Star Trek: The Next Generation
1 9 8 7- 1 9 9 4 (USA)
178 x 60 minute episodes
Set 78 years after the original Star Trek missions,
these are the new voyages of the USS Enterprise, now
upgraded to Galaxy Class and with a new captain and crew onboard.
The new Enterprise has eight times the interior space of
the original ship and while Captain Kirk's crew numbered 430, the
new captain, Jean-Luc Picard has 1,012 under his command!
 Picard is far less inclined to heroic actions than his
predecessor, James T Kirk. Picard prefers to let the "Away
Teams" deal with a crisis, usually led by Commander William
Riker (better known as 'Number One'). This probably makes much
more sense - why would you put the commanding officer's life at
risk at every sniff of danger? You listening, Shatner?!
Other prominent ships officers are the half-Betazoid telepath,
Counselor Deanna Troi; A pasty faced android called Data ;
Lieutenant Worf the Klingon security officer (The Federation have
made peace with the Klingons since the first series); Lt Commander
Geordi Le Forge, the blind helmsman with VISOR glasses (which look
like a banana wrapped around his head); Chief Medical Officer
Beverly Crusher; Her son, Ensign Wesley Crusher and Engineering
Chief Miles O'Brien (played by ex Z Cars actor, Colm Meaney).
Comedienne Whoopi Goldberg plays Guinan, the mysterious barmaid
in the Enterprises Ten Forward Lounge. The new bad guys of the
universe are the big, bald Ferengi.
The sexist attitudes of the original series are gone, with many
of the new 1000 strong crew being women, many of them in positions
of command.
However, the cast are more earnest, less interesting and less
humorous than the original cast - The Politically Correct Gestapo
may have actually killed off elements of what was so great about
the original show.
Make it so, Number One . . .
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