In my teens I was fanatical about the show. The possibilities, the dreams, the inspiration. We had Star Trek nights, Star Trek arguments, Start Trek groups. Yes, I was a big fan.
So over twenty years later, I sat down to binge watch this show again. Twenty years ago I would have rated this an easy 10, now it is a generous 5.
My biggest disappointments are
1. What is their mission? The opening credits clearly state "...To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations...". But in nearly every episode they are encountering a human colony, or within a few hours of a star base, or near the border of the neutral zone, or they are intercepting a shuttle craft. Apart from the three times they were flung to the far reaches of the Universe by The Traveller or Q, they never left Federation space. An Earth based analogy would be... "They have left the city and are now driving around the suburbs, with the occasional foray into the rural countryside". How are they exploring strange new worlds in their own backyard? Little imagination by the writers.
2. The writers really did have a poor imagination of future life. All technology on the show looks clumsy, awkward and clunky. Really, did none of the writers or set designers consider slimline, sleek, holographic computer displays, flexible screens, screens with dynamic displays instead of the silly stenciled screens we see every episode, etc...
3. The awards... Have you seen some of these awards? "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design", "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing " and "Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series". Seriously?? This reminds me of awards being handed out to children in an event, even when they come last. Feel good awards.
4. Characters were flat and poorly written but the standout performances of the regular cast were definitely Data and Captain Picard
5. Worf who was supposed to be some powerful security officer, but had his butt kicked in every single fighting scene, except two.
6. Deanna Troi who had the annoying ability to state the obvious, but had no ability to use her powers when they were most needed. For a councilor she is over emotional and prone to fits of hysteria. Not the stability one would expect of a ships councilor. And to surpass her co-workers to become equal second highest rank on the ship was too much of a stretch to be taken seriously.
7. Star Trek TOS of the 1960's seems to have set the technology standard for this show. Amazing that 30 years after TOS and the writers of TNG could not come up with anything unique, rather they were just extensions of the existing technology.
Unfortunately, this has gone from memories of a great show with some bad episodes, to a very mediocre show with the rare good episode. It will be a show I never re-watch.
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