I Wish I Knew How to Quit You, TNG.

[Needle and Spoonhead]

I'll preface this post by saying that most people would consider me a well adjusted, productive, and sane member of society. I am 45 years old. I work in Finance as a manager, and earn an appreciable salary.

I began watching TNG in the early 90's. I worked at Service Merchandise as a teenager, and would watch the show when I got home. Not because I initially had any interest in it; but simply because there wasn't much else on at that time, and the much anticipated Arsenio Hall show followed...

It wasn't long until TNG hooked me like "The Game" from Risa; but I kept my guilty pleasure to myself, as my friends at the time would not have appreciated my secret passion. Indeed, I lived in a fraternity house during college, wherein much effort was placed in hiding my orientation - so to speak. A fraternity brother helped me land my first job out of graduate school.

We buddied up with the jet-setter crowd at the office. Indulging in all of the booze, debauchery, and costly drugs, coupled with bleary eyed determination, we made ourselves known to the "right" people that would invariably secure our position in the precarious thrones of the fabled executive class. The mottled gleam of sold souls waiting for payment, the soul's effervescence diffused into the neon that lazily breaches the midnight Skin of Evil that always threatens to devour the patrons of bars and nightclubs.

Substance abuse and addiction followed. I straightened myself out before it went too far, quit the sales job, and moved to a slower paced city with a more pedestrian career. But I can't give up TNG...

When I first met my wife, she noticed the Columbia House VHS TNG set neatly arranged on a shelf of the TV stand and was bemused by what I assured her was an ironic fascination in jest. What at the onset was light-hearted teasing when she caught me glued to the TNG screen, grew to aggressive disparagement over the years.

I have seen every episode at least 200 times, by my rough estimate.

Now as my wife and I have grown older, and the party days are over, I've dug deeper into a monotonous rut of work, TNG, and sleep.

My wife left town today, texting me: "Leaving for Tahoe with some friends. Be back next Friday. Enjoy your space show."

You know what? She's right.

I will enjoy my space show...

 

[Ghrakh]

I will enjoy my space show...

You should.

 

[Herbert]

Who gives a fornicate what anyone else thinks? Enjoy what you want.

 

[Leviathan]

Your "Space Show" has more depth, creativity, and thought than the vast majority of the executives I met/eaten over the years.

Enjoy it, and try the other shows. TNG is your gateway drug.

 

[Mojochi]

I too have seen most of the episodes hundreds of times by now. Ever since Netlfix acquired them, I even frequently just gloss through an episode for a specific moment, not unlike a person scanning their Bible for a specific passage, looking for a detail, or a reminder/clarification etc...

We're about the same age, & it is, by far, the show I revisit the most, though I do enjoy a revisit to the show I saw as a small child now & then too, (TOS) since it was made available on Netflix also, but unlike that show, TNG has over twice the amount of production to select from, making it a less tedious experience, over such a long period of time

I'd be lying if I said I didn't once in a while tire of rewatching the show. After all, some episodes weren't that great, & you can only rewatch the great ones so much before they don't do much for you. I admit there's been times when I had the fear " Geez, I wonder if I'll ever just burn out on it forever"

But what amazes me is how easily that feeling passes, & I'm back to looking them over once again. The conversations on this website, have done quite a lot, over the years, to rekindle that interest. Sometimes there's a new way of looking at them too, or some aspect which means something different to me now, & that's why I've realized that I probably won't ever "Burn out" on rewatching TNG, because even though they never change, & there's only 176 of them, & they get more dated every day, I DO change as I get older, & I start to see them differently, because I am different.

 

[2takesfrakes]

"A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on, and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away." -- STAR TREK: The Cage (Classic Series)

I'm a closet STAR TREK fan, myself. Rare few in my life know I'm even aware of the franchise. Mostly, it's to do with the fact that they're not into it. They're peripherally aware of the usual STAR TREK stuff the public usually knows, like "the Man with the pointy ears ..." and "... beam me up, Scotty." But in secret? I love it -- TNG, in particular. And whilst TNG isn't the answer to Kleenex, the one thing it does best is bring up timeless subject matter that was true yesterday, true today and true tomorrow ... including intimate subjects, like family matters and personal relationships.

And the one thing you get from these episodes isn't solutions ... but, rather, inspiration. These characters may not like it, they don't want to deal with it, but they don't hide from it. And their friends are there to extend a hand, if needed, even if it's just to let them vent. But at the end of the day, they take personal responsibility for where they went wrong and they take a stand for what they have to defend. Let the show just remind you that you've got the key to the cage your in.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I'll always love TNG but I think in college I reached the level where I've seen every episode so many times I don't enjoy watching them as much anymore.

