Enduring Popularity of TNG.
Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered on television in 1987 - almost 30 years later, the second live incarnation of Star Trek on television remains a vital part of the franchise and an enduring pop culture icon. Phillip, Daniel, and Darren have taken apart TNG for over three years on this podcast - discussing characters, story lines, technical aspects, themes, and everything else in between. This has led to one great question: What is behind the enduring popularity of Next Gen?
Earl Grey conducts a roundtable discussion that focuses on how TNG remains relevant, what characters and storylines fit in with today's world, and how new fans are "re-discovering" a thirty-year-old television show. They examine the reputation of Next Gen compared to the other Trek series, what the stereotypes are, and what the "popular opinion" is of Captain Picard and the crew of the 24th Century starship Enterprise. Join Earl Grey as they compress their 3 years worth of discussions into one retrospective episode about the enduring popularity of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
A SPECIAL TREK.FM EARL GREY EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR STAR TREK LAS VEGAS
Listeners know #BridgeMates from Earl Grey episodes 82 (“When in Doubt Choose Data”), 109 (“He Hasn't Watched That One”), and 141 (“The Council of Mistresses”), as well as To the Journey 117 (“BridgeMates Rematch”) and Standard Orbit 102 (“Trying to Kill Zoolander”). There is even the original trivia panel show “Encounter at All Good Things” from Earl Grey 137.
Earl Grey is proud to announce a live presentation of “Super BridgeMates” at the Star Trek Las Vegas 50th Anniversary Convention on Friday, August 5 from 12:30 to 1:15 pm. It will be held on the Roddenberry Stage at Quark's Bar, hosted by Phillip Hunter Gilfus. Your favorite team of “Free Enterprise” (Darren Moser and Daniel Proulx) will attempt to escape defeat (again) against two rival BridgeMate Teams - “Team Lizard Babies” (Charlynn Schmiedt and Tristan Riddell) and “The Council of Mistresses” (Andi VanderKolk and Jarrah Hodge).
When it comes to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, regular BridgeMates simply won't do. That's why this game show will be “Super BridgeMates”- a fun-filled, comedic game show involving fans, cosplayers, and audience members. Not only will the teams compete in hilarious trivia, but those in the audience will participate by acting out selected scenes from our favorite Star Trek moments and cosplayers will help create puzzles for the teams to solve. It's all about the love of Star Trek! #roddenberry
Running Time: 59 minutes 3 seconds
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CHAPTERS
Roundtable Questions (00:04:27)
Closing (00:54:47)
HOSTS
Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser
PRODUCTION
Darren Moser (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Stephen Boyd (Associate Producer) Ron Saarna (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
Memorable Goodbyes. We discuss some of our favorite characters saying goodbye in TNG as we also say our own goodbyes to the listeners as we take our leave of hosting duties on Earl Grey.
Characters We Never Saw Again. We discuss some of the many characters we only ever saw once.
Mismatched Episodes. We discuss what would happen if the characters from different Star Trek series were like a deck of cards shuffled and dealt into various TNG episodes.
Data's Hobbies. We discuss our the many and varied hobbies of Lieutenant Commander Data in The Next Generation.
Season 7 Deleted Scenes. We discuss the deleted scenes from The Next Generation season 7 episodes. All the deleted scenes that are discussed can be found on the season 7 Blu-Ray release.
What if Series: Part 1. In this episode, the hosts of Earl Grey start a new series looking what if scenarios, beginning with Yar, Locutus, and W. Thomas Riker.
The Good in Low Rated Episodes, Part 1. In this episode, the hosts of Earl Grey start a new series looking for the good that can be found in the lowest rated episodes, beginning with Season 1.
Introducing New Hosts. We introduce our new hosts, Ria Papageorgiou, Kevin Scharf and Pierre LaRocco.
Jack Crusher. We discuss the character of Jack Crusher through his appearances in The Next Generation and in some of the novels.
Aging and Death. We discuss the idea of aging and death as perceived in the 24th century. We share our personal stories to growing older and our perceptions of death.
Season 6 Deleted Scenes. We discuss the deleted scenes from The Next Generation season 6 episodes. All the deleted scenes that”
Season 6 Deleted Scenes. We discuss the deleted scenes from The Next Generation season 6 episodes. All the deleted scenes that are discussed can be found on the season 6 Blu-Ray release.
Trivia with Jim McMahon. Amy and Joe are pitted against each other in a titanic battle that tests the depths of their Next Generation knowledge.
Birthright Part I and Part II. We discuss the parallel storylines of Worf and Data in search of their fathers. Both characters must learn about themselves in order to bring closure to their own father's life.
Wesley's Starfleet. We discuss the plethora of exams and courses needed to graduate Starfleet Academy and what may have influenced Wesley to drop out before graduating.
Time Travel Fan Set. We discuss "Cause and Effect," "Time's Arrow," and "All Good Things." These three episodes were highlighted in the Fan Collective Set for The Next Generation.
Favorite Badass Guinan Moments. We discuss our favorite moments showing Guinan as tough and uncompromising in The Next Generation.
Favorite Exoplanets in TNG. We discuss our picks for favorite planets outside Earth's solar system that we see on The Next Generation.
Picard's Best Partner. We discuss who we think is the best romantic partner for Picard in The Next Generation. The discussion includes Beverly Crusher, Vash, Kamala, Nella Daren, and Anij.
"Balance of Terror" and "The Neutral Zone." We discuss the introduction of the Romulans in The Original Series and The Next Generation, including the striking similarities and differences between this pair of season 1 episodes.
AI in TNG. We talk about artificial intelligence in The Next Generation. The discussion includes Data and his android family as well as the episodes "Elementary, Dear Data," "Evolution," "The Quality of Life," "Emergence," and "11001001."
The Lost Episodes, Part 9. Discussion with Brian Meloche on the scripts he submitted and story ideas he pitched to Paramount for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager.
Science in TNG, with Dr. Erin MacDonald. We're joined by Dr. Erin MacDonald to talk about the excitement of being a Star Trek science consultant, her work as a scientist and science communicator, our favorite science moments in TNG, and much more!
"The Most Toys." We talk about the character of Kivas Fajo, ruling by fear, Geordi's quest for the truth, and the question of whether Data pulled the trigger in this season three episode of The Next Generation.
Favorite Badass Data Moments. We discuss our favorite moments showing Data as tough and uncompromising in The Next Generation.
Deleted Scenes, Season 5. Deleted scenes from The Next Generation season 5 episodes "New Ground,” "Ethics,” "The Outcast,” The First Duty,” "Cost of Living,” The Perfect Mate,” and "The Inner Light.”
Genetically Designed People. [Discussion on all eight of Q's appearances on TNG included on the Star Trek: Fan Collective DVD collection.
High Culture in TNG. We discuss high culture in The Next Generation from Shakespeare to the performing and visual arts.
"Half A Life.” We talk about a season four episode of The Next Generation. The discussion includes the episode’s unusual format, the love story between Lwaxana and Timicin, aging and the right to die, and the Prime Directive.
Serialized TNG: Q Episodes. Discussion on all eight of Q’s appearances on TNG included on the Star Trek: Fan Collective DVD collection.