Starting TNG

[iggyspock]

Hi,
Iggy here,
I just started TNG and i'm so looking forward to watching it all, I am now on season 3 and so far I don't think I dislike any of the characters nor can I pick a favourite, I love them all so much, I really enjoy Rikers character but I am also really intrested in Data and Worf's character development.
No spoilers!
But I would just like to know what was your thoughts of the characters when you first watched them and how has your views changed?
I think so far Captain Picard is defiantly the best captain, I adore him alot and he is such so sweet and caring.
Who is your favourite character and why?

That's all for now, Iggy Out.

 

[AntonyF]

I think it's a very solid group, with good cast. They work well together.

I wouldn't say my perceptions have shifted massively over time. Probably the one that has shifted most is I found I rank Pulaski higher and Crusher lower as I get older. I really appreciate the gravitas that Dinna Muldaur brought to the role.

That's no reflection on Gates McFadden and I'd say of all the TNG cast I've met she was my favourite. But her character was written as quite wet compared to Pulaski.

Crusher was better when Wesley went, as she didn't have to play the mother.

 

[Tosk]

I think this is a dangerous question for avoiding spoilers. Best of luck.

 

[iggyspock]

I think this is a dangerous question for avoiding spoilers. Best of luck.

HAHAH yes it really is, although I've gotten plenty really from my series' but just not from the movies!
My mam's Boyfriend is quite obsessed with TNG and he ALLLLLLWAYYSSS gives me damn spoilers....

 

[iggyspock]

I think it's a very solid group, with good cast. They work well together.

I wouldn't say my perceptions have shifted massively over time. Probably the one that has shifted most is I found I rank Pulaski higher and Crusher lower as I get older. I really appreciate the gravitas that Dinna Muldaur brought to the role.

That's no reflection on Gates McFadden and I'd say of all the TNG cast I've met she was my favourite. But her character was written as quite wet compared to Pulaski.

Crusher was better when Wesley went, as she didn't have to play the mother.

This is so intresting to me as alot of people i've talked to actually doesn't like Pulaski at all, but so far I think she isn't bad, I won't lie I didn't like her at first, but I grown to like her. I wonder does she ever come back?

 

[Tosk]

I liked Pulaski a lot. I think she has an edge to her that I really enjoyed.

 

[AntonyF]

This is so intresting to me as alot of people i've talked to actually doesn't like Pulaski at all, but so far I think she isn't bad, I won't lie I didn't like her at first, but I grown to like her. I wonder does she ever come back?

There is a very wide perception that "Pulaski was mean to Data". I don't agree with it. She was confused by him, adapted and showed him a lot of warmth. But reputations stick.

 

[iggyspock]

There is a very wide perception that "Pulaski was mean to Data". I don't agree with it. She was confused by him, adapted and showed him a lot of warmth. But reputations stick.

I completely agree, even at the end of season two when data was wondering about his strength and was doubting himself she even said sorry to him. I did really like how she showed she cared about him.

 

[Michael]

Welcome @iggyspock! So cool to know people are still discovering Trek and watch these shows for the first time. I think you’ll find that the quality picks up considerably now that you’re in season three going into season four. I’m sure I’m speaking for many people when I say how much I envy being able to watch all these television classics for the very first time.

As for first impressions of the characters: That’s difficult to answer, as I watched the show first as a kid where perceptions are certainly different. I remember finding Worf a little scary and being really bored by Beverly Crusher. Geordi, Riker and Data were early favorites that I already liked as a child. Especially Data I was very fond of and I remember trying to emulate him. Picard seemed just like this sage and wise character to me.

Now I’m older I look at all of them a little differently. Picard I often find a little pompous and too stiff and unemotional as a leader, although I appreciate the idea of an intellectual starship captain. Geordi and Riker are still my favorites, but Data I grew a bit tired of after he got a bit overexposed during the course of the show and the later movies and revivals. Worf I still don’t really care for, but I will say I think his character got more interesting later on Deep Space Nine (which I hope you’re open to check out after you finished The Next Generation, as IMHO it’s an even better show, the best the franchise has to offer). As for Beverly Crusher, for some reason the older I get the more interesting I find her. However, if put on the spot I’d take Pulaski over her any day of the week, as her character seemed more interesting. Honorable mention also to Tasha Yar, who I think might have really blossomed into a really interesting character had she not exited the show. They’ll introduce a new recurring character called Ensign Ro in season five and I often felt she gave us a glimpse into what Yar could have turned into.

What have been your favorite episodes so far?

 

[ananta]

So funny, as a kid I didn’t like Pulaski, but as an adult I think she’s way better than Crusher. She actually had a personality (gasp!) and Diana Muldaur has way more screen presence than McFadden. I dare say she was something of a scene stealer.

The one unfortunate thing was her initial dickishness toward Data, but by the end of the season she was actually championing him on. She had more character development in one season than Bev did in seven. Plus, I liked her relationships with Picard and Worf.

 

[AntonyF]

Worf I still don’t really care for, but I will say I think his character got more interesting later on Deep Space Nine

Highly agreed! Worf was domesticated in TNG by DS9 really fleshed him out. DS9 allowed him to be more Klingon, it really suited him well.

and Diana Muldaur has way more screen presence than McFadden.

While a Pulaski fan from the early days, this is what has really become apparent to me. Perhaps as I'm now in my 40s, watch a lot of theatre... I appreciate she feels like a proper theatre actor. Her and Stewart felt well matched, then there was "the rest".

Edit: to clarify the rest I do mean acting ability but also age. There was quite a gap so Muldaur and Stewart felt senior in both ways.

