I Wrote For 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' So You Didn't Have To

Captain Picard's Enterprise 1701-D Crew Is Seeing Renewed Life on Paramount + So I've Been Reminiscing

My journey writing for Star Trek: The Next Generation, then later, Deep Space Nine, began not by simply watching the television programs (a whole lot), but by also reading a book on Star Trek’s complex production. Despite the flickering, seductive images of video, a book gives more substance and permanence to a subject.

The book, The Star Trek Companion, by Larry Nemecek, revealed that a select few writers had written for TNG without being on staff or having an agent. They had submitted a spec script (speculative with no obligation to be purchased) and sold their teleplays. I decided immediately I had to do the same. That’s really when the timelessness of it all was brought into sharp focus for me.

What we see as timeless may be given less consistent focus, but it’ll always be waiting to be hot again. This proves especially true in our ever changing pop culture and entertainment fueled landscape. Musical tastes and styles morph within generations. Elvis Presley may be the King Of Rock n Roll, but he’s not always trending on Google. Hear his now classic rock tunes showcased in a new movie or TV series, suddenly, Elvis and his Blue Suede Shoes play everywhere. Just remember not to step on them!

Star Trek goes through cycles of popular fascination. Depending on the show - or feature film - interest can ebb and flow, but ultimately Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi legacy recaptures our modern and often divided attention spans. With the success of Star Trek: Discovery, Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Picard renewed phaser light has been focused onto Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Indeed, engineers like Captain Kirk’s fabled miracle worker, Mister Scott, lives by the optimistic motto; You can’t keep a good Starfleet starship down - or out of warp.

Me of little faith? Back in the 80’s when a new Star Trek show debuted in syndication, I was honestly not all that impressed. It felt like it wouldn’t last all that long. Sure, I paid attention and was certainly curious, but for more than a few reasons, I thought it would fail.

And then this happened to the spin-off’s ratings…..

OK, I’ll admit I was completely wrong about the longevity of this newly minted Trek, and honestly, of course, I’m happy I was mistaken. Isn’t it great when you’re wrong and things work out so well?

Still, that initial lack of enthusiasm didn’t stop me from continuing to watch Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s cosmic adventures aboard Starfleet’s magnificent Galaxy Class flagship vessel. By the opening of TNG’s 2nd season, I was hooked.

Thereafter, I watched Next Generation so much and so passionately, I ended up writing an episode. It was my first TV script of any kind. My script was produced as Homeward in the seventh and final season of TNG. When Deep Space Nine spun off and regaled us with the enigmatic missions of Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) leading his fascinating station crew and other DS9 inhabitants, I paid so much attention I wrote a script and made another sale.

Then, Captain Janeway’s (Kate Mulgrew) USS Voyager got lost in the unexplored Delta Quadrant - tens of thousands of light years from Federation space. Soon, I became just as lost and caught up in her crew’s long distance plight. Shortly after Star Trek: Voyager’s debut on UPN - the United Paramount Network - Paramount Pictures called me and I landed my first in person Hollywood pitch meeting at the studio.

So what’s the educational, motivational takeaway from my formative screenwriting experience? For one thing, never listen to me when it comes to predicting how long a show will last. I’ll disappoint. For a far more important consideration, listen to your internal voice when it speaks to you of your burning passion. It will sustain and carry you forward. Finally, don’t listen to the negative naysayers. Don’t let them discourage you for whatever reason or motive. Critics may be operating under thought processes even they don’t understand. Plot carefully and stay on your own course. You may find you’ll score big.