Voyager had the best bridge but I think the refited Enterprise (not the Ent-A) had the worst bridges.
The Best and Worst ST Bridges
- Thread starter SupAJ1M
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I may be in the minority here, but my favorite bridge is from TFF. To me, it combines the functional efficiency of the TOS/TMP bridges with the warmth and comfort of the TNG bridge. It has the carpeting, the wooden railing, the soft colors, but it still has the efficient and functional design that was so good that the Navy wanted to study it.
My least favorite bridge? Hmm... probably the Enterprise-E. I suppose the layout is fine, but aside from hating that dark lighting scheme they went to in the movies, the thing looks like the Fisher-Price version of a bridge. Everything just looks flimsy.
My least favorite bridge? Hmm... probably the Enterprise-E. I suppose the layout is fine, but aside from hating that dark lighting scheme they went to in the movies, the thing looks like the Fisher-Price version of a bridge. Everything just looks flimsy.
Best description ever! So true...
MeanJoePhaser
Admiral
Best: TNG Enterprise D. It, like the TOS bridge, was practically a character itself.
Worst: No idea. Most of the rest seem generic and forgettable.
Worst: No idea. Most of the rest seem generic and forgettable.
I think my favorite bridge would be the TOS bridge, particuarly the pilot versions. Dated, but functional. Many other bridges are to me just a redecoration of this design with a door or two more. Of modern bridges, I'd say Voyager's is my next favorite.
I agree. The E-E bridge I never really liked, even when I went through my E-E liking phase but in retrospect it's much too dark. I think it's more the colors than the lighting, combined with having so many stations, then recessing them into the walls, then having the freestanding stations parallel to those, that made the bridge feel very squeezed in the middle to me.
I agree. The E-E bridge I never really liked, even when I went through my E-E liking phase but in retrospect it's much too dark. I think it's more the colors than the lighting, combined with having so many stations, then recessing them into the walls, then having the freestanding stations parallel to those, that made the bridge feel very squeezed in the middle to me.
I have to agree with several others on the original TOS bridge. Just a perfect marriage of form and function, further proved by how well it was looked in In A Mirror, Darkly.
But I guess I'm in the minority in not liking Voyager's bridge at all. The dual captain/xo seat is just silly, the ops and tactical stations way back and off to the sides seem weird. I guess the author of the novelization of one of the first Voyager novels must not have liked it either as she had the helm and ops stations right next to each other. In one scene Harry reaches over and hits a button on the helm while still at ops. Either that or he's got a secret rubber arm that stretches several meters.
But I guess I'm in the minority in not liking Voyager's bridge at all. The dual captain/xo seat is just silly, the ops and tactical stations way back and off to the sides seem weird. I guess the author of the novelization of one of the first Voyager novels must not have liked it either as she had the helm and ops stations right next to each other. In one scene Harry reaches over and hits a button on the helm while still at ops. Either that or he's got a secret rubber arm that stretches several meters.
from the little i've seen the worst bridge would be the one from the new film, theres something about it that dosent look 'trekky' may be if i see more i'd like it but i duobt it
the best one would be the refit enterprise in star trek 6 wasnt too keen when they had it all white at the end of i think it was star trek 4
the best one would be the refit enterprise in star trek 6 wasnt too keen when they had it all white at the end of i think it was star trek 4
I have to agree that the Scimitar bridge was pure excriment. For Federation bridges, I hated the Ambassador class bridge that they made up. It looked so cobbled together.
For the best bridge, the Intrepid, Sovereign, and Enterprise-A from Trek V.
Although, really, all of the Constitution classes looked pretty good.
For the best bridge, the Intrepid, Sovereign, and Enterprise-A from Trek V.
Although, really, all of the Constitution classes looked pretty good.
TOS even though the we have moved a long way from the 1960s still looks great and practical.
TNG Galaxy Class, what were they thinking? They give it five wall stations and put them at the very back out of the way of the Captain. People often claim it looks more like a hotel lobby, I think it looks more like a luxury home cinema.
