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Taking place 100 years after the era of [[James T. Kirk]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] takes command of the {{class|Galaxy}} {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} with a hand-picked crew. They take on assignments from [[Starfleet]] as well as explore those strange new [[planet|worlds]], going where no one has gone before.
 
Taking place 100 years after the era of [[James T. Kirk]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] takes command of the {{class|Galaxy}} {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} with a hand-picked crew. They take on assignments from [[Starfleet]] as well as explore those strange new [[planet|worlds]], going where no one has gone before.
   
== Background Information ==
+
== Background information ==
 
* [[Rick Berman]] commented: "''First seasons of television shows tend to be potentially very chaotic. The first season of ''Next Generation'' certainly was''". (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'', p. 7)
 
* [[Rick Berman]] commented: "''First seasons of television shows tend to be potentially very chaotic. The first season of ''Next Generation'' certainly was''". (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion]]'', p. 7)
* [[Gene Roddenberry]] was determined to bring back as many production staff members from ''The Original Series'' as possible. The first season staff included the following TOS veterans: Producers [[Robert Justman]] and [[Edward K. Milkis]], Writers [[D.C. Fontana]] and [[David Gerrold]], Costume Designer [[William Ware Theiss]], Composer [[Fred Steiner]], Assistant Director [[Charles Washburn]], and Set Decorator [[John Dwyer]]. Cinematographer [[Jerry Finnerman]] was also invited back by Roddenberry, however he turned down the offer as he was working on ''Moonlighting'' at the time. Nevertheless, at the end of the first season '''all''' of them opted to leave the production. Justman has identified Roddenberry's uninitiated attorney and business partner, Leonard Maizlish, as the main agent for them to do so, stating he "destructively" meddled with the creative decision making for the new series. Milkis, thoroughly "disgusted" by Maizlish, already left after a mere three months, before shooting of the pilot was even started, whereas Justman himself admitted that he "For the first time in my life, I began to suffer from hypertension", because of Maizlish, even though he initially wanted to stay on. (''[[Inside Star Trek: The Real Story]]'', p. 433-434) David Gerrold, accusing Maislizh of "real character assassination of the worst sort", strongly shared the sentiment. {{st.com|trek-writer-david-gerrold-looks-back-part-2||article}}
+
* Noted for his loyalty to co-workers he implicitly trusted, a by then ailing [[Gene Roddenberry]] was determined to bring back as many production staff members from ''The Original Series'' as possible (actually, this he had already intended to do, and partially did, on the ten years earlier, but ultimately abandoned ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'' television series). The first season staff included the following TOS veterans: Producers [[Robert Justman]] and [[Edward K. Milkis]], Writers [[D.C. Fontana]] and [[David Gerrold]], the former four brought in first in early October 1986 to form the core production team for ''The Next Generation'', later to be joined by Costume Designer [[William Ware Theiss]], Composer [[Fred Steiner]], Assistant Director [[Charles Washburn]], and Set Decorator [[John Dwyer]]. Cinematographer [[Jerry Finnerman]] was also invited back by Roddenberry, however he turned down the offer as he was working on ''Moonlighting'' at the time. Nevertheless, at the end of the first season '''all''' of them opted to leave the production. Justman has identified Roddenberry's uninitiated attorney and business partner, [[Leonard Maizlish]] as the main agent for them to do so, stating he "destructively" meddled with the creative decision making for the new series. Milkis, thoroughly "disgusted" by Maizlish, already left after a mere three months, before shooting of the pilot was even started, whereas Justman himself admitted that he "For the first time in my life, I began to suffer from hypertension", because of Maizlish, even though he initially wanted to stay on. (''[[Inside Star Trek: The Real Story]]'', p. 433-434) David Gerrold, accusing Maislizh, who, occupying his own office on the studio lot, had from the start firmly ingratiated himself within the pre-production creative staff, of "real character assassination of the worst sort", strongly shared the sentiment. {{st.com|trek-writer-david-gerrold-looks-back-part-2||article}}
  +
* The series was officially announced by President Paramount Television Group [[Mel Harris]] on 10 October 1986. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]]'', p. 11)
* Roddenberry also brought back production people who worked on various ''Star Trek'' feature films: makeup artist [[Werner Keppler]], illustrators and artists [[Andrew Probert]], [[Michael Okuda]] and [[Rick Sternbach]], property master [[Joe Longo]], and sound editor [[Bill Wistrom]].
 
