Star Trek : the Next Generation - wikipedia Star Trek : the Next Generation This article is about the television series. For the games, see Star Trek : The Next Generation ( 1994 video game ) and Star Trek : The Next Generation : A World For All Seasons. Star Trek : The Next Generation Genre Science fiction Drama Mystery Action adventure Created by Gene Roddenberry Based on Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry Starring Patrick Stewart Jonathan Frakes Brent Spiner LeVar Burton Denise Crosby Michael Dorn Gates McFadden Marina Sirtis Wil Wheaton Theme music composer Alexander Courage Jerry Goldsmith Composer ( s ) Dennis McCarthy Jay Chattaway Ron Jones Country of origin United States Original language ( s ) English No. of seasons 7 No. of episodes 178 ( list of episodes ) Production Executive producer ( s ) Gene Roddenberry ( 1987 -- 91 ) Rick Berman ( 1989 -- 94 ) Showrunners Maurice Hurley ( 1988 -- 89 ) Michael Piller ( 1989 -- 94 ) Jeri Taylor ( 1993 -- 94 ) Cinematography Edward R. Brown ( 1987 -- 89 ) Marvin V. Rush ( 1989 -- 92 ) Jonathan West ( 1992 -- 94 ) Running time 44 minutes Production company ( s ) Paramount Domestic Television Distributor CBS Television Distribution Budget $1.3 million per episode Release Original network First - run syndication Picture format NTSC 480i 4 : 3 1080p 4 : 3 ( Blu - ray ) Audio format Dolby SR Dolby Digital 5.1 ( DVD ) DTS - HD Master Audio 7.1 Blu - ray Original release September 28, 1987 ( 1987 - 09 - 28 ) -- May 23, 1994 ( 1994 - 05 - 23 ) Chronology Preceded by Star Trek : The Animated Series Followed by Star Trek : Deep Space Nine Related shows Star Trek TV series External links Star Trek : The Next Generation at StarTrek.com Star Trek : The Next Generation ( abbreviated as TNG and ST : TNG ) is an American science - fiction television series in the Star Trek franchise created by Gene Roddenberry that ran from 1987 to 1994. Roddenberry, Maurice Hurley, Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor served as executive producers at different times throughout its production. The show was very popular, reaching almost 12 million viewers in its 5th season, and the season seven finale in 1994 was watched by over 30 million viewers. The show spawned two reasonably popular spin - offs set in the same sci - fi universe time and place, and 4 theater films with the cast of the show. In the early 2000s the show Enterprise, although more oriented towards re-booting the series was also in the same fictional universe, but an earlier time. The series involves a starship named Enterprise and is set in the nearby regions of the Milky Way galaxy, the Alpha Quadrant. The first episode takes place in the year 2364, 99 years after the start of the five - year mission described in the original series, which began in 2265. It features a new cast and a new starship Enterprise, the fifth to bear the name within the franchise 's storyline. An introductory statement, delivered by Patrick Stewart and featured at the beginning of each episode 's title sequence, stated the starship 's purpose in language similar to the opening statement of The Original Series, but was updated to reflect an ongoing mission, and to be gender - neutral : Space : the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission : to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before. TNG premiered the week of September 28, 1987, drawing 27 million viewers, with the two - hour pilot `` Encounter at Farpoint ''. In total, 176 episodes were made ( including several two - parters ), ending with the two - hour finale `` All Good Things... '' the week of May 23, 1994. The series ( 1987 -- 94 ) was broadcast in first - run syndication with dates and times varying among individual television stations. Further Star Trek spin - offs followed The Next Generation : Star Trek : Deep Space Nine ( 1993 -- 99 ), Star Trek : Voyager ( 1995 -- 2001 ), Star Trek : Enterprise ( 2001 -- 2005 ), and Star Trek : Discovery ( 2017 -- present ). The series formed the basis for the seventh through the tenth of the Star Trek films, and is also the setting of numerous novels, comic books, and video games. In its seventh season, Star Trek : The Next Generation became the first and only syndicated television series to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The series received a number of accolades, including 19 Emmy Awards, two Hugo Awards, five Saturn Awards, and `` The Big Goodbye '' ( S1E12 ) won a Peabody Award. Some of the highest rated shows by Nielsen ratings were the pilot, the finale, `` Unification '' ( duology ), `` Aquiel '', `` A Matter of Time '', and `` Relics ''. `` Unification '' includes the classic characters Spock and his father Sarek, and `` Relics '' includes Scotty. Other famous episodes include the `` Best of Both Worlds '' duology, `` Inner Light '', and `` The Measure of Man '', which was released in a 1080p extended version in 2012. Contents 1 Episodes 2 Production 2.1 Background 2.2 Syndication and profitability 2.3 Season one 2.4 Season two 2.5 Season three 2.6 Season four 2.7 Season five 2.8 Season six 2.9 Season seven 2.10 Legacy 3 High - Definition Project 4 Cast 4.1 Notable guest appearances 5 Story arcs & themes 6 Reception 7 Computer and video games 8 Films 9 Release history 9.1 VHS 9.2 LaserDisc 9.3 DVD 9.4 Blu - ray 9.4. 1 Standalone episodes 9.4. 2 The Measure of a Man HD extended cut 10 Spin - offs and the franchise 10.1 These Are The Voyages... ( 2005 ) 10.2 Context 11 See also 12 References 13 External links Episodes Main article : List of Star Trek : The Next Generation episodes Season Episodes Originally aired First aired Last aired 26 September 28, 1987 ( 1987 - 09 - 28 ) May 16, 1988 ( 1988 - 05 - 16 ) 22 November 21, 1988 ( 1988 - 11 - 21 ) July 17, 1989 ( 1989 - 07 - 17 ) 26 September 25, 1989 ( 1989 - 09 - 25 ) June 18, 1990 ( 1990 - 06 - 18 ) 26 September 24, 1990 ( 1990 - 09 - 24 ) June 17, 1991 ( 1991 - 06 - 17 ) 5 26 September 23, 1991 ( 1991 - 09 - 23 ) June 15, 1992 ( 1992 - 06 - 15 ) 6 26 September 21, 1992 ( 1992 - 09 - 21 ) June 21, 1993 ( 1993 - 06 - 21 ) 7 26 September 20, 1993 ( 1993 - 09 - 20 ) May 23, 1994 ( 1994 - 05 - 23 ) The series follows the adventures of a space - faring crew on board the Galaxy Class starship USS Enterprise ( NCC - 1701 - D ), the fifth Federation vessel to bear the name and registry and the seventh starship by that name. ( See Starship Enterprise for other ships with the name and / or registry ). The series is set about 70 years after the final mission of the original Enterprise crew under the command of James T. Kirk. The Federation has undergone significant internal changes in its quest to explore and seek out new life, adding new degrees of complexity and controversy to its methods, especially those focused on the Prime Directive. The Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets have ceased wartime hostilities and become galactic allies, while more sinister foes such as the Romulans and the Borg take precedence on the series. The Enterprise is commanded by Captain Jean - Luc Picard and is staffed by first officer Commander William Riker, second officer / operations manager Data, security chief Tasha Yar, ship 's counselor Deanna Troi, chief medical officer Dr. Beverly Crusher and her son Wesley Crusher, conn officer Lieutenant Geordi La Forge, and junior officer Lieutenant Worf. The death of Lieutenant Yar in the twenty - third episode of the first season ( 1987 - 1988 ) of the series prompts an internal shuffle of personnel, making Worf official chief of security. In season two, La Forge is promoted to chief engineer and Katherine Pulaski briefly takes over for Beverly Crusher. The series begins with the crew of the Enterprise - D put on trial by an omnipotent being known as Q, who became a recurring character. The god - like entity threatens the extinction of mankind for being a race of savages, forcing them to solve a mystery at nearby Farpoint Station to prove their worthiness to be spared. After successfully solving the mystery and avoiding disaster, the crew officially departs on its mission to explore strange new worlds. Subsequent stories focus on the discovery of new life and sociological and political relationships with alien cultures, as well as exploring the human condition. Several new species are introduced as recurring antagonists, including the Ferengi, the Cardassians, and the Borg. Throughout their adventures, Picard and his crew are often forced to face and live with the consequences of difficult choices. The series ended in its seventh season with a two - part episode `` All Good Things... '', which brought the events of the series full circle to the original confrontation with Q. An interstellar anomaly that threatens all life in the universe forces Picard to leap from his present, past, and future to combat the threat. Picard was successfully able to show to Q that humanity could think outside of the confines of perception and theorize on new possibilities while still being prepared to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the greater good. The series ended with the crew of the Enterprise portrayed as feeling more like a family and paved the way for four consecutive motion pictures that continued the theme and mission of the series. Episodes by Season ( 1 - 4 ) Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 `` Encounter at Farpoint '' ( Two - part episode ) `` The Naked Now '' `` Code of Honor '' `` The Last Outpost '' `` Where No One Has Gone Before '' `` Lonely Among Us '' `` Justice '' `` The Battle '' `` Hide and Q '' `` Haven '' `` The Big Goodbye '' ( Peabody Award Winner ) `` Datalore '' `` Angel One '' `` 11001001 '' `` Too Short a Season '' `` When the Bough Breaks '' `` Home Soil '' `` Coming of Age '' `` Heart of Glory '' `` The Arsenal of Freedom '' `` Symbiosis '' `` Skin of Evil '' `` We 'll Always Have Paris '' `` Conspiracy '' `` The Neutral Zone '' `` The Child '' `` Where Silence Has Lease '' `` Elementary, Dear Data '' `` The Outrageous Okona '' `` Loud as a Whisper '' `` The Schizoid man '' `` Unnatural Selection '' `` A Matter of Honor '' `` The Measure of a Man '' `` The Dauphin '' `` Contagion '' `` The Royale '' `` Time Squared '' `` The Icarus Factor '' `` Pen Pals '' `` Q Who '' `` Samaritan Snare '' `` Up the Long Ladder '' `` Manhunt '' `` The Emissary '' `` Peak Performance '' `` Shades of Gray '' `` Evolution '' `` The Ensigns of Command '' `` The Survivors '' `` Who Watches the Watchers '' `` The Bonding '' `` Booby Trap '' `` The Enemy '' `` The Price '' `` The Vengeance Factor '' `` The Defector '' `` The Hunted '' `` The High Ground '' `` Déjà Q '' `` A Matter of Perspective '' `` Yesterday 's Enterprise '' `` The Offspring '' `` Sins of the Father '' `` Allegiance '' `` Captain 's Holiday '' `` Tin Man '' `` Hollow