Star Trek: The Next Generation
Series, 1987, The 24th Century, Set in 2364–2370
Star Trek: The Next Generation is #7 of 26 in release order and #13 of 26 in chronological order in the Star Trek.
The story
Follow the intergalactic adventures of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and his loyal crew aboard the all-new USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, as they explore new worlds.
Star Trek: The Next Generation recap
In the 2360s, Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the USS Enterprise-D with first officer William Riker, the android Data, Klingon officer Worf, counselor Deanna Troi, Dr. Beverly Crusher, her son Wesley and Geordi La Forge. In season 1, the godlike Q puts humanity on trial, and the security chief Tasha Yar is killed. In season 2, Q flings the ship across the galaxy to meet the Borg, and Data wins a hearing proving he is not Starfleet property. In season 3, the Borg return and assimilate Picard as Locutus, ending on a cliffhanger. In season 4, Picard is rescued and recovers, Worf is drawn into Klingon politics and the season ends with a Klingon civil war. In season 5, Spock appears on Romulus working for reunification, Picard lives a whole life in a few minutes through an alien probe, and Data's head is found buried under San Francisco from the 1890s. In season 6, Cardassians capture and torture Picard, Scotty is found alive in a transporter buffer, and Data's evil brother Lore leads rogue Borg. In season 7, Data meets his mother figure and Lore is finished for good, and Wesley leaves Starfleet to explore with the Traveler.
Star Trek: The Next Generation ending explained
In the finale, Q tests Picard again, sending him between three times: the first mission, the present and a future where he is old and the crew has scattered. A spatial anomaly that Picard's own actions create would stop life on Earth from ever forming. Picard brings all three Enterprises together to close it, and Q reveals humanity has passed. Picard joins the senior staff's poker game for the first time. The crew continues in the Generations film.
Where to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 92%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, before Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
- Chronological order: after Star Trek: Section 31, before Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
What to watch before Star Trek: The Next Generation
In release order, the essentials before Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) are Star Trek: The Original Series (1966), Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).
Cast
- Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
- Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker
- Brent Spiner as Data
- LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
- Michael Dorn as Worf
- Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi
- Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
- Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
- Tracee Cocco as Jae (uncredited)
- Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien
- Majel Barrett as Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Denise Crosby as Sela
Created by Gene Roddenberry.