 

[iggyspock]

Welcome @iggyspock! So cool to know people are still discovering Trek and watch these shows for the first time. I think you’ll find that the quality picks up considerably now that you’re in season three going into season four. I’m sure I’m speaking for many people when I say how much I envy being able to watch all these television classics for the very first time.

As for first impressions of the characters: That’s difficult to answer, as I watched the show first as a kid where perceptions are certainly different. I remember finding Worf a little scary and being really bored by Beverly Crusher. Geordi, Riker and Data were early favorites that I already liked as a child. Especially Data I was very fond of and I remember trying to emulate him. Picard seemed just like this sage and wise character to me.

Now I’m older I look at all of them a little differently. Picard I often find a little pompous and too stiff and unemotional as a leader, although I appreciate the idea of an intellectual starship captain. Geordi and Riker are still my favorites, but Data I grew a bit tired of after he got a bit overexposed during the course of the show and the later movies and revivals. Worf I still don’t really care for, but I will say I think his character got more interesting later on Deep Space Nine (which I hope you’re open to check out after you finished The Next Generation, as IMHO it’s an even better show, the best the franchise has to offer). As for Beverly Crusher, for some reason the older I get the more interesting I find her. However, if put on the spot I’d take Pulaski over her any day of the week, as her character seemed more interesting. Honorable mention also to Tasha Yar, who I think might have really blossomed into a really interesting character had she not exited the show. They’ll introduce a new recurring character called Ensign Ro in season five and I often felt she gave us a glimpse into what Yar could have turned into.

What have been your favorite episodes so far?

I deffo am planning to look into DS9 after TNG, I do plan to watch all the other series' too! I am looking forward to DS9 since I heard a lot of good things about it. I also so love Yar but I really liked how much that Data admired her. I am looking forward to seeing Ensign!
As for my favourite episodes, that is a hard question, now don't judge, but I dont rememebr the names off all the episodes my brain won't do that unforunally, but I really liked the episode that Data was questioned about and they didn't see him as a life form essentilly and they were about to just deassemble him and look into his building, and they didn't care for his feelings, but I loved how Picard was able to keep his word and be bale to stand up for Data. I liked this episode so much as I think it does portray alot of real life cercomstances and how some people view others in the world and it really made me think about it for a while, I really liked it.
I also really enjoyed the episode where they all got a diese that made them drunk and they all wanted to get with someone, I found this one really funny.

 

[AntonyF]

I deffo am planning to look into DS9 after TNG

I recommend watching DS9 in season six of TNG, and follow the original air dates in terms of episode airings. It's not essential, but there are a few crossovers and story references.

You'll see it how we saw it back in the day on TV or on VHS video releases.

It also extends the end of TNG a bit.

 

[Tosk]

...but if you do end up doing that, be slightly careful as some listings will not be shy about spoilers.

 

[AntonyF]

Just use this: https://startreklist.blogspot.com/ it has episodes by air date, and was originally shared here. https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/i-made-a-list-of-all-episodes-sorted-by-air-date.139946/

iggspock, basically carry on until Chain of Command Part II which is episode 11 of season six, then start Deep Space Nine.

And this is also a good example of why for me there's a great deal of joy watching them as the creators originally intended them. Because this episode leads nicely into Deep Space Nine with its themes.

 

[TheMoonIsMadeOfCheese]

Hi,
Iggy here,
I just started TNG and i'm so looking forward to watching it all, I am now on season 3 and so far I don't think I dislike any of the characters nor can I pick a favourite, I love them all so much, I really enjoy Rikers character but I am also really intrested in Data and Worf's character development.
No spoilers!
But I would just like to know what was your thoughts of the characters when you first watched them and how has your views changed?
I think so far Captain Picard is defiantly the best captain, I adore him alot and he is such so sweet and caring.
Who is your favourite character and why?

That's all for now, Iggy Out.

Hello!

I got into TNG (and Trek in general) a couple years ago during COVID, so I didn't watch it during it's original run like most of the others in this thread probably did. That said, my opinions pretty much align with what other people wrote above.

On first watch, Data was my favourite character, simply because there were so many new and interesting stories surrounding him. The idea of a humanoid, human-like android, especially now with the rise of artificial intelligence, was exciting. I still think Data is a great character, but after S4 the writers start to develop the recurring characters more, some of whom I really liked. It took me some time to warm to Worf, because some of the early Klingon episodes were... not great. But I agree with everyone else that Worf becomes much more enjoyable in DS9. Picard struck me as too serious, especially after watching TOS and Captain Kirk, but around halfway through S2 I got over it. Riker was just there for me, I didn't dislike him but I didn't like him. Geordi was initially also a neutral character for me, but towards the end of the show his character gets fleshed out more, and now he's probably up there as one of my favourites.
I don't have a strong opinion on the Crusher/Pulaski debate, but if forced to pick a side I would probably say Crusher. She just seems friendlier and more empathetic. However, looking at all of these other replies, I wonder if my answer will change if you ask me again in a few years...

One of the characters I was disappointed by was Deanna Troi. Her empathy seemed like a cool sci-fi concept, and I've just now realised that some of what I was going to say had a few spoilers, so I'll just stop myself here.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. There are some really amazing episodes ahead of you! I also highly encourage you to watch DS9. Trust me, you won't regret it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Having watched from day 1, with many rewatches since, the actors were a bit stiff in their roles early on. But they definitely got comfortable pretty quickly.

Good character evolution for everyone as well over 7 seasons.