Key Takeaways:
– Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) almost got canceled due to financial issues.
– The episode ‘Shades of Gray' was a ‘clip show' created to cut costs, which resulted in a negative reaction from the fans.
– In contrast, the Star Trek: Lower Decks used the clip show format successfully, weaving in new stories and character growth.
Star Trek: The Need for a Financial Lifeline
The Starship Enterprise is a symbol of infinite possibilities and unchartered adventures in the Star Trek universe. But did you know that this ever-famous sci-fi series once came close to meeting its end due to monetary issues? Yes, even stalwarts like the Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) faced severe financial crises, almost navigating its demise until they came up with a unique solution.
Saving Costs: The Birth of the Infamous Clip Show
The crew of TNG was in rough waters when they burnt their budget on the episode ‘Q Who.' With no funds left for the season finale, they resorted to creating a ‘clip show.' Now, if you're wondering, clip shows are episodes where scenes from previous episodes are strung together to form a supposedly new storyline. They're like reheating leftover food to create a new meal. Usually, these are used as a filler, giving a break to the writers. But in TNG's case, it was a financial necessity.
The notorious episode ‘Shades of Gray' was born out of this dire need. It placed Commander Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, in a coma. The treatment involved flashbacks, using recycled scenes from earlier episodes. In essence, it was merely a highlight reel pretending to be a new storyline.
Fans Outraged: The Episode that Could Have Canceled Star Trek
While clip shows can be tolerable at times, Shades of Gray didn't go down well. Why? Because it was a season finale. Fans eagerly waiting for an exciting finale got served a bunch of reruns instead, leading to an uproar in the Trekkie community.
Thankfully, the Star Trek franchise boldly moved on, continuing its successful run. But ‘Shades of Gray' serves as a stark reminder that even the best of shows can face monetary struggles. Imagine selling phaser keychains to keep the lights on—funny, isn't it?
Clip Show Reinvention: How Lower Decks Redeemed the Format
It wasn't all gloom for the clip show, though. Star Trek: Lower Decks came to the rescue, shining a new light on this format. In the episode ‘Caves,' the Cerritos B-team gets promoted and then promptly trapped in a cave. Here, they reminisce about past escapades with comrades, leading to an exciting string of new stories.
The triumph of ‘Caves' lies in its innovation. Unlike ‘Shades of Gray,' which rehashed old footage, this episode weaves fresh adventures, showing that clip shows don't have to be mundane. It focuses on character development and bonding, making it a classic in its own right.
What TNG's ‘Shades of Gray' Seems to Miss
The beauty of the Star Trek series lies in the shared camaraderie of the crews, and this is where ‘Shades of Gray' seems to falter. Instead of reruns, they could have shown the crew in their glory days, building those iconic relationships. Despite the rocky start, TNG had many glorious seasons that fans love and remember. But let's forget about ‘The Child' episode, it's best it stays buried.
To catch Star Trek: The Next Generation, tune into Netflix. This decades-old space saga is worth reliving time and again!
