Star Trek: The Next Generation Debuted 26 Years Ago Today

Just think, people who were born when Star Trek: The Next Generation first premiered are now doctors. It was 26 years ago today the miracle happened. Somehow, someway, they captured lightning in a bottle for a second time.

Personally, I thought it was going to suck. Many of us didn't know how to feel about the previews showing us Captain Stubing from the Love Boat in command of the new U.S.S. Enterprise. Back then, we didn't know that Patrick Stewart was the most gifted actor in the world. We were equally concerned at the idea of having Potsie Weber from Happy Days as the First Officer. Okay, so it really wasn't Potsie from Happy Days, but Jonathan Frakes sure did look like him for the first season. Eventually, Potsie grew a beard and faced some of his insecurities, and the rest is television gold.

It retrospect, the pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint," wasn't great, but it was a long way from bad. The costumes looked a little silly, and the Enterprise-D resembled a Holiday Inn, but it was no big deal. Within a season, things fell into place. The net result: an incredible ensemble cast, and seven years of humanity at its best.

We salute you, brave crew of the Enterprise-D, and your courage to take the gig and make it happen.