 

[TrickyDickie]

Your "Space Show" has more depth, creativity, and thought than the vast majority of the executives I met/eaten over the years.

Well....now we know that Hannibal Lecter is a fan.

 

[Sakonna]

@Needle and Spoonhead -- ever listen to the Greatest Generation podcast? From the sense of humor in your post, I think it might appeal to you. It's these two woke nerd bro's going through Trek one ep at a time, they've completed TNG and are on DS9 now. The initial joke was how embarrassed they are to have this Star Trek podcast, there's some fun running bits about their wives reactions to the whole thing...

I'm a closet STAR TREK fan, myself. Rare few in my life know I'm even aware of the franchise. Mostly, it's to do with the fact that they're not into it. They're peripherally aware of the usual STAR TREK stuff the public usually knows, like "the Man with the pointy ears ..." and "... beam me up, Scotty." But in secret? I love it -- TNG, in particular.

In the last 2 or 3 years, I've started being pretty open about my insane Trek fandom. Brilliantly, it turned out that all these people I'd been friends with for 15 years were in the same closet with me. Over those 15 yeas, more than one of them pulled this trick: in a general entertainment discussion, I would reference a casual familiarity with some prominent aspect or character on Star Trek, something you could pick up even if you're not an viewer. They would immediately shut it down: "Yeah, I don't watch that." They simply have no idea what I am talking about!

Now, just last month, one of those same friends was expounding at length on his complicated feelings on the various resurrections of Tasha Yar, with multiple episode citations by name. With another of those friends, we recently had a big "Keiko: pro or con?" back and fourth, again with them referencing many obscure, specific details on the fly. They were all DEEP in that closet!

 

[Vger23]

I love it. This is what it's all about!

 

[TrickyDickie]

This ties in with the fact that it can be quite fascinating to attend high school reunions and see who has grown and changed and at least attempted to understand others and treat them with respect and who is still stuck back in the rut of the elementary school playground dynamic.

 

[Leviathan]

Well....now we know that Hannibal Lecter is a fan.

Not Lecter...Leviathan.

 

[TrickyDickie]

Not Lecter...Leviathan.

Well then....this Cloverfield concept comes to mind:

 

[Uncle_Lou]

"Quit" TNG? Why, whatever for?? TNG is love. TNG is life.

 

[2takesfrakes]

In the last 2 or 3 years, I've started being pretty open about my insane Trek fandom. Brilliantly, it turned out that all these people I'd been friends with for 15 years were in the same closet with me. Over those 15 yeas, more than one of them pulled this trick: in a general entertainment discussion, I would reference a casual familiarity with some prominent aspect or character on Star Trek, something you could pick up even if you're not an viewer. They would immediately shut it down: "Yeah, I don't watch that." They simply have no idea what I am talking about!

Now, just last month, one of those same friends was expounding at length on his complicated feelings on the various resurrections of Tasha Yar, with multiple episode citations by name. With another of those friends, we recently had a big "Keiko: pro or con?" back and fourth, again with them referencing many obscure, specific details on the fly. They were all DEEP in that closet!

That's outstanding that you finally found out that you were not alone in your STAR TREKKIAN Closet, Sakonna! And after nearly 2 decades, wow ... that's something. That's why 'they' say, that so often our heart's desire can be found in our own back yard.

You know, it was kind of like that with me and my friends back in Philly starting our own garage band called "The Plunkers." We'd all had various instruments, but never got together, even just to jam, or whatever. We were too busy with doing our own thing, after High School, that we didn't think that we'd find anything new to explore, together. Because in HS, we were like a gang. We were inseperable. We were into music, of course, but "real" music. Bands that you go see and buy songs from and collect rarities off them and shite like that. If there was a Rare Records Store in Philly, you can bet we picked it clean of anything collectible or interesting. You know how Trekkies go to STAR TREK conventions, right ... well ... we'd go to Rock Music conventions and that was our Nirvana. Our very paradise! But as I say, that was High School.

