Despite only appearing in nine episodes in total, Star Trek between Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, Michelle Forbes’ Ro Laren remains one of the franchise’s most popular supporting characters. In 1987, TNG introduced the world to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D. TNG not only ushered in a golden age of Star Trek, but it also introduced some of the franchise’s most enduring and beloved characters. Almost all TNG’s main cast members became Star Trek great, but the show also introduced some pretty phenomenal side characters. One of those characters…
Author: Rachel Hulshult
Star Trek: The Next Generation introduced a new starship feature that the franchise has only used three times since its launch. Set about 100 years later Star Trek: The Original Series, TNG used the state-of-the-art USS Enterprise-D to show how Starfleet technology has improved since the 23rd century. From more efficient communicators and transporters to improved medical treatments, the United Federation of Planets has made many technological advances between Terms of Service and TNG. Not only was the Enterprise-D much larger than Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) Enterprise, but it also boasted several features that Kirk’s ship never used.…
Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) first appeared in the brutal Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter, “Chain of Command,” and later returned as an admiral in Star Trek: Prodigy. All over TNG’s During the run, visiting Starfleet captains and admirals were often used to create conflict and Captain Jellico filled this role in the “Chain of Command”. In the first half of the century. TNG two participants, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) go on a secret mission to a planet along the Cardassian border. In Captain Picard’s absence, Starfleet sends…
David Tristan Birkin played young Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: The Next Generation two years after playing Picard’s nephew René. Birkin has been acting since 1989, but currently works as an artist and writer, as well as a senior lecturer in photography at the London College of Communication. Much of Birkin’s photography centers on war and his work has been exhibited around the world. He also co-founded Visible Justice, a research center at the University of the Arts London that celebrates the combination of art and social justice. In one of his first acting jobs, David Birkin…
Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) served as Medical Director of the USS Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation, but how did she get the nickname “the dancing doctor?” As TNG’s A doctor, Crusher not only treated the Enterprise crew’s various illnesses, but also used her scientific knowledge to get the Enterprise out of several dire situations. Dr. Crusher lived aboard the Enterprise with his prodigy son, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). Crusher also had a history with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), and while the two clearly had feelings for each other, they never truly explored their on-screen romance. As counselor…
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 5, episode 4 – “A Farewell To Farms” Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 perfectly illustrates one of the reasons why Klingon stories work so well Star Trek. Klingons were part Star Trek since 1967, when Star Trek: The Original Series the episode “Errand of Mercy” aired for the first time. At this time, the Klingons were enemies of the United Federation of Planets, and Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) faced the Klingons numerous times. In Star Trek: The Next GenerationIn the 24th century era, however, the Klingons became allies of…
Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew encountered several divine beings in Star Trek: The Original Seriesincluding the tragic Greek god Apollo (Michael Forest). As the USS Enterprise explores the galaxy in Terms of Service Season 2, Episode 2, “Who Weeps for Adonais?”, a giant green hand suddenly grabs the ship, holding it in place. Captain Kirk and his crew try several ways to free the ship, but end up giving in to the powerful being’s demands. and get ready to descend to the planet. Captain Kirk leads a landing party consisting of Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley),…
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 5, episode 5 – “Starbase 80?!” Star Trek: Lower Decks brought back numerous aliens from Star Trek: The Next Generation, including the tattooed Acamarians. In Lower decks Season 5, Episode 5, “Starbase 80?!,” the USS Cerritos is forced to travel to the infamous Starbase 80 when its navigation system malfunctions. When the Cerritos crew arrives, Station Commander Kassia Nox (Nicole Byer) greets them and shows them around the station. Due to its remote location, Starbase 80 has been neglected by Starfleet and is in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. While Captain…
The original pilot of Star Trek: The Original Series started an unhappy Star Trek trope that took the franchise over 50 years to fix. Before Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) took command of the USS Enterprise, Captain Christoper Pike (Jeffrey Hunter) commanded the iconic ship. In “The Cage”, Pike and his crew traveled to Talos IV, where they encountered an incredibly advanced race of aliens who could manipulate thought. The Talosians tried to convince Pike to stay by tempting him with an attractive woman. In turn, Vina (Susan Oliver) began to develop feelings for Pike, and he for her,…
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 5, episode 5 – “Starbase 80?!” Star Trek: Lower Decks has just introduced a new member of the species Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) who serves in Starfleet. Guinan became a constant presence Star Trek: The Next Generation as a bartender at the Ten Forward lounge on the USS Enterprise-D. Guinan was somewhat enigmatic when introduced, and TNG revealed more about her and her species slowly over time. Like El-Aurian, Guinan came from a race of listeners with extremely long lifespans.. She was a longtime friend of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and he…