Take the Star Trek: Next Generation crew back to Starfleet Academy

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 22: Cast members Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Robert O'Reilly, Denise Crosby, Gates McFadden and Marina Sirtis from the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' backstage on day 2 of Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017 held at San Jose Convention Center on April 22, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 22: Cast members Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Robert O'Reilly, Denise Crosby, Gates McFadden and Marina Sirtis from the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' backstage on day 2 of Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017 held at San Jose Convention Center on April 22, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

We all met the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew when they’d been out of the Academy for quite a while

But wouldn’t it be fun to see the crew in their earlier days at the Academy? We saw a glimpse of it with Jean-Luc Picard, but we don’t know what Will Riker was like in his younger days. Was he a brash student with just a hint of arrogance? Someone determined not to fail much like Captain Kirk? We were able to see a much younger Kirk and Spock in the J.J. Abrams’ movies during the Kelvin Timeline, and though we might not agree with it, it was interesting to witness them as young adults.

But can you imagine Worf at the Academy? It couldn’t have been easy for him. With his temperament, how did he keep from getting expelled? It’s difficult for Worf to rein in his temper when someone gets in his face now.  If someone got in his face even as a test in younger days, he would have struggled to keep from killing them. Remember when Captain Picard called him a coward in First Contact, and Worf’s response was “If you were any other man, I’d kill you where you stand?”

The crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation had to cross paths as some point during their Academy days.

I picture Geordi La Forge as being that studious, always-working cadet who didn’t have time for games. He knew what he wanted, and he was going to get it. But Dr. Crusher is a curious one as is Counselor Troi.

I can’t be the only one who wants to see the crew in their earlier years, to see how they interacted with one another. Yes, I know it would mean casting a younger generation, but even if these were done in Short Treks, it would be a really great way to learn more about their characters.

We know a lot about them now, but what made them who they are? Their history remains murky. You’d have to think things happened at the Academy that affected them, changed them. It’s just something I’d like to see.