Afterwards, like I say, we're doing our own thing and not the tight group we were before. Chasing skirts, chasing leads, chasing dreams. Then, one day, my friend John's birthday's coming up and I thought ... I don't know what to get this bastard! So, I'm in a guitar store looking at a Les Paul Semi-Hollow Electric Bass and it struck me -- I'll buy him an acoustic guitar! He doesn't have one, I know that ... so I got him this sweet Gibson American Eagle. What a honey -- I almost didn't want to give it to him! I'll never forget his face, when I gave it to him. Anyway, I thought we'd practice and write songs for our girlfriends, or whatever and it would be great.

Wouldn't you just know it? The rest the guys all wanted in on this, like they pictured groupies, or I don't know what they thought, but they were very excited by the prospect of us playing together. Next thing you know, we're playing in old churches and over Ray's house, sometimes (he was our lead guitarist). Pat was our drummer and he was really, really good. He'd start playing and Ray would shout, "... it's like a firecracker up my ass!" What he meant by that, exactly, I'm sure I don't know, but it was an inside joke amongst us until my moving to California and other things finally broke us up. But when we got together to play, we were like a gang, again. When I get homesick, sometimes, that's what I miss the most, really ...

 

[TrickyDickie]

That's outstanding that you finally found out that you were not alone in your STAR TREKKIAN Closet, Sakonna! And after nearly 2 decades, wow ... that's something. That's why 'they' say, that so often our heart's desire can be found in our own back yard.

You know, it was kind of like that with me and my friends back in Philly starting our own garage band called "The Plunkers." We'd all had various instruments, but never got together, even just to jam, or whatever. We were too busy with doing our own thing, after High School, that we didn't think that we'd find anything new to explore, together. Because in HS, we were like a gang. We were inseperable. We were into music, of course, but "real" music. Bands that you go see and buy songs from and collect rarities off them and shite like that. If there was a Rare Records Store in Philly, you can bet we picked it clean of anything collectible or interesting. You know how Trekkies go to STAR TREK conventions, right ... well ... we'd go to Rock Music conventions and that was our Nirvana. Our very paradise! But as I say, that was High School.

Afterwards, like I say, we're doing our own thing and not the tight group we were before. Chasing skirts, chasing leads, chasing dreams. Then, one day, my friend John's birthday's coming up and I thought ... I don't know what to get this bastard! So, I'm in a guitar store looking at a Les Paul Semi-Hollow Electric Bass and it struck me -- I'll buy him an acoustic guitar! He doesn't have one, I know that ... so I got him this sweet Gibson American Eagle. What a honey -- I almost didn't want to give it to him! I'll never forget his face, when I gave it to him. Anyway, I thought we'd practice and write songs for our girlfriends, or whatever and it would be great.

Wouldn't you just know it? The rest the guys all wanted in on this, like they pictured groupies, or I don't know what they thought, but they were very excited by the prospect of us playing together. Next thing you know, we're playing in old churches and over Ray's house, sometimes (he was our lead guitarist). Pat was our drummer and he was really, really good. He'd start playing and and Ray would shout, "... it's like a firecracker up my ass!" What he meant by that, exactly, I'm sure I don't know, but it was an inside joke amongst us until my moving to California and other things finally broke us up. But when we got together to play, we were like a gang, again. When I get homesick, sometimes, that's what I miss the most, really ...

That is an awesome story!

Reminds me of one of my favorite movies of all time: 'Still Crazy'. For anyone who has never seen that, give it a try. It's funny, but it has great poignancy, too.

 

[2takesfrakes]

Still Crazy is a 1998 British comedy film directed by Brian Gibson. The plot concerns a fictional 1970s rock band named "Strange Fruit", who, after being split up for two decades, are persuaded to get back together to perform at a reunion of the same concert venue where they played their last gig. The film focuses on the personal lives of the band members and those closest to them, and their individual experiences with approaching middle-age and the success that eluded them."

This -- sounds good!!! Hahaha ... "Strange Fruit!!!" Love it ...

 

[TrickyDickie]

Still Crazy is a 1998 British comedy film directed by Brian Gibson. The plot concerns a fictional 1970s rock band named "Strange Fruit", who, after being split up for two decades, are persuaded to get back together to perform at a reunion of the same concert venue where they played their last gig. The film focuses on the personal lives of the band members and those closest to them, and their individual experiences with approaching middle-age and the success that eluded them."

This -- sounds good!!! Hahaha ... "Strange Fruit!!!" Love it ...

I expected to like it....and ended up loving it. It really is that good!

 

[Nakita Akita]

I would HATE it if or when I don't have the TNG love going on.
I love TNG and DS9.
Both of those are what gets me through my cubicle workday.
I can't imagine WANTING to lose the love.

 

[Galileo7]

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