Are the Star Trek kids the next generation?

Star Trek: Picard will wrap up at the end of season three, possibly setting the stage for another Star Trek series.

When the credits roll on the final episode of Picard in 2023, the baton will be passed, allowing either another Star Trek show to be introduced or the continuation of The Next Generation. Jonathan Frakes recently said that the ending of the season is ripe for the continuation of some version of what they establish in this final season. And though the TNG actors are up for a follow-up movie, there’s no indication there will be a full-on resurrection of the series which ended in 1994.

One thing that is happening in the final season of Picard is the introduction of two of Geordi LaForge’s daughters, Sidney and Alandra, both of whom are Starfleet ensigns and assigned to the USS Titan-A. There is also the question of whether or not Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart) had a child together. If so, that child would now be grown and could possibly be a part of Starfleet. Add to this Counselor Troi and Captain Riker’s daughter, Kestra Troi-Riker, played by Lulu Miller, and Worf’s son, Alexander who was played by Marc Worden on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and you have the makings of another Next Generation crew. In fact, Worf’s son would be just the right age to be a captain.

Star Trek could use a fresh crew that is just getting started on their journeys.

The continuation of The Next Generation wouldn’t have to be the original characters full-time. An introduction to set up the premise of these new journeys would work perfectly, and we’d have the opportunity to see the impact the parents have had on these Starfleet officers. If Paramount really wanted to make things interesting, it could bring back Soji (Isa Briones) for a connection to Data, and this crew would be almost identical to the original crew.

Nothing’s been said about the kids taking over the reins from the parents, but it seems a shame to introduce LaForge’s two daughters and a possible offspring for Crusher and Picard just for ten episodes. On top of that, Kestra had a spark that we’d love to see more of, and since the actress who portrayed her is now seventeen, there would be plenty of time before a new show were to launch for her to be old enough to be a Starfleet ensign or even a cadet who is serving aboard a ship much like Wesley Crusher did.

While there has been talk of a Starfleet Academy series, there is a definite interest in the continuing The Next Generation, and this would be a great way to do it without the original main characters having to return full-time.

What do you think? Would you watch this new version of The Next Generation?