Single Use Sets.The U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D , is one of the largest starships in 24th century Starfleet. It makes sense that viewers only got to see certain sections of the ship during its seven years on television. In this episode, Darren, Daniel, and Phillip go through the various parts of the ship (and re-dressed sets) that were only rarely seen. From the seldom used battle bridge (with its accompanying Ensign Miles O'Brien action figure) to the torpedo bay featured in the episode "In T...
Jun 23, 2015•1 hr 5 min
The Trial. Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the few Trek series to begin and end with the same story - being put on trial by Judge Q. "Encounter at Farpoint" inaugurates the seven seasons of TNG on television with the accusation that humanity is a "dangerous, savage, child race." While the two-hour pilot attempts to refute that charge, the missions of the Enterprise-D can be seen through the lens of those accusations. The finale of "All Good Things..." sees Judge Q telling Captain Jean-L...
Jun 16, 2015•1 hr 8 min
Command Styles.When it comes to command, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the pinnacle of Starfleet captains. However, many times in The Next Generation , Picard and his first officer Will Riker turn over command to other members of their crew. Phillip, Daniel, and Darren analyze the command styles of the other personnel who sat in the center seat of the U.S.S. Enterprise , and other starships, during various missions. They study second officer Lt. Commander Data's command tenure on both the Enterpris...
Jun 09, 2015•55 min
The Fandom Experience.When it comes to experiencing the different levels of fandom of The Next Generation , it's safe to say that "the sky's the limit." Darren, Phillip, and Daniel explore the various ways of expressing TNG and general Star Trek fandom. They talk cosplaying (even including wearing a blue shirt!), attending Trek/general scifi & comic conventions, and what it's like to be members of a fan association like Starfleet International (www.sfi.org). Darren and Phillip share their pe...
Jun 02, 2015•56 min
The Original Series as Prerequisite. Viewers of The Next Generation started watching at different points in their Trek fandom -- for some, it was their first exposure to Star Trek, while other "legacy" Trekkies came to it after The Original Series and movies featuring Captain James T. Kirk and his crew. Guest co-host Andi VanderKolk, aka @FirstTimeTrek, joins Daniel, Darren, and Phillip in discussing how knowledge of TOS enhances the TNG viewing experience. Earl Grey explores whether it makes a ...
May 26, 2015•1 hr 13 min
War in TNG.Just as in contemporary times, war can take many forms. Star Trek: The Next Generation did not feature a primary war akin to those stories featured in Deep Space Nine or Enterprise , however many enemies confronted Captain Picard and his crew. The Romulan Empire posed a continuing threat to the United Federation of Planets that stood on the brink of war ("The Defector"), the results of the off-screen Cardassian War became a source of many episodes ("The Wounded," "Chain of Command, Pa...
May 19, 2015•1 hr 4 min
Time Travel.Time travel and Star Trek go hand-in-glove, so it was no surprise that The Next Generation crew had several "timey-wimey" adventures in its seven years on television and in the feature films. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip go "OUTATIME" in this episode, exploring episodes including "Timescape," "Cause and Effect," "Time Squared," "Time's Arrow, Parts 1 and 2," and Star Trek: First Contact . The Earl Grey trio break down all the times Captain Jean-Luc Picard would have been visited by th...
May 12, 2015•1 hr 8 min
Tapestry Commentary. The Next Generation often reached back to its early seasons to develop later stories, from the season one episode "Datalore" leading to season five's "Silicon Avatar" and season one's "The Battle" continuing all the way to season seven's "Bloodlines." In season six, an entire episode was devoted to a single story Captain Jean-Luc Picard shared with a young Wesley Crusher in the season two episode "Samaritan Snare." In "Tapestry," Q appears to a surprised Picard who has "died...
May 05, 2015•1 hr 1 min
The Most Alien of Aliens. Star Trek: The Next Generation , as well as the other Trek series, are often poked fun at for featuring the new "forehead" or "nose" of the week when encountering new alien species. However, there were many new strange lifeforms featured in TNG that fully embraced the concept of science fiction. In this episode of Earl Grey , the trio have a round robin discussion of their favorite examples of the most "alien" aliens encountered by the Enterprise-D. They discuss "space ...
Apr 28, 2015•1 hr 7 min
The 1701-C.Throughout The Next Generation , fans were intrigued by the Enterprise models displayed in the flagship's observation lounge. What was the story behind those mysterious ships that served the Federation between Kirk and Picard's times? In "Yesterday's Enterprise," viewers finally got to see the U.S.S. Enterprise , NCC-1701-C, under the command of Captain Rachel Garrett, along with her ill-fated crew. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip analyze this Ambassador -class vessel, and how it served a...
