Family Guy's reunion of Star Trek: The Next Generation remains the show to beat
By Chad Porto
The whole reason why Star Trek: Picard got so much interest that it did was the prospect of it being a Star Trek: The Next Generation reunion show. That was until Patrick Stewart put the brakes on that idea. Despite the first two seasons being a "greatest hits" of sorts for Stewart's character, Jean-Luc Picard, the series refused to dive into the realm of the spiritual eighth season of The Next Generation that everyone wanted.
Until season three, when most of the Picard cast was shown the door to make room for the main crew of the Next Generation. They came in, made the third season the reunion season that everyone wanted and it was fine. It wasn't a well-written season, with plot holes and logistical issues that showrunner David Matalas didn't see the need to fix, but fans liked it because it reunited all of the former TNG stars under a new series banner.
And then it ended. Leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of many who saw it for the cheap cash grab that it was. It left some fans thinking that maybe the third season of Picard shouldn't have happened as it did and that the reunion was a bad idea.
We're not disagreeing with that sentiment. If you want to see the cast of The Next Generation reunite after the close of the series, we'd recommend watching the Family Guy episode, "Not All Dogs Go to Heaven". The 11th episode of season seven features Meg and Brian arguing over religion and that's the majority of the episode.
Yet, the B-Plot centers around Stewie, voiced by Star Trek superfan Seth MacFarlane, building a transporter to bring the TNG crew to his house. Having attended a Star Trek convention and being unable to answer any questions, Stewie opts to abduct the TNG crew via a real-life teleportation device, designed after the show's version. From there, Stewie learns just how cumbersome it is to be around the crew all day.
Every single main character is voiced by their respective actors or actresses, with Patrick Stewart playing himself, all the way down to a cameo from Denise Crosby. Every main talent from the show is back for a special, animated get-together that'll hopefully make you laugh.
It's by far a better reunion than Picard, and won't last nearly as long.