Unveiling 5 Captivating Star Trek Chronicles Established in TNG Season 1
TNG Season 1 delves into the rich histories of its characters, unveiling Captain Picard's past, introducing Counselor Troi's influential mother, revealing Data's intriguing family dynamics, establishing Worf as a significant character, and setting the stage for the compelling histories of the entire Enterprise-D crew
Summary
TNG season 1 established the backstories of the main characters, providing insight and depth to their histories and families.
In episode 9, Captain Picard's past is unveiled as he relives a battle from his previous command assignment and becomes entangled in a scheme for vengeance. Additionally, Deanna Troi's mother, Lwaxana, adds complexity to her character, and her romantic connection with Commander Riker blossoms into one of the most beloved love stories in the Star Trek universe.
The often criticized first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation set the stage for the following seasons by establishing the backgrounds of the main characters. The show, which premiered in 1987, followed Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D. Despite a difficult start, the first season of TNG hinted at the greatness that would come. Throughout several episodes, TNG season 1 explored the personal histories of the Enterprise-D crew, offering valuable insights and depth into these now iconic characters.
Unlike the original Star Trek series, which focused mainly on episodic storytelling and seldom delved into character backstories, TNG dedicated a significant portion of its first season to developing its main characters. In episode 9 of TNG season 1, titled "The Battle," Captain Picard became the first character to receive an entire episode dedicated to exploring his past. Subsequent episodes focused on Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn), Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), and Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), delving into their personal histories and family backgrounds.
5 Captain Picard's Past Revealed In TNG Season 1
In "The Battle," an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1, Captain Picard revisits his former command assignment on the USS Stargazer. The Stargazer, now derelict, is brought to Captain Picard by a Ferengi ship as a gift. After finding no issues on the Stargazer, the Enterprise crew accepts the gift, allowing Picard to visit the ship's bridge and his old quarters. However, Picard starts experiencing increasingly intense headaches and begins reliving a battle he fought years ago aboard the Stargazer.
This battle, known as the Battle of Maxia to the Ferengi, involved Picard having to destroy a Ferengi vessel that attacked the Stargazer without any provocation. During this battle, Picard used a new tactic called the Picard Maneuver, where his ship seemingly appeared in two places at once. It is later revealed that the Ferengi's "gift" was actually a ploy devised by DaiMon Bok (Frank Corsentino), who seeks revenge for his son's death caused by the Stargazer's destruction of the Ferengi vessel.
4 Counselor Troi's Mother Lwaxana Introduced
Deanna Troi's character gains depth through the arrival of her mother, Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), on the Enterprise. Lwaxana becomes one of TNG's standout guest stars and sheds light on the Betazoids as a species, as well as Deanna's upbringing on Betazed. In her youth, Deanna was betrothed to Wyatt Miller (Robert Knepper) in an arranged marriage. Lwaxana visits the Enterprise accompanied by Wyatt and his parents to discuss the wedding details.
Amidst their efforts to get acquainted, Deanna admits that she still holds feelings for Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), with whom she had a previous romantic relationship. The love story between Deanna and Will becomes one of Star Trek's most captivating narratives, ultimately culminating in their marriage in Star Trek: Nemesis. While Deanna may not have been the most fully developed character among TNG's ensemble, the introduction of her mother, Lwaxana, leads to memorable moments in the series.
3 Data's Brother Lore & Creator Soong Revealed
Data proved to be one of the most popular characters in TNG right from the start, and he had some memorable moments in season 1. In episode 13, "Datalore," Data makes a shocking discovery about his own existence. Not only does he find out that he has an evil brother named Lore, but he also learns more about his creator, Dr. Noonien Soong (played by Brent Spiner). During their visit to the planet where Data was first discovered, the crew of the Enterprise stumbles upon the dismantled remains of Lore.
As soon as Lore is reactivated, it becomes evident that he considers himself to be superior to Data - a clear hint that he may have something to hide. Eventually, Lore confesses that he has been collaborating with the destructive crystalline entity responsible for wiping out the colony where Data and Lore were created. This encounter with Lore has a profound impact on Data, and the events introduced in this episode become crucial to Data's ongoing storyline.
2 Worf Is Set Up As A Major TNG Character
Worf, although later becoming one of Star Trek's beloved characters, initially has a limited role in the first half of TNG season 1. However, things change in episode 20, "Heart of Glory," when the Enterprise saves three Klingons from a damaged ship. Unfortunately, one of the rescued Klingons succumbs to prior injuries, and the remaining two try to take control of the Enterprise. Despite their urging for Worf to abandon Starfleet and align with them as "true Klingons," he remains faithful to his Starfleet allegiance.
In TNG season 1, episode 20, it is revealed that Worf's parents perished during a Romulan attack on his home planet, and he was raised by the Starfleet officer who saved him. Throughout his tenure on TNG and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Worf finds difficulty in reconciling his Klingon heritage with his duties as a Starfleet officer. This internal conflict between his two identities becomes a significant aspect of his character development moving forward.
1 Enterprise-D Crew Histories TNG Season 1 Set Up
In TNG season 1, while the other characters may not have dedicated episodes to their history, there are still glimpses into their pasts. In episode 3, "The Naked Now," it is established that Captain Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher share a mutual attraction. Their history is further complicated by the fact that Beverly's late husband was killed while serving under Captain Picard. Similarly, Lt. Tasha Yar's tragic backstory is revealed in several episodes. In episode 6, "Where No One Has Gone Before," Yar has flashbacks of her childhood living on the streets, where she had to hide from gangs before escaping her planet at a young age. The exploration of the characters' backstories early in season 1 solidifies Star Trek: The Next Generation's Enterprise-D crew as one of the best and showcases the true heart of the show.
