I've watched TNG many many times over the years since 1987... and now older, wiser, more cynical I view everything a bit differently.
I don't think season seven has ever been viewed with critical acclaim. But this is the first time I'm watching it and finding it a bit... crap.
It seems to have become very insular. Michael Piller pivoted TNG to having the characters at the core of the story. But that seems to have become mutated into almost being entirely about the characters and not much else going on.
Most episodes feel like they have no sense of opinion. What are you trying to say? Well not much it seems.
I'm also acutely aware of the budget restraints too. It's become a game seeing how they can re-use the same few sets. And if they have three extras well that's a big spend day for TNG. This is the first time since I bought the VHS tapes back in the 1990s that I'm rewatching DS9 and TNG in line with original air dates. And it's really apparent to me that's where they writers were enjoying themselves. That they can begin to tell the stories they were trying to on TNG but were constrained by its format.
And the budget alone, the promenade is FULL of people - many in makeup. The costs must have been so much more, but it makes the place feel ALIVE and not just the same few sets on rotation.
I'm curious to how other people find season 7. And if your views have changed over time.
Oh and I would like to add I hope it's clear I'm not trashing season 7, it's still better than some so-called Star Treks can manage. But I just find it not as good as it was.
I don't think season seven has ever been viewed with critical acclaim. But this is the first time I'm watching it and finding it a bit... crap.
It seems to have become very insular. Michael Piller pivoted TNG to having the characters at the core of the story. But that seems to have become mutated into almost being entirely about the characters and not much else going on.
Most episodes feel like they have no sense of opinion. What are you trying to say? Well not much it seems.
I'm also acutely aware of the budget restraints too. It's become a game seeing how they can re-use the same few sets. And if they have three extras well that's a big spend day for TNG. This is the first time since I bought the VHS tapes back in the 1990s that I'm rewatching DS9 and TNG in line with original air dates. And it's really apparent to me that's where they writers were enjoying themselves. That they can begin to tell the stories they were trying to on TNG but were constrained by its format.
And the budget alone, the promenade is FULL of people - many in makeup. The costs must have been so much more, but it makes the place feel ALIVE and not just the same few sets on rotation.
I'm curious to how other people find season 7. And if your views have changed over time.
Oh and I would like to add I hope it's clear I'm not trashing season 7, it's still better than some so-called Star Treks can manage. But I just find it not as good as it was.