Apr 22, 2015•41 min
Season Six Overview.When "Encounter at Farpoint" premiered in 1987, it was considered the "Great Experiment" of Star Trek - could The Original Series ' "lightning in a bottle" be captured again? The sixth season of The Next Generation began the second "Great Experiment" - could two syndicated Star Trek television shows successfully air at the same time? Many TNG fans think of seasons three through six as the epitome of the series; this specific season would feature the return of "Scotty" (James ...
Apr 14, 2015•1 hr 4 min
BridgeMates.Bridge officers get to know each other after years of service together, forming friendships just like Data and Geordi La Forge's, that last a lifetime. But how well do they really know each other? That question is put to the test with the newest Star Trek: The Next Generation based-game, "BridgeMates." Phillip Gilfus plays game show host in a three-round competition (plus bonus round!) that places the remaining Earl Grey co-hosts Darren Moser and Daniel Proulx against the co-hosts of...
Apr 07, 2015•1 hr 8 min
The Picard Conspiracy.An adventure in Sherwood Forest? A temporal anomaly that repeats every 14 hours? The accidental creation of sentient life in the Holodeck? Viewers of The Next Generation realize that many of our favorite (and not-so-favorite) episodes contain plots that sound crazy when summarized. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip discover that they do not sound any saner when sent as log entries to Starfleet Command. The trio goes on a comic romp this episode and attempts to explain the logical...
Mar 31, 2015•1 hr 13 min
Scotty in TNG.The continuing mission of the characters from Star Trek The Original Series was left a verboten topic for the first half of The Next Generation . However, after the appearance of Ambassador Sarek in season three ("Sarek"), as well as the cameo of a certain ornery admiral in the pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint," the floodgates were open for TOS characters to "special" guest star in the second incarnation of Trek on television. Captain Montgomery "Scotty" Scott beamed into the 2...
Mar 24, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Troi.The introduction of a counselor to the bridge of U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D was seen as a product of the therapy-happy 1980s. The character of Deanna Troi went through many changes during her seven seasons on television and four feature films - from wearing a blue skant in "Encounter at Farpoint" to a wedding dress in Star Trek: Nemesis . Troi's role as a bridge officer often fluctuated from merely stating the obvious to making a significant contribution to the conflict du jour . Phillip...
Mar 18, 2015•58 min
Cast Direct Episodes.Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner began the tradition of Star Trek actors getting behind the camera as directors. In The Next Generation , Jonathan Frakes was the first to "take the helm" of an episode as a director, beginning with the season four episode "The Offspring" and spanned all the way to the third TNG feature film, Star Trek: Insurrection . Darren, Daniel, and Phillip examine the Frakes' led stories, as well as Patrick Stewart's, Gates McFadden's, and LeVar Burton'...
Mar 10, 2015•53 min
State of the Federation.The United Federation of Planets is a great place to live, find a career, and raise a family. However, during the time of the NCC-1701-D and NCC-1701-E , there were major crises that affected the life of Federation citizens. Star Trek The Next Generatio n is a Starfleet-centered show, but the missions of the U.S.S. Enterprise impacted those working outside of Starfleet, from the events of "Conspiracy," to the strategic threat posed by the reemergence of the Romulan Empire...
Mar 03, 2015•1 hr 9 min
Sexuality and Relationships. The Next Generation was not bashful about examining issues of sexuality and relationships during its seven seasons. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, episodes like "Justice" and "Captain's Holiday" portrayed a 24th Century where sexual expression was much more open and equal for both sexes. TNG also introduced alien species like the Betazed (in the forms of Lwaxana and Deanna Troi), the J'naii ("The Outcast"), and the Trill ("The Host") who have completely different...
Feb 24, 2015•1 hr 6 min
Reginald Barclay.There are few characters who achieved success in more than one Star Trek series. Lieutenant Junior Grade Reginald Barclay was introduced in The Next Generation's season three episode "Hollow Pursuits" and would appear in four more episodes of TNG, in addition to a cameo in the feature film Star Trek: First Contact. However, when Mr. Barclay appeared in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Projections," fans may have thought it was a one-time TNG special appearance on the sister show....
Feb 17, 2015•1 hr 4 min
Season Five Overview. The Next Generation peaked during its fifth season, featuring its highest viewer ratings and the long-anticipated return of a main cast member from the original Star Trek . The season begins by completing the Klingon and Romulan-focused two-parter "Redemption," and then covers new ground with a metaphor-speaking alien species ("Darmok"), the introduction of a new featured character ("Ensign Ro"), and a multi-story episode in "Disaster." Fans of both Star Trek generations fi...