Pursuits '' `` The Most Toys '' `` Sarek '' `` Ménage à Troi '' `` Transfigurations '' `` The Best of Both Worlds '' ( Part 1 ) `` The Best of Both Worlds '' ( Part 2 ) `` Family '' `` Brothers '' `` Suddenly Human '' `` Remember Me '' `` Legacy '' `` Reunion '' `` Future Imperfect '' `` Final Mission '' `` The Loss '' `` Data 's Day '' `` The Wounded '' `` Devil 's Due '' `` Clues '' `` First Contact '' `` Galaxy 's Child '' `` Night Terrors '' `` Identity Crisis '' `` The Nth Degree '' `` Qpid '' `` The Drumhead '' `` Half a Life '' `` The Host '' `` The Mind 's Eye '' `` In Theory '' `` Redemption '' ( Part 1 ) Episodes by Season ( 5 - 7 ) Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 `` Redemption ( Part 2 ) `` Darmok '' `` Ensign Ro '' `` Silicon Avatar '' `` Disaster '' `` The Game '' `` Unification '' ( Two - part episode ) `` A Matter of Time '' `` New Ground '' `` Hero Worship '' `` Violations '' `` The Masterpiece Society '' `` Conundrum '' `` Power Play '' `` Ethics '' `` The Outcast '' `` Cause and Effect '' `` The First Duty '' `` Cost of Living '' `` The Perfect Mate '' `` Imaginary Friend '' `` I, Borg '' `` The Next Phase '' `` The Inner Light '' `` Time 's Arrow '' ( Part 1 ) `` Time 's Arrow '' ( Part 2 ) `` Realm of Fear '' `` Man of the People '' `` Relics '' `` Schisms '' `` True Q '' `` Rascals '' `` A Fistful of Datas '' `` The Quality of Life '' `` Chain of Command '' ( Two - part episode ) `` Ship in a Bottle '' `` Aquiel '' `` Face of the Enemy '' `` Tapestry '' `` Birthright '' ( Two - part episode ) `` Starship Mine '' `` Lessons '' `` The Chase '' `` Frame of Mind '' `` Suspicions '' `` Rightful Heir '' `` Second Chances '' `` Timescape '' `` Descent '' ( Part 1 ) `` Descent '' ( Part 2 ) `` Liaisons '' `` Interface '' `` Gambit '' ( Two - part episode ) `` Phantasms '' `` Dark Page '' `` Attached '' `` Force of Nature '' `` Inheritance '' `` Parallels '' `` The Pegasus '' `` Homeward '' `` Sub Rosa '' `` Lower Decks '' `` Thine Own Self '' `` Masks '' `` Eye of the Beholder '' `` Genesis '' `` Journey 's End '' `` Firstborn '' `` Bloodlines '' `` Emergence '' `` Preemptive Strike '' `` All Good Things... '' ( Two - part episode ) Production Some of the Cast of Next Generation. ( L to R : LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Wil Wheaton ) in 2012 Background By 1986, 20 years after Star Trek 's debut on NBC, the franchise 's longevity amazed Paramount Pictures executives. Chairman Frank Mancuso Sr. and others described it as the studio 's `` crown jewel '', a `` priceless asset '' that `` must not be squandered ''. The series was the most popular syndicated television program 17 years after cancellation, and the Harve Bennett - produced Star Trek films did well at the box office. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy 's salary demands for Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home ( 1986 ) caused the studio to plan for a new Star Trek television series, as it had thought to do in 1977 with Star Trek : Phase II before making the films. Paramount executives worried that a new show could hurt the demand for the films, but decided that it would increase their appeal on videocassette and cable, and that a show with unknown actors would be more profitable than paying the films ' actors ' large salaries. Roddenberry initially declined to be involved, but came on board as creator after being unhappy with early conceptual work. Star Trek : The Next Generation was announced on October 10, 1986, and its cast in May 1987. Paramount executive Rick Berman was assigned to the show at Roddenberry 's request. Roddenberry hired a number of Star Trek veterans, including Bob Justman, D.C. Fontana, Eddie Milkis, and David Gerrold. Early proposals for the series included one in which some of the original series cast might appear as `` elder statesmen '', and Roddenberry speculated as late as October 1986 that the new series might not even use a spaceship, as `` people might travel by some ( other ) means '' 100 years after the USS Enterprise ( NCC - 1701 ). A more lasting change was his new belief that workplace interpersonal conflict would no longer exist in the future ; thus, the new series did not have parallels to the frequent `` crusty banter '' between Kirk, Spock, and Leonard McCoy. According to series actor Patrick Stewart, Berman was more receptive than Roddenberry to the show addressing political issues. The series ' music theme combined the fanfare from the original series theme by Alexander Courage with Jerry Goldsmith 's theme for Star Trek : The Motion Picture ( 1979 ). Some early episodes ' plots derived from outlines created for Star Trek : Phase II. Additionally, some sets used in the Original Series - era films were redressed for The Next Generation, and in turn used for subsequent Original Series films. Part of the transporter room set in TNG was used in the original Star Trek 's transporter set. Many production details, such as LCARS computer interfaces and starship design, were carried through in the production of subsequent spin - offs. A major focus of the show is the faster - than - light starship visiting exoplanets, which, although some had speculated to exist, were still in the realm of science fiction when show started in the 1987. However, by the early 1990s more claims were coming out including for PSR B1257 + 12, and a year after the show ended there was a more definitive detection of planets around 51 Pegasi. Another example is the ubiquitous use of hand - held tablet computers, at the time a fictional technology props for the actors but became a more practical and common computing device by the 2010s Syndication and profitability Despite Star Trek 's proven success, NBC and ABC only offered to consider pilot scripts for the new series, and CBS offered to air a miniseries that could become a series if it did well. That the Big Three television networks treated Paramount 's most appealing and valuable property as they would any other series offended the studio. Fox wanted the show to help launch the new network, but wanted it by March 1987, and would only commit to 13 episodes instead of a full season. The unsuccessful negotiations convinced the studio that it could only protect Star Trek with full control. Paramount increased and accelerated the show 's profitability by choosing to instead broadcast it in first - run syndication on independent stations ( whose numbers had more than tripled since 1980 ) and Big Three network affiliates. The studio offered the show to local stations for free as barter syndication. The stations sold five minutes of commercial time to local advertisers and Paramount sold the remaining seven minutes to national advertisers. Stations had to commit to purchasing reruns in the future, and only those that aired the new show could purchase the popular reruns of the original series. The studio 's strategy succeeded. Most of the 150 stations airing reruns of the original Star Trek wanted to prevent a competitor from airing the new show ; ultimately, 210 stations covering 90 % of the United States became part of Paramount 's informal nationwide network for TNG. In early October 1987, more than 50 network affiliates pre-empted their own shows for the series pilot, `` Encounter at Farpoint ''. One station predicted that `` ' Star Trek ' promises to be one of the most successful programs of the season, network or syndicated. '' TNG helped stations like WZZM in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who made a decision show The Next Generation. The new show indeed performed well ; the pilot 's ratings were higher than those of many network programs, and ratings remained comparable to network shows by the end of the first season, despite the handicap of each station airing the show on a different day and time, often outside prime time. By the end of the first season, Paramount reportedly received $1 million for advertising per episode, more than the roughly $800,000 fee that networks typically paid for a one - hour show ; by 1992, when the budget for each episode had risen to almost $2 million, the studio earned $90 million from advertising annually from first - run episodes, with each 30 - second commercial selling for $115,000 to $150,000. The show had a 40 % return on investment for Paramount, with $30 to $60 million in annual upfront net profit for first - run episodes and another $70 million for stripping rights for each of the about 100 episodes then available, so did not need overseas sales to be successful. Season one Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 1 ) Gates and Denise were in Season 1 as Doctor Crusher and Tasha Yar, respectively, but were removed for Season 2. The Next Generation was shot on 35mm film, and the budget for each episode was $1.3 million, among the largest for a one - hour television drama. While the staff enjoyed the creative freedom gained by independence from a broadcast network 's Standards and Practices department, the first season was marked by a `` revolving door '' of writers, with Gerrold, Fontana, and others quitting after disputes with Roddenberry. Roddenberry `` virtually rewrote '' the first 15 episodes because of his `` dogmatic '' intention to depict human interaction `` without drawing on the baser motives of greed, lust, and power ''. Writers found the show 's `` bible '' constricting and ridiculous and could n't deal with Roddenberry 's ego and treatment of them. It stated, for example, that `` regular characters all share a feeling of being part of a band of brothers and sisters. As in the original ' Star Trek, ' we invite the audience to share the same feeling of affection for our characters. '' Mark Bourne of The DVD Journal wrote of season one : `` A typical episode relied on trite plot points, clumsy allegories, dry and stilted dialogue, or characterization that was taking too long to feel relaxed and natural. '' Other targets of criticism included poor special effects and plots being resolved by the deus ex machina of Wesley Crusher saving the ship. However, Patrick Stewart 's acting skills won praise, and critics noted that characters were given greater potential for development than those of the original series. Both actors and producers were unsure whether Trekkies loyal to the original show would accept the new one, but one critic stated as early as October 1987 that The Next Generation, not the movies or the original show, `` is the real ' Star Trek ' now ''. While the events of most episodes of season one were self - contained, many developments important to the show as a whole occurred during the season. The recurring nemesis Q was introduced in the pilot, the alien Ferengi had their sentinel showing in `` The Last Outpost '', the holodeck was introduced, and the romantic backstory between William Riker