Warping into syndication in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation successfully launched its seven-season "continuing mission" of the starship Enterprise, and this classy DVD boxed set gathers the show's inaugural season in crisp picture clarity and dazzling 5.1-channel sound. A ratings leader with a sharp ensemble cast, this revamped Trek honored series creator Gene Roddenberry's original Trek concept, nurtured by returning veterans like producer Robert H. Justman and writers D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold. Several first-season episodes have original-series counterparts, and while the season was awkwardly inconsistent for all involved (including Roddenberry's heir apparent, producer Rick Berman), in retrospect the series began on remarkably solid footing.

Shaky Start for a Great Television Series

Star Trek the Next Generation was one of the greatest shows in television history. But it certainly didn't start off that way....at least in my opinion. The pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint" was written by Gene Roddenbury, the creater of both Star Trek series. That should be a plus...right?

Sadly Roddenbury's left-wing leanings show up more than his brilliant writing skills. He uses the eposide as a soap box to rant against humanity and anything that is traditionally acceptable. A marine uniform is referred to as "a rediculous costume". Besides the questionable politics, the episode is just silly.

Fortunately I didn't judge the whole series on that pilot episode and I gave it another chance. The episodes steadily improved through the first season and Star Trek NG bacame a deeply focused show with strong characters. The story lines were great and showed a lot of deep thinking and imagination. I enjoy reviewing the individual episodes, but there are too many in the entire first season to discuss. I will say one of my favorites is "We'll Always Have Paris". I didn't buy the first season first because I thought it was the weakest. But after you collect the rest of the series......if you can afford it, it is worth the investment. But I say buy the other seasons first.

Star Trek TNG is very imaginative

The first season of Star Trek TNG got really good reviews. My Dad liked watching the stars go by at faster than light speed aboard the Enterprise. I once got a message from the Creators of Humans the Care Rank Ki on Earths moon. It read Ol Beacons Mahone Ead Back Kin Call. The joke is wheres the Hd or high definition tv? The Ki Are Lizard like and were refering to the Aligator head on the American privateer the Young Teazer that burned like a beacon in Mahone bay nova scotia. The Ki may have also been calling back American Shadow President Jack F Kennedy. Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard is my favourite Star Trek Character. Would Humans really allow children aboard warships in the future I wonder? Check out Amazons other Star Trek videos as well.

The series as a whole gets 5 stars, but.....

The first season made it seem like this series was going to be a bad joke. I remember excitedly waiting for the pilot episode to air (I was in 9th grade), then after viewing it thinking "What the $&!* was that garbage?!".
What really happened is it took about a season and a half for the actors, the crew, and the WRITERS to find their stride. Growing pains were clearly evident in the first two seasons. Seasons 3 and 4 were absolutely INCREDIBLE, featuring outstanding scripts, perfect performances, and everything that made this series a TV legend. Seasons 5-7 were excellent as well. Taken on a whole, Next Generation is one of the best TV series of all time, and FAR eclipsed its predecessor, Star Trek (which itself was outstanding for its time). However, the first season was atrocious. I know a lot of hardcore Trekkies will be peeved that I dare to say such a sacreligious thing, but here are some of the reasons that this season was a debacle:
1) The writing and acting- The scripts in this season were terrible. Of course, the writers were trying to 'find' the characters, which takes time. However, if you compare they way the characters act in later seasons to the way they act in the first season, its almost as if they are different characters! Picard is nationalist (France), prone to outbursts, and displays none of the quiet, conflicted self-assurance that would make the character famous. Geordi is almost completely one-dimensional, and Riker is prone to extreme overreactions at odd times (Jonathan Frakes would later get a handle on this). Troi is annoying to say the least, and Data's dialogue is more aimed at establishing his character than working within the stories. Wesley is portrayed so sickenly wide-eyed and innocent (with the whole life journey just starting out schtick) that it ruined the character for most Star Trek fans (and Westley is still the most hated Star Trek character of all time). In addition, many of the worst episodes of the entire series are found right here in season 1. Very juvinile and underdeveloped storylines, utterly terrible dialogue, and the infamous 'planet of the joggers' and 'Yar's pointless death' episodes makes for a pretty bad season. Who would have guessed this series would rapidly improve to perfection?
2) The Ferengi- Need I say more? THESE are the big new villians to rival the Klingons and the Romulans?! Thankfully, the mistake was recognized fairly quickly, and the Ferengi were relegated to their rightful place as comic relief.
3) The costumes an the bridge- OK, this might just be a personal grudge of mine, but I HATED the jumpsuits of the first two seasons. Men do not look good wearing jumpsuits, they just look stupid. Why it took two whole seasons for the wardrobe department to figure this out is beyond me. Once the separate shirts started being used, the uniforms looked GREAT, but the jumpsuits were god-awful looking. And what's with the chaise-lounge bridge chairs? If they reclined any further, they would be beds! A pretty stupid idea, thankfully the bridge was redesigned later.
4) The lighting- Has anyone else noticed how badly lit the first season was? Picard's chrome-dome shines, Geordi's skin shines, the bridge lighting looks extremely harsh, and the soundstage 'outdoor' sets are obviously lit with artificial lighting. These problems would be corrected in season 2, with the series eventually being a model for how to light a set PERFECTLY.

All in all, Next Generation is a FANTASTIC series, one of my all-time favorites. However, season 1 is far and away the worst season, bordering on embarrassing. Season 2 fared better, and every season after was at the very least EXCELLENT. For completists, this season may be a must-buy, but for casual Star Trek fans, avoid the first season, and start with season two.