Emily Expo on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Feb 1, 2012 by Emily Expo
Trying to imagine my childhood without Star Trek: The Next Generation is like trying to imagine Patrick Stewart with hair:
Something about it just doesn’t seem right.
Growing up, I could feel something that I can only describe as inexplicable wonder saturate my imagination whenever those infamous words, “Space, the final frontier…” were spoken in that equally infamous voice. The sensation grew no less powerful as each episode progressed, taking me deeper and deeper with the passing of every light year. Trying to justify such an evocative reaction is a difficult undertaking, to put it mildly. Perhaps the accountability lay in the thoroughly developed characters, the taut storylines, the present day ethical dilemmas so precariously etched into their intergalactic fantasy world in a way that was subtle yet oh so very clear; perhaps on some level all of these facets were accountable for the mesmeric effect that TNG had over me for the duration of those young and impressionable years.
The series, from my side of the television set,
was a pillar of inspiration, imagination, hope, wisdom and tolerance.
So many of these beautiful qualities reflected in the scripting were qualities that I wanted to see reflected within myself. This was more than merely a television series, it was a representation of ethical awareness – a way of metaphorically manifesting current issues in a futuristic universe. One might even go as far to say that TNG, and indeed, all Star Trek franchises, acted as social commentaries, providing insight into the skeletons in the closet of our western world – racism, homophobia, religious discrimination – just to name a few.
Fast forward until today and the lessons prevalent in TNG are no less applicable, in fact, given the overarching message of the series, I would go as far to say that those lessons will never lose their lustre of truth. Ideals involving the desire for peace and unity will never grow old, unattainable, though not impossible, as they may seem.
Now, enough of my blathering - onto your questions!
Since you’re a fan of TNG, what colour of uniform could you see yourself wearing and why? –Nic
This is a complicated question, the answer to which depends by and large on what part of my childhood we’re referencing. When I was little I was in love with Deanna Troi – or more accurately – I was in love with her hair. For a good portion of the late 80’s and into the 90’s my main goal in life was to achieve the impossible height and volume of her wavy locks as seen on many episodes of TNG.
My own hair was straight and flat,
and my resulting perm left much to be desired.
Imagine my sadness when I realized that it was a wig – oh the deception. However, once I got over my hair-brained heartache I realized that I also loved her sensitive and loving nature – despite her bad habit of making the obvious statement that the bad guys are, indeed, hiding something.
So I guess to answer your question, I would probably see myself in a blue uniform with red coming in at a close second – mostly with the intention of flirting with Commander Riker without feeling like he would be fraternizing with a subordinate officer.
So you've already answered that your favourite Star Trek is TNG. What I'm wondering, is who your biggest Star Trek crush is! – Nathan
Well, I’ve mentioned a couple times my long-lasting affection for the forever-beautiful Commander Riker. However, I have to admit that as I have matured my taste in men has also matured. What does this mean? It means that in my nerdy little brain Captain Picard definitely ranks number one as the sexiest Starfleet Officer in the history of Star Trek.
Dixon Hill, P.I. - the only man whose style
can equal Captain Picard's hotness.
Is it his commanding presence? His wisdom? His charismatic portrayal of Dixon Hill, P.I.? What the real reason is I may never know, or maybe it’s just a delightful combination of all these factors, who knows?
Having said that – being a classically trained Shakespearian actor who is also in charge of a league of Superhero mutants also contributes to Patrick Stewart’s beautiful magnetism – unfortunately what this means is that I have unusually strange, and high, expectations for potential boyfriends. You can ask my stellar roommate and she'll totally agree with me. I don't find it all that odd, considering that she'll only date men who are intellectually and physically equatable to MacGyver.
Until next time, boys n’ girls!
Miss Em x
askemily@calgaryexpo.com
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