“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.” ― Gene Roddenberry

    • Crowtee_Robot [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      Ngl, 30% of Trek is problematic if not downright unwatchable. Doesn’t stop it from being some of the best TV with some of the most thoughtful characters you’ll ever see. Star Trek is a study in contradiction.

    • BynarsAreOk [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      Do you mean original reception when it aired or 90s BBS/forum reaction that extends to modern day?

      The original reception was mixed and filled with a lot of doomerism and anxiety that TNG just did not live up to the TOS cast at all. TOS was actualy a very big mainstream hit, famously the TV network didn’t realize this until they saw the actual ratings with the white middle class family type so TNG had large shoes to fill. To be fair TNG S1 and S2 are the worst in Trek.

      But by the time TNG got to S3 and 4 the show had a major reform and they started putting out consistent fan favorites, Best of Both Worlds was a smash hit for a season finale two parter etc. By S07 there was some fatigue setting in.

      On the other hand the 90s fandom had evolved with DS9 taking a major different path leading to a smaller but more dedicated fan base and Voyager was a return to what the producers though the average viewer wanted i.e TNG the continuation. Voyager was a failure in that aspect but it does have some decent episodes and it stands on its own flaws and successes.

      So with all that context these days when people say TNG was bad they’re almost certainly referring to the bad S01 and S02 and not realy comparing to TOS.

      The TNG Movies are very divisive too, some hardcore fans hate them specialy Generations. I don’t particularly like them either but for other reasons(Patrick Stewart is just a moron realy).