Star Trek: The Next Generation scooped up Emmys, Hugos, Saturns, and even a prestigious Peabody Award during its seven-year run in first-run syndication. This massive success spawned multiple TV spin-offs, four theatrical films, and a sea of ancillary media so vast that only the most dedicated fans could navigate it all. But let's be real—no show, no matter how successful, can churn out 176 episodes without hitting a few bumps.
Every long-running series has its share of clunkers, oddities, and downright stupid moments, and The Next Generation is no exception. That said, like we did with our look at the original Star Trek , let’s not get bogged down comparing a 37-year-old show with today’s entertainment. This isn’t an article about Riker’s shoulder pads, the cheap-looking “Planet Hell” set, or the carpeted everything in the future.
Nor will it be a rundown of individual stinkers—if only to avoid writing an entire slide about the uninspired and humdrum clip show " Shades of Gray. " Instead, let’s boldly go by taking a broader view and discussing the most dumbfounding aspects of The Next Generation as a series. 10.
Families on board when you visit Starbase 47 every 3rd week According to the March 23, 1987 draft of the show’s Writer/Director’s Guide, “As humanity probes deeper and deeper into space with ten-year or longer missions becoming the norm, Starfleet has begun encouraging crewpersons [sic] to share the space exploration adventure with their famil.