GAINING MOMENTUM. 'STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION' SEASON TWO HD ARRIVES ON UK TV

Firmly into the Final Frontier. The cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Images: PARAMOUNT.

Those technology acquiring terrors, The Borg, make their stunning HD TV debut on the UK's SYFY Channel soon, as the exclusive first run transmissions of the painstakingly remastered STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION boldly go into their second exciting season from tonight at 7pm. As well as the Borg, there were many other firsts this year, namely the introduction of several new characters to the U.S.S. Enterprise under the stern command of Jean-Luc Picard: playing Doctor Beverly Crusher the previous season, actress Gates McFadden sadly departed the show after behind the scenes tussles with then stubborn Co-Executive Producer Maurice Hurley, who replaced her with Diana Muldaur, another talented actress who already had links with the original CLASSIC TREK series (with two episodic appearances), as the newly arrived Doctor Kate Pulaski: a dedicated and passionate physician just like Crusher but whose crusty personality and way of dealing with patients is very familiar to fans who loved DeForest Kelly's wonderful and iconic performance as Leonard McCoy, sparring with Data (Brent Spiner), whom she is at first wary of, in a way not unlike "that old country Doctor" did with his highly intelligent and honest Vulcan antagonist, Spock. Celebrated film actress Whoopi Goldberg, at the peak of her career, also joins TNG for welcome special appearances from Season Two onwards, playing the ships other counsellor in many ways, as barkeep of the new Ten Forward bar/recreation area of the Enterprise, where the crew can get to unwind and the writers can develop our heroes off-duty personalities a bit better-a clever idea added to the show by Roddenberry, who still had a firm producer-ship hand on his baby at that point in time, of which the revolving door of incoming and outgoing writers still gained momentum, though Maurice Hurley remained the creators most successful storytelling ally. A lifelong fan and admirer of the original landmark TREK, Goldberg subtly shines as Guinan, becoming an essential part of the new shows continuing success, of which her scenes with Patrick Stewart as Picard shine brightly, especially in this first batch. Further adding to the show, series regulars Michael Dorn and LeVar Burton get new and improved job positions (Lt. Worf now security officer, and Geordi La Forge in charge of Engineering-finally a trusted pair of hands with the ships dilithium crystals!) and costume changes. Plus some mild and deserved set re-designs here and there, too. Even a new shuttlecraft!

Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-Ray - Season 2 Trailer #01 - YouTube

Picard (Patrick Stewart) defends Data (Brent Spiner) as a sentient being in The Measure of a Man. 

Klingon couple: Worf (Michael Dorn) and K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson) are reunited in The Emissary.

Data and Geordi (LeVar Burton) are the new Holmes and Watson in Elementary, Dear Data.

Creative and character improvements are noticed quickly, but opening episodes do start off a little shaky, due to a crippling writers strikes in 1988, which forces the production team to adapt unused scripts from the aborted seventies TREK series: PHASE II. But things pick up near the mid-point, as the season finally launches into its delayed creative stride. Old villains the Romulans, re-introduced at the end of Year One, continue to make a mark, as do the Klingons, building on a fine return as a now bearded Riker (Jonathan Frakes) becomes one of their officers in A Matter of Honour. Data (and his real-life alter-ego, Brent Spiner, having a good run of stories to play with this time) is put on trial by Star Fleet for reasons of ownership in the award-winning and intelligent The Measure of a Man, Picard meets his future self in the chilling Time Squared, and looks into the death of an old friend, and the discovery of a long lost time travelling civilisation, in Contagion, whilst Worf (Michael Dorn) meets his old flame, the striking K'Ehleyr (memorably played by Suzie Plakson) in near season ender The Emissary. Oh, and then there's that aforementioned Borg episode, the stunning Q Who? , originally planned as the Season Two premiere but delayed due to the strike, as the insidious and craftily omnipotent alien Q (the always wicked John de Lancie) sends the Enterprise light years across the galaxy to their first unsettling encounter with the assimilating foes, and paving the way for an epic Season Three adventure that will send the series into the stratosphere of critical acclaim and viewing figures.

Season Two of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION was justifiably starting to prove itself as its own unique series, and was now, most definitely, here to stay...

Season Three of THE NEXT GENERATION in HD arrives on the UK SY FY CHANNEL sometime next year.

The first two seasons of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION are also available on Blu-ray. Get them here:

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 1 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2 Blu-ray 1988 Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Diana Muldaur, Wil Wheaton: Film & TV

'STAR TREK:THE NEXT GENERATION's UK FIREWORKS DAY RETURN!

Back at warp speed: the Season One cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Image: CBS PARAMOUNT.

For die-hard fans completely drained of their money (and probable life savings!) by last week's fun but ultimately rip-off DESTINATION: STAR TREK LONDON convention (so expensive I'm surprised attendees weren't charged for breathing air!), probably unable to buy the recent Blu-ray high definition release of Season One of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, there's some good news on the horizon, as the entire remastered first season of Gene Roddenberry's late eighties phenomenon will now be getting it's exclusive premiere on UK digital satellite TV, courtesy of the SYFY CHANNEL, from 7pm November 5th onwards-probably the finest home you could get for the show these days, and an actual sci-fi series for the channel to screen that it is actually pure 100 per cent genre! Additionally, SYFY have also purchased the other modern TREKs, strangely bar ENTERPRISE, for exclusive airtime, of which, despite their non re-mastering (at the present time), they'll also look the best you can get them in HD. For TREK rerun addicts who can never get enough, and for new generations of fans-to-be tuning in, the 24th Century has never looked brighter or more streamlined...

Season Two of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, with its super episodes like the Data on trial The Measure of a Man and the Borg introduction QWho?, makes it's debut on Blu-ray from CBS PARAMOUNT in December.

Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-Ray - Trailer Season 2 - YouTube

Get it here: Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

KOOL TV REVIEW: 'STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 365' BOOK

Still boldly going, and boldly entertaining viewers 25 years on, the cast of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION celebrate their on and off screen lives in the new 365 book from ABRAMS books. Image: ABRAMS/CBS PARAMOUNT.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - 365

Published by Abrams

By Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann 

Introduction by Ronald D. Moore

Reviewed by Scott Weller

With no signs yet of any cracked dilithium crystals to hamper their progress, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his spirited crew of the starship Enterprise continue their warp speed lives within the 24^thcentury, as their 25^th Anniversary of television existence is celebrated in style with the release of this new book from Abrams, continuing the essential purchase format of their earlier hit STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES book in the 365 days of a phenomenon portfolio tome which has proved such a success for the company over the last eight years. With STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION- 365 we have a far better book than what has gone before in this sci-fi classic franchise, and which also proves to be an even bigger treasure trove of material dug deep from the CBS PARAMOUNT vaults by dedicated authors Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann-the new literary orators of the shows landmark history.

It’s a seven season period brimming with classic moments and iconography well represented in this book for its worldwide die-hard fan base to savour. Amidst tons of rare and distinctive colour and B/W episodic imagery that will delight readers- finally well printed and looking better than ever- classic stories get deserved extra page sections like Season Two’s Borg intro Q Who?,  the Data on trial drama, Measure of a Man, Darmok, The Inner Light and Chain of Command, as well as showing us the changing times the new series was made in and the things that both TREK incarnations could and couldn’t do, yet also how both pioneered in different or similar ways, too. Most importantly, we get an even clearer picture of the behind the scenes factors that got such episodes and the overall series made: how a little bit of luck and serendipity often played a part in its success through its 178 episodes and beyond as it carved out its own unique place in TREK and sci-fi history in general, as well as laying the all-important foundations for future United Federation of Planets based series to come…

Most of all, 365 is the story of how its creator, Gene Roddenberry, returned to his universe, and his attempts, sometimes fixation, to do take two of his vision for STAR TREK, so as to prove any naysaying critics wrong about his talents in inventing/producing the kind of storytelling, on bigger and better budgets, that the restrictive and all-empowering networks and film companies of the sixties and seventies couldn’t, or wouldn’t, previously allow him to realize with Captain Kirk and co. This is truly Roddenberry’s story, whose mighty legacy, if sometimes behind the scenes controversial in its overall vision, would be taken up by a core of equally talented, if not quite as iconic figures for the road beyond his passing in 1991…

Such eventful history-making is a great reading journey to undertake and discover, showing the fun and hard work by the shows overall ensemble teams in front of and behind the camera over the years, with classic anecdotes- some jolly, some bittersweet- all showing the dedication they had for the series, for Roddenberry and its weekly audiences. How the warm bonds of a family were forged which continue to this day from those beginning realities and problems of getting such a bold and, at first risky, venture made.

Patrick Stewart, in costume as Locutus of Borg, looks forward to the next script! 

Above image ® & © 2012 CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. STAR TREK and all related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc.

