Dr. Miranda Jones.
* [[Majel Barrett Roddenberry]] (Lwaxana Troi and the ship's computer) appeared in The Original Series as recurring character Nurse Christine Chapel, though she was originally cast as "Number One" in the pilot. She also was the voice for the Federation computers in every series.
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] and [[LeVar Burton]] (Riker & LaForge) have also directed episodes of ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Voyager''. Burton also directed episodes of ''Enterprise''.
The following actors from other Star Trek productions have appeared in guest spots on ''The Next Generation'' as other characters.
* [[Armin Shimerman]] (Quark of ''Deep Space Nine'') appeared in "The Last Outpost" as the Ferengi Letek, "Haven" as the face of a Betazoid gift box, and "Peak Performance" as Ferengi DaiMon Bractor.
* [[Max Grodénchik]] (Rom of ''Deep Space Nine'') appeared in "Captain's Holiday" as Ferengi Sovak, and "The Perfect Mate" as Ferengi Par Lenor.
* [[Ethan Phillips]] guest stars as the Ferengi Farek. He later appears in ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' as [[Neelix]].
* [[Marc Alaimo]] (Dukat of ''Deep Space Nine'') appeared in "Lonely Among Us" as Antican Badar N'D'D, in "The Neutral Zone" as the Romulan commander Tebok, in "The Wounded" as the Cardassian Gul Macet, and in "Time's Arrow" as the poker player Frederick La Rouque.
* [[Salome Jens]] (the Female Shapeshifter of ''Deep Space Nine'') appeared in "The Chase" as an ancient humanoid.
* [[Robert Duncan McNeil]] (Tom Paris of ''Voyager'') appeared in "The First Duty" as Nova Squadron leader Nicholas Locarno.
* [[James Cromwell]], who plays the prime minister in The Hunted, also plays the role of Dr. Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Enterprise episode Broken Bow, Jaglom Shrek in Star Trek: TNG episodes Birthright Parts 1 and 2 in season six and Hanok in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode Starship Down.
== Legacy ==
Four films feature the series' characters:
* ''[[Star Trek Generations]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Star Trek Nemesis]]'' (2002)
Three other Star Trek TV series succeeded ''The Next Generation'':
* ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' (1993-1999)
* ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' (1995-2001)
* ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' (2001-2005)
The series has also inspired numerous novels, analytical books, websites, and works of [[fan fiction]].
On [[October 7]], [[2006]], one of the three original filming models of the USS ''Enterprise''-D used on the show sold at a [[Christie's]] auction for USD $576,000, making it the highest-selling item at the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2541404&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312|title='Star Trek' Model Fetches Over $500,000|date=2006-10-7|accessdate=2007-05-10|publisher=ABC News}}</ref>
== DVD release ==
{{main|Star Trek: The Next Generation DVD}}
The series' first season was released on DVD in March 2002. Throughout the year the next six seasons were released at various times on DVD, with the seventh season being released in December of 2002. To commemorate the series 20th anniversary, [[CBS Home Entertainment]] and Paramount Home Entertainment released ''Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Complete Series'' on October 2, 2007. The DVD box set contains 49 discs.
== See also ==
{{portal|Star Trek}}
* [[Cultural influence of Star Trek]]
* [[List of post-Star Trek: The Next Generation stories|List of post-''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' stories]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
== External links ==
{{commons}}
{{wikiquote|Star Trek: The Next Generation}}
* [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/index.html ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''] at StarTrek.com
{{memoryalpha article|Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation|''Star Trek: The Next Generation''}}
* {{imdb title|id=0092455|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation}}
* {{tv.com show|id=137|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation}}
* [http://tng.trekcore.com/gallery TrekCore.com] Library of DVD screen captures (still images) from every episode of the Next Generation.
{{Star Trek}}
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