Star Trek: The Next Generation just turned 38 on Sunday, Sept. 28, and for a show most fans guessed would be a terrible flop, it has grown quite a legacy. The series ran for seven seasons, spawned two highly successful spinoffs, and even wrapped up its own story arc with Star Trek: Picard. While Next Gen might appear a bit dated today, there are still plenty of reasons to watch again and again.
Character evolution
One of the most enjoyable aspects of rewatching Next Gen is experiencing the evolution of the characters, especially if you've already watched Picard. Worf, Wesley, Data, and even Q underwent tremendous change and growth during the series' seven seasons. Watching your favorite characters experience victory, loss, pain, and triumph as they form incredible bonds with others aboard the Enterprise-D makes a rewatch well worth the time.
Next Gen is pure nostalgia fuel for many fans
If you're old enough to remember when Gene Roddenberry announced plans for The Next Generation, then you might recall all the uproar it caused. This was a time when the original cast was still making movies, with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home getting its release the fall before. Many fans held the opinion that not even Roddenberry could create another Star Trek show.
If time softens anything, it's fandom and how fans may feel differently about a show they watched in the past. I was writing a lot of Star Trek short stories back then and snarking to my pen pals that this new show could never take the place of The Original Series (this was in 1987, more than 15 years before widespread social media). I tuned in here and there, and then Brent Spiner's Data finally hooked me. It's what I watch now when I want Trek nostalgia, and it's as comfortable as a beloved and well-worn coat.
The seasons improve with each year
The first season of The Next Generation is likely its weakest. The characters weren't quite solidified yet. and the show's writers hadn't yet found the pacing that makes it such a classic now. It transforms greatly around season 3, which features some amazing episodes, such as "Deja Q" and "The Offspring."
The Next Generation is packed with guest stars!
Much like the original Star Trek, TNG boasted some impressive guest stars who helped make it so watchable, even nearly four decades later. Just a few notable names include DeForest Kelley, Ashley Judd, James Cromwell, and Stephen Hawking! It seems that despite their global fame, even the biggest stars of the era wanted to appear on the show!
Star Trek: The Next Generation is still a highly watchable show despite its age. The themes of friendship, honor, sacrifice, and honoring diversity still hold true today, so binge away now on Paramount+! Plus, at the time of this writing, all 26 episodes of season 5 are available to stream for free on PlutoTV.
Visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages for more Star Trek content.