Captain Jean-Luc Picard himself, Patrick Stewart, directed five episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Since he played Commander William Riker in CNGJonathan Frakes has largely stopped acting (although he did return as Riker for Journey to the stars: Picard), to become a prolific director and perhaps the most beloved of the Star Trek directors. Frakes has continued to direct not only Star Trek projects but many other television episodes. Patrick Stewart, on the other hand, has few directing credits, but continues to act on stage and screen, as well as in voice-over roles. While Stewart may not have taken to directing with the same enthusiasm as Frakes, he directed five solid, fun episodes of CNG.
At the recent Vulture Festival, Patrick Stewart reminded fans of his directing credits on CNG. He went on to point out how invaluable Jonathan Frakes was when it was Stewart’s turn to sit in the director’s chair. Interestingly, four of the five episodes directed by Patrick Stewart focused on Brent Spiner’s Lieutenant Commander Data. In his autobiography, Doing it like this: a memory, Stewart praised Spiner’s performance in particular, saying that it is a “great injustice” that Spiner never won an Emmy for playing Data. It’s fitting, then, that the episodes Stewart directed often featured Data, showcasing not only Stewart’s skill behind the camera but also Spiner’s obvious talent in front of it.
5 In theory
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4, Episode 25
At Patrick Stewart’s House Star Trek: The Next Generation In his directorial debut, Data tries his hand at romance after Lieutenant Jenna D’Sora (Michele Scarabelli) shows interest in him. After Jenna kisses Data while they work together, he seeks advice from several members of the ship’s crew. While Stewart’s direction is solid, as are the performances, the relationship between Data and Jenna relies too much on outdated tropes and It feels like a step back for Data’s character..
The subplot follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-D as they investigate a nebula that begins to cause space distortions. The distortions turn out to be the result of dark matter and lead to the death of Lieutenant Van Mayter (Georgina Shore) in what is a particularly disturbing shot. “In Theory” is a fun, if flawed, episode with some great shots courtesy of director Patrick Stewart.
Since “In Theory” was Stewart’s first time in the director’s position, he sought advice from Jonathan Frakes, who had already directed three episodes of CNG.
4 hero worship
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5, Episode 11
Patrick Stewart’s second turn as director is another focused on data Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. In “Hero Worship”, a recently orphaned boy named Timothy (Joshua Harris) clings to Data and begins to act like him to mask his feelings of pain. Data’s interactions with Timothy provide some sweet and occasionally funny moments, such as when he comments on Timothy’s imitation of bowing his head. Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) becomes a starship counselor in this episode and does her best to help Timothy through his grief. While there’s nothing too notable about Stewart’s direction here, “Hero Worship” is an enjoyable episode that tackles some difficult topics well.
3 A handful of data
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 8
Patrick Stewart takes on a totally comical Star Trek episode in his third foray into directing. “A Fistful of Datas” leans into the more ridiculous aspects of CNG and the holodeck stories in particular, and everyone involved seems to have fun. While Data and chief engineer Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) work to integrate Data’s systems with the Enterprise’s computer, a power surge wreaks havoc on the holodeck. As Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) and Counselor Tori accompany Worf’s son Alexander (Brian Bonsall) on a Western adventure on the holodeck, all the characters on the holodeck suddenly look like Data and are equipped with his abilities. improved. “A Fistful of Datas” uses several Western tropes to great effect and contains many genuinely funny moments.
Throughout “A Fistful of Datas”, Captain Picard tries to find a moment of peace to play the Ressikan flute he acquired in the classic. CNG episode, “The Light Within.”
2 ghosts
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 7, Episode 6
In one of TNG In the strangest episodes, Data begins to experience strange dreams that begin to affect him when he is awake. To determine the possible meaning behind his dreams, Data speaks with counselor Troi and even encounters a recreation of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud (Bernard Kates) on the holodeck. In the end, Data’s dreams have an alien cause, as it is discovered that interphase creatures have infested the Enterprise. Apparently, Data’s dreams have been trying to tell him that he can emit an interphase pulse that can kill creatures. “Phantasms” is another fun episode, with some truly disturbing images and several scenes that have become iconic in their own right.
1 Preemptive attack
Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 7, Episode 24
The end Star Trek: The Next Generation The Patrick Stewart-directed episode is also the only one that does not feature Data prominently. Instead, “Preemptive Strike” focuses attention on