The opening section of the book- the genesis of the premiere season- is by far one of its highlights, with some great newly revealed facts and info snippets on its its often troubled, also often inspired realization, backed up with rare photography and concept artwork, notes from the show evolving writers guide/bible, casting details (including the original choices considered for certain characters), and iconic contributions/fun anecdotes from many of the cast and crew (some of which were totally unprepared for how successful the new incarnation would be!). Alongside the creatively revitalized Roddenberry, we also get to see the emerging talent and presence of Co-Executive Producer Rick Berman on the series and TREK in general.

Particularly interesting in the book are the comments and memories linked to the sometimes difficult but resilient and talented writing team, headed by seemingly hard task master Michael Piller, that brought the series and characters to reality from their workstations, and how careers began with the likes Ronald D. Moore (who also provides a warm introduction to the book), whose spec script would soon launch him on a writing career that would make him a television power player with his work on NEXT GEN and the modern BATTLESTAR GALACTICA reimagining.

There’s explanations, too, about why some episodes would turn out better than others in its mighty period on the airwaves: sometimes because of individual errors, lack of budget, script problems, writers strikes and the like. Through all this we also get to chart the rise and rise of a popular series which, by its third season, broke free from early limitations, and the handicaps of being associated to an already famous institution, to become one of the most successful and perennially popular and intelligent sci-fi shows out there…

A stunning look at the original Enterprise-D model from the first season. 

Above image is ® & © 2012 CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. STAR TREK and all related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc.

Further lovely and rare colour and black and white shots splendidly represent the show in its film-making heritage, showing the behind the scenes process in general, a look at the people and decision-makers who’d make such a mark on STAR TREKs to come, the often striking make-up, costume designs, rare and unused production designs for sets (like the ones for the newly designed and more futuristic looking Enterprise–D), the return and upgrading of various beloved and feared races like the Klingons and the Romulans, various newcomers like the Ferengi, and the iconic spaceships to have graced the series.

Plus, looks at the numerous guest stars and visitors to the set over its filming duration (President Ronald Regan no less!), rare memorabilia, location filming, deleted scenes (even an ultra-rare shot of the late David Rappaport in character as the alien collector Kevas Fajo in his uncompleted role of Season Three’s The Most Toys (the actor sadly taking his own life a short time afterwards)), crucial special effects notes and storyboards. Even Data’s poem to his beloved tabby cat-Ode to Spot-gets a celebration!

A labour of love and a worthy tribute of the show in its landmark pop culture status, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – 365 is a perfect compliment to this year’s continuing season releases on high-quality Blu-ray from CBS PARAMOUNT. Unpop that bottle of Chateau Picard and raise a toast to those fine adventurers of the Federation.

KOOL TV RATING: You must assimilate this into your collection immediately! 5 out of 5

The authors talk to STARTREK.COM about how the book came together: Star Trek Inside Look At TNG 365 With The Authors

'THE NEXT GENERATION' AND BEYOND! 'STAR TREK' SOARS ONTO BLU-RAY

The next frontier awaits Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) in STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Images: CBS/PARAMOUNT.

In what will surely be the classic TV series release success of the year, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION's first groundbreaking season finally arrives on crisp Blu-ray in the UK from CBS HOME ENTERTAINMENT on July 23rd. As a taster to all the excitement of these opening 25 episodes (alongside what will surely be a ton of worthy extra features material), check out this great behind the scenes feature about the release from the official STAR TREK.COM site: Star Trek A Closer Look At An Extra-Special TNG Blu-ray Extra

The Enterprise confronts the Crystalline Entity in Datalore. Another great image restored for the new Blu-ray release.

A tense moment for the crew in this colourful remastered grab.

Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Riker) talks about the birth of the series: ‘Star Trek: TNG’: Jonathan Frakes light years past ‘Farpoint’ | Hero Complex – movies, comics, fanboy fare – latimes.com

And the most recent Blu-ray trailer: Star Trek TNG-R - Blu-ray Season 1 HD Trailer - YouTube

Finally, the new press release for the eagerly anticipated set:  

