Star Trek TNG’s finest episode virtually brutally killed Knowledge and Wesley

Star Trek The Subsequent Era is likely one of the all time nice TV sequence, however that wasn’t all the time the case. Tasked with the inconceivable job of being a sequel to the unique Star Trek sequence with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, TNG struggled to get off the bottom and debuted with a fairly terrible first season, earlier than marginally bettering for its return with season 2.

Season 2 has among the finest episodes to be present in the entire Star Trek sequence, with the likes of Q Who, Peak Efficiency, The Measure of a Man, and Elementary, Expensive Knowledge. However it additionally has among the worst Star Trek episodes ever (we’re you, Shades of Gray), and the present didn’t absolutely hit its stride till season 3.

The typical high quality of the present drastically improved, and it ended with a bang with The Better of Each Worlds (absolutely probably the greatest TV sequence cliff-hangers of all time?). However, the perfect episode of the season – heck, the perfect TNG episode ever – must be Yesterday’s Enterprise. Set primarily in an alternate timeline, Yesterday’s Enterprise tells the story of the Enterprise-C and its sacrifice to stop a future battle.

Because the story reaches its climax the USS Enterprise-D is compelled to confront three enemy Klingon ships (Okay’vort-class battlecruisers, to be exact) with the intention to shield Rachel Garrett’s C and allow its sacrifice. In doing so, Picard’s ship takes an absolute pounding.

It manages to take out one of many Klingon ships, however because the battle heats up and the D’s shields drop, the starship’s bridge begins to crumble. Consoles blow up within the faces of the crew (as they all the time do) and (inexplicably) rubbles falls from the ceiling. A fireplace breaks out. Shockingly, Riker’s is struck by particles and collapses to the bottom, lifeless; his neck ripped open.

Simply because the ship is about to utterly explode, the C makes it again to the previous and corrects the Star Trek timeline. Peace is restored.

However, whereas it was surprising sufficient to see Riker on the ground, lifeless, the unique plan for the episode was much more brutal, and way more ugly. In authentic imaginative and prescient for the episode, because the battle between the Enterprise-D and the Klingons reached its heart-pumping conclusion, each Wesley Crusher and Knowledge had been killed alongside Riker.

Their deaths had been finally reduce from the episode because of funds and time constraints, in addition to fears over their suitability for TV. Knowledge would have been electrocuted to loss of life by his console, after successful from a Klingon ship. In the meantime, Wesley would have been decapitated by particles, leaving Picard because the lone the survivor on the bridge staving off the Klingon assault.

After all, the 2 Star Trek characters would have remained alive in the primary timeline, however seeing their deaths (and in such graphic vogue) would have been a massively surprising second for audiences. Knowledge was a fan-favorite, not in contrast to Spock, whereas many felt equally strongly a (although much less positively) concerning the prodigal Wesley Crusher. Nonetheless, maybe such brutal drama would have been extra suited to a distinct Star Trek present, just like the spin-off Deep Area 9.

For extra on Star Trek, you’ll find out why Colm Meaney wanted persuading to the be part of the Deep Area 9 solid, and why the unique Captain Janeway actor stop for a weird cause. Or, preserve updated with the franchise by seeing what’s occurring with the Unusual New Worlds season 3 launch date, Decrease Decks season 4 launch date, and potential Star Trek Legacy launch date.

If that’s not sufficient, see our guides on the Star Trek The Subsequent Era solid, and one of the simplest ways to look at the Star Trek motion pictures so as, and discover out what’s new on Paramount Plus this month if you need to transcend Star Trek.