  +
* While Maizlish was arguably too overzealous in looking after the interests of his client (who was desperately battling over the creative control of his new creation – and over his vision of ''Star Trek'' in general – with studio and writing staff alike), the eventual outcome came as a shock to Roddenberry, as Gerrold later related at the 2010 Necronomicon [[Star Trek convention|convention]] in St. Petersburg, Florida, "''Gene was crying because all of his friends were gone. It was because Maizlish chased them away.''" [http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/7982/working-with-gene-roddenberry-was-rocky-experience.html]
 
* Roddenberry also brought back production people who worked on various ''Star Trek'' feature films: makeup artist [[Werner Keppler]], illustrators and artists [[Andrew Probert]] (who also left at the end of the first season, but not on the account of Maizlish, but rather that of Rick Berman), [[Michael Okuda]] and [[Rick Sternbach]], property master [[Joe Longo]], and sound editor [[Bill Wistrom]].
 
* The ''Galaxy''-class ''Enterprise''-D was designed to hold families. In subsequent seasons and other ''Trek'' series, we learn that this does not pertain only for families who serve on ''Galaxy''-class vessels, but other Federation vessels as well. ({{DS9|Emissary}}; {{TNG|Hero Worship}}; {{VOY|The Raven|Dark Frontier}})
 
* The ''Galaxy''-class ''Enterprise''-D was designed to hold families. In subsequent seasons and other ''Trek'' series, we learn that this does not pertain only for families who serve on ''Galaxy''-class vessels, but other Federation vessels as well. ({{DS9|Emissary}}; {{TNG|Hero Worship}}; {{VOY|The Raven|Dark Frontier}})
 
* No definite [[chief engineer]] is introduced, as a total of three officers – [[Logan]], [[Argyle]], and [[Sarah MacDougal]] – held the position. [[Leland T. Lynch]] is also a senior officer in the department. [[Geordi La Forge]] serves mainly as a [[helmsman]] and does not become Chief Engineer until the [[TNG Season 2|second season]].
 
* No definite [[chief engineer]] is introduced, as a total of three officers – [[Logan]], [[Argyle]], and [[Sarah MacDougal]] – held the position. [[Leland T. Lynch]] is also a senior officer in the department. [[Geordi La Forge]] serves mainly as a [[helmsman]] and does not become Chief Engineer until the [[TNG Season 2|second season]].
 
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]]'s "[[brother]]", [[Lore]], who showed up as a nemesis in subsequent seasons, is introduced. ({{TNG|Datalore}})
 
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]]'s "[[brother]]", [[Lore]], who showed up as a nemesis in subsequent seasons, is introduced. ({{TNG|Datalore}})
 
* [[Lwaxana Troi]], [[Deanna Troi]]'s [[mother]], portrayed by [[Majel Barrett-Roddenberry]], is introduced. ({{TNG|Haven}})
 
* [[Lwaxana Troi]], [[Deanna Troi]]'s [[mother]], portrayed by [[Majel Barrett-Roddenberry]], is introduced. ({{TNG|Haven}})
* The [[holodeck]], where Picard plays out a [[holonovel]] of the pulp detective, [[Dixon Hill]] is introduced. Although it is portrayed as something new on [[Federation]] vessels, the last time something similar was seen was on a {{class|Constitution}} starship. ({{TAS|The Practical Joker}}; {{TNG|The Big Goodbye}})
+
* The [[holodeck]], where Picard plays out a [[holonovel]] of the pulp detective, [[Dixon Hill]], is introduced. Although it is portrayed as something new on [[Federation]] vessels, the last time something similar was seen was on a {{class|Constitution}} starship. ({{TAS|The Practical Joker}}; {{TNG|The Big Goodbye}})
* We are introduced to the alien race called the [[Ferengi]], although it is hinted that the Federation was already aware of this race before the start of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. The Ferengi turn up in subsequent seasons of TNG, as well as in other ''Trek'' series, but featured prominently in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.
+
* We are introduced to the alien species called the [[Ferengi]], although it is hinted that the Federation was already aware of this race before the start of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''. The Ferengi turn up in subsequent seasons of TNG, as well as in other ''Trek'' series, but featured prominently in ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.
 
* Also introduced in the first season is the omnipotent being called "[[Q]]" who turned up in subsequent seasons and other ''Trek'' incarnations.
 
* Also introduced in the first season is the omnipotent being called "[[Q]]" who turned up in subsequent seasons and other ''Trek'' incarnations.
 
