I hope you like cake, because there is plenty to go around as we celebrate a pretty big day in Trek history. Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the theatrical release of Star Trek Generations. This film was a huge milestone for me growing up, because it marked the first big screen adventure of my Enterprise crew. Done were the days of Kirk and Spock. Now was the time of Picard and Riker to rule the cinema. Sort of. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. On the one hand, I loved that this movie featured the Enterprise D and her crew. On the other hand, the movie kind of sucked. It was long and boring in parts. I watched it again, recently, thinking maybe I just needed to be more mature to enjoy the slower parts. I still didn’t, so either I will never enjoy the slower parts, or I just haven’t matured enough yet. Maybe I will give it another 20 years. In any case, in honor of the 20th Anniversary, here is a Warp 9 look at 9 random things from Star Trek Generations:
Warp 1- Whoopi Goldberg
In this movie we get a glimpse into Guinan’s origin. Where she came from and how she ended up in the Federation as a bartender. Which was great, because as a Star Trek fan, I often asked myself, “Self, where did Guinan come from? I hope the base a future movie loosely on her origin.” And with Generations, they did. Lucky us. Mostly lucky Picard, because it is really Guinan that convinces him to leave the nexus. Apparently, Guinan’s origin story was such a success that it cemented her as a regular for future films. Or, not so much. We don’t see Whoopi again until Nemesis, including the crew’s run in with the Borg in First Contact. Whoopi’s eyebrows, on the other hand, have yet to appear on-screen. We are still waiting…
Warp 2- The Enterprise B
At last we get to see the Enterprise B on-screen. We had seen the models in the conference room on the Enterprise D for years, and we knew that it was an Excelsior class starship, but up until now, we had never seen it in action. The Enterprise B was the third starship to bear the name, but the fifth one to show up on film. Fun fact, David Carson, who directed the film, also directed the TNG episode, “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” which featured the thought to be destroyed Enterprise C. So apparently, Carson had a thing for bringing old models of the Enterprise to life. Good for him. This is one of the highlights of the film for me.
Warp 3- Worf Gets Promoted
In one of my favorite scenes from any of the Star Trek movies, Worf finally gets a little respect as he gets promoted to Lt. Commander. It only took him 7+ years to achieve, but well done Mr. Worf. He gets the well deserved promotion, and then he gets all wet. Good times had by all. Except for Worf who does not look happy at all, or Dr. Crusher, who gets thrown into the water after data tries to be funny.
Warp 4- The World Through Geordi’s Eyes
LaForge gets taken by Klingons in the movie, in one of multiple subplots that are at the route of this films issues, and as a result, they rig his visor to send them video images of what he sees. We find out through their viewing that LaForge is a pretty voting guy. Nothing super exciting going on in his life at all, until they get a glimpse of the technical specs for the Enterprise’s shields. After hours of watching. Who knew Klingons had so much patience.
Warp 5- Data’s Emotion Chip
We finally get to see the funny side of Data. In yet another subplot, Data has Geordi install his emotion chip. What we get as a result is a lot of funny Data, along with scared Data, but really the funny Data is the best. Check it out for yourself:
“I just love scanning for lifeforms.” Classic!
Warp 6- What Could Have Been
Did you ever wonder what a Star Fleet captain has to give up to make it to the top? For Picard, apparently it was a wife and family. As he is in the Nexus, we see that this is what is supposed to keep him in there, maybe something he really wishes he had. It becomes one of the underlying themes of the film- Family- what does it mean, what is really important. It calls back to when Kirk meets Sulu’s daughter on the Bridge of the Enterprise B, and asks Scottie when Sulu found time for a family. If it’s important, you make the time. Both Picard and Kirk are seen in the Nexus experiencing what they have had to give up. Makes you stop and think about what is really important to you.
Warp 7-A Trio of Good-byes: The Old Oval Comm Badge
In Generations, the crew of the Enterprise is seen wearing a mixture of old and new uniforms throughout the film, mixing their classic look with the new look employed by the DS9 crew. In addition to the uniform changes, we see for the first time, the new comm badges. They went from this:
To this:
I guess the more square look was hipper and more modern. Whatever the reason, it stuck, and we get this comm badge for the rest of DS9, Voyager, and the remaining TNG movies. I like it more than the original, personally.
Warp 8- A Trio of Good-byes: The Enterprise D
For me, one of the saddest moments of this film was when the Enterprise D is destroyed, and Riker and Picard are standing on the bridge saying good-bye. I loved that ship. It was my Enterprise, and it was really too bad that it only got one film. Don’t get me wrong, Enterprise E is fantastic, but D was a classic. It was sad to see her go. But, like Picard points out to Riker, there are plenty of letters left in the alphabet. Which is true, yet, here we are, starting over at the beginning again.
Warp 9- A Trio of Good-byes: Kirk is Dead.
Ever the Hero, Kirk comes back with Picard to save a planet from impending doom. He comes back to make a difference, and he does. The big difference this time is that he dies in the process. I remember watching this scene in the theatre, and I couldn’t believe it. Kirk can’t die, I thought. But he could and he did. Here are two cuts of the scene. The first is what appeared in the movie, and the second is a very rough, but slightly different cut. Enjoy:
So that’s it. That is our Warp 9 look back on Star Trek Generations. It wasn’t the greatest Trek of all time, but it’s not the worst either. It served as a passing of the torch from one crew to the next, one movie franchise to the next. I enjoy it for what it is, and as a 12-year-old, I loved seeing my Star Trek in the theatre.
