The WiC rankings: Every single Star Trek show ranked worst to best

4. Star Trek: The Next Generation, 1987 – 1994

The original series may be where it all started, but Star Trek: The Next Generation is where Star Trek became a franchise. For that reason, it may be more significant than the original series. TNG is also an object lesson in how network TV shows should be constructed (if network TV isn’t a dead medium.)

TNG’s first season was shoddy. The second season was a minor improvement. It didn’t hit its stride until the third season, and even then, the best was yet to come. But TNG didn’t have to be retooled or bring in any new characters. All the elements of a good show were there right from the beginning. All the characters were great and had ample room for development. As soon as they got better stories, the show took off.

(A truth we’re only now ready to admit is that the show improved when Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s failing health forced him to step away from the production. He was an obsessive micromanager who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The biggest positive change was scaling back the involvement of annoying boy wonder Wesley Crusher, who was Gene Roddenberry’s self-insert surrogate.)

It’s strange now to think that fans complained about TNG not being “real” Star Trek, as it’s the most obvious and direct successor to the original series. What made the original series so great is all here: the characters, their camaraderie, the humor, the action, and the philosophy. And it’s all remixed just enough to have its own distinct personality. Instead of Captain Kirk’s brash hotheaded leadership, Captain Picard is studied and thoughtful, a genius upending of the audience’s expectations. TNG’s ensemble cast made it a show that fans could watch just to hang out with the crew.