If you're a die hard trekkie, than the temptation to plop down 12 dollars to see a completely remastered version of a Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series episode on the big screen may be too tough to resist. In this case, it wasn't just an episode, it was THE best episode of the seven season run of the TV series, a two parter, that could be argued was responsible for cementing the Next Gen as a pop culture icon going forward. I would also argue if not for the Best of Both Worlds as a classic TV drama, than there would be no $185 million dollar upcoming Star Trek film that will hit theaters next month. It truly was that important in extending the shelf life of Star Trek in general.
As far as the overall experience tonight, it was surreal seeing such an epic two part episode, blown up on a gigantic screen, with film grain quality, and digital surround sound in a manner you'd have never thought possible watching it twenty years ago on your tiny TV set. It elevated it to feature length film quality, and was a reminder that the cast of the Next Generation never quite got a big screen film entry you could argue was a classic on the level this two part episode was to legions of Trek fans.
One important observation was Brian Dennehy's daughter, Elizabeth Dennehy, who played the important role of Commander Shelby in this two parter, who really injected an edginess to this ensemble cast that had been lacking in the series up until that point. It's a crying shame the writers of the show never bothered to find an excuse to write her character into later episodes of this series. Speaking of her character, I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the line from her superior officer, Admiral Hansen, played by the late George Murdock, who utters to Captain Picard that Shelby is something of an "old man's fantasy". That drew some expected chuckles from the crowd tonight, and I know I was laughing the hardest. It was very rare for that show to have any sort of true innuendo even hinted at, so when it happens, it stands out like a sore thumb.
Overall, if the cast of the Next Generation can't get Paramount to sign off on another feature film, I suppose the kind of event like tonight is the next best thing. However, if Star Wars is going to have spin-off films in between the main films of the franchise, why can't Star Trek do the same? Sure, it doesn't need to be on the same inflated budget the new JJ Abrams Star Trek is getting, but maybe enough for this cast to get the proper send off it deserves and never got.
Nuff said!
cool
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