* The crew is affected by a very similar disease [[James T. Kirk]]'s crew was afflicted with during the five-year mission of the original ''Enterprise''. ({{TOS|The Naked Time}}; {{TNG|The Naked Now}})
 
* The crew is affected by a very similar disease [[James T. Kirk]]'s crew was afflicted with during the five-year mission of the original ''Enterprise''. ({{TOS|The Naked Time}}; {{TNG|The Naked Now}})
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** Denise Crosby returns in later seasons: first, as Natasha Yar in an alternate reality ({{TNG|Yesterday's Enterprise}}), then as the voice of Yar's daughter [[Sela]], a Romulan operative brainwashing Geordi La Forge, ({{TNG|The Mind's Eye}}). She appears as Sela again in four other episodes ({{TNG|Redemption|Redemption II|Unification I|Unification II}}) and in the final TNG episode as Yar in yet another alternate reality. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
 
** Denise Crosby returns in later seasons: first, as Natasha Yar in an alternate reality ({{TNG|Yesterday's Enterprise}}), then as the voice of Yar's daughter [[Sela]], a Romulan operative brainwashing Geordi La Forge, ({{TNG|The Mind's Eye}}). She appears as Sela again in four other episodes ({{TNG|Redemption|Redemption II|Unification I|Unification II}}) and in the final TNG episode as Yar in yet another alternate reality. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
 
* Optional duty skirts, or "skants", are introduced for both male and female officers.
 
* Optional duty skirts, or "skants", are introduced for both male and female officers.
** Natasha Yar and Deanna Troi are the only main characters who are ever seen wearing the skant. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) The optional variant is seen primarily on background characters, most prominently [[Diana Giddings]], portrayed by background actress [[Lorine Mendell]]. (In season 2, Dr. [[Katherine Pulaski|Pulaski]] wears a long-sleeved variant of the skant with black slacks.)
+
** Natasha Yar and Deanna Troi are the only main characters who are ever seen wearing the skant. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) The optional variant is seen primarily on background characters, most prominently [[Diana Giddings]], portrayed by background actress [[Lorine Mendell]]. (In season two, Dr. [[Katherine Pulaski]] wears a long-sleeved variant of the skant with black slacks.)
 
** The skants (as well as the jumpsuits) were created by ''Trek'' veteran [[William Ware Theiss]], who also designed the costumes for [[TOS]].
 
** The skants (as well as the jumpsuits) were created by ''Trek'' veteran [[William Ware Theiss]], who also designed the costumes for [[TOS]].
 
** Deanna Troi appears in the skant once again for the series finale. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
 
** Deanna Troi appears in the skant once again for the series finale. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
 
* [[Fred Steiner]], who composed music on TOS, scores for TNG. ({{TNG|Code of Honor}})
 
* [[Fred Steiner]], who composed music on TOS, scores for TNG. ({{TNG|Code of Honor}})
 
* Lush music, reminiscent of [[TOS]], occurs over the course of season one, and is changed to more subtle atmospheric music in the later seasons.
 
* Lush music, reminiscent of [[TOS]], occurs over the course of season one, and is changed to more subtle atmospheric music in the later seasons.
* An alien takeover of Starfleet by [[neural parasite (24th century)|neural parasite]]s occurs and is stopped, not to be followed up on in the series (or any other subsequent ''Trek'' series), even though it is hinted more aliens are on their way to [[Earth]]; however, some ''Trek'' novels make an attempt to clear up any questions. ({{TNG|Conspiracy}})
+
* An alien takeover of Starfleet by {{dis|neural parasite|24th century}}s occurs and is stopped, not to be followed up on in the series (or any other subsequent ''Trek'' series), even though it is hinted more aliens are on their way to [[Earth]]; however, some ''Trek'' novels make an attempt to clear up any questions. ({{TNG|Conspiracy}})
 
* The [[Romulan]]s make a return in the final episode of season one, after remaining quiet a number of years before the start of TNG. ({{TNG|The Neutral Zone}})
 
* The [[Romulan]]s make a return in the final episode of season one, after remaining quiet a number of years before the start of TNG. ({{TNG|The Neutral Zone}})
 
* [[Saucer separation]] of [[primary hull]] and [[secondary hull]] occurs a number of times. In the 23rd century, this action was designated for one-time emergencies. ({{TOS|The Apple}})
 
* [[Saucer separation]] of [[primary hull]] and [[secondary hull]] occurs a number of times. In the 23rd century, this action was designated for one-time emergencies. ({{TOS|The Apple}})
 
* Veteran ''Trek'' actors, [[Judson Scott]] and [[Merritt Butrick]], appear in season one. ({{TNG|Symbiosis}})
 
* Veteran ''Trek'' actors, [[Judson Scott]] and [[Merritt Butrick]], appear in season one. ({{TNG|Symbiosis}})
* Judson Scott later appeared on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''. ({{VOY|Message in a Bottle}})
 
 
* TNG introduces the position of [[counselor]] on starships.
 
* TNG introduces the position of [[counselor]] on starships.
 
