'Star Trek: Generations' Gave Us the Captain's Showdown that We Were All Waiting For

Star Trek Generations probably belongs below middle ground among the franchise’s movies. Chatter on Facebook groups seem to agree, but I’m shocked when some level total disdain on The Next Generation's first big screen appearance. As for me, I see the flaws. Nonetheless, I like Generations, and as in any Star Trek film that didn't quite live up, it has more than enough to make me watch.

But before Generations, let’s start at the beginning. Star Trek: The Next Generation was met first by some pretty weighty criticism. Both Shatner and Nimoy were against the whole idea and said so before the Enterprise-D ever left space dock.

'The Next Generation' Starts Slow

The complete horror of the first season didn’t help either. The only thing TNG had at that early junction ended once the opening credits completed. Patrick Steward’s rendition of the immortal words challenged Shatner and had me hang on in hope that the show would some how measure up.

A beardless Riker always puffing out his chest, Wesley Crusher nearly brought to tears every time he’s dismissed by Picard, and Tasha Yar futilely playing the tough guy were just too much. Fortunately, the flaws finally gave way to The Measure of a Man.

The first episode in my estimation that established The Next Generation as successor. Data faced digital dissection, and Picard draws on a mix of history, logic and passion to argue human rights for his trusty android.

James T or Jean Luc

Picard went on to draw a distinct line in comparison to his predecessor. So where Kirk would lock phasers and wield bravado, Picard considered his options and made sure his decisions aligned with the galactic greater good.

This was maybe a little too exalted when all hinged on not collapsing in the Ivory towery that Picard always tried to uphold. But Jean Luc made it work, and so did the cast of characters that we came to identify with.

So well that The Next Generation blew past the TOS. Star Trek V’s poor showing didn’t help, and despite an interesting storyline for VI, the original generation just looked plain old.

Of course, all we had to do was dial up the reruns, and their youthful step was perpetually at the ready. Still, All Good Things forced us to temper our allegiance, and by the time Generations reached the event horizon in 1994, they gave us a longline that tried to allay the divergence. Two Captains, One Destiny but none of us was sure which Captain held the most sway.

'Generations' Pits Captain versus Captain

Jim Kirk was up first and starts making his case—even though Spock and Bones deferred. On the coattails of V and VI, it’s more of the same. Woe is me, we never made time for a family, and oh my, do I miss the captain’s log.

“Is there something wrong with your chair,” Scotty piles on as things go awry. Of course, Kirk is unable to contain his urgency to command. In the end, you’re all in and dusting off the decades seems entirely plausible when Kirk goes into action.

But then he’s dead, and what’s the point here exactly? You know there is, and once shifting generations, you soon realize we’ll find him in the nexus.

The acting also goes up a notch as the Next Gen crew is still in stride. The film nicely weaves a story around the mystery of Soran and his renegade Klingon friends.

Data and Picard uncharacteristically overflowing with emotion, adds to TNG’s seven year mission to boldly know where humanity has been (and is going). Picard’s tears may be a bit much to endure, but Data’s outbursts as he conquers the Klingons doesn’t miss the mark.

Riker and Worf getting the assists, re-verifies that the Enterprise D can mix it up as well as the ole NCC-1701. But set up for the Nexus, let’s digress.

Our new inhabitant is quickly taken, but of all those who have passed before him, only the great Jean Luc Picard can see the shallow emptiness.

And once ensnared, you can go anywhere in time that you want. How exactly does that work? And if thwarting the plans of Dr. Soran is your aspiration, I’ll use the words of Doctor Evil’s son to make my case. “Why not just go back and kill him while he’s on the crapper,” Scott questions in Austin Powers.

The Nexus: It’s On

Nonetheless, it’s on. More mileage on his odometer, Kirk let’s fly his more easily accessed passions in the face of Picard’s over diligence to the greater good. “I’m pretty sure the galaxy owes me one,” Kirk demurs on very firm ground.

But well schooled in being bombarded by logic, Kirk understands the importance of adjusting to the facts. This especially when coming from the Captain of the Enterprise, and Kirk signals the first round to Picard. “Don’t do anything that gets you out of that chair,” James T. finds his footing.

Of course, Kirk quickly holds serve, and it’s Picard who suddenly drops the dispassion in favor his predecessor’s sense of humor. “Don’t you read history,” he deadpans Soran’s surprise.

The tussle continues, and maybe the elder gets the edge as Picard continues to hold ranks. “Call me, Jim,” Kirk implores and we delight.

But then he’s dead again, oh my. The winner - we can’t really say. But what we do know for sure, Two Captains, One Destiny.

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