and Deanna Troi was investigated. `` The Naked Now '', one of the few episodes that depicted Roddenberry 's fascination ( as seen in the show 's bible ) with sex in the future, became a cast favorite. Later episodes in the season set the stage for serial plots. The episode `` Datalore '' introduced Data 's evil twin brother Lore, who made several more appearances in episodes in subsequent seasons. `` Coming of Age '' dealt with Wesley Crusher 's efforts to get into Starfleet Academy while also hinting at the threat to Starfleet later faced in `` Conspiracy ''. `` Heart of Glory '' explored Worf 's character, Klingon culture, and the uneasy truce between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, three themes that played major roles in later episodes. Tasha Yar left the show in `` Skin of Evil '', becoming the first regular Star Trek character to die permanently ( although the character was seen again in two later episodes ) in either series or film. The season finale, `` The Neutral Zone '', established the presence of two of TNG ' most enduring villains : the Romulans, making their first appearance since the Original Series, and, through foreshadowing, the Borg. The premiere became the first television episode to be nominated for a Hugo Award since 1972. Six of the season 's episodes were each nominated for an Emmy Award. `` 11001001 '' won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, `` The Big Goodbye '' won for Outstanding Costume Design for a Series, and `` Conspiracy '' won for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series. `` The Big Goodbye '' also won a Peabody Award, the first syndicated program and only Star Trek episode to do so. The top episodes for Nielsen ratings were `` Encounter at Farpoint '' with 15.7, and the next highest was `` Justice '' with 12.7. Debuted 1987 - 1988 Season two Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 2 ) The series underwent significant changes during its second season. Beverly Crusher was replaced as Chief Medical Officer by Katherine Pulaski, played by Diana Muldaur, who had been a guest star in `` Return to Tomorrow '' and `` Is There in Truth No Beauty ? '', two episodes from the original Star Trek series. The ship 's recreational area, Ten - Forward, and its mysterious bartender / advisor, Guinan, played by Whoopi Goldberg, appeared for the first time. Another change was in the opening theme, wherein at the end is a short fanfare. Owing to the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, the number of episodes produced was cut from 26 to 22, and the start of the season was delayed. Because of the strike, the opening episode, `` The Child '', was based on a script originally written for Star Trek : Phase II, while the season finale, `` Shades of Gray '', was a clip show. Nevertheless, season two as a whole was widely regarded as significantly better than season one. Benefiting from Paramount 's commitment to a multiyear run and free from network interference due to syndication, Roddenberry found writers who could work within his guidelines and create drama from the cast 's interaction with the rest of the universe. The plots became more sophisticated and began to mix drama with comic relief. Its focus on character development received special praise. Co-executive producer Maurice Hurley has stated that his primary goal for the season was to plan and execute season - long story arcs and character arcs. Hurley wrote the acclaimed episode `` Q Who '', which featured the first on - screen appearance of the Borg, TNG 's most popular villain. Season two focused on developing the character Data, and two highly regarded episodes from the season, `` Elementary, Dear Data '' and `` The Measure of a Man '', featured him prominently. Miles O'Brien also became a more prominent character during the second season, while Geordi La Forge took the position of Chief Engineer. Klingon issues continued to be explored in well - regarded episodes such as `` A Matter of Honor '' and `` The Emissary '', which introduced Worf 's former lover K'Ehleyr. Five second - season episodes were nominated for six Emmy Awards, and `` Q Who '' won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series. Debuted 1988 - 1989 Season three Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 3 ) Before the production of the third season in the summer of 1989, some personnel changes were made. Head writer Maurice Hurley was let go and Michael Piller took over for the rest of the series. Creator and executive producer Gene Roddenberry took less of an active role due to his declining health. Roddenberry gave Piller and Berman the executive producer jobs, and they remained in that position for the rest of the series ' run, with Berman overseeing the production as a whole and Piller being in charge of the creative direction of the show and the writing room. Doctor Crusher returned from her off - screen tenure at Starfleet Medical to replace Doctor Pulaski, who had remained a guest star throughout the second season. An additional change was the inclusion of the fanfare that was added to the opening credits of the second season, to the end of the closing credits. Ronald D. Moore joined the show after submitting a spec script that became `` The Bonding ''. He became the franchise 's `` Klingon guru '', meaning that he wrote most TNG episodes dealing with the Klingon Empire ( though he wrote some Romulan stories, as well, such as `` The Defector '' ). Writer / producer Ira Steven Behr also joined the show in its third season. Though his tenure with TNG lasted only one year, he later went on to be a writer and showrunner of spin - off series Star Trek : Deep Space Nine. Six third - season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys. `` Yesterday 's Enterprise '' won for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and `` Sins of the Father '' won for Best Art Direction for a Series. After a chiropractor warned that the cast members risked permanent skeletal injury, new two - piece wool uniforms replaced the first two seasons ' extremely tight spandex uniforms. The season finale, the critically acclaimed episode `` The Best of Both Worlds '', was the first season - ending cliffhanger, a tradition that continued throughout the remainder of the series. Debuted 1989 - 1990 Season four Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 4 ) Brannon Braga and Jeri Taylor joined the show in its fourth season. The fourth season surpassed the Original Series in series length with the production of `` The Best of Both Worlds, Part II ''. A new alien race, the Cardassians, made their first appearance in `` The Wounded ''. They later were featured in Star Trek : Deep Space Nine. The season finale, `` Redemption '', was the 100th episode, and the cast and crew ( including creator Gene Roddenberry ) celebrated the historic milestone on the bridge set. Footage of this was seen in the Star Trek 25th - anniversary special hosted by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy which aired later in the year. Seven fourth - season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys. `` The Best of Both Worlds, Part II '' won for both Outstanding Sound Editing in a Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Series. Character Wesley Crusher left the series in season four to go to Starfleet Academy. `` Family '' was the only Star Trek episode not to have a bridge scene during the entire episode and is the only TNG episode where Data does not appear on - screen. Debuted 1990 - 1991 Season five Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 5 ) The fifth season 's seventh episode, `` Unification '', opened with a dedication to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry ( though the prior episode, `` The Game '', aired four days after his death ). Roddenberry, though he had recently died, continued to be credited as executive producer for the rest of the season. The cast and crew learned of his death during the production of `` Hero Worship '', a later season - five episode. Seven fifth - season episodes were nominated for eight Emmys. `` Cost of Living '' won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series, and `` A Matter of Time '' and `` Conundrum '' tied for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects. In addition, `` The Inner Light '' became the first television episode since the 1968 original series Star Trek episode `` The City on the Edge of Forever '' to win a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Season five had the introduction of a jacket for Picard, worn periodically throughout the rest of the show 's run. The observation lounge set was altered with the removal of the gold model starships across the interior wall and the addition of lighting beneath the windows. Recurring character Ensign Ro Laren was introduced in the fifth season. The season 5 finale cliffhanger includes a cameo by Stephen Hawking ( Part I of `` Descent '' ). Debuted 1991 - 1992 Season six Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 6 ) NASA Astronaut Mae Jemison, shown here on a Space Shuttle mission is featured in `` Second Chances '' ( S6E24 ) as a Lieutenant on the Enterprise - D The sixth season brought a new set of changes. Rick Berman and Michael Piller 's time was split between the newly created Star Trek : Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation. Three sixth - season episodes were nominated for Emmys. `` Time 's Arrow, Part II '' won for both Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Hairstyling for a Series, and `` A Fistful of Datas '' won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series. The highest rated episode of Season 6 for Nielsen ratings was `` Relics '', with a rating of 13.9. which featured Scotty played by original series veteran James Doohan. NASA astronaut Mae Jemison plays in Lt. Palmer the Season 6 show `` Second Chances ''. Debuted 1992 - 1993 Season seven Main article : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( season 7 ) The seventh season was The Next Generation 's last. The penultimate episode, `` Preemptive Strike '', concluded the plot line for the recurring character Ensign Ro Laren and introduced themes that continued in Star Trek : Deep Space Nine and Star Trek : Voyager. The Next Generation series finale, `` All Good Things... '', was a double - length episode ( separated into two parts for reruns ) that aired the week of May 19, 1994, revisiting the events of the pilot and providing a bookend to the series. Toronto 's SkyDome played host to a massive event for the series finale. Thousands of people packed the stadium to watch the final episode on the stadium 's JumboTron. Five seventh - season episodes were nominated for nine Emmys, and the series as a whole was the first syndicated television series nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. To this day, The Next Generation is the only syndicated drama to be nominated in this category. `` All Good Things... '' won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects, and `` Genesis '' won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series. `` All Good Things... '' also won the second of the series 's two Hugo Awards. `` All Good Things... '' also achieved the highest Nielson rating for all of Season 7, with a rating of 17.4. The TNG cast went on to make 4 films after the conclusion of Season 7. Between 1994 and 2002 the main Cast of the show went on to star in Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, and Nemesis. Meanwhile, on TV, DS9 continued with some of the prior TNG cast including Worf and O'Brien, and later in Fall of 1994 Frakes ( TNG 's Riker ) guest starred on Deep Space Nine 's `` Defiant '' ( S3E9 ). In January 1995 the new Star Trek TV series Voyager show launched. and the aforementioned Generations movie had hit theaters in November 1994. Even with the loss of the franchise 's guide and visionary, Roddenberry, Star Trek : The Next Generation had launched a golden era of new Trek media which would last well into the 21st century. In the finale of Enterprise, over ten years later Frakes and Sirtis reprising their roles as Riker and Deanna appear on television one last time. In the 2010s a project would be undertaken to convert all of TNG to 1080p High - Definition, and by 2015 it was all released on Blue - Ray, TV, and HD internet steaming services. Debuted 1993 - 1994 Legacy Although the cast members were contracted for eight seasons, Paramount ended The Next Generation after seven, which disappointed and puzzled some of the actors, and was an unusual decision for a successful television show. Paramount then made films using the cast, which it believed would be less successful if the show were still on television. Season eight also would likely have reduced the show 's profitability due to higher cast salaries and a lower price per episode when sold for stripping. The show 's strong ratings continued to the end ; the series finale was ranked number two among all shows that week, between hits Home Improvement and Seinfeld. Star Trek : The Next Generation finale in Season Seven was watched by over 30 million viewers when it concluded in early 1994. TNG would provide the high - water mark in terms of viewership, with a peak of 11.5 million during its 5th Season prior to the launch of DS9, and between 1988 and 1992 it picked up half a million to a million additional viewers per year. Adjusted Nielson Ratings for Star Trek TV Fall 1987 - Spring 1988 : 8.55 Million TNG S1 Fall 1988 - Spring 1989 : 9.14 Million TNG S2 Fall 1989 - Spring 1990 : 9.77 Million TNG S3 Fall 1990 - Spring 1991 : 10.58 Million TNG S4 Fall 1991 - Spring 1992 : 11.50 Million TNG S5 Fall 1992 - Spring 1993 : 10.83 Million TNG S6 ( DS9 S1 Debuted in Spring 1993 ) Fall 1993 - Spring 1994 : 9.78 Million TNG S7 + DS9 S2 Fall 1994 - Spring 1995 : 7.05 Million DS9 S3 + VOY S1 Fall 1995 - Spring 1996 : 6.42 Million DS9 S4 + VOY S2 Fall 1996 - Spring 1997 : 5.03 Million DS9 S5 + VOY S3 Fall 1997 - Spring 1998 : 4.53 Million DS9 S6+ VOY S4 Fall 1998 - Spring 1999 : 4.00 Million DS9 S7 + VOY S5 ( Voyager also had two more seasons ) High - definition project In the 2010s, Star Trek : The Next Generation was re-produced in high - definition ( 1080p ) with a format of 4 : 3 ( 1.33 : 1 ). Many thought would not be possible, but CBS managed to do it and major work was done at CBS Digital. TNG was shot on 35 mm film, which meant the film could be re-scanned to a higher resolution, however, many of the special effects had to be re-produced. Also a 7.1 DTS - HD Master Audio sound option was created. Season 1 achieved 95,000 units in its launch week in 2012. ( further information Blu - Ray releases ) In addition to the Blu - Ray packages, the HD was sold to many online streaming TV providers such as Netflix. The Netflix version included some additional special effect changes. The Blu - ray sets include many special features and videos, such as a 1988 episode of Reading Rainbow where Levar Burton ( on TNG he is cast as Chief Engineer Geordi ) documents the making of a Star Trek : The Next Generation episode. In June 2016 a 41 - disc set was released with over 8000 minutes of TNG - content, including the entire show in 1080p ( 4 : 3 ). Cast Main article : List of Star Trek : The Next Generation cast members Patrick Stewart plays Captain Picard Jonathan Frakes plays First Officer Will Riker Whoopi Goldberg portrays Guinan Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean - Luc Picard is the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Stewart also played the character in the pilot episode of Deep Space Nine and all four TNG theater films Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker is the ship 's first officer. The Riker character was influenced by concepts for first officer Willard Decker in the Star Trek : Phase II television series. Decker 's romantic history with helmsman Ilia was mirrored in The Next Generation in the relationship between Riker and Deanna Troi. Riker also appears in an episode each of Star Trek : Voyager and Star Trek : Enterprise. In addition to William Riker, Frakes played William 's transporter - created double, Thomas, in one episode each of The Next Generation and Star Trek : Deep Space Nine. LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge was initially the ship 's helmsman, but the character became chief engineer beginning in the second season. Burton also played the character in an episode of Voyager. Denise Crosby as Tasha Yar is the chief of security and tactical officer. Crosby left the series at the end of the first season, and the Yar character was killed. Yar returns in alternate timelines in the award - winning episode `` Yesterday 's Enterprise '' and the series finale, `` All Good Things... ''. Crosby also played Commander Sela, Yar 's half - Romulan daughter. Michael Dorn as Worf is a Klingon. Worf initially appears as a junior officer fulfilling several roles on the bridge. When Denise Crosby left at the end of the first season, the Worf character succeeded Lieutenant Yar as the ship 's chief of security and tactical officer. Dorn reprised the role as a regular in seasons four through seven of Star Trek : Deep Space Nine and also played another Klingon, also named Worf, in Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country ; with 282 on screen appearances, Dorn has the most appearances of any actor in the Star Trek franchise. Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher is the Enterprise 's chief medical officer. As a fully certified bridge officer, Dr. Crusher had the ability to command the Enterprise, if circumstances required her to do so. She also, on occasional, commanded night - watch shifts on the ship 's main bridge to stay on top of starship operations. McFadden was fired after the first season, but was rehired for the third season and remained for the remainder of the series. Diana Muldaur as Doctor Katherine Pulaski was created to replace Dr. Crusher for the show 's second season. Muldaur, who previously appeared in two episodes of the original Star Trek, never received billing in the opening credits ; instead, she was listed as a special guest star during the first act. Marina Sirtis as Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi is the half - human, half - Betazoid ship 's counselor. Starting in the season - seven7 episode `` Thine Own Self '', Counselor Troi, having taken and completed the bridge - officer 's test, is later promoted to the rank of commander, which allowed her to take command of the ship, and also perform bridge duties other than those of a ship 's counselor. The character 's relationship with first officer Riker was a carry - over from character ideas developed for Phase II. Troi also appeared in later episodes of Voyager and in the finale of Enterprise. Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data is an android who serves as second officer and operations officer. Data 's `` outsider 's '' perspective on humanity served a similar narrative purpose as Spock 's in the original Star Trek. Spiner also played his `` brother '', Lore, and his creator, Noonien Soong. In Enterprise, Spiner played Noonien 's ancestor, Arik, and contributed a brief voiceover ( heard over the Enterprise - D 's intercom ) in the Enterprise finale. Wil Wheaton as Beverly Crusher 's son Wesley becomes an acting ensign, and later receives a field commission to ensign, before attending Starfleet Academy. After being a regular for the first four seasons, Wheaton appeared sporadically as Wesley Crusher for the remainder of the series. In addition to the series regulars, other recurring characters include : Majel Barrett as Lwaxana Troi is Deanna Troi 's mother and Betazoid ambassador for the United Federation of Planets. She reprised her role in three episodes of Deep Space Nine. Barrett, married to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, previously appeared in the original Star Trek. She also voiced the computer in The Next Generation and other spinoffs. Brian Bonsall as Alexander Rozhenko is Worf 's son. Jon Paul Steuer played Alexander in the character 's first appearance, and James Sloyan played an older, time - traveling version of Alexander in another episode. Marc Worden played the character for his appearances in Deep Space Nine. Rosalind Chao as Keiko O'Brien is Miles O'Brien's wife and a botanist. She also made recurring appearances in Deep Space Nine. John de Lancie as Q is an omnipotent antagonist from the Q Continuum. de Lancie continued playing the Q character in both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan is the El - Aurian bartender in the ship 's Ten Forward Lounge. Michelle Forbes as Ensign Ro Laren is a Bajoran helmsman, who is later promoted to the rank of lieutenant in season seven. That same season, however, she resigns from Starfleet to become a member of a group of renegade federation colonists known as `` the Maquis ''. Forbes ' character was considered for use in Deep Space Nine, although producers eventually developed a new character, Kira Nerys. Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien is an unnamed helmsman in the show 's pilot, and appears several times in other positions during the first season. The character was eventually given a rank of Chief Petty Officer, and developed into the transporter chief. Meaney portrayed O'Brien for seven seasons as a series regular on Deep Space Nine. Robert O'Reilly as Gowron is leader of the Klingon High Council. O'Reilly also appeared as Gowron in Deep Space Nine. O'Reilly appeared in an episode of Enterprise as a different character. Dwight Schultz as Lieutenant Reginald Barclay is a technician and engineer who also plays a prominent role in the later seasons of Voyager. Patti Yasutake as Ensign Alyssa Ogawa is a nurse in Dr. Crusher 's sickbay. There were certain big changes for regular characters, the major one was that Tasha Yar is only in season one, and Wesley left for Starfleet Academy in Season 4. In Season 2 the doctor is Pulaski not Crusher, but Crusher does come back and remains the ship 's doctor thereafter ( In All Good Things it is revealed she eventually marries Picard and has her own starship command, thus becoming the new Captain Picard, as he retired to tend a vineyard ). In many cases the characters, or at least the actors, come back to act in some role on the show. There are many reoccurring characters, some of them have actually more appearances in episodes than Tasha. ( See List of Star Trek : The Next Generation cast members # Appearances for a more in - depth table ) Enterprise - D Characters Season 1 - 7 ( examples ) Character Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Captain Picard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes William Riker Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Geordi La Forge Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Worf Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Data Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Deanna Troi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Beverly Crusher Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Guinan No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Wesley Crusher Yes Yes Yes Yes 2 ep. No 2 ep. Tasha Yar Yes No 1 ep. No No No 1 ep. Katherine Pulaski No Yes No No No No No The character Q is very famous, and appeared in the first and last duologies, but overall only appeared in 8 shows Notable guest appearances Further information : Star Trek crossovers DeForest Kelley has a scene as his famous Doctor McCoy character in the pilot episode of TNG The Next Generation included several guest characters who appeared in other iterations of Star Trek, and also introduced characters who appeared in later spinoffs and films. James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, Mark Lenard, and Leonard Nimoy appeared as the original Star Trek characters Montgomery Scott, Leonard McCoy, Sarek, and Spock, respectively. Merritt Butrick, Robin Curtis, Judson Scott, David Warner, and Paul Winfield played characters in various Star Trek films and later had roles in The Next Generation. Additionally, Alexander Siddig and Armin Shimerman played their Deep Space Nine characters, Julian Bashir and Quark, in episodes of The Next Generation. Before being cast in Deep Space Nine, Shimerman had played several Ferengi characters in The Next Generation. Jennifer Hetrick ( Vash ), Barbara March ( Lursa ), Richard Poe ( Evek ), and Gwynyth Walsh ( B'Etor ) reprised their Next Generation characters on Deep Space Nine. Several actors who appeared in Star Trek : The Next Generation later played other roles within the franchise. These include Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, and Tim Russ, who played Tom Paris, Neelix, and Tuvok, respectively, on Voyager. Salome Jens and James Sloyan appeared in episodes of The Next Generation before landing recurring roles in Deep Space Nine. Suzie Plakson and Tony Todd also appeared in The Next Generation, and they later played roles in both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Marc Alaimo, who depicted one of the franchise 's first Cardassians in The Next Generation, later played the Cardassian Dukat throughout Deep Space Nine 's seven seasons. Like Armin Shimerman, Max Grodénchik played a Ferengi in The Next Generation before being cast as a recurring Ferengi, Rom, in Deep Space Nine. Emmy Award - winner James Cromwell appeared twice in The Next Generation, and he played Zefram Cochrane in the second Next Generation film, First Contact. Other notable guest actors in the show include Erich Anderson, Billy Campbell, Nikki Cox, Ronny Cox, Olivia d'Abo, Kirsten Dunst, Mick Fleetwood, Matt Frewer, Walter Gotell, Kelsey Grammer, Bob Gunton, Teri Hatcher, Stephen Hawking ( as himself ), Famke Janssen, Mae Jemison, Ken Jenkins, Ashley Judd, Sabrina Le Beauf, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Terry O'Quinn, Michelle Phillips, Joe Piscopo, Gina Ravera, Jean Simmons, Paul Sorvino, Brenda Strong, James Worthy, Tracey Walter, Liz Vassey, David Ogden Stiers, Ray Walston, Ray Wise, and John Tesh. Story arcs & themes Star Trek had a number of story arcs within the larger story, and oftentimes different episodes contributed to two or more different story or character arcs. These could be grouped in different ways, and one way was by the aliens they were interacting with, for example TNG introduced the Borg and the Cardassians. The Klingons and Romulans had been introduced in the original series ( 1966 -- 69 ) ; however, the Klingons were somewhat re-booted with `` turtle - head '' look, although a retcon was given for this in an Enterprise episode. Another way to group them is by a certain character such as Q or Ro Laren or by a technology like the holo - deck, and there were many other alien encounters ( usually funny foreheads, face - paint, or no - body ). Often the plot for alien encounters involved some eccentric alien nature that caused tensions, revealed at the end Alien sagas The Borg : Q Who ( May 8, 1989 ) - introduces Borg also a Q - show The Best of Both Worlds, Part I & Part II ( June 18, 1990 & September 24, 1990 ) - Major Borg diptych Family ( October 1, 1990 ) - Aftermath of BoBW I, Borg ( May 10, 1992 ) - Introduces Hue Descent, Part I & Part II ( June 21, 1993 & September 20, 1993 ) - Another Borg diptych Certain episodes go deeper into the Klingon alien saga, which are famous for having an actual Klingon language made for them in the trekiverse. The Klingon stories usually involve Worf, but not all Worf - centric shows are focused on Klingons. The famous Duras sisters, a Klingon duo Lursa and B'Etor, were introduced on TNG in 1991 on Redemption ( S5 - S5 bridge ) and they later appeared in the film Generations Klingon stories ( examples ) : `` Heart of Glory '' ( S1E20 ) `` A Matter of Honor ( S2E8 ) - Riker on a Klingon vessel `` Sins of the Father '' ( S3E17 ) ( introduces Worf 's brother Kurn ) `` Redemption '' ( S4 - S5 cliffhanger and bridge, two parts ) ( Explores Klingon politics and homeworld ) `` Birthright '' ( S6E16 & S6E17, two - part episode ) `` Rightful Heir '' ( S6E23 ) - Introduces Kahless `` Firstborn '' ( TNG S7E21 ) ( Alexander - Worf focused episode ) The Klingon saga established by TNG was significantly continued on the Deep Space Nine tv show, which continued the Worf character for another 4 seasons Characters Brent Spiner left, stars as the android Data on the show and all four movies, and also plays Data 's `` father '' and `` brother '' Reginald Barclay ( played by A-Team veteran Dwight Schultz ) stories : Hollow Pursuits The Nth Degree Realm of Fear Ship in a Bottle Barclay 's character also has several important episodes Star Trek Voyager TV show such as Projections ( Star Trek : Voyager ). Lore is an android like Data, and is played by the same actor. Lore was introduced in S1E13. Datalore ( January 18, 1988 ) Brothers ( October 8, 1990 ) Descent, Part II ( September 20, 1993 ) Actor John de Lancie plays the role of the mysterious but powerful alien known as Q Q `` Encounter at Farpoint '' diptych `` Hide and Q '' `` Q Who ? '' `` Déjà Q '' `` Qpid '' `` True Q '' `` Tapestry '' `` All Good Things... '' diptych Also the 1996 computer game Star Trek : Borg includes video segments with actor John de Lancie as Q Theme A thematic grouping is also possible, and a number of TNG dabbled in softcore terror / horror Night Terrors ( March 18, 1991 ) Schisms ( October 19, 1992 ) Chain of Command, Part I & Part II ( December 14, 1992 & December 21, 1992 ) Frame of Mind ( May 3, 1993 ) Sub Rosa ( January 31, 1994 ) Genesis ( March 21, 1994 ) Reception See also : List of awards and nominations received by Star Trek : The Next Generation Exhibit in Los Angeles featuring the crew quarters of Captain Picard ( uniform shown ) The Next Generation 's average of 20 million viewers often exceeded both existing syndication successes such as Wheel of Fortune and network hits including Cheers and L.A. Law. Benefiting in part from many stations ' decision to air each new episode twice in a week, it consistently ranked in the top ten among hour - long dramas, and networks could not prevent affiliates from preempting their shows with The Next Generation or other dramas that imitated its syndication strategy. Star Trek : The Next Generation received 18 Emmy Awards and, in its seventh season, became the first and only syndicated television show to be nominated for the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series. It was nominated for three Hugo Awards and won two. The first - season episode `` The Big Goodbye '' also won the Peabody Award for excellence in television programming. In 1997, the episode `` The Best of Both Worlds, Part I '' was ranked No. 70 on TV Guide 's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. In 2002, Star Trek : The Next Generation was ranked # 46 on TV Guide 's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time list, and in 2008, was ranked No. 37 on Empire 's list of the 50 greatest television shows. On October 7, 2006, one of the three original filming models of the USS Enterprise - D used on the show sold at a Christie 's auction for USD $576,000, making it the highest - selling item at the event. The buyer of the piece was Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, owner of the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. The piece is on display within the Science Fiction Museum. In 2012, Entertainment Weekly listed the show at No. 7 in the `` 25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years '', saying, `` The original Star Trek was cult TV before cult TV was even a thing, but its younger, sleeker offspring brought, yes, a new generation into the Trekker fold, and reignited the promise of sci - fi on television. '' Although TNG did develop a cult following, it was noted for its prime - time general audience viewership also. The flute from `` Inner Light '' was valued at only a few hundred to perhaps 1000 USD when it went to auction, but was sold for over 40,000 ; in this case the auctioneers admitted they had underestimated the appeal of the prop. In the days leading up to the auction, Denise Okuda, former Trek scenic artist and video supervisor, as well as co-writer of the auction catalog, said : `` That 's the item people say they really have to have, because it 's so iconic to a much - beloved episode. '' Episodes