* Deanna Troi and [[First Officer]] [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]] are characters reminiscent of Lt. [[Ilia]] and [[Will Decker]] of the aborted ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'' series and {{film|1}}.
 
* Deanna Troi and [[First Officer]] [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]] are characters reminiscent of Lt. [[Ilia]] and [[Will Decker]] of the aborted ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'' series and {{film|1}}.
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* [[Paramount Pictures]]' original idea for a new ''Trek'' series for syndication was a "group of space cadets". (''[[TNG Season 1 DVD]], special feature "The Beginning"'')
 
* [[Paramount Pictures]]' original idea for a new ''Trek'' series for syndication was a "group of space cadets". (''[[TNG Season 1 DVD]], special feature "The Beginning"'')
 
* The per-episode budget eventually rose to US$1.5 million by the end of this season. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* The per-episode budget eventually rose to US$1.5 million by the end of this season. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
*Τhe episode order does not follow the [[Stardate]] order. This results in a few discrepancies such as Yar dying at 41601.3, while having already appeared in {{e|The Arsenal of Freedom}} set in a later stardate (41798.2). This doesn't happen in the later seasons where episode order corresponds to stardate order.
+
* Τhe episode order does not follow the [[Stardate]] order. This results in a few discrepancies such as Yar dying at 41601.3, while having already appeared in {{e|The Arsenal of Freedom}} set in a later stardate (41798.2). This doesn't happen in the later seasons where episode order corresponds to stardate order.
   
 
== Credits ==
 
== Credits ==
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* [[Barbara Affonso]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Barbara Affonso]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Chris Alsop]] - CGI Artist: [[The Post Group]] ("Datalore")
 
* [[Chris Alsop]] - CGI Artist: [[The Post Group]] ("Datalore")
* [[Allan A. Apone]] - [[Neural parasite (24th century)|Neural parasite]] fabricator: [[Makeup & Effects Laboratories]] ("Conspiracy")
+
* [[Allan A. Apone]] - {{dis|Neural parasite|24th century}} fabricator: [[Makeup & Effects Laboratories]] ("Conspiracy")
 
* [[Tom Barron]] - Motion Control Supervisor: [[Image G]] ("The Naked Now"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Tom Barron]] - Motion Control Supervisor: [[Image G]] ("The Naked Now"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[John Beasley]] - Composer: Additional Score ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[John Beasley]] - Composer: Additional Score ("Encounter at Farpoint")
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* [[Patricia Blau]] - Visual Effects Manager: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Patricia Blau]] - Visual Effects Manager: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Cha Blevins]] - Extra Costumer for Females ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Cha Blevins]] - Extra Costumer for Females ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
  +
* [[Tom Boyd]] - Musician: Oboe ("The Naked Now", "Code of Honor", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil", "The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Edward Brown, Jr.]] - First Assistant Camera Operator ("Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Edward Brown, Jr.]] - First Assistant Camera Operator ("Too Short A Season")
  +
* [[John Earl Burnett]] - First Assistant Camera Operator: Additional Photography/VFX Unit ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Big Goodybe", "11001001", "When The Bough Breaks", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil"-"We'll Always Have Paris", "The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Burza]] - Extra Costumer for Males ("Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Burza]] - Extra Costumer for Males ("Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Lloyd A. Buswell]] - Construction Foreman
 
* [[Lloyd A. Buswell]] - Construction Foreman
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* [[Marian Fife]] - Studio Teacher ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Marian Fife]] - Studio Teacher ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Sandy Fries]] - Story Editor ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Sandy Fries]] - Story Editor ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
  +
* [[Hala Gabriel]] - Production Accountant
 
* [[Gage]] - Extra Grip ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Gage]] - Extra Grip ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Steve Gawley]] - Supervising Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Steve Gawley]] - Supervising Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
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* [[Dennis Hoerter]] - Motion Control Technician: [[Image G]] ("The Naked Now"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Dennis Hoerter]] - Motion Control Technician: [[Image G]] ("The Naked Now"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Gary Hutzel]] - Visual Effects Coordinator
 
* [[Gary Hutzel]] - Visual Effects Coordinator
* [[Gregory Jein]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")/[[Greg Jein, Inc.]] ("The Last Outpost" - "The Neutral Zone")
+
* [[Nancy J. Hvasta Leonardi]] - Makeup Artist ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
  +
* [[Gregory Jein]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")/[[Greg Jein, Inc.]] ("The Last Outpost"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Brenda Kalosh]] - 2nd Second Assistant Director ("The Naked Now"-"Lonely Among Us", "Haven")
 
* [[Brenda Kalosh]] - 2nd Second Assistant Director ("The Naked Now"-"Lonely Among Us", "Haven")
 
