Key Takeaways:
– Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, expressed dissatisfaction over the series' second episode, The Naked Now.
– Stewart was particularly disturbed by the explicit contents of the episode.
– Despite Stewart's concerns, the said episode gained appreciation among fans and stands as a tribute to the original series.
In a galaxy of captivating narratives, Star Trek: The Next Generation successfully crafted a memorable world of characters and adventures. Running for seven seasons with an impressive 178 episodes, the franchise hasn't been without its public criticisms. One such critique comes from the legendary British actor who portrayed Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Sir Patrick Stewart.
Patrick Stewart's Concerns with The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation took up the mantle after Star Trek, the original series, produced a remarkable impact among fans. Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard was indeed a pivotal character for the franchise, but in recent times, Stewart expressed his concerns over particular aspects of the show. In particular, The Naked Now, the second episode of the first season, seems to have irked the actor.
Stewart, in his memoir ‘Making It So: A Memoir', released in 2023, mentioned that The Naked Now struck him as a ‘s*x farce', indicative of a desperate shift in narrative. His concerns were rooted in the episode that aired immediately following the two-part series opener, Encounter at Farpoint.
The Episode That Made a Stir
The Naked Now's plot revolved around the Enterprise's crew succumbing to a virus that led to unusual sexual urges amongst the members. Key characters were shown in precarious social scenarios, leading Stewart to dub it as desperation on the part of the showrunners.
The events of the episode include an intimate interaction between Brent Spiner's android character Data and Denise Crosby's Tasha Yar. In addition, the unapologetic sexual tension between Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher was also a narrative change Stewart found questionable.
Was Stewart's Worry Justified?
Following the pilot episode that stayed true to Star Trek's roots, The Naked Now was certainly an outlier. The familiar style of science fiction suddenly pivoted to a comedic, risque narrative that was a drastic shift from its predecessor. It comes as no surprise that Stewart, who was still easing into his role as Captain Picard, found this sudden turn worrisome.
In his memoir, he suggests that The Naked Now could have been a later episode, aired after the franchise had exhausted their ‘cupboard of good ideas'. That being said, this episode was meant to be a tribute to the original series' episode with a similar storyline, and it was well-received by the fans, demonstrating Star Trek: The Next Generation's versatility and unique perspective.
Conclusion
Despite all the criticism, Star Trek: The Next Generation remains a beacon of success in the franchise. It swiftly won over the hearts of the audience, which it continues to do through its availability on Netflix. Through the ups and downs, the series managed to sustain audiences' interest with its engaging science-fiction narrative.
Stewart's voiced concerns provide an interesting insider's perspective into what goes on behind the scenes of crafting an iconic series. It underscores the challenges of being resilient, innovative, and daring – creating audiences' beloved content while confronting contentious internal views.
Remember, all good things, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, come with their share of controversy and difficulties – these situations are not just part of the job but part of the legend they eventually create.
