TNG's Bridge

[Red Ranger]

Count me in for liking TNG's bridge too, although the fact the security officer is hindered from getting to the Captain instantly is a bit of a design flaw - would the Borg have grabbed Picard so easily had Worf been right by him to protect him?

Well, Worf's position gave him the high ground - from his position, he could get any attacker before they reached Picard. Wasn't Worf distracted by OTHER drones in the moment that Picard was snatched?

I always thought so, too. He's also the only principal who doesn't have a seat on the bridge. That's probably why he has that line in The Emissary, when Riker asks him how he liked command, and he replied, "Comfortable chair."

As for the bridge itself, I didn't mind it too much. I would have moved the two seats on Picard's sides up a bit, then given Riker a control panel, made that like a master version of ops, moved Data to where Troi sat and have that be the main sciences station, and move Worf to where Data sat and have that be tactical.

Red Ranger

 

[Piper]

Count me in for liking TNG's bridge too, although the fact the security officer is hindered from getting to the Captain instantly is a bit of a design flaw - would the Borg have grabbed Picard so easily had Worf been right by him to protect him?

Well, Worf's position gave him the high ground - from his position, he could get any attacker before they reached Picard. Wasn't Worf distracted by OTHER drones in the moment that Picard was snatched?

Hmm it's a good point about Worf having a good vantage point, but physically I still think he's at a disadvantage - there's a real barrier between him and Picard which can never be a good thing. Thinking about BOBW you're right though, I'd forgotten the other drones!

 

[Doug Otte]

I've always loved the design of the E-D bridge. Like others have said, it was sleek and there was no need for knobs and buttons sticking out all over. Also, notice it has no stairs, allowing access by handicapped people or non-walking species.

I agree that it's a bit awkward, otherwise. Entering from the top lift, the crew had to walk around either side, down a ramp, then turn in toward the center. The actors also mentioned that it seemed awkward to have to turn around from the command section to address the crew on the upper rim.

Doug

 

[Holodeck Addict]

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...but for what ever reason, I didn't like it.

Rob
Scorpio

Well. I don't agree that the 3-abreast command section of the bridge had to do with tempering Patrick Stewart as the principle actor...certainly Spock was as popular as Kirk without a central throne... Riker had a post - either the Captain's right hand, or the Big Chair itself.
But I will go with you on the Tactical stations. Nothing to grab onto, just a smooth panel. You'd think they'd put just one "oh shit" handle at each tactical station.
And I will say that when TNG first aired, I vastly preferred the older-school look of the Battle Bridge on those rare times it appeared. But I came to dig the horseshoe.

Hahaha! Oh shit handle!! That is funny as hell!!

 

[RAMA]

I never was a fan of TNG's bridge. I didn't really care for the three seats in the command area. When they redressed it for YESTERDAY'S ENTERPRISE, I thought that was a much better bridge.

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...but for what ever reason, I didn't like it.

Rob
Scorpio

I liked it, the colors were original, the ceiling was grand and reflected a different design concept.

RAMA

 

[nx1701g]

Although, I like version of the E-D bridge in Generations best, with the addaded stations.

Be glad that their original design didn't get approval though. It had even more consoles scattered around. If I recall correctly from the sketches between the Tactical and aft stations there was another set of panels like the Conn and Ops stations (they were seat based panels).

 

[LeadHead]

I've always loved the Enterprise-D bridge. It reflected the shows emphasis on ensemble and that the ship was made to be a ship of peacefull exploration. As opposed to the Defiant and Enterprise-E which were more battle capability centered.

 

[Praetor]

Count me in for liking TNG's bridge too, although the fact the security officer is hindered from getting to the Captain instantly is a bit of a design flaw - would the Borg have grabbed Picard so easily had Worf been right by him to protect him?

Well, Worf's position gave him the high ground - from his position, he could get any attacker before they reached Picard. Wasn't Worf distracted by OTHER drones in the moment that Picard was snatched?

I always thought so, too. He's also the only principal who doesn't have a seat on the bridge. That's probably why he has that line in The Emissary, when Riker asks him how he liked command, and he replied, "Comfortable chair."

As for the bridge itself, I didn't mind it too much. I would have moved the two seats on Picard's sides up a bit, then given Riker a control panel, made that like a master version of ops, moved Data to where Troi sat and have that be the main sciences station, and move Worf to where Data sat and have that be tactical.

Red Ranger

IIRC, they actually came up with the bridge design first, then decided where everyone should sit. I'm sure Andy Probert knew in his mind where he wanted everyone, but apparently they tried out some different schemes before settling on the one they went with.

 

[EmperorTiberius]

Worf needs to be alert 100% of the time, so I don't think he should be sitting. And I quite like the horseshoe shape of the station. That bridge is like artwork.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

All set designs tend to address particular problems of character movement with one or more solutions.

Putting two characters with whom the Captain would be assumed to confer close to the Captain's chair on TNG eliminated long crosses. Having the Security Officer face front was the beginning of trying to solve the problem of having principal characters facing away from the camera in most shots.

Or maybe not. Someone should ask Andrew Probert about the hows and whys of this set - he's a member here, and he designed it.

Spock's tendency to work standing at his (clearly designed as a seated) station worked well for the character, but it also served the purpose of reducing the need for obviously unmotivated action in order to get him into conversation with the Captain.