* [[Alan Kaminsky]] - Driver Generator Operator ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Alan Kaminsky]] - Driver Generator Operator ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
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* [[Jeff Mann]] - Model Shop Supervisor: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Jeff Mann]] - Model Shop Supervisor: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Elaine Maser]] - Costumer: Women ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[Elaine Maser]] - Costumer: Women ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
* [[Mike May (art department)|Mike May]] - Assistant Property Master ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
+
* {{dis|Mike May|art department}} - Assistant Property Master ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[McKane]] - Lamp Operator ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
 
* [[McKane]] - Lamp Operator ("Angel One", "Too Short A Season")
  +
* [[Kim McLaren]] - First Assistant Accountant
 
* [[Betty Mcneeley]] - Production Secretary ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Betty Mcneeley]] - Production Secretary ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Edward K. Milkis]] - Producer ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Edward K. Milkis]] - Producer ("Encounter at Farpoint")
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* [[David Takemura]] - Pre-Production Associate/Post Production Assistant (Visual Effects Associate)
 
* [[David Takemura]] - Pre-Production Associate/Post Production Assistant (Visual Effects Associate)
 
* [[Larry Tan]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
 
* [[Larry Tan]] - Model Maker: [[ILM]] ("Encounter at Farpoint")
  +
* [[James Thatcher]] - Musician: French Horn ("The Big Goodbye", "11001001", "Conspiracy")
 
* [[Rich Thorne]] - Chief Operating Officer: [[The Post Group]]
 
* [[Rich Thorne]] - Chief Operating Officer: [[The Post Group]]
 
* [[Monte Thrasher]] - Designer & Illustrator [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan insignia]] and [[Romulan language]]
 
* [[Monte Thrasher]] - Designer & Illustrator [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan insignia]] and [[Romulan language]]
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* [[Greg Jein, Inc.]] - Models, miniatures and props ("The Last Outpost" - "The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Greg Jein, Inc.]] - Models, miniatures and props ("The Last Outpost" - "The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Image G]] - Motion Control Photography ("The Naked Now" - "The Neutral Zone")
 
* [[Image G]] - Motion Control Photography ("The Naked Now" - "The Neutral Zone")
* [[Makeup & Effects Laboratories]] - Fabricator: [[Neural parasite (24th century)|Neural parasites]] ("Conspiracy")
+
* [[Makeup & Effects Laboratories]] - Fabricator: {{dis|Neural parasite|24th century}}s ("Conspiracy")
 
* [[Rick Zettner & Associates, Inc.]] - Production company: Transporter Effects
 
* [[Rick Zettner & Associates, Inc.]] - Production company: Transporter Effects
   

Revision as of 11:32, 17 January 2016

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Episodes

Title Episode Production number Stardate Original airdate
"Encounter at Farpoint" 1x01/02 40271-721 41153.7–41174.2 1987-09-28
"The Naked Now" 1x03 40271-103 41209.2–41209.3 1987-10-05
"Code of Honor" 1x04 40271-104 41235.25–41235.6 1987-10-12
"The Last Outpost" 1x05 40271-107 41386.4–41386.5 1987-10-19
"Where No One Has Gone Before" 1x06 40271-106 41263.1–41263.4 1987-10-26
"Lonely Among Us" 1x07 40271-108 41249.3–41249.4 1987-11-02
"Justice" 1x08 40271-109 41255.6–41255.9 1987-11-09
"The Battle" 1x09 40271-110 41723.9 1987-11-16
"Hide And Q" 1x10 40271-111 41590.5–41591.4 1987-11-23
"Haven" 1x11 40271-105 41294.5–41294.6 1987-11-30
"The Big Goodbye" 1x12 40271-113 41997.7 1988-01-11
"Datalore" 1x13 40271-114 41242.4–41242.5 1988-01-18
"Angel One" 1x14 40271-115 41636.9 1988-01-25
"11001001" 1x15 40271-116 41365.9 1988-02-01
"Too Short A Season" 1x16 40271-112 41309.5 1988-02-08
"When The Bough Breaks" 1x17 40271-118 41509.1–41512.9 1988-02-15
"Home Soil" 1x18 40271-117 41463.9–41464.8 1988-02-22
"Coming of Age" 1x19 40271-119 41416.2 1988-03-14
"Heart of Glory" 1x20 40271-120 41503.7 1988-03-21
"The Arsenal of Freedom" 1x21 40271-121 41798.2 1988-04-11
"Symbiosis" 1x22 40271-123 Unknown 1988-04-18
"Skin Of Evil" 1x23 40271-122 41601.3–41602.1 1988-04-25
"We'll Always Have Paris" 1x24 40271-124 41697.9 1988-05-02
"Conspiracy" 1x25 40271-125 41775.5–41780.2 1988-05-09
"The Neutral Zone" 1x26 40271-126 41986.0 1988-05-16

Summary

Taking place 100 years after the era of James T. Kirk, Captain Jean-Luc Picard takes command of the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise-D with a hand-picked crew. They take on assignments from Starfleet as well as explore those strange new worlds, going where no one has gone before.

