Summary
30 years later, I can’t think of a better series finale thanStar Trek: The Next Generation’s. I didn’t grow up watchingTNGbut the show and its phenomenal ending still hold a special place in my heart.TNGcame to an end on June 09, 2025, when I was not even two years old.When I finally watched “All Good Things…” many years later, I’m sure it didn’t have the same impact on me as it did for those fans who watched it live in 1994. I still hadStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager,andStar Trek: Enterprisein my Netflix queue to look forward to, after all.
After seven seasons,Star Trek: The Next Generationcame to a close with an emotional finale that brought the series full circle.When Captain Picard finds his mind jumping between the past, present, and future, he must put the pieces together to solve a mystery that connects all three time periods.Picard’s old enemy,Q (John de Lancie), returns, but he has warmed up to the Captain overTNG’sseven seasons. Q declares that the trial for humanity never ended, but he helps Jean-Luc by causing the time jumping. Picard then reaches out to his USS Enterprise-D crew members in all three timelines to save the galaxy one final time (for now).
12 Best Star Trek Season Finales Ranked
In its impressive nearly 60-year history, the various Star Trek series have delivered some truly excellent season finales.
TNG’s “All Good Things…” Was A Perfect Conclusion
“So. Five card stud, nothing wild, and the sky’s the limit.”
I hadn’t spent my childhood with Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his USS Enterprise-D crew, but I did spend most of my college years with them. After long, stressful days, I spent my evenings exploring the final frontier and forgetting, for a moment, about the papers I had to write and exams I had to study for.When I made it to the end ofStar Trek: The Next Generation, it felt like closing a chapter of my life. I didn’t want to say goodbye to these characters.And sure, I still had four movies to watch, but, for me, theTNGfilms never captured the same magic as the show.
I connected with Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) more than any other character.
ThroughoutStar Trek: The Next Generation,I connected withLt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner)more than any other character. Data plays a major role in the finale, as he’s instrumental in discovering the anti-time anomaly and finding the solution that saves the day. I also loved Data’s potential future as a Cambridge University professor.The final scene of “All Good Things…” includes one of Picard’s greatest moments, as he joins his friends for a game of poker. Data and the rest of the bridge crew have been playing poker throughoutTNG,but Picard always kept himself at a distance, making his decision to finally join them the perfect series-ending note.
“I’ve come to believe that the stars have always been in my favor.”
While I was too young to watchStar Trek: The Next Generation’soriginal finale when it premiered, I did get to experience the finale ofStar Trek: Picardseason 3 in real-time. Streaming shows operate differently than syndicated shows likeTNG,but it was still fun to watchStar Trek: Picard’s"The Last Generation"as soon as it was available and then observe fans' responses to it online. I may not have aStar Trekfanas long as some others, butI still got emotional when Admiral Picard reunited with hisTNGcrew on the bridge of the rebuilt USS Enterprise-D.
Thanks toStar Trek: Picard, I got to fall in love with Data all over again, as he got the perfect upgrade, complete with the ability to experience emotions. After the android’sTNGjourney and tragic, unfulfilling death inStar Trek: Nemesis,Picardseason 3 gave Data the perfect ending.(And I hope he pops up again in a futureTrekproject.)Picardseason 3 also introduced a new favorite character in Captain Liam Shaw (Todd Stashwick), whose death I’m still not over. As my introduction to theStar Trekuniverse,Star Trek: The Next Generationwill always be my comfort show, from its captivating premiere to its celebrated finale.
Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Picard are available to stream on Paramount+.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Cast
Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.
Star Trek: Picard
Star Trek: Picard follows retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, twenty years after the events of Star Trek Nemesis. The series delves into Picard’s life post-Starfleet, as he navigates a new chapter filled with unresolved past events and new challenges.
