OCTOBER 14, 2022 - I was 18 years old when Star Trek: The Next Generation aired its first episode.  I followed the series for all seven seasons and four movies.  The series premiered 35 years ago, leaving the air 28 years ago.

In all of this time, unlike its predecessor, there has been no “tell-all” book of the dark secrets of the cast.  No decades-long feud between the supporting cast and the main star.  No online digs and trashing of the reputations of each other. (Ahem - we all know what we’re talking about here.)

The reason why?  The cast had done more than film seven seasons of a show, they became a family.  I’ve personally been to several conventions and have met many of the stars, and they legitimately all speak well of each other.  It does indeed seem to be a special group of people who have come to value and love each other. 

But more than that, they all also genuinely appreciate and value us, the fans.  When you go to a convention and show them love they show it right back.  If you need proof, just watch Marina Sirtis react to a fan who tears up!

The Message To The Fans video at NYCC 2022 is heartwarming.  We see the stars reminisce and thank the fans.  The fans share what Trek means to them and what an extended family Starfleet really is.

In a world so full of distrust and hate, it’s wonderful to remember that the Human Adventure continues, and all of us are a part of it. 

So, close your eyes, take yourself back to the first time that you watched “Encounter at Farpoint”, and remember the awe and excitement that you felt as you dove into the adventures of this brave new crew on this exciting ship…  Hold it, and now watch Star Trek: Picard | A Message To The Fans (NYCC 2022).

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