Background information

  • Rick Berman commented: "First seasons of television shows tend to be potentially very chaotic. The first season of Next Generation certainly was". (The Deep Space Log Book: A First Season Companion, p. 7)
  • Noted for his loyalty to co-workers he implicitly trusted, a by then ailing Gene Roddenberry was determined to bring back as many production staff members from The Original Series as possible (actually, this he had already intended to do, and partially did, on the ten years earlier, but ultimately abandoned Star Trek: Phase II television series). The first season staff included the following TOS veterans: Producers Robert Justman and Edward K. Milkis, Writers D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold, the former four brought in first in early October 1986 to form the core production team for The Next Generation, later to be joined by Costume Designer William Ware Theiss, Composer Fred Steiner, Assistant Director Charles Washburn, and Set Decorator John Dwyer. Cinematographer Jerry Finnerman was also invited back by Roddenberry, however he turned down the offer as he was working on Moonlighting at the time. Nevertheless, at the end of the first season all of them opted to leave the production. Justman has identified Roddenberry's uninitiated attorney and business partner, Leonard Maizlish as the main agent for them to do so, stating he "destructively" meddled with the creative decision making for the new series. Milkis, thoroughly "disgusted" by Maizlish, already left after a mere three months, before shooting of the pilot was even started, whereas Justman himself admitted that he "For the first time in my life, I began to suffer from hypertension", because of Maizlish, even though he initially wanted to stay on. (Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, p. 433-434) David Gerrold, accusing Maislizh, who, occupying his own office on the studio lot, had from the start firmly ingratiated himself within the pre-production creative staff, of "real character assassination of the worst sort", strongly shared the sentiment. TNG Season 1
  • The series was officially announced by President Paramount Television Group Mel Harris on 10 October 1986. (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 11)
  • While Maizlish was arguably too overzealous in looking after the interests of his client (who was desperately battling over the creative control of his new creation – and over his vision of Star Trek in general – with studio and writing staff alike), the eventual outcome came as a shock to Roddenberry, as Gerrold later related at the 2010 Necronomicon convention in St. Petersburg, Florida, "Gene was crying because all of his friends were gone. It was because Maizlish chased them away." [1]
  • Roddenberry also brought back production people who worked on various Star Trek feature films: makeup artist Werner Keppler, illustrators and artists Andrew Probert (who also left at the end of the first season, but not on the account of Maizlish, but rather that of Rick Berman), Michael Okuda and Rick Sternbach, property master Joe Longo, and sound editor Bill Wistrom.
  • The Galaxy-class Enterprise-D was designed to hold families. In subsequent seasons and other Trek series, we learn that this does not pertain only for families who serve on Galaxy-class vessels, but other Federation vessels as well. (DS9: "Emissary"; TNG: "Hero Worship"; VOY: "The Raven", "Dark Frontier")
  • No definite chief engineer is introduced, as a total of three officers – Logan, Argyle, and Sarah MacDougal – held the position. Leland T. Lynch is also a senior officer in the department. Geordi La Forge serves mainly as a helmsman and does not become Chief Engineer until the second season.
  • Lieutenant Commander Data's "brother", Lore, who showed up as a nemesis in subsequent seasons, is introduced. (TNG: "Datalore")
  • Lwaxana Troi, Deanna Troi's mother, portrayed by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, is introduced. (TNG: "Haven")
  • The holodeck, where Picard plays out a holonovel of the pulp detective, Dixon Hill, is introduced. Although it is portrayed as something new on Federation vessels, the last time something similar was seen was on a Constitution-class starship. (TAS: "The Practical Joker"; TNG: "The Big Goodbye")
  • We are introduced to the alien species called the Ferengi, although it is hinted that the Federation was already aware of this race before the start of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Ferengi turn up in subsequent seasons of TNG, as well as in other Trek series, but featured prominently in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