with highest Nielsen ratings ( Examples ) `` All Good Things... '' ( 1994 ), the finale achieved a rating of 17.4 `` Encounter at Farpoint '' ( 1987 ), rating of 15.7 `` Unification '' ( 1991 ), 15.4, a duology featuring Leonard Nimoy as Spoc in Part II brought in the highest Nielsen ratingsof that Season, and the one of the highest known for TNG except for the pilot and finale. `` Aquiel '' ( 1993 ), 14.1 ( Featured Guest star Renée Jones as Aquiel ) `` A Matter of Time '' ( 1991 ), 13.9 ( Featuring guest star Matt Frewer as a time traveler ) `` Relics '' ( 1992 ), 13.9 ( This one featured James Doohan as Scotty ) `` Time 's Arrow, Part II '' ( 1992 ), 13.8 ( S6 opener and conclusion of the Time 's Arrow duology ) `` Tapestry '' ( 1993 ), 13.8 ( Q - show ) DS9 's `` The Emissary '', which came out half - way through season 6 of TNG achieved a Nielsen rating of 18.8. Star Trek 's ratings went into a steady decline starting with Season 6 of TNG, and the second to last episode of DS9 achieved a Nielsen rating of 3.9. Computer and video games A diagram of the Enterprise - D is shown on console from the `` main engineering '' Examples of video games based on The Next Generation TV series, movies, and characters include : Star Trek : The Next Generation ( 1993 ) Star Trek : The Next Generation : Future 's Past ( 1993 ), for the SNES Star Trek : The Next Generation : Echoes from the Past ( 1993 ) a port of Futures Past for the Sega Genesis Star Trek Generations : Beyond the Nexus ( 1994 ), for Nintendo Game Boy or Sega Game Gear Star Trek : The Next Generation -- A Final Unity ( 1995 ), for MS - DOS or Macintosh A Final Unity sold 500,000 copies by 1996. Star Trek : Borg ( 1996 ) ( Includes live action segments directed by James L. Conway and acting by John de Lancie as Q ) Star Trek Generations ( 1997 ), for IBM PC Star Trek : The Next Generation : Klingon Honor Guard ( 1998 ), for Mac and Windows 95 and 98 Star Trek : Hidden Evil ( 1999 ), for Windows 95 and 98 Star Trek Invasion ( 2000 ), for the PlayStation Star Trek Armada ( 2000 ), for Microsoft Windows 98 Star Trek : Armada II ( 2001 ) Star Trek : Bridge Commander ( 2002 ) Star Trek : Conquest ( 2002 ) ( Wii, PlayStation 2 ) The Enterprise and its setting is also in other Trekiverse games like Star Trek : Armada ( 2000 ), by which time it was common to have a game set in the time and place inhabited by TNG, but also occupied by two more television shows and the films. For example, in Star Trek : Armada voice actors from The Next Generation contributed to their characters in the game including Patrick Stewart reprised the roles of Jean - Luc Picard and Locutus, Michael Dorn voiced Worf, Denise Crosby reprised Sela, and J.G. Hertzler voiced Chancellor Martok. Several other voice actors who had been previously unaffiliated with Star Trek also voiced characters in the game, among them was Richard Penn. Star Trek : Armada II was set in the Star Trek : The Next Generation era of the Star Trek universe. Star Trek : Hidden Evil, which came out in 1999 not only included voice acting by Brent Spiner as Data and Patrick Stewart as Picard, but the story was a follow - on from the ninth Star Trek movie, Star Trek : Insurrection. Films Main article : Star Trek ( film series ) Levar Burton stars as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in all four TNG movies between 1994 and 2002 Michael Dorn also had a scene as Worf in Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country. The Worf character would also continue for another 4 seasons on the DS9 spin - off TV show and was in all four TNG films Four films feature the characters of the series : Star Trek Generations ( 1994 ), Star Trek : First Contact ( 1996 ), Star Trek : Insurrection ( 1998 ), and Star Trek : Nemesis ( 2002 ). Worf played by Dorn also appeared in Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country. ` ` I think it was kind of an honor they had my character be sort of the link between the two series. It was wonderful to be working with the other cast ( from the original Star Trek series ). It was kind of a fantasy because who would have thought when I was watching the original show that I ` d be working in the movie ? Beyond that, it ` s like professionalism takes over and you just kind of do the best you can and not make yourself look bad -- Mr. Dorn on his role in Undiscovered Country Gross with TNG - cast ST films ( not - inflation adjusted ) Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country $74,888,996 Released 12 / 6 / 91 Star Trek : Generations ( also has some TOS cast ) $75,671,125 Released 11 / 18 / 94 Star Trek : First Contact $92,027,888 Released 11 / 22 / 96 Star Trek : Insurrection $70,187,658 Released 12 / 11 / 98 Star Trek : Nemesis $43,254,409 12 / 13 / 02 Lenard Nimoy as Spock also had some TNG episodes ( e.g. Unification ( Star Trek : The Next Generation ) and was featured in the re-boot Star Trek film in 2009 Starting with First Contact, they get a new ship the Enterprise - E with a similar but modified designed as the D - model featured in TV and in Generations Release History VHS All episodes of Star Trek : The Next Generation were made available on VHS cassettes, starting in 1991. The entire series was gradually released on VHS over the next few years during the remainder of the show 's run and after the show had ended. The VHS for TNG were available on mail - order usually two episodes per VHS cassette. LaserDisc Paramount published all episodes on the LaserDisc format from October 1991 using an extended release schedule that concluded in May 1999. Each disc featured two episodes with Closed Captions, Digital Audio, and CX encoding. Also published were four themed `` collections '', or boxed sets, of related episodes. These included The Borg Collective, The Q Continuum, Worf : Return to Grace, and The Captains Collection. There was a production error with episode 166, `` Sub Rosa '', where a faulty master tape was used that was missing 41⁄2 minutes of footage. Though a new master copy of the episode was obtained, no corrected pressing of this disc was issued. Star Trek : The Next Generation was also released on LaserDisc in the non-US markets Japan and Europe. In Japan, all episodes were released in a series of 14 boxed sets ( two boxed sets per season ), and as with the US releases were in the NTSC format and ordered by production code. The European laserdiscs were released in the PAL format and included the ten two - part telemovies as well as a disc featuring the episodes Yesterday 's Enterprise and Cause And Effect. The pilot episode, Encounter At Farpoint, was also included in a boxed set called Star Trek : The Pilots featuring the pilot episodes from Star Trek : The Original Series, Star Trek : The Next Generation, Star Trek : Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek : Voyager. DVD The first season of the series was released on DVD in March 2002. Throughout the year the next six seasons were released at various times on DVD, with the seventh season being released in December 2002. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series, CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment released Star Trek : The Next Generation -- The Complete Series on October 2, 2007. The DVD box set contains 49 discs. Between March 2006 and September 2008, `` Fan Collective '' editions were released containing select episodes of The Next Generation ( and The Original Series, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager ) based on various themes. The individual episodes were chosen by fans voting on StarTrek.com. In total, six `` Fan Collectives '' were produced, along with a boxed set containing the first five collectives. In April 2013 all seven seasons of Star Trek : The Next Generation were re-released in new packaging featuring a silhouette of a different cast member on each box. However, the discs contained the identical content that was previously released in 2002. Blu - Ray The original show was shot on high - quality 35 mm film, but had to be downscaled before editing and postprocessing to standard ' 80s and ' 90s TV resolution ( video quality ) for broadcast. The show 's final visual effects ( e.g. all exterior shots of the starship Enterprise, phaser fire or beaming fade - ins and - outs ) were also composed only in standard resolution video. All previous home video and DVD releases used this severely downscaled version. To include such footage on Blu - ray, using only upscaling, would have resulted in a larger but blurred image, so CBS decided to use a more detailed approach to bring the show to high definition. They also opted to adhere to the show 's original 4 : 3 aspect ratio. A news release on the official website announced on September 28, 2011, in celebration of the series ' twenty - fifth anniversary, that Star Trek : The Next Generation would be completely re-mastered in 1080p and 4k high definition from the original 35 mm film negatives ( consisting of almost 25,000 reels of original film stock ). All the visual effects for each episode would be digitally recomposed from original large - format negatives and newly created CGI shots. The release would be accompanied by 7.1 DTS Master Audio. An initial disc featuring the episodes `` Encounter at Farpoint '', `` Sins of the Father '', and `` The Inner Light '' was released on January 31, 2012 under the label `` The Next Level ''. The six - disc first season set was released on July 24, 2012. The remaining seasons were released periodically thereafter, culminating in the release of the seventh season on December 2, 2014. The entire re-mastered series is available on Blu - ray as individual seasons, and as a 41 - disc box set titled The Full Journey. Eventually, all remastered episodes will also be available for television syndication and digital distribution. Mike Okuda believes this is the largest film restoration project ever attempted. Season Release date Special features Season One July 24, 2012 Documentaries `` Energized ! '' ( about the VFX remastering ) and `` Stardate Revisited '' ( Origin ) Season Two December 4, 2012 Extended version of `` The Measure of a Man '', Reunification : reunion interview with entire TNG cast. Season Three April 30, 2013 Inside the Writer 's Room, Resistance is Futile : Assimilating TNG, A Tribute to Michael Piller Season Four July 30, 2013 In Conversation : The Star Trek Art Department, Relativity : The Family Saga of Star Trek TNG, Deleted scenes Season Five November 19, 2013 In Conversation : The Music of TNG, Requiem : A Remembrance of TNG, Deleted scenes Season Six June 24, 2014 Beyond the Five Year Mission - The Evolution of Star Trek : The Next Generation, Deleted scenes Season Seven December 2, 2014 The Sky 's the Limit -- The Eclipse of Star Trek : The Next Generation, In Conversation : Lensing Star Trek : The Next Generation, deleted scenes Standalone episodes When TNG was re-made into 1080p, several episodes were released as stand - alone single show Blu - Ray products. This includes `` The Best of Both Worlds '' `` Redemption '' `` Unification '' `` Chain of Command '' `` All Good Things... '' The Measure of a Man HD extended cut Main article : The Measure of a Man ( Star Trek : The Next Generation ) A famous episode, `` The Measure of a Man ``, which broke - out of entertainment into academia was released in HD in 2012 with an extended cut. The extended version includes an extra 13 minutes of footage as well as recreated special effects. It was released as part of the Season 2 collection set. Spin - offs and the franchise Re-creation of the TNG starship bridge for Star Trek : The Exhibition Star Trek : The Next Generation spawned a lot of media set in its science - fiction vision, which was primarily the 2370s but set in the same universe as first Star Trek TV shows of the 1960s. This included the aforementioned films, computer games, board games, theme parks etc. In the 2010s there was still discussion about a Captain Worf spin - off, the Bridge officer that debuted on TNG and was also featured in the TNG spin - off show Deep Space Nine, which itself had quite a following. Star Trek TNG - era Novels ( examples ) : Balance of Power ( Star Trek ) The Children of Hamlin Dark Mirror ( Star Trek novel ) Death in Winter The Devil 's Heart I, Q Immortal Coil Imzadi The Peacekeepers Planet X ( Star Trek ) Star Trek : The Q Continuum Q - in - Law Rogue ( Star Trek ) Rogue Saucer Star Trek : The Lost Era Star Trek : Typhon Pact Star Trek : Stargazer Strike Zone Survivors ( Star Trek ) Star Trek : A Time to... Star Trek : Titan Vendetta ( Star Trek ) These are the voyages... ( 2005 ) Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis returned to their The Next Generation roles for the series finale of Enterprise. In 2005, the last episode of `` Enteprise '' called `` These Are the Voyages... '' ( S4E22 ) featured a holodeck simulation on the USS Enterprise ( NCC - 1701 - D ) from Star Trek : The Next Generation during the events of the episode `` The Pegasus '' and the return of Commander William Riker ( Jonathan Frakes ) and Counselor Deanna Troi ( Marina Sirtis ). It was written by Berman and Braga, who noted ``... this was a very cool episode because it has a great concept driving it ''. Star Trek : Enterprise was TV show launched following Star Trek : Voyager conclusion, and was set 100 years before TOS and 200 years before TNG, in addition to including some soft re-boot elements with an all new cast. Some episodes connected to TNG directly including guest stars by Brent Spiner and connections to the events in TNG 's fictional universe. The three - episode story arc consisting of `` Borderland '', `` Cold Station 12 '', and `` The Augments '', with a Soong ancestor portrayed by The Next Generation regular Brent Spiner provides some backstory to Data 's back - story. Also Affliction ( Star Trek : Enterprise ) also helps explain the smooth - headed Klingons that sometimes appeared, a theatrically presented retcon and backstory that helped explain this varying presentation between TOS, TNG, and Films Star Trek would not return to television as a show for over 12 years, until the debut of Star Trek : Discovery on CBS, but thereafter exclusively available on the internet service CBS All Access ( Neflix Internationally ) at that time. The film franchise was rebooted under the Kelvin timeline was quite successful, with several blockbusters from 2009 and featuring scenes with Spock Context This infographic shows the first - run production timeline of various Star Trek franchise shows and films, including Star Trek : The Next Generation The re-production of TNG into HD was done in the 2010s. See also Science Fiction portal Star Trek portal Cultural influence of Star Trek List of Star Trek : The Next Generation episodes List of comic books based on Star Trek : The Next Generation List of Star Trek Starfleet starships ordered by class ( Includes many fictional spacecraft from TNG, but also the wider Star Trek franchise ) References Jump up ^ `` Star Trek : The Next Generation ''. CBS.com. http://www.cbs.com/shows/star_trek_the_next_generation/ Jump up ^ Trek Core Staff. `` Selling... Into Syndication ''. Trek Core. 12 October 2014. http://trekcore.com/blog/2014/10/advertising-archive-selling-tng-in-syndication/ Jump up ^ Thill, Scott. `` Warping into Star Trek : The Next Generation 's 25 Years... ''. Wired. 28 September 2012. https://www.wired.com/2012/09/star-trek-tng25-ron-moore/ ^ Jump up to : Schmuckler, Eric ( July 24, 1994 ). `` TELEVISION : Profits, Reruns and the End of ' Next Generation ' ''. The New York Times. ^ Jump up to : `` The Trek Nation - Star Trek Ratings History ''. www.trektoday.com. ^ Jump up to : Nemeck, Larry ( 2003 ). Star Trek : The Next Generation Companion. Pocket Books. ISBN 0 - 7434 - 5798 - 6. Jump up ^ `` Article 99 ''. ^ Jump up to : Harmetz, Aljean ( November 2, 1986 ). `` New ' Star Trek ' Plan Reflects Symbiosis of TV and Movies ''. The New York Times. p. 31. Retrieved February 11, 2015. Jump up ^ Nemecek, Larry ( 1992 ). `` Rebirth ''. In Stern, Dave. The Star Trek The Next Generation Companion. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10020 : Pocket Books. p. 1. ISBN 0 - 671 - 79460 - 4. ^ Jump up to : Teitelbaum, Sheldon ( May 5, 1991 ). `` How Gene Roddenberry and his Brain Trust Have Boldly Taken ' Star Trek ' Where No TV Series Has Gone Before : Trekking to the Top ''. Los Angeles Times. p. 16. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Roddenberry names new Star Trek crew ''. The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Associated Press. May 21, 1987. pp. C3. Retrieved May 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek Rick Berman Bio ''. Retrieved April 22, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Gendel, Morgan ( October 11, 1986 ). `` NEW ` TREK ' IS ON THE LAUNCH PAD ''. Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2011. Jump up ^ `` VIDEO : Patrick Stewart On Expecting TNG To Fail, Roddenberry v Berman, Star Trek ' Albatross ' + more ''. June 22, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Okuda, Michael and Rick Sternbach ( 1991 ). Star Trek : The Next Generation Technical Manual. Pocket Books. ISBN 0 - 671 - 70427 - 3. ^ Jump up to : Weinstein, Steve ( May 3, 1988 ). `` Newest ' Star Trek ' Zooms at Warp Speed : ' Next Generation ' Series Scores With Viewers and Critics Alike ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 11, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Pearson, Roberta ( 2011 ). `` Cult Television as Digital Television 's Cutting Edge ''. In Bennett, James ; Strange, Niki. Television as Digital Media. Duke University Press. pp. 105 -- 131. ISBN 0 - 8223 - 4910 - 8. ^ Jump up to : Davies, Máire Messenger ; Roberta Pearson ( 2007 ). `` The Little Program That Could : The Relationship Between NBC and Star Trek ''. In Hilmes, Michele ; Henry, Michael Lowell. NBC : America 's Network. University of California Press. ISBN 0 - 520 - 25079 - 6. Jump up ^ Alexander, David ( 1994 ). Star Trek Creator : The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry. Roc. ISBN 0 - 451 - 45440 - 5. ^ Jump up to : Harmetz, Aljean ( October 4, 1987 ). `` Syndicated ' Star Trek ' Puts Dent in Networks ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Cerone, Daniel ( November 6, 1992 ). `` ' Star Trek ' -- Still on the Beam : Television : One year after creator Gene Roddenberry 's death, the born - again series tops the syndication charts ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 11, 2011. ^ Jump up to : McClellan, Steve ( February 17, 1992 ). `` HOUR DRAMA BOLDLY GOING TO FIRST - RUN ''. Broadcasting. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ Cerone, Daniel ( November 1, 1992 ). `` TELEVISION : Action, Adventure, Aliens... Ratings ? : Syndication is going where the action was. Mixing revivals of old TV hits with brand - new series, programmers are pinning hopes on a once - vibrant genre ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 11, 2011. Jump up ^ `` IMDB Technical Specifications for Star Trek : The Next Generation ''. Retrieved February 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Dillard, J.M. ( 1994 ). Star Trek : `` Where No One Has Gone Before '' : A History in Pictures ( Star Trek ( Trade / hardcover ) ). Pocket Books. pp. 130 -- 131. ISBN 0 - 671 - 51149 - 1. The writers were being rewritten by Gene, and there was a lot of tumult because people did n't know where they stood. ^ Jump up to : `` DVD Journal : Star Trek : The Next Generation : Season One ''. ^ Jump up to : `` DVD Verdict : Star Trek : The Next Generation, Season One ''. Jump up ^ `` Sci Fi Weekly : Star Trek : The Next Generation -- Season One DVD ''. Jump up ^ Beale, Lewis ( July 21, 1987 ). `` A Visit to ' Star Trek : The Next Generation ' ''. Deseret News. Los Angeles Daily News. pp. 4T. Retrieved May 9, 2011. Jump up ^ Dougan, Michael ( October 3, 1987 ). `` Going where no cast has gone before... '' Nashua Telegraph. Scripps Howard News Service. p. 16. Retrieved May 9, 2011. Jump up ^ MacMillin, Guy ( October 30, 1987 ). `` New ' Star Trek ' looks promising ''. Bowling Green Daily News. Bowling Green, Kentucky. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved May 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` ( TNG ) Season 1 - 2 Ratings Archive ''. January 19, 2001. ^ Jump up to : `` DVD Verdict : Star Trek : The Next Generation, Season Two ''. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek : The Next Generation Season Two DVD Special Features. Jump up ^ `` Sci Fi Weekly : Star Trek : The Next Generation -- Season Two DVD ''. Jump up ^ `` The DVD Journal : Star Trek : The Next Generation : Season Two ''. Jump up ^ `` StarTrek.com Biography of Ira Steven Behr ''. Retrieved February 6, 2010. Jump up ^ Is it true that you got back ache from your costume ? -- BBC 's Interview with actor Patrick Stewart ( Captain Picard ) ^ Jump up to : `` ( TNG ) Season 5 - 6 Ratings Archive ''. January 19, 2001. Jump up ^ `` A Q&A with astronaut Mae Jemison, first black woman in space ''. Jump up ^ `` LeVar Burton Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story ''. Biography.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` ( TNG ) Season 7 Ratings Archive ''. February 10, 2001. ^ Jump up to : Schmuckler, Eric ( July 24, 1994 ). `` Profits, Reruns and the End of ' Next Generation ' ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2011. Jump up ^ Svetkey, Benjamin ( May 6, 1994 ). `` Star Trek : The Next Generation readies for last episode ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Hunt, Bill ( December 23, 2014 ). `` Star Trek : The Next Generation - Season Seven ''. ^ Jump up to : Collura, Scott ( December 3, 2012 ). `` Star Trek : The Next Generation - Season Two Blu - ray Review ''. Jump up ^ `` Blu - ray Sales : Star Trek 's Next Generation Debut - The Numbers ''. ^ Jump up to : Staff, TrekCore. `` Netflix Brings VFX Fixes to STAR TREK : TNG in HD - TrekCore Blog ''. trekcore.com. