Star Trek: The Next Generation

Follow the intergalactic adventures of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and his loyal crew aboard the all-new USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, as they explore new worlds.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) is an American syndicated science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) commands the starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, a Federation vessel whose crew includes first officer William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes), the android Data (Brent Spiner), and chief engineer Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton). Their engine is curiosity and diplomacy: each week the crew answers distress calls, maps unknown systems, and faces alien civilizations, rival powers, and ethical dilemmas that a single starship is not built to solve. Most episodes are self-contained case-of-the-week adventures across seven seasons, with recurring threads that give the ensemble continuity. The mood is hopeful, cerebral and warm, with a utopian sense that humanity has outgrown scarcity and prejudice. Episodes lean on thoughtful talk, moral puzzles and wonder at strange new worlds. Fans of the original Star Trek, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Battlestar Galactica will find the same blend of exploration and humanist ideals here, with an optimistic vision that rewards patient viewers.

Acclaimed for its optimistic, thoughtful take on exploration, with strong ensemble chemistry and philosophical episodes that grew stronger as the series matured.

• Star Trek: The Original Seriesepisodic space exploration, optimistic utopian tone, ensemble starship crew
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nineepisodic sci-fi anthology of moral dilemmas, philosophical tone, ensemble crew
• Battlestar Galactica (1978)space opera exploration with ensemble crew and standalone adventures
• The Twilight Zoneepisodic cerebral science fiction with thoughtful moral questions

Created by

Gene Roddenberry

Release Date

1987-09-28

Episode runtime

45 min

Rating

8.7 / 10 (1876)

What is Star Trek: The Next Generation about?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard leads the crew of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D on optimistic voyages of exploration into unknown space.

What is Star Trek: The Next Generation like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Star Trek: The Next Generation as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Star Trek: The Next Generation violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Star Trek: The Next Generation as mild.

What did critics think of Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Acclaimed for its optimistic, thoughtful take on exploration, with strong ensemble chemistry and philosophical episodes that grew stronger as the series matured.

Which shows are like Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Shows with a similar feel include Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Battlestar Galactica (1978), and The Twilight Zone.

How long is Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Star Trek: The Next Generation: 7 seasons, 176 episodes.

Is Star Trek: The Next Generation still running?

No, Star Trek: The Next Generation has ended.