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Star Trek: The Next Generation
Picard & Data
Original Run	September 28, 1987 – May 23, 1994
No. of Episodes	178
Genre(s)	Space Opera
Creator(s)	Gene Roddenberry
Exec. Producer(s)	Rick Berman Gene Roddenberry Michael Piller
Starring	Patrick Stewart Jonathan Frakes LeVar Burton Marina Sirtis Brent Spiner Michael Dorn Gates McFadden Wil Wheaton
Country of Origin	United States
Original Channel	Syndication

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) is the third installment in the Star Trek franchise, and the second live-action series.

Premise

Set 95 years after the original series' five-year mission, it follows the Enterprise (NCC 1701-D) under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard on its "continuing mission to explore strange new worlds, seek out new civilizations and to boldly go where no one has gone before."

The Next Generation, also known as ST: TNG or simply TNG, is one of the most respected installments of the franchise, with some of the most memorable characters. The series premiered in 1987, with a two-hour pilot, Encounter at Farpoint.

In its first mission, the crew of the Enterprise seek to uncover the mystery of the Farpoint Station on the planet Deneb IV and negotiate an opportunity for Starfleet to use it as a base. On their way, they come across Q, a powerful alien being who has challenged Captain Picard and his crew to prove the human race worthy of continued existence. The manner in which they handle the mystery behind the Farpoint Station becomes the deciding factor in the first of a series of trials by Q throughout the length of the series.

There are significant differences between the original series and The Next Generation, the most obvious being a leap in technology. The Enterprise D is a significantly larger, more powerful ship with a large crew of Starfleet officers and their families, as well as civilian scientists and workers. It is mainly a ship of exploration and diplomacy, and is the flagship of Starfleet.

The series continued to include several of the alien races introduced in the original series, such as the Klingons and Romulans, although their status changed. The Klingons were no longer enemies of The Federation, while the Federation maintained a Cold War with the Romulans. The Next Generation also introduced new races that have become an important part of the franchise, such as the Ferengi, The Borg, and the Cardassians.

The Next Generation, like the original series, inspired several movies incorporating its characters:

• Star Trek: Generations

• Star Trek: First Contact

• Star Trek: Insurrection

• Star Trek: Nemesis

In The Next Generation's final season, a new series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine premiered, ensuring the continuation of the Star Trek franchise. Two other series followed, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise.

Cast

Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker

LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

Denise Crosby as Lieutenant Tasha Yar (1987–1988)

Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf

Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher (1987–1988, 1989–1994)

Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi

Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data

Wil Wheaton as Ensign Wesley Crusher (1987–1990)

Episode Guide

• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes Season 1
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 2
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 3
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 4
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 5
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 6
• Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes, Season 7

Popular Culture

• "Resistance is futile." was catchphrase #93 in TV Land's The 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases in 2006

Related Articles

Star Trek: TNG Directors

Star Trek: TNG Screenwriters

External Links

Star Trek.com - The Next Generation

Star Trek TNG at TV.com

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