Series Overview

As I reflect on the seven season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the most prominent thought I have is that this series is greater than the sum of its parts. I have analyzed, reviewed and evaluated every episode. And yet, if you averaged out each episode’s grade, I am certain that the result would not represent the measure of success that this series achieved. Which means, of course, that there is something more to TNG – something that mere statistics cannot tell us. So what is it? What distinguishes Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Archetypes

Though it seems obvious, it’s worth pointing out that Gene Roddenberry’s optimistic vision of the future was not without conflict. What the optimism did, however, was to allow for the show to approach a wide array of very profound (and often controversial) topics in a way that allows the audience to find solutions. These topics are the foundation of archetypes that are present in both modern and ancient mythos. Because Roddenberry was able to tap into these archetypes, he was able to tap into the very themes and ideas that are, subconsciously, important to all of humanity.

Take, for instance, The Measure of a Man. In this episode, Data fights for his right to choose. In I, Borg, the crew of the Enterprise faces the moral dilemma of whether or not to commit genocide. In The Enemy, we’re given a surprisingly frank and direct look at how we see our enemies, and the dangers of “dehumanizing” them. These mighty conflicts are still valid today. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Characters

A strong element of TNG is its focus on season-long character arcs. Whether it is Data’s progression toward becoming more human, or the budding romance between Troi and Worf, elements of character development and growth are sprinkled throughout the season. The result is that the series isn’t bogged down in character minutiae, but it also provides for the maturation of individuals and their inter relationships.

To that end, The main cast of Picard, Riker, Data, LaForge, Worf, Dr. Crusher, Troi, and Wesley functioned at a truly high level as an ensemble. Their camaraderie was palpable. And it lent a comforting familiarity to even the dullest or more preposterous episodes. Roddenberry deserves praise for finding a cast that meshed so well.

Signature Episodes

What makes a series is its episodes. These are the parts that contribute to the sum total. Without signature episodes, a series quickly becomes ordinary. Nondescript. TNG has a slew of episodes that were literally defining moments for the series.

Yesterday’s Enterprise as a tour de force of nostalgia and fatalism – a gripping alternate reality that showed how special the true reality was. The Inner Light was beautifully composed exploration of the self. It’s music was indelible. The Measure of a Man established TNG has not just another space opera, but as a serious critical work.

And then there was The Best of Both Worlds. There has been nothing like, before or since. Shows have tried to duplicate the success, and if not the success, at least the formula. But nothing compares to transcendent drama, action and suspense of this two-part episode. Throw in its summer long cliffhangar and you have not only THE signature TNG moment, but you have one of the most memorable moments in all of television.

Character & Story Arcs

Despite the fact that TNG was designed to be primarily episodic in nature, the writers built in a number of story and character arcs that unfolded from season to season.

Data’s quest to become more human was central to the series. There was Wesley Crusher’s journey from boyhood into adulthood, while a nuisance to many fans, actually became a strength for the series. And Worf went from an outsider of his homeworld to becoming a warrior of great renown to his people. Worf’s character arc was buttressed by the Klingon arc, illustrating the corruption of the Empire and its Civil War. There were the Cardassians and Romulans. And the Borg.

But the biggest arc was that of Q — whose appearances in both Encounter at Farpoint and All Good Things, with other memorable turns in between, provided the emotional, thematic and human foundation for the series as a whole.

All in all, TNG reflects the best of entertainment. Yes, there are a number of very poor episodes. And the series eventually stagnated. But even so, TNG provides a wealth of engaging ideas for even the casual fan. But more than that, TNG set a standard by which all subsequent sci-fi shows (including the Trek spinoffs) would later be judged.

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