  • Also introduced in the first season is the omnipotent being called "Q" who turned up in subsequent seasons and other Trek incarnations.
  • The crew is affected by a very similar disease James T. Kirk's crew was afflicted with during the five-year mission of the original Enterprise. (TOS: "The Naked Time"; TNG: "The Naked Now")
  • Susan Sackett, Gene Roddenberry's assistant at the time, portrays an extra dressed in a blue skant. (TNG: "The Neutral Zone")
  • Lieutenant Worf became the first Klingon to join Starfleet, having grown up on the Khitomer outpost, where the beginnings of an alliance between the Klingon Empire and the Federation began. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) However, a few Klingons are not at all happy with the alliance. (TNG: "Heart of Glory")
    • Worf's cranial features changed throughout the series, as did his demeanor. Moreover, Worf became a regular in Deep Space Nine's fourth season.
  • Lt. Natasha Yar had a short-lived stay on the Enterprise-D, as actress Denise Crosby became dissatisfied with the direction her character was going.
  • Optional duty skirts, or "skants", are introduced for both male and female officers.
    • Natasha Yar and Deanna Troi are the only main characters who are ever seen wearing the skant. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") The optional variant is seen primarily on background characters, most prominently Diana Giddings, portrayed by background actress Lorine Mendell. (In season two, Dr. Katherine Pulaski wears a long-sleeved variant of the skant with black slacks.)
    • The skants (as well as the jumpsuits) were created by Trek veteran William Ware Theiss, who also designed the costumes for TOS.
    • Deanna Troi appears in the skant once again for the series finale. (TNG: "All Good Things...")
  • Fred Steiner, who composed music on TOS, scores for TNG. (TNG: "Code of Honor")
  • Lush music, reminiscent of TOS, occurs over the course of season one, and is changed to more subtle atmospheric music in the later seasons.
  • An alien takeover of Starfleet by neural parasites occurs and is stopped, not to be followed up on in the series (or any other subsequent Trek series), even though it is hinted more aliens are on their way to Earth; however, some Trek novels make an attempt to clear up any questions. (TNG: "Conspiracy")
  • The Romulans make a return in the final episode of season one, after remaining quiet a number of years before the start of TNG. (TNG: "The Neutral Zone")
  • Saucer separation of primary hull and secondary hull occurs a number of times. In the 23rd century, this action was designated for one-time emergencies. (TOS: "The Apple")
  • Veteran Trek actors, Judson Scott and Merritt Butrick, appear in season one. (TNG: "Symbiosis")
  • TNG introduces the position of counselor on starships.
  • Deanna Troi and First Officer Commander William T. Riker are characters reminiscent of Lt. Ilia and Will Decker of the aborted Star Trek: Phase II series and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
  • Armin Shimerman, known as the Ferengi barkeep Quark from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, portrays the Ferengi Letek as well as a Betazoid gift box. (TNG: "The Last Outpost", "Haven")
  • When the series premiered in the UK on the BBC in 1990, the channel's airing order differed significantly from the original transmission order.
  • Near the end of the series, actor Jonathan Frakes described the first season as a time when "we took greater chances than we do now. The shows may be better, the level of it, but "Skin of Evil" was absurd." He added, "that was a time first season they took chances. Some of it misses, but some were great. Like "The Naked Now", the episode which we've never done anything quite like where everyone got drunk and horny. That was risky. All the early stuff with Brent as Sherlock Holmes. Bowman's work, the first Klingon show ["Heart of Glory"] – those were all great." (Trek: The Next Generation Crew Book)
  • Most episodes in the first season end with a bridge scene. The only episodes that do not are "Lonely Among Us", "The Battle", "Datalore", and "Skin of Evil".
  • Paramount Pictures' original idea for a new Trek series for syndication was a "group of space cadets". (TNG Season 1 DVD, special feature "The Beginning")
  • The per-episode budget eventually rose to US$1.5 million by the end of this season. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
  • Τhe episode order does not follow the Stardate order. This results in a few discrepancies such as Yar dying at 41601.3, while having already appeared in "The Arsenal of Freedom" set in a later stardate (41798.2). This doesn't happen in the later seasons where episode order corresponds to stardate order.

