“Space, the final frontier.  These are the voyages of the U.S.S. Enterprise.  To seek out new life and new civilizations.  To boldly go where no man has gone before.” The theme music plays and you’re transported onto the bridge of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, following along with the adventures of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek: The Next Generation was created by Gene Roddenbury as part of the Star Trek line.  It follows the adventures of the new starship Enterprise, taking place some 70 years after the original series in the show timeline.  The Enterprise is captained by Jean-Luc Picard, played by the brilliant Patrick Stewart along with his First Mate (whom he calls “Number One”) Will Riker, played by the dashing Jonathan Frakes.  The show first aired in 1987, had 178 episodes, and ended it’s long run in 1994.

The series took us through many ups and downs.  I remember being a small child and watching the death of Chief of Security Tasha Yar, the first time I had to really come to grips with death besides something other than a hamster.  We watched as Geordi La Forge became Chief Engineer, Wesley Crusher goes to Starfleet, and Data meets his brother Lore and comes to terms with his non-existent emotions.  We (as the audience) were there when Picard first met Q, whenever Guinan would give great advice, and through the on-again/off-again relationship of Deanna Troi and Will Riker.  We became a part of the crew.

Star Trek: The Next Generationwas one of those shows I shared with my family.  We bonded together, knowing that if Picard could overcome being a Borg, we could overcome anything as a unit.  It’s no wonder that Star Trek: The Next Generation ranks among the top TV shows of all time.