Scotty in TNG.

The continuing mission of the characters from Star Trek The Original Series was left a verboten topic for the first half of The Next Generation. However, after the appearance of Ambassador Sarek in season three ("Sarek"), as well as the cameo of a certain ornery admiral in the pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint," the floodgates were open for TOS characters to "special" guest star in the second incarnation of Trek on television. 

Captain Montgomery "Scotty" Scott beamed into the 24th century in the sixth season episode "Relics" and found it difficult to find a place on this new Enterprise, with its "bloody" D suffix. Daniel Proulx, Darren Moser, and guest co-host Andy Farber explore Scotty's difficulties of being a man out of his time, and whether theTNG writers were faithful to his character. The interplay between the competingEnterprise chief engineers, Scotty and Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge, reveal not only the differences between those two characters, but also the differences between the two beloved Trek television shows. Join Earl Grey as they mourn poor Franklin, drink something green, and remember times past on the Holodeck for their discussion of Scotty's appearance on TNG.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx and Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Troi.

The introduction of a counselor to the bridge of U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D was seen as a product of the therapy-happy 1980s. The character of Deanna Troi went through many changes during her seven seasons on television and four feature films - from wearing a blue skant in "Encounter at Farpoint" to a wedding dress inStar Trek: Nemesis. Troi's role as a bridge officer often fluctuated from merely stating the obvious to making a significant contribution to the conflict du jour. Phillip, Darren, and Daniel discuss the evolution of the character from an accented, "exotic" empath to an in-charge uniform-wearing commander. They discuss her relationships with her Imzadi Commander William T. Riker, her mother Lwaxana, her captain and patient Jean-Luc Picard, and her brief boyfriend, Worf. The trio also struggles with why the writers ignored and "victimized" Troi on far too many occasions. So replicate your favorite chocolate concoction, avoid anything called "tequila," and join Earl Grey for a character profile of Counselor Deanna Troi.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Cast Direct Episodes.

Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner began the tradition of Star Trek actors getting behind the camera as directors. In The Next Generation, Jonathan Frakes was the first to "take the helm" of an episode as a director, beginning with the season four episode "The Offspring" and spanned all the way to the third TNG feature film, Star Trek: Insurrection. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip examine the Frakes' led stories, as well as Patrick Stewart's, Gates McFadden's, and LeVar Burton's adventures in directing TNG episodes. Earl Grey also follows Burton's directing work into all subsequent Star Trek incarnations (Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise). They also discuss when Micheal Dorn eventually got a chair ... a director's chair that is ... for three episodes of DS9 and one of ENT. Take off your Starfleet uniform, get into some comfortable clothes, and get ready to tell your friends what to do in this episode about cast directed TNG episodes.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

State of the Federation.

The United Federation of Planets is a great place to live, find a career, and raise a family. However, during the time of the NCC-1701-D and NCC-1701-E, there were major crises that affected the life of Federation citizens. Star Trek The Next Generation is a Starfleet-centered show, but the missions of the U.S.S. Enterprise impacted those working outside of Starfleet, from the events of "Conspiracy," to the strategic threat posed by the reemergence of the Romulan Empire ("The Neutral Zone"), to the fateful attacks on Earth by the Borg ("The Best of Both Worlds, Parts 1 and 2"/Star Trek: First Contact). Daniel, Darren, and Phillip explore what these impacts, what we wish we could have seen about the political and social life of Federation citizens, and inadvertently uncover the greatest Starfleet conspiracy since Lieutenant Commander Remmick's slug exploded. So get your favorite drink from the replicator, stop reading your copy of "Utopia," and join Earl Grey as they discuss life in the United Federation of Planets.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Sexuality and Relationships.

The Next Generation was not bashful about examining issues of sexuality and relationships during its seven seasons. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, episodes like "Justice" and "Captain's Holiday" portrayed a 24th Century where sexual expression was much more open and equal for both sexes. TNG also introduced alien species like the Betazed (in the forms of Lwaxana and Deanna Troi), the J'naii ("The Outcast"), and the Trill ("The Host") who have completely different perspectives on romantic relationships. Phillip. Daniel, and Darren examine how Gene Roddenberry's vision of futuristic sexual expression compares to modern day attitudes, and how people will view relationships 300 years from now. The Earl Grey trio attempt to explain how the Commander William T. Riker/Counselor Troi relationship best represents 24th Century mores. So set your coordinates for Risa, bring along your horga'hn, and join in on the discussion of sexuality and relationships in TNG.

Hosts

Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer

Darren Moser

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Chapters

TNG is a Sexy Show (00:03:04)  

The Edo (00:04:40)  

Risa (00:12:50)  

J'nali (00:18:43)  

Trill (00:23:24)  

Betazeds (00:38:00)  

Human (00:44:10)  

Closing Thoughts (00:52:56)  

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm

Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm

Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/

Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

Support the Network!

Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Reginald Barclay.

There are few characters who achieved success in more than one Star Trek series. Lieutenant Junior Grade Reginald Barclay was introduced in The Next Generation's season three episode "Hollow Pursuits" and would appear in four more episodes of TNG, in addition to a cameo in the feature film Star Trek: First Contact. 

However, when Mr. Barclay appeared in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Projections," fans may have thought it was a one-time TNG special appearance on the sister show. However, Reg would eventually become an honorary member of the Voyager crew by establishing himself as their lifeline to the Alpha Quadrant. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip fire up the Pathfinder Project and beam aboard "To the Journey" co-host Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss Starfleet's most neurotic lieutenant. So pull yourself away from the Holodeck and join Earl Grey as they do an in-depth character profile of Mr. Broccoli.    

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Guest
Charlynn Schmiedt

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Production Manager

Season Five Overview.

The Next Generation peaked during its fifth season, featuring its highest viewer ratings and the long-anticipated return of a main cast member from the originalStar Trek. The season begins by completing the Klingon and Romulan-focused two-parter "Redemption," and then covers new ground with a metaphor-speaking alien species ("Darmok"), the introduction of a new featured character ("Ensign Ro"), and a multi-story episode in "Disaster." Fans of both Star Trek generations finally received their wish with the return of Spock to the television screen in the two-parter "Unification." 

This was unfortunately the same year that Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry died. However his legacy lived on in season five as it sought new perspectives on established TNG characters with the returns of Lwaxana Troi ("Cost of Living"), Wesley Crusher ("The Game" and "First Duty"), and the Borg ("I, Borg"). Captain Jean-Luc Picard was faced with one of his greatest challenges in the critically acclaimed "The Inner Light," while the season ended with fan-debated episode "Time's Arrow, Part 1." Join Daniel Proulx, Darren Moser, and Phillip Gilfus as they put on their brand new captain's jackets and examine the fifth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

The Arts in TNG.

The Next Generation arguably features the most concerts, play performances, poetry readings, and art works than any other Star Trek television series. Whether it was having every senior officer being musically inclined, having fun in the clay modeling room making a mask or an entry for "Captain Picard Day," or keeping Commander William T. Riker from the nude modeling painting class, TNG inserted cultural works into many episodes. The show's writers/producers made sure that noted Shakespearean performer Sir Patrick Stewart incorporated several references in the series' seven-year run, from the Bard's historical plays to his sonnets. Lt. Commander Data's development in humanity also included his exploration of artistic self-expression, leading to him playing the violin, painting his dreams, and being directed by Captain Jean-Luc Picard in his one-man performance of a "A Christmas Carol." 

Join co-hosts Phillip Gilfus, Darren Moser, and Daniel Proulx as they find the "sweet spot" of the NCC-1701-D, bust out their Ressikan flute and rolled-up piano keyboard, and talk about the great music, plays, and art of TNG. Try not to fall asleep as they reenact the most famous poetry reading in all of Trekdom!  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

"The Best of Both Worlds" Alternate Ending. 

One of the most memorable musical moments in The Next Generation was the final seconds of the season three cliffhanger episode, with the television screen displaying those fateful words, "...To Be Continued." TNG's "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" opened with the Enterprise-D's deflector weapon being  rendered useless by the Borg Collective. But what if it had worked? The destruction of the Borg cube, along with Captain Jean-Luc Picard/Locutus would have shift the show to an almost entirely new series, led by Captain William T. Riker. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip discuss how all the characters would be affected by this change in circumstances, how the series would have radically changed, and if we would have ever seen Sir Patrick Stewart in TNG again. Join Earl Grey as they explore a parallel universe where season four set a new course for the crew of the NCC-1701-D.  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

"Face of the Enemy" Commentary. 

Romulans. Vulcans. Tal Shiar. Conspiracies. In the sixth season episode of The Next Generation, "Face of the Enemy," a rare Troi-focused episode explores the consequences of Ambassador Spock's work with Romulans from the two-parter "Unification." Darren, Daniel, and Phillip provide their commentary for this episode that depicts the strengths and further potential of Counselor Deanna Troi, as she must play the part of a Tal Shiar agent aboard a Romulan warbird. This story also provides greater insight into the Romulan Imperial Fleet, as we see different uniforms, ranks, and the explanation of what it is like to live in such a police state. Add to that a Starfleet ensign with a blonde Romulan haircut and this episode will get you craving a plate of viinerine and a glass of Romulan ale. Put on your pointed ears and shoulder pads and enjoy Earl Grey's commentary to "Face of the Enemy." 

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser