TNG Fan Film.

Free carpet samples. Lounge chairs. Lots of computer monitors. Some nice, polished wood. 

For some reason, no one has gathered these items for a Next Generation-based fan film production. Throughout the decades, amateur productions have been predominantly set on 23rd Century Constitution-class vessels. In more recent years, productions like "Star Trek Renegades" has reached past the shows of the 24th Century and "Star Trek: Horizon" has looked "back" into the 22nd Century. But there are no current fan web series based during the seven-year television run of TNG. 

Phillip, Daniel, and Darren put on their "fan production" hats and explore why there is this "gap" of fan productions for Next Gen. They discuss whether TNG has a unique fandom, whether there is a lack of enthusiasm for Enterprise-D based web series, and whether something like "Red Shirt Diaries" can be done for the "lower decks" of the NCC-1701-D. Join Earl Grey as they delve into what role they would play in a TNG fan film and how "ENSiGNS" can only be made possible through supporters like you.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Supernatural Elements.

The Next Generation introduces several individuals, including some "re-shaping" of our own favorite characters, who are seen as supernatural characters. This can mean that they are either all-powerful, mysterious, tricksters, or "flim-flams." Darren, Daniel, and Phillip create their own originally named "Q Continuum" of supernatural beings, from the scary "Kevin" ("The Survivors") on one end to Ardra ("Devil's Due") on the other. 

Supernatural characters can be shrouded in the cloak of religious worship like the Edo Guardian ("Justice") and "The Picard" ("Who Watches the Watchers?") or they could be just a different scale of lifeform like Nagilum ("Where Silence Has Lease") and Q. Join Earl Grey as they seek out new lifeforms who go beyond the realm of human beings and explore supernatural beings in Next Gen.

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

TNG Season Zero Prequel.

We all know and love the trials and tribulations of our beloved TNG crew throughout seven seasons and four feature films ... but how did it all begin for them? Daniel, Darren, and Phillip sit down and create an outline for a "Countdown to 'Encounter' [at Farpoint]" comic book series. The trio imagines a comic book run, similar to IDW'S "Star Trek: Countdown" and "Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness" for the JJ-verse movies, that picks up our characters' lives years before they joined the ranks of the Galaxy-class Enterprise-D. 

Earl Grey begins issue one with the dramatic court martial of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, following the disastrous loss of his first command, U.S.S. Stargazer. Picard must deal with an overzealous prosecutor, Phillipa Louvois, as well as a visit from recent widow, Dr. Beverly Crusher. The next issues focus on young baby-face Lieutenant William T. Riker and Deanna Troi on Betazed, as the gold-suited Starfleet officer finds himself choosing between love and career promotion (along with a new color uniform). Other issues follow a recently discovered and reactivated android, named Data, who finds his life choices continually challenged by a Lieutenant Bruce Maddox. The trio also creates issues focusing on the Cardassian War, with a young Natasha Yar and Miles O'Brien teaming up to defend Starfleet, as well as a time jump forward to the U.S.S. Hood as Ensign Geordi LaForge continually tries to escape the attention of his meddlesome first officer, Lieutenant Commander Riker.  

Join Earl Grey as they tell these prequel stories and more of the early adventures of the soon-to-be-infamous crew of the Federation's flagship, U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D in Season Zero of The Next Generation.


Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

Episodes That Never Happened.

We have all seen episodes (or entire seasons!) of television shows that end with, "It was all just a dream!" It can sometimes feel like such storytelling is a "cheat" or are a waste of time. This week, Phillip, Darren, and Daniel pick out episodes of "The Next Generation" that may not have "really" happened, as far as the crew of the Enterprise-D is concerned. The trio asks whether these episodes are still enjoyable or whether it would have been better to have a storyline that "actually" occurred instead.

Earl Grey examines episodes featuring amnesia, such as "Conundrum" and "Thine Own Self," as well as "It was all an illusion!" episodes like "Future Imperfect," "Remember Me," and "Frame of Mind." They also tackle "complicated" fan favorites such as "Inner Light," "Yesterday's Enterprise,""Tapestry," and "All Good Things..." They look at whether episodes that are "outside" reality help or hurt a story. Other episodes they look at include "Parallels," ""Tapestry," and "Cause and Effect." 

Join Earl Grey for this week's podcast about the "never happened" episodes ... which hopefully will not be considered a waste of time for listeners (though they may hit the reset button at the end).

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen

The Chase Rewrite.

Fans do not generally regard the sixth season episode "The Chase" as a classic TNG story. However, it offered Captain Jean-Luc Picard a chance to embrace his archaeological passions and embark on an "Indiana Jones"-like adventure including many Alpha Quadrant aliens. "Earl Grey" decides to re-write this episode with the additional challenge of making a new "Yesterday's Enterprise" -- but, this time, with the U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-B.

In this telling of "The Chase," Darren, Daniel, and Phillip keep much of the beginning of the episode, but instead create a new planet, familiar aliens on this adventure, and a voice from the history books. Look for Picard, Data, and La Forge, along with some strange bedfellows, to meet a storied captain ... and she may make the ultimate sacrifice. Join "Earl Grey" as they re-write "The Chase" to include the Excelsior-class Enterprise-B.  

Hosts
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser

Editor / Producer
Darren Moser

Executive Producers
Norman C. Lao, Matthew Rushing, & C Bryan Jones

Will Nguyen