Feb 10, 2015•1 hr 9 min
The Arts in TNG. The Next Generation arguably features the most concerts, play performances, poetry readings, and art works than any other Star Trek television series. Whether it was having every senior officer being musically inclined, having fun in the clay modeling room making a mask or an entry for "Captain Picard Day," or keeping Commander William T. Riker from the nude modeling painting class, TNG inserted cultural works into many episodes. The show's writers/producers made sure that noted...
Feb 04, 2015•1 hr 9 min
"The Best of Both Worlds" Alternate Ending. One of the most memorable musical moments in The Next Generation was the final seconds of the season three cliffhanger episode, with the television screen displaying those fateful words, "...To Be Continued." TNG 's "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" opened with the Enterprise-D 's deflector weapon being rendered useless by the Borg Collective. But what if it had worked? The destruction of the Borg cube, along with Captain Jean-Luc Picard/Locutus would...
Jan 28, 2015•57 min
"Face of the Enemy" Commentary. Romulans. Vulcans. Tal Shiar. Conspiracies. In the sixth season episode of The Next Generation , "Face of the Enemy," a rare Troi-focused episode explores the consequences of Ambassador Spock's work with Romulans from the two-parter "Unification." Darren, Daniel, and Phillip provide their commentary for this episode that depicts the strengths and further potential of Counselor Deanna Troi, as she must play the part of a Tal Shiar agent aboard a Romulan warbird. Th...
Jan 20, 2015•53 min
Comedic Episodes. Star Trek: The Next Generation is a show that tackles serious issues, including life and death, morality, mortality, and the meaning of existence. However, TNG also features many comedic episodes and moments showing that it does not take itself too seriously. Comedy features in Q's many appearances (either showing up naked on the bridge or as the Sheriff of Nottingham) to Lwaxana Troi chasing Captain Picard around the Enterprise. Phillip, Daniel, and Darren discuss their favori...
Jan 13, 2015•52 min
Interactive TNG VCR Game. The Next Generation has inspired the development of many games on various platforms. A board game released during the live run of TNG was the cutting-edge technological feat of "Star Trek: The Next Generation - Interactive VCR Game - A Klingon Challenge." Darren, Daniel, and Phillip choose their characters, press "play" on the VCR, and set their wits against the Klingon Kavok who has hijacked the Enterprise-D . The Earl Grey trio must cooperate, and compete, to ensure t...
Jan 07, 2015•58 min
Nemesis. Star Trek Nemesis is generally considered one of the weaker entries of The Next Generation feature films, as well as the entire Star Trek movie franchise. The story mixed together action sequences, the idea of "dark mirrors" for Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Lt. Cmdr. Data, and attempted to send off the Enterprise-E characters to their next stage of life (or death, in the case of one android). Daniel, Darren, and Phillip examine the multiple aspects that did not work in the film, what par...
Dec 31, 2014•1 hr 5 min
TNG Ranks & Promotions. Star Trek has created a universe where Starfleet personnel have recognizable ranks and positions. The Next Generation promoted several characters and moved others to various ship positions, while at the same time left certain officers in the same rank through all seven seasons and four feature films. Darren, Daniel, and Phillip examine the career paths of the TNG crew, how the Starfleet promotion system on the Enterprise fits into the greater canon of the 22nd, 23rd, ...
Dec 24, 2014•59 min
Controversial Storylines.Gene Roddenberry believed that Star Trek was a way to debate so-called "controversial" issues through the disguise of a futuristic setting. The Next Generation featured episodes that tackled the modern struggles of changing gender roles ("The Outcast," "Angel One," & "The Perfect Mate"), drug use ("Symbiosis"), terrorism ("The High Ground"), and the lifelong effects of war ("The Hunted"). The quality of these storylines ranged from thought-provoking to disappointing....
Dec 15, 2014•59 min
Women in TNG. From the pilot "Encounter at Fairpoint," The Next Generation signaled that it wanted to update the way Star Trek would handle gender roles - it was no longer "where no man had gone before" but "where no one had gone before." The first season featured three female characters - Security Chief Tasha Yar, Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher. However, two of those three characters did not return in the second season. The full run of TNG and the feature films contain many fema...
Dec 10, 2014•1 hr 12 min
Death in TNG.All good things must come to an end, and in The Next Generation , that means the deaths of many favorite (and perhaps not so favorite) characters. Mr. Data meets his demise in the final feature film Star Trek: Nemesis , the first security chief Tasha Yar dies a senseless death in the season one episode "Skin of Evil," and memorable guest star K'Ehleyr is murdered by Duras in "Reunion." These deaths affected our TNG characters and fans, leading to debates about whether these deaths s...
Dec 02, 2014•1 hr 2 min