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION—THE FIRST SEASON BLU-RAY™ BOASTS ALL-NEW CONTENT, INCLUDING AN IN-DEPTH, THREE-PART DOCUMENTARY FEATURING NEW CAST AND CREW INTERVIEWS Series Panel on July 12 at San Diego Comic-Con Will Reveal Before/After Images and Offer Exclusive Preview of Special Features HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (July 2, 2012) – Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time ever on July 24th, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE FIRST SEASON will offer fans unprecedented insight into the iconic and legendary series with a wealth of brand new, original bonus content created exclusively for the release.  The centerpiece of the new bonus features is a three-part, original documentary that goes behind the scenes for a look at the conception,   development and creation of the show and features new interviews with the cast and crew of the popular series.  The set also includes a newly produced documentary – Energized! Taking The Next Generation to the Next Level – featuring interviews with the team that transformed the series into high-definition. EXCLUSIVE, THREE-PART DOCUMENTARY The all-new, three-part documentary Stardate Revisited – The Origin of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION provides unique insight into the early beginnings of what was soon to become one of television’s most successful sci-fi series.   The first part, entitled “Inception,” includes interviews with original staff writers D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold discussing the early days of the show and Gene Roddenberry’s mission to create a program that would live up to the cultural phenomenon of the original Star Trek series.  In addition, executive producer Rick Berman looks back on the crucial pre-production period including preliminary casting choices and key creative decisions for year one.  Plus, the documentary includes insight from the entire art department including Star Trek expert Mike Okuda – who, along with Denise Okuda, served as a consultant throughout the ongoing Blu-ray project – providing a revealing look at the design process for such iconic elements of the series as the Starship Enterprise and redesigned Starfleet gear for the 24th century.  Part two of the documentary, “Launch,” features all-new interviews with cast members Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher) and Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher).  With never-before-seen makeup and screen test footage of the cast, fans will have their first look at Burton and Spiner trying multiple versions of their iconic design elements such as the VISOR and Data’s makeup.  Plus, the cast will walk viewers through their auditioning process, and share memories of the making of Encounter at Farpoint, the fan-favorite television movie that launched the series.  The conclusion of the three-part documentary, “The Continuing Mission,” includes first-hand accounts by Berman and producer David Livingston who detail the creation of the first season of the series from script to final edit. Members of the special effects teams also provide a never-before-seen look at the creation of the groundbreaking effects from motion control photography to video compositing techniques.  Also, Denise Crosby (Lt. Tasha Yar) joins other cast members to take a look back on the controversial decision to kill off her character in the first season episode “Skin Of Evil.” Finally, Eugene Roddenberry shares memories of his father, series creator Gene Roddenberry, who was responsible for one of the most enduring and beloved franchises in history.  ENERGIZED: TAKING THE NEXT GENERATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL In addition, the set also includes a newly produced documentary titled Energized! Taking The Next Generation to the Next Level, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the FX artists and film restoration technicians at CBS Digital, detailing the philosophy and process behind the restoration. BLU-RAY DETAILS The STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE FIRST SEASON six-disc Blu-ray box set includes all 25 episodes from the inaugural season and is bursting with additional bonus features presented in standard definition such as archival footage, original show and episode promos, mission logs and a gag reel. The set also includes a look at taking the series to the next level in high definition for this highly anticipated release.  SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 PANEL  Providing fans with a first-hand account of the ongoing and painstaking work to transfer all seven seasons of the beloved series to high-definition, the team behind the project will participate in a special Before and After: A Behind the Scenes Look at Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Journey Into High Definition panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.  Taking place on Thursday, July 12 (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Room 7AB), the panel will give fans an insider’s look at how the original film elements were transferred into high-definition, and how the visual effects were painstakingly recreated from the source material to look better than ever.  Filmmaker and DVD producer Robert Meyer Burnett will moderate the panel which includes: Roger Lay, Jr. (Producer/Director, Blu-Ray), Mike and Denise Okuda (Project Consultants), David S. Grant (Vice President, Multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Ryan Adams (Director, Multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Craig Weiss (Creative Director, CBS Digital), Eric Bruno (Lead Compositor) and Wade Felker (Film Transfer Technician).  CBS Home Entertainment manages the worldwide DVD and Blu-ray businesses for the CBS Corporation across all lines of content including current hits and classic series from the vast CBS library, as well as new releases from Showtime Video.  CBS Home Entertainment products are released on the CBS DVD and CBS Blu-ray labels.    Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies. May the wind be at their backs. The captains of the TREK universe and their beloved ships... Meanwhile, UK VIRGIN TV viewers/ fans of all of the various STAR TREK series should head over to the service's TV XL section for a look at two great classic documentaries exclusively available to them via the CBS ACTION channel: the first is THE CAPTAIN'S LOG, where all the popular captains talk about their life in STAR TREK as well as theirs, and the fans, favourite episodes, the second is STAR TREK: BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER, a fascinating 2007 documentary celebrating TREK's 40th Anniversary and the incredible sale of props, costumes and models to the fans by PARAMOUNT at the New York CHRISTIE'S auction house. And don't forget, the Classic Series, The Next Generation and Voyager are in re-runs on CBS ACTION, too! Toast the series enduring success by drinking a little prune juice with the Klingons at the three day London based STAR TREK event, packed full of exciting events and signings, taking place in October, either: Star Trek London | Event Info