It's hard to believe that it's over. In less than a year, Paramount released all 7 seasons of The Next Generation, and this is the final season. I must say, I'm a little sad because for nearly a year we've watched the crew of the Enterprise explore strange new worlds, and now it's over.
Memorable episodes in this season include "Gambit" (part 1 and 2) where they crew thinks Picard has been killed; Picard and Crusher are captured and linked together in "Attached"; Data meets his mother in "Inheritance"; Riker and his former captain are on a covert mission to recover a lost ship in "The Pegasus"; the bizarre "Genesis" had the crew turning into their animal ancestors; Wesley Crusher returns to the ship in "Journey's End"; another returning officer is Ro Laren in "Pre-emptive Strike" and the final episode, "All Good Things..."
The Packaging
This 7 disc set comes in the same packaging as season one, three, four, five and six; a seven panel fold out containing the discs and a booklet. Each disc lists the episodes and the production number on the disc art.
The Menus
The menus have been changed to show the ready room. A very nice touch for the final season.
Video
Like most TV shows, "Star Trek: TNG" was broadcast in full frame (1.33) and is presented that way on these discs. Shot on film, the print displays some dust and grain. The "stock footage" shot of the Enterprise from behind is still found in this season, but the rest of the special effects shots look good. Overall the picture is equal to that of the third, fourth and fifth seasons.
"Parallels" and "Eye of the Beholder" are the only episodes with bad chapters.
Audio
We get a very nice Dolby Digital 5.1 track on this release, along with a Surround track. I listened to the 5.1 track for this review, and overall I was happy with it. It's really cool to hear the ship zipping by you in the opening credits. The rears are mostly used for music, the ship zipping by and the ambient hum in some scenes. There are a few very nice pans from the rears to the front speakers. I noticed some popping in "The Pegasus" when the Romulan was on the screen in one scene. English subtitles are included.
All the featurettes in the set include English subtitles.
Mission Overview (14:45)
The cast and crew discuss the final season and their transition to the feature film Star Trek Generations. LeVar Burton reminisces about working with Ben Vereen in the episode "Interface" and Wil Wheaton and Ron Moore recall creating a fitting send-off for Wesley Crusher in the episode "Journey's End."
A Captain's Tribute (16:28)
Patrick Stewart pays tribute to each principal cast member, recalling the friendship and fun they shared during the run of the series.
Departmental Briefing - Production (15:43)
Gates McFadden discusses her directorial debut in "Genesis" while Michael Westmore explains the episode's unusual makeup design. Jonathan Frakes recalls directing "Attached"; Gates McFadden and Jeri Taylor delve into the roles of strong women and Patrick Stewart remembers becoming more physical in episodes like "Bloodlines."
Starfleet Moments and Memories (29:57)
The cast and crew look back on seven years of shooting Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Making of "All Good Things" (17:41)
The cast and crew share their recollections of making the final episode. Includes footage from Entertainment Tonight.
Star Trek Deep Space Nine DVD Preview (4:51)
A piece for the DS9 sets being released throughout 2003.
Summary
Paramount deserves a round of applause for the most aggressive release schedule for a TV show. 7 seasons and 178 episodes in less than a year is amazing. This show is one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever. The actors are top notch, and the writing is superb. There are episodes that refer to events that happen a handful of episodes, or even years previous. It's this level of storytelling that made the show what it is.
Look for these guest stars in the final season: Benito Martinez (The Shield), James Horan (Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles), Ben Vereen (Oz, Roots), Madge Sinclair (Roots), Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man, Jumanji), Terry O'Quinn (Alias, Harsh Realm, Millennium), Penny Johnson (24, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Larry Sanders Show), Paul Sorvino (Romeo + Juliet, Law & Order, Goodfellas), Duncan Regehr (V, Zorro), Dan Gauthier (Beverly Hills 90210), Brian Bonsall (Growing Pains), Armin Shimerman (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) and Michelle Forbes (24).
While I'm sad that the series has come to an end, 2003 is the year of Deep Space 9, so we won't be without Trek for long.