A proper bridge should have the captain at the centre on their "throne" with stations all around them in clear view, with lots of crew manning them.
TNG Galaxy Class, what were they thinking? They give it five wall stations and put them at the very back out of the way of the Captain. People often claim it looks more like a hotel lobby, I think it looks more like a luxury home cinema.
A proper bridge should have the captain at the centre on their "throne" with stations all around them in clear view, with lots of crew manning them.
Best ST Bridges:
Galaxy Class
Sovereign Class
Intrepid Class
Defiant Class
Excelsior Class
Worst ST Bridges:
Constellation Class
NX-01 Bridge (not really fond of it)
Galaxy Class
Sovereign Class
Intrepid Class
Defiant Class
Excelsior Class
Worst ST Bridges:
Constellation Class
NX-01 Bridge (not really fond of it)
Best: I'm so happy that the Generations Enterprise-D bridge is getting so many posts here. It should've been the bridge from the beginning, gosh darnit.
Worst: The Enterprise-E bridge. I realize the need to go darker overall for the movies, for a more cinematic feel, but everything looks like it was designed by the Cardassians with its moody browns and such. Additionally, to me it looks a little primitive in a too gothic kind of feel, and too representative of what Trek was back in the 90s. I can do darker, sure, but I look at how the movie uniforms contrasted the bright bridges of the Defiant and the Prometheus, and both the uniforms and the bridges looked all the better from the contrast.
Dishonorable mention: I can't recall what ship it was (The Nebula-class USS Sutherland?) where helm control was perpendicular to the viewscreen. I'm all for different ways of piloting a ship, but its placement was just too bizarre.
Worst: The Enterprise-E bridge. I realize the need to go darker overall for the movies, for a more cinematic feel, but everything looks like it was designed by the Cardassians with its moody browns and such. Additionally, to me it looks a little primitive in a too gothic kind of feel, and too representative of what Trek was back in the 90s. I can do darker, sure, but I look at how the movie uniforms contrasted the bright bridges of the Defiant and the Prometheus, and both the uniforms and the bridges looked all the better from the contrast.
Dishonorable mention: I can't recall what ship it was (The Nebula-class USS Sutherland?) where helm control was perpendicular to the viewscreen. I'm all for different ways of piloting a ship, but its placement was just too bizarre.
Given the circumstances in this episode (a lot of ships being rushed into service at the last minute) I always thought the Sutherland's bridge was just a last minute thing thrown together quickly. Not surprising it was so weird looking.
Surely it can't be that hard to turn the station a mere 90 degrees. After all, those consoles were designed to be mobile by the production staff
I've always like the Enterprise D, bridge. Seems inviting and comfy, perfect for where we could possible be in the future.
I HATE DS9's ops, though. I've seen the series 4 times through, and if you were to give me a layout of it, I could not point out a single station to you.
I HATE DS9's ops, though. I've seen the series 4 times through, and if you were to give me a layout of it, I could not point out a single station to you.
No love for the USS Relativity bridge? 
That was my favorite.
That was my favorite.
I loved ops, it just seemed so much bigger than it actually was.
I don't think any of the bridges have been all that good though. I think the best bridge would be one like the original, but have the walls be bare and have the consoles where the railing is. That way each station has an easy view towards the captain and the viewscreen. In the show they were constantly having to turn in their chairs to speak with the captain.
I don't think any of the bridges have been all that good though. I think the best bridge would be one like the original, but have the walls be bare and have the consoles where the railing is. That way each station has an easy view towards the captain and the viewscreen. In the show they were constantly having to turn in their chairs to speak with the captain.
The Relativity bridge was pretty good, especially considering it was a 'ship of the week' bridge. In lots of ways the decentralized feel of it nicely echoed the D bridge. I remember watching the episode originally and noticing that it was cobbled together from several previous sets but now I can't think of which ones. The strobing consoles in the back were quite nice as well.
The Relativity bridge is the same set as the Kyrian museum from "Living Witness" and the Son'a 'beauty salon' in Insurrection.
