Dear STARTREK.COM,
While reading the recent editorial "A Place in History: The Next Generation Legacy," it really made me all misty eyed. All I can say is, it was a priviledge to have been there in the beginning. TNG really has brought people of all religions, political beliefs, ethnic and racial groups together and that is why Star Trek really represents all people.

All I can say is Mr. Gene Roddenberry didn't live long enough, he'd of certainly enjoyed how Star Trek has grown and is firmly in the public hearts, minds, and souls. Anyway keep up the hard work!

Live Long and Prosper!
Michael Alan S.

Thank you Michael. Speaking for the team at STARTREK.COM, it has always been a pleasure to be associated with Star Trek, and to work with the people involved. There is something about the shows and the talent they attract that has always conformed nicely with Gene's vision. I guess that's another reason that makes it special.

Larry: Not only that, but another amazing thing about Star Trek's second incarnation ushered in by TNG was the incredible 18-year run of those series, allowing those special producers, writers, designers and crew to work together so long. That's almost unheard-of in Hollywood.

Dear STARTREK.COM,
At 41 years of age, Star Trek has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. The first model kit my father bought me was the Enterprise NCC-1701. Unfortunately it never survived the moves throughout my life. Many people look at baseball as America's pastime, and there is nothing wrong with that. To me though, watching Star Trek — from the Original Series to Enterprise — meant as much to me as baseball does to those people. Everyone has their favorite series, but to me they all spark a unique attraction. They open the imagination of the viewers and literally put them in another place and another time. There are many great television shows today, but none can captivate the viewer as Gene Roddenberry was able to do for so many years. In my opinion there will never be a series with so much intensity and energy as any of the Star Trek series.

Life Long Fan,
Dean S.
Zanesville, OH

I think the same goes for most of us too, Dean. Star Trek has now been a part of our lives for way longer than it hasn't. The imagination knows no limits, and taking a trip into the world of Trek is as good as it gets for many of us. As for the baseball part, as a lifelong Giants fan, I'm beginning to think that maybe Star Trek is a better pasttime!

Larry: Yes, there are many "hot" shows today and always will be, some even with spin-offs. But perhaps only Doctor Who in the U.K. and the Star Wars fandom even come close to Star Trek as a "franchise" in the best sense — as a vision and storytelling format — as measured by not only passion but quantity and, most of all, longevity. The lure of Gene's vision, if honored correctly, will always be an attractive canvas for both entertaining and exploring humanity — no matter what the style of the day's media happens to be. But as for split passions, no fears — I still have plenty of time for my football Sooners!

Dear STARTREK.COM,
Your article was dead-on. I loved it.

I just have a question about the article ... how many viewers was TNG pulling in weekly exactly? I know it was a ton, but I've always been curious. I grew up watching the series while it was originally on but had no idea it was that big of a hit like I do now. So if you could help me with that question it'd be great.

Also ... there are rumors that TNG is going to be remastered like the original series. Is that true? I'm sure you probably can't answer that just yet but I'm really excited about that. Anyway, thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Mitch R.

It's no secret Mitch that TNG had the biggest audience of the post-TOS shows. In fact, the numbers the show got in syndication during its original run would put many of today's network shows to shame!

Larry: To be specific, we noted in the "TNG Companion" that TNG certainly went out with a bang — with the finale "All Good Things..." drawing a composite 15.4 rating and a 26 share (or one-fourth of all U.S. television sets) in its various syndicated markets, winning 21 of the top 31. In fact, it beat all prime-time series in 13 of the 19 largets markets with that time slot — including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Boston, St. Louis, Denver, Charlotte and San Antonio. Earlier, Paramount put out two-page ads crowing how TNG's ratings beat the World Series in the main demographics — as well as popular shows at the time like Cheers, Roseanne, and Monday Night Football.

As to your other question — yes, even the more "modern" TNG and its earlier visual effects create image problems when higher-definition formats are considered, and the talk is that some kind of "remastered" edition would be needed to get the best image quality.

Dear STARTREK.COM,
This article, written about the 20 year anniversy of Star Trek: The Next Generation is truly felt in my heart. Even now, my eyes well with tears, recalling the memories watching Star Trek as a young boy. I am 28 years old. And I remember watching TOS in black and white re-runs, thinking it was amazing! I remember my excitment hearing the buzz about a new Star Trek series ... A series with an andriod with gold skin and gold eyes and no emotions; an older, more distinguished captain; a blind helmsman who could see, and a Klingon security officer. "Wow!," I thought. So different ... And the NCC-1701-D? The Flagship of the Federation? At that tender age of 7 I had no idea what that meant, but I didn't care.

And as I got older my appreciation for the series grew more and more! And even today I have embraced the changes in every series, every episode and minute with open arms ... and an open heart. You know a true lover of Gene and his dream when that person has every series on DVD. Every movie, comic book, uniform and gadget you can find anywhere in the world. A lover who will travel from Amarillo, Texas to California just for a Star Trek convention. And it is never just a convention; it is an experience of a lifetime, every time. Even my e-mail addres is named after "Crosis" in TNG's "Descent." Rene Auberjonois (Odo) even mentioned a Planet named after me (Adjalon Prime). No one has even heard of my name before. It really comes to show the intelligence of the writers and the research of technical advisors behind this awesome force known to even those who only know the name: Star Trek.

As a young man, I would close my eyes at night, wishing and dreaming it was all real, happening somwhere in the universe: The Federation at war with the Dominion, Voyager fighting tooth and nail to get home. Romulans, Cardassians and Borg! Oh, my! It is real! All of it. The imagination makes it real. The love makes it real. I have memorized in my mind and heart the names — no wait — the people behind the scenes of the glorious genre known as Star Trek. You all make this world a better place to live in. You set the standards for which we should live. To respect life and to evolve beyond our programing. To you, Larry, Gene (RIP), Majel, Brannon, Rick, Jeri, Michael, Denise, & Cast and Crew ... from the bottom of my heart, and from the depths of my soul, I love you all.

God Speed,
Adjalin C. W.
Amarillo, TX

So, Adjalin, are we to understand that you like Star Trek? In some ways, Star Trek is like the modern-day equivalent of the Western. One looks forward, the other backward, but both show another world that isn't known to us. And many believe, or want to believe, they are real. Sadly, in most respects, neither are real, or likely to be real. But that shouldn't stop us from dreaming.

Larry: Adjalin, I'm honored and a little overwhelmed to be included in that company you thanked — but it is indicative how the best of Star Trek fans and crew are indeed a loving extended family, in so many ways. From my small corner of it all, you are very welcome!