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Original poster

Star Trek - The Next Generation

42 replies

WildRosie · 13/09/2021 18:53

This is one of those programmes whose existence I occasionally remember and I end up watching an episode or two. The scripts, stories and acting were, fairly well without exception, first class. I especially liked the often philosophical exchanges between Picard and Data. It's a pity that a bigger role couldn't have been found for Dr Kate Pulaski, brilliantly played by Diana Muldaur. Obviously, there could only be room for one Chief Medical Officer on the Enterprise but she was just so convincing. Hard as nails and took no shit from anyone, including Picard.

I'm not a huge fan of the series but it was very good. Must have cost a fortune to produce.

OP posts:

Buttons294749 · 13/09/2021 18:58

I watched it back in the 90s, I think when it first came out it was super popular and made a lot of money, I enjoyed the stories, especially the 1997 ish movie.

Preferred voyager though - Janeway is my fave captain

Callmecordelia · 13/09/2021 19:01

I enjoy it too OP. Love all Borg episodes, and First Contact is the best Star trek film.

FlibbertyGiblets · 13/09/2021 19:02

It was very clever and even cerebral, on occasion.

Darmok and Jalad, at Tenagra. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Classy stuff.

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BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 13/09/2021 19:04

I loved it at the time. I also liked Voyager although the science was frequently a bit dodgy on that. I had a very WTF moment at "there's a crack in the event horizon". Never managed to get along with DS9 or the current new series.

Wil Wheaton (who used to play Wesley Crusher) is now one of my favourite audio book narrators. He has a lovely mellow voice and a very subtle touch with nuance.

DroopyClematis · 13/09/2021 19:10

I loved the series when it was on and , due to my husband's love of it, have seen it again.

I understand that Dr Beverly Crusher was the first doctor but the producers didn't feel that her role worked. So they introduced Dr Pulaski in the second series but, again, they didn't feel that her role worked. They then decided to bring Beverly Crusher back.

It was a bit odd but producers are a bit fickle.

WhatsMyNameGonnaBeNow · 13/09/2021 19:25

I’ve rewatched the whole lot with the dc since it appeared on Netflix. I’d forgotten how much I loved it first time round and it was actually really nice to watch it again with them. They were shocked when I joked that I’d leave their dad for Data but they’ve kinda come round to my POV . I absolutely loved the character when I was young and it turns out I still do!

Umbra · 13/09/2021 19:29

I couldn't stand Dr Pulaski. Apparently a lot of Star Trek fans didn't like her, so they brought back Dr Crusher.

Have you seen Diana Muldaur in Star Trek - the original series?

Original poster

WildRosie · 13/09/2021 20:24

I didn't know Diana Muldaur had appeared in the original Star Trek. I thought the character was a good one. Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher was a tad wooden, in my opinion. I guess she was partly there to serve as Picard's sporadic, platonic love interest, something Dr Pulaski couldn't have done.

OP posts:

Umbra · 13/09/2021 20:30

Yeah, I see what you mean about Dr Crusher. I like Diana Muldaur as an actress, just felt that character was too, I dunno, argumentative?

Possibly they were just setting the scene for her as a strong character in that series, and it might have toned down a bit later, if they'd continued with her.

Marguerite2000 · 13/09/2021 20:34

The best Star trek, in my opinion, though Voyager runs it very close. Love Capt Picard, Counsellor Troi and Data.

MissConductUS · 13/09/2021 20:38

I've rewatching Enterprise now on Amazon Prime and am surprised by how much I"m enjoying it. Tucker was cute and I love T'Pol's character.

Buttons294749 · 13/09/2021 21:05

I used to think crusher was so glamourous! And I thoroughly enjoyed will wheaton on big bang theory!

guessmyusername · 13/09/2021 21:12

I was, and still am a huge Riker fan. TNG is my favourite series, although Voyager is a very close second. Never really got into DS9, and I just laugh at the Original Series. I am struggling to get Discovery

Original poster

WildRosie · 13/09/2021 21:29

Gates McFadden was certainly a very attractive woman, ergo my previous comment about partly playing the role of Picard's bit of fluff. Please pardon my clumsy paraphrasing.

I think Data brought out the best in many characters. He was physically superior but, in a human world, somewhat naive and obviously 99% devoid of emotion. Yet he so often readily understood when Picard or Troi tried to explain something in terms he might just get. I don't know if Captain Kirk's Shakespearean posturing would have worked in these scenarios.

OP posts:

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 13/09/2021 21:29

Have you watched Picard on prime? We enjoyed it last year in lockdown and they are doing 2 more seasons I think.

Original poster

WildRosie · 13/09/2021 21:32

Wasn't Riker something of a sex pest, his command and cock ambitions notwithstanding ? Please excuse my vulgarity. I don't normally use 'cock' in such a context but I couldn't express myself otherwise.

OP posts:

winewolfhowls · 13/09/2021 21:40

Riker was my first crush, although looking back I must have been mad!

winewolfhowls · 13/09/2021 21:41

O Brian was the best character aside from Picard of course

ISaySteadyOn · 13/09/2021 21:44

Interesting bit of trivia, Gates McFadden was off because she was busy choreographing Labyrinth under the name Cheryl McFadden.

MsAwesomeDragon · 13/09/2021 21:49

I had such a crush on Wesley Crusher when it was on in the 90s. Will Wheaton is a couple of years older than me and my goodness did I love that boy.
I've watched every episode at least twice, but it's probably time to rewatch it as it's been a few years now.

I love all the Star Trek series, and even named dd1 after a Star Trek character (it's a proper name though, I haven't called her Data or something)

Whatsnewpussyhat · 13/09/2021 21:51

I will always have a soft spot for TNG. 6pm on a wed on BBC2 (unless the crappy snooker was on). Then they put DS9 on on a Thursday. Happy days.

Wasn't Riker something of a sex pest

He flirted with everyone!
I can't remember what it's called now but there's an episode where they all wake up with no memory and he ends up in bed with Ensign Ro Laren, then Riker, Ro and Troi all have a jolly laugh about it in Ten Forward at the end! I'm assuming it was one of the times Riker and Troi were 'on a break' but still.

Original poster

WildRosie · 13/09/2021 21:55

I suppose it's likely that the casting of Wil Wheaton was a deliberate ploy to boost teen female viewership. I couldn't say if it worked. Good-looking chap, mind.

OP posts:

Whatsnewpussyhat · 13/09/2021 21:55

Ps, I hated Dr Polaski too. She was a miserable bugger.

PatchworkElmer · 13/09/2021 22:04

It wa as great series! I also loved Voyager. Really enjoyed Picard on Prime too.

FredWinnie · 13/09/2021 22:30

Team Pulaski all the way
And Data's cat - Spot, the perfect way to demonstrate Data's wholesomeness

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar - it took me a couple of goes to get invested in DS9 but by the end of series 1 it was rapidly becoming one of the best star trek series (Imo)
Maybe try it again one day when there's nothing much to watch?

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