Credits

Cast

Crew

Executive Producer

Co-Executive Producers

Co-Producers

Producer

Supervising Producers

Associate Producers

Consulting Producer

Line Producer

Program Consultant

Creative Consultant

Story Editors

  • Johnny Dawkins ("The Naked Now"-"Code of Honor", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Too Short A Season")
  • Hans Beimler ("Coming of Age"-"The Neutral Zone")
  • Richard Manning ("Coming of Age"-"The Neutral Zone")

Executive Story Editors

Casting by

Music by

  • Dennis McCarthy ("Encounter at Farpoint", "The Last Outpost", "Justice", "Hide and Q", "The Big Goodbye", "Angel One", "Home Soil", "Coming of Age", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "Symbiosis", "Conspiracy") (credited as Dennis McCarthey in "The Last Outpost")
  • Ron Jones ("The Naked Now", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Lonely Among Us", "The Battle", "Datalore", "11001001", "When The Bough Breaks", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil", "We'll Always Have Paris", "The Neutral Zone")
  • Fred Steiner ("Code of Honor")
  • George Romanis ("Too Short a Season")

Main Title Theme by

Director of Photography

Production Designer

Edited by

  • Tom Benko ("Encounter at Farpoint", "The Last Outpost", The Battle", "The Big Goodbye", "11001001", "Coming of Age", "Skin of Evil", "Conspiracy")
  • J.P. Farrell ("The Naked Now", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Justice", "Too Short a Season", "Angel One", "When The Bough Breaks", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "We'll Always Have Paris")
  • Randy Roberts ("Code of Honor")
  • William Hoy ("Lonely Among Us", "Hide and Q", "Datalore", "Home Soil", Heart of Glory", "Symbiosis", "The Neutral Zone")
  • David Berlatsky ("Haven")

Unit Production Managers

First Assistant Directors

  • Les Landau ("Encounter at Farpoint", "Code of Honor", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Lonely Among Us", "The Battle", "Datalore", "11001001", "When The Bough Breaks", "We'll Always Have Paris", "The Neutral Zone")
  • Charles Washburn ("The Naked Now", "Haven", "The Last Outpost", "Justice")
  • Babu (T.R.) Subramaniam ("Hide and Q", "The Big Goodbye", "Angel One", "Home Soil", "Coming of Age", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "Symbiosis", "Conspiracy") (credited as Babu Subramaniam from "Angel One" on)
  • Bruce A. Simon ("Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil")

Second Assistant Directors

2nd Second Assistant Director

Costumes Created by

Art Director

  • Sandy Veneziano ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"Justice", "Coming of Age"-"The Neutral Zone")

Assistant Art Director

Visual Effects Coordinators

  • Robert Legato ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Big Goodbye", "11001001", "When The Bough Breaks", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil", "We'll Always Have Paris", "The Neutral Zone")
  • Dan Curry ("Too Short a Season", "Datalore"-"Angel One", "Home Soil", "Coming of Age", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "Symbiosis", "Conspiracy")

Post-Production Supervisor

Set Decorator

Make-Up Supervisor

Make-Up Artist

Hair Supervisor/Hair Designer

Hair Stylists

  • Joy Zapata ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"Haven")
  • Carolyn Ferguson ("The Last Outpost"-"Hide and Q", "The Big Goodbye"-"The Neutral Zone")

Production Associate

Consulting Senior Illustrator

Illustrator

Scenic Artist

Set Designers

Script Supervisor

Special Effects

Costume Supervisors

  • Janet Stout ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Naked Now", "Haven", "Where No One Has Gone Before")
  • Elaine Scheideman ("The Last Outpost"-"11001001")
  • Ed Sunley ("Home Soil"-"The Neutral Zone")

Key Costumers

  • Phil Signorelli ("Datalore"-"11001001")
  • David McGough ("When The Bough Breaks", "Coming of Age", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "Skin of Evil", "Conspiracy"-"The Neutral Zone")
  • Richard Butz ("Home Soil", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil", "We'll Always Have Paris")

Camera Operator

Chief Lighting Technician

First Company Grip

Property Masters

  • Joe Longo ("Encounter at Farpoint", "Code of Honor", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Lonely Among Us", "The Battle", "Datalore", "11001001", "When The Bough Breaks", "Heart of Glory", "Skin of Evil", "We'll Always Have Paris", "The Neutral Zone")
  • Alan Sims ("The Naked Now", "Haven", "The Last Outpost", "Justice", "Hide and Q", "The Big Goodbye", "Angel One", "Home Soil", "Coming of Age", "The Arsenal of Freedom", "Symbiosis", "Conspiracy")

Sound Mixer

  • Alan Bernard, C.A.S. ("Encounter at Farpoint"-"The Big Goodbye", "Angel One", "Home Soil"-"The Neutral Zone") (credited as Sound Mixer, C.A.S. from "The Battle" on)
  • Dean Gilmore ("Datalore", "11001001")

Music Editors

Supervising Sound Editors

Sound Editors

Re-Recording Mixers

Computer Graphics by

Casting Executive

Casting Associate

Production Coordinator

Construction Forepersons

Construction Coordinator

  • Al Smutko ("The Naked Now"-"The Neutral Zone")

Transportation Coordinator

Special Visual Effects by

Video Optical Effects by

Special Video Compositing

Editing Facilities

Post Production Sound by

Lenses and Panaflex® Cameras by

Uncredited

Production companies

See also


First season in series Episodes of
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Next Season:
TNG Season 2