Continuation of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Exploring the Unseen Series and Movies

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises, has left an enduring legacy that spans across multiple series and films. Since its release, TNG has been considered a continuation of Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) and has itself been the foundation for numerous subsequent works, including films, TV series, and even video games. This article delves into the unseen series and films that have continued the TNG narrative, expanding the Star Trek universe in various ways.

Unseen Series and Movies

While the Star Trek franchise is vast, with multiple series and films, the continuation of TNG has seen some unexpectedly irregular appearances. After the end of TNG, the movies Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, Nemesis, and TV series Enterprise have provided glimpses into the evolving Star Trek universe. However, since then, there has been a gap, with no new series or films, except for cameo appearances by familiar characters in Star Trek: Picard.

The upcoming Legacy show planned for Star Trek: Picard aims to bridge this gap. As of February 2024, the show is set to involve characters introduced in the Picard series, such as Seven of Nine potentially taking the role as captain. The show may also feature the children of LaForge, bringing a new generation to the Star Trek universe. The exact storyline and characters are yet to be fully revealed, but fans are eagerly anticipating the continuation of the Picard series.

Continuation of TNG Canon

According to the rules set forth by Gene Roddenberry and followed by VIACOMCBS/Paramount, all Star Trek series and films set after TNG are considered direct continuations of the series. This has led to the creation of various spin-offs and new series that build upon the established TNG canon. Here are some notable examples:

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager both took place after the end of TNG, exploring different aspects of the Starfleet universe. Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Lower Decks are animated series that added new adventures to the ever-evolving tapestry of the Star Trek universe. Star Trek: Discovery introduced new characters and concepts, setting the stage for a rich continuation of the TNG narrative. The video game Star Trek: Online was also approved as a continuation of the TNG series, allowing players to explore the same universe and engage with familiar characters.

The Movie Continuation

The movie continuation of TNG is well-documented with the Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, and Nemesis films. These films introduced new plotlines and characters while maintaining the legacy of the TNG series. Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, and Marina Sirtis have all reprised their roles in these films, showing that the Enterprise-D crew remains a significant part of the Star Trek universe.

Additionally, the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard is expected to reunite the principal cast, including Brent Spiner as Data, Jonathan Frakes as Riker, and Marina Sirtis as Troi. These cameo appearances in Enterprise and Picard serve as a bridge between the different series, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the Star Trek universe.

In summary, while the continuation of Star Trek: The Next Generation has seen some irregularities, the franchise has indeed expanded through various means. The upcoming Legacy show for Picard is highly anticipated to fill the gap and continue the narrative. As a fan of the Star Trek universe, it's exciting to see how the continuation of TNG will evolve in the coming years.