t times it may seem as though Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew have been around forever, but in fact it was only 10 years ago that Gene Roddenberry boldly took his prosperous Star Trek franchise "where no one had gone before." Ignoring the doubts of myriad entertainment-industry executives, in 1987 the mastermind behind Kirk, Spock, McCoy and company introduced television audiences to an all-new Enterprise on Star Trek: The Next Generation. That program reinvigorated the Star Trek universe, and this lavish 270-page coffee table tome examines and exalts the creative team behind both the show and the two recent films starring the second generation cast.
Almost every facet of the seven-year broadcast history of the series is explored in this comprehensive chronicle, from initial pre-production jitters to cinematic spin-off decisions. Glossy color photos, detailed text and intricate diagrams outline each element of the program, allowing readers to understand how prototype models and early ideas grew to become an incredibly complex, yet unquestionably entertaining, TV phenomenon. A chapter is devoted to each year the show was on the air, with thumbnail outlines of every episode and thorough coverage of both the logic underlying many behind-the-scene decisions and the logistics of maintaining an economically viable SF enterprise. The repercussions of Roddenberry's declining health and ultimate death in 1991, at the start of the series' fifth season, are also touched upon, along with an in-depth look at the careful and deliberate consideration given to integrating the adventures of the new crew into the highly structured milieu of the original Star Trek realm.
Star Trek grows up
The importance of Star Trek: The Next Generation to the revitalization of both Roddenberry's brainchild and televised science fiction as a whole cannot be underestimated, and this book presents a wonderful look at the technical, political and economic hurdles that the production team had to overcome in the creative process. The chronological presentation provides readers with a splendid sense of the growth and maturation of the program, and the many sketches and stills marvelously illustrate specific elements and incidents that were vital to the series' development.
While the publication is undeniably handsome, regrettably it's not perfect. Photos at times awkwardly interrupt the flow of the text, and there are a number of small inconsistencies in the narrative that subtly undermine the veracity of the volume. The talents of key personnel such as recurrent composers and directors are also ignored, which is unfortunate, as their contributions added much to the show. Conversely, Gene Roddenberry is staunchly canonized throughout the work, and while his vision and tenacity cannot be underestimated, any of his shortcomings appear to be entirely overlooked.
Regardless of these imperfections, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens offer a fascinating and highly readable history of the series. Not all of the material is new--some minor elements are recycled from their previous publication The Art of Star Trek--but for both long-time devotees and neophyte fans the book is clearly a treasuretrove of fascinating facts and little-known anecdotes that, although somewhat flawed, is enjoyable and enlightening.
