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The original 'Star Trek' series had its flaws but was a ground-breaking and ahead of its time show with many things that made it hugely impressive. Expectations were high for 'The New Generation', with big shoes to fill but also worries as to how it would fare in correlation with the original show.
Good news is that 'The Next Generation' is a very worthy follow up, that will please fans of the original series and also stand very well on its own two feet. There are improvements here as well as a couple of weaknesses. It is agreed that Season 1 is iffy and sees the show struggling to settle, it was Season 3 when the show properly hit its stride. Even for a character meant to be annoying, Wil Wheaton is very annoying.
Production values however are a major improvement in 'The Next Generation' over the original series. The sets give more of a sense of awe and the special effects are slicker and more expansive. It is stylishly and beautifully shot too. The music has a lot of energy and atmosphere.
Writing is every bit as great as that of the original show. It is entertaining, intelligent, thought-provoking and rich in humanity. The stories, when the show hit its stride, are every bit as high in imagination and just as suspenseful, intriguing and fun. Not quite as ground-breaking as the original series but just as influential and with many of that show's strong points, and actually with a lesser amount of contrived and lacking-in-logic episodes.
Character interaction and development, in what is essentially a character-driven show, is one of 'The Next Generation's' best points and where the show particularly excels. Worf and Riker's relationship is particularly interesting, and Picard is just as memorable as Spock. Which is not an easy feat considering Spock's iconic status in the 'Star Trek' universe.
Acting is every bit as fine, with the role of Picard containing some of the best acting Patrick Stewart has ever given and he has always been a highly dependable actor. Likewise with Brent Spiner, and Jonathan Frakes proves to be just as good an actor as he is a director. Michael Dorn is also strong. Only Wheaton is lacking here, but there is no acting here that reaches overacting depths like William Shatner in the original series.
In summary, well worth exploring and just as good as the original series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
9/10