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek : The Next Generation : The Full Journey Blu - ray ''. Jump up ^ `` Geek Trivia : Which Actor Has The Most Appearances In The Star Trek Universe ? ''. Retrieved October 26, 2016. Jump up ^ Pascale, Anthony. `` Rick Berman Talks 18 Years of Trek In Extensive Oral History ''. TrekMovie.com. Retrieved April 6, 2014. Jump up ^ Erdmann, Terry J. ; Paula M. Block ( August 1, 2000 ). Deep Space Nine Companion. Pocket Books. ISBN 0 - 671 - 50106 - 2. Jump up ^ `` Special Collector 's Issue : 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time ''. TV Guide ( June 28 -- July 4 ). 1997. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows ''. CBS News. April 26, 2002. Retrieved January 8, 2012. Jump up ^ `` The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time ''. Empire Magazine. December 5, 2006. Retrieved July 9, 2012. Jump up ^ `` ' Star Trek ' Model Fetches Over $500,000 ( link inactive as of Nov 10, 2008 ) ''. ABC News. October 7, 2006. Archived from the original on January 2, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` 25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years. '' Entertainment Weekly. August 3, 2012, pp. 38 -- 39. Jump up ^ Two to bid up ! First auction of ' Star Trek ' stuff MSNBC Archived September 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. ^ Jump up to : Christie 's 1778 - 0537, Picard 's Ressikan Flute, Star Trek Propcollector.com at the Star Trek Auction Listings Archive Jump up ^ Puente, Maria ( 2006 - 09 - 26 ). `` Boldly bid where no fan has bid before ''. USA Today. Retrieved 2011 - 06 - 24. Jump up ^ `` ( TNG ) Season 1 - 2 Ratings Archive ''. February 10, 2001. Jump up ^ `` WebTrek - Star Trek : Deep Space Nine * SEASON 1 NIELSEN RATINGS ''. users.telenet.be. Jump up ^ `` WebTrek - Star Trek : Deep Space Nine * SEASON 7 NIELSEN RATINGS ''. users.telenet.be. Jump up ^ Poole, Stephen ( 1996 ). `` Vaporware Hall of Shame ''. GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 5, 1997. ^ Jump up to : `` Star Trek Armada II Announced ''. Game Monkeys. February 14, 2001. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 16. Jump up ^ `` J.G. Hertzler ''. Voice Chasers. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek Armada ''. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved Dec 30, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Star Trek : Hidden Evil ''. IGN. December 2, 1999. Retrieved April 14, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` That Macho Lt. Worf Is A Nice Guy -- - Really ''. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek Movies at the Box Office - Box Office Mojo ''. www.boxofficemojo.com. ^ Jump up to : Young, Blaine ( April 19, 2003 ). `` Star Trek : The Next Generation ''. Blam Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 31, 2015. Jump up ^ `` TV ''. ew.com. Jump up ^ Staff, StarTrek.com ( September 28, 2011 ). `` Star Trek The Next Generation Blu - rays Launch in 2012 ''. Startrek.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Star Trek : The Next Generation : Blu - Ray Release ''. Retrieved July 10, 2012. Jump up ^ `` EXCLUSIVE : Ryan Adams & David S. Grant Interview, Part I TrekCore Blog ''. Tng.trekcore.com. October 4, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Staff, TrekCore. `` New STAR TREK TOS, TNG Box Sets Coming in June - TrekCore Blog ''. trekcore.com. Jump up ^ Walker, Adam. `` ' Measure of a Man ' Extended Cut Details : New Visual Effects - TrekCore Blog ''. trekcore.com. Jump up ^ `` Trek Reviews : The Extended Version Of Star Trek TNG ' The Measure Of A Man ' - Trek Mate ''. www.trekmate.org.uk. Jump up ^ `` Michael Dorn Confirms He 's Working on a ' Star Trek : Captain Worf ' TV Series ( UPDATED ) ''. September 3, 2012. Jump up ^ Perigard, Mark A. ( May 12, 2005 ). `` To boldly flop ; ` Enterprise ' fans will want to be transported away from finale ''. Boston Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2014. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ Amatangelo, Amy ( May 12, 2005 ). `` Producers : Show fits time - space continuum ''. The Boston Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2014. ( subscription required ) External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Star Trek : The Next Generation. Wikiquote has quotations related to : Star Trek : The Next Generation Star Trek : The Next Generation on IMDb Star Trek : The Next Generation at TV.com Star Trek : The Next Generation at StarTrek.com Star Trek : The Next Generation at Memory Alpha ( a Star Trek wiki ) Star Trek : The Next Generation at Memory Beta Star Trek : The Next Generation at CBS.com Star Trek : The Next Generation on Hulu.com Star Trek : The Next Generation at TV Guide TrekCore.com -- Library of DVD screen captures ( still images ) from every episode of The Next Generation. Star Trek Outline Timeline Canon Television series The Original Series episodes The Animated Series episodes The Next Generation episodes Deep Space Nine episodes Voyager episodes Enterprise episodes Discovery episodes Feature films The Original Series The Motion Picture The Wrath of Khan The Search for Spock The Voyage Home The Final Frontier The Undiscovered Country The Next Generation Generations First Contact Insurrection Nemesis Reboot ( Kelvin Timeline ) Star Trek Into Darkness Beyond Setting Characters A -- F G -- M N -- S T -- Z Concepts Games Kobayashi Maru Law Prime Directive Materials Dilithium Sexuality Pon farr Stardate Locations Galactic quadrant Mirror Universe Planets A -- B C -- F G -- L M -- Q R -- S T -- Z Cultures and species Andorian Bajoran Borg Breen Cardassian Dominion Ferengi Rules of Acquisition Gorn Kazon Klingon language Maquis Orion Q Romulan Species 8472 United Federation of Planets Starfleet Academy Section 31 Tribble Vidiians Vulcan nerve pinch salute Xindi Technology Communicator Deflector shields Holodeck Hypospray Impulse drive LCARS Medicine Replicator Spacecraft Deep Space Nine Defiant Earth Spacedock Enterprise NX - 01 NCC - 1701 Shuttlecraft Voyager Starships ordered by class Transporter Tricorder Uniforms Warp drive Weapons Bat'leth Production List of staff Gene Roddenberry Norway Corporation Composers and music musical theme `` Where no man has gone before '' `` Beam me up, Scotty '' Redshirt Unmade projects The God Thing Planet of the Titans Phase II Spin - off fiction Games Literature Comics Novels Reference books Stage A Klingon Christmas Carol Klingon opera Documentaries Trekkies Mind Meld Trekkies 2 How William Shatner Changed the World Beyond the Final Frontier The Captains Trek Nation For the Love of Spock Cultural influence Comparison to Star Wars Crossovers Fandom productions expanded universe Kirk and Uhura 's kiss Kirk / Spock Memory Alpha The Exhibition The Experience Book Portal Star Trek : The Next Generation Characters Beverly Crusher Wesley Crusher Data Geordi La Forge Guinan Miles O'Brien Jean - Luc Picard Katherine Pulaski Q William Riker Deanna Troi Worf Tasha Yar Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 Films Generations First Contact Insurrection Nemesis Other topics Awards Cast USS Enterprise ( NCC - 1701 - D ) USS Enterprise ( NCC - 1701 - E ) `` These Are the Voyages... '' Star Trek : Countdown Star Trek : The Next Generation Technical Manual Star Trek : The Next Generation : Klingon Honor Guard Star Trek : The Next Generation -- A Final Unity Star Trek : The Next Generation episodes Seasons 5 6 7 Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series Star Trek : The Next Generation ( 1988 ) Star Trek : The Next Generation ( 1989 / 90 ) Dark Shadows ( 1991 ) The Simpsons ( 1992 ) Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman ( 1993 ) The X-Files ( 1994 ) The Outer Limits ( 1995 ) The X-Files ( 1996 ) Buffy the Vampire Slayer ( 1997 ) The X-Files ( 1998 ) Now and Again ( 1999 ) Buffy the Vampire Slayer ( 2000 ) Buffy the Vampire Slayer ( 2001 ) Alias ( 2002 ) Angel / CSI : Crime Scene Investigation ( 2003 ) Lost ( 2004 ) Lost ( 2005 ) Heroes ( 2006 ) Lost ( 2007 ) Lost ( 2008 ) Lost ( 2009 ) Fringe ( 2010 ) Fringe ( 2011 ) Revolution ( 2012 ) Hannibal / Revolution ( 2013 ) Hannibal ( 2014 ) Gene Roddenberry Early life and career Personal life Legacy Awards and nominations Filmography Films produced Pretty Maids All in a Row Star Trek : The Motion Picture Television series The Lieutenant Star Trek : The Original Series Star Trek : The Animated Series Star Trek : The Next Generation Earth : Final Conflict Andromeda Television pilots Genesis II Planet Earth The Questor Tapes Spectre Strange New World Family Majel Barrett Rod Roddenberry Companies Lincoln Enterprises Norway Corporation Related Pan Am Flight 121 Star Trek : Phase II Trek Nation GND : 4334937 - 7 LCCN : n85039387 VIAF : 178244460 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation&oldid=843631546 '' Categories : Star Trek : The Next Generation 1987 American television series debuts 1994 American television series endings 1980s American science fiction television series 1990s American science fiction television series Space adventure television series American adventure television series 1980s American drama television series 1990s American drama television series Androids in television Emmy Award - winning programs English - language television programs First - run syndicated television programs in the United States Peabody Award - winning television programs Space Western television series Television series set in the 24th century Star Trek television series Television series by CBS Television Studios Sequel television series American time travel television series Television series created by Gene Roddenberry Television shows filmed in Los Angeles Hidden categories : Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL Webarchive template wayback links Pages containing links to subscription - only content Use mdy dates from March 2017 Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote বাংলা Български Bosanski Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Español Esperanto فارسی Français 한국어 Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית ქართული Latina Magyar मराठी Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Plattdüütsch Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 中文 30 more Edit links This page was last edited on 30 May 2018, at 12 : 03. 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Question: when did star trek the next generation start
Answer: 1987