 

[Cap.Sicho Nosk]

i personally liked the TNG bridge, because it didnt seem an cramped and crouded as its TOS counter part. also i think it works better on screen, as all of the main charicters are facing forward, all very visable, and has a large space in the front which acts as a stage.

 

[trevanian]

i personally liked the TNG bridge, because it didnt seem an cramped and crouded as its TOS counter part. also i think it works better on screen, as all of the main charicters are facing forward, all very visable, and has a large space in the front which acts as a stage.

The facing forward bit is just visually blah, it is better to have a variety of positions, especially profile views of some, and it allows for more interesting and varied lighting too. I could also imagine stations facing IN on an angle (a la the -E) since you get partial profiles there too.

The Worf positioning, having a tall guy at the tallest station, would work fine in a world where tv sets were tall and narrow, but as is, it just wrecks compositions ferociously. There's rarely anything of interest outside the middle of the frame on TNG, like a widescreen movie that leaves the frame empty because the director is thinking 4:3.

 

[bryce]

The actors also mentioned that it seemed awkward to have to turn around from the command section to address the crew on the upper rim.

I would have taken the six stations on the upper rim area, and put them three on each side of the bridge - pretty much what Generations did - then the major stations would have been closer to the Captian and Number 1, right there on either side just a turn of the head to see or speak to, and not way off behind somewhere so you have to turn around a shot at - and where you can't see their workscreens at all.

Worf I'd keep where he is, but add a chair.

I'd replace the back stations with a large MSD flanked by either two stand up stations (no chairs, like on the TMP bridge) and/or those computer access drawer thingies the TNG series bridge had.

 

[Praetor]

The actors also mentioned that it seemed awkward to have to turn around from the command section to address the crew on the upper rim.

I would have taken the six stations on the upper rim area, and put them three on each side of the bridge - pretty much what Generations did - then the major stations would have been closer to the Captian and Number 1, right there on either side just a turn of the head to see or speak to, and not way off behind somewhere so you have to turn around a shot at - and where you can't see their workscreens at all.

Worf I'd keep where he is, but add a chair.

I'd replace the back stations with a large MSD flanked by either two stand up stations (no chairs, like on the TMP bridge) and/or those computer access drawer thingies the TNG series bridge had.

That sounds like a decent variant.

 

[BillJ]

The actors also mentioned that it seemed awkward to have to turn around from the command section to address the crew on the upper rim.

I would have taken the six stations on the upper rim area, and put them three on each side of the bridge - pretty much what Generations did - then the major stations would have been closer to the Captian and Number 1, right there on either side just a turn of the head to see or speak to, and not way off behind somewhere so you have to turn around a shot at - and where you can't see their workscreens at all.

Worf I'd keep where he is, but add a chair.

I'd replace the back stations with a large MSD flanked by either two stand up stations (no chairs, like on the TMP bridge) and/or those computer access drawer thingies the TNG series bridge had.

See. This actually makes sense. Not just adding stations to make the bridge seem more lively but rearranging them to keep the clean lines and futuristic feel.

Re: Worf - No chair. See the Seinfeld episode where George brings the chair for the security guard who has to stand for his whole shift.

 

[Kirby]

Re: Worf - No chair. See the Seinfeld episode where George brings the chair for the security guard who has to stand for his whole shift.

That was the first thing I thought of when I read that in the thread. I can see Worf sleeping through the action!

Count me as someone who never care too much for the E-D bridge. If anything it looks *too* comfortable. And by the way, this isn't a 3 chair command station, there are actually 5 seats there, there are two little rarely used seats on the other side of Riker and Troi.
Nowdays it reminds me of the Snuggly (or Snuggi?) comercial where the people sit around a little fire in the Snuggly's roasting mashmellons.

Possibly the only thing I liked about ST V was that bridge. Comfortable and functional. I wish TNG would have used something like that.

 

[Praetor]

Just be glad that we didn't end up with the conference table or couch where Picard, Riker, and Troi sit (although the rest of the bridge design elements in the Probert paintings that feature them are kinda cool.)

 

[Squiggy]

The actors also mentioned that it seemed awkward to have to turn around from the command section to address the crew on the upper rim.

I would have taken the six stations on the upper rim area, and put them three on each side of the bridge - pretty much what Generations did - then the major stations would have been closer to the Captian and Number 1, right there on either side just a turn of the head to see or speak to, and not way off behind somewhere so you have to turn around a shot at - and where you can't see their workscreens at all.

Worf I'd keep where he is, but add a chair.

I'd replace the back stations with a large MSD flanked by either two stand up stations (no chairs, like on the TMP bridge) and/or those computer access drawer thingies the TNG series bridge had.

 

[EmperorTiberius]

those 5 stations in the back are not essential, only the two upfront and tactical are needed. That''s another thing I like about the bridge, you only need a few people to run the ship

 

[Will]

Squiggyfm: I like that variation on the bridge--the side stations look interesting, as opposed to the plain grey panels we saw on the walls of the bridge in TNG.

One thing--about tactical having a chair: The tactical station is so broad (you can see it in Squiggyfm's image) that the chair for the tactical officer would have to be a rolling chair (like at the helm on Voyager). But with that wide open area, with the ramps and everything, would you really want a rolling chair? I think having the tactical officer standing makes the most sense for this bridge configuration. On Voyager, the tactical station was much more compact, so if Tuvok had had a chair (I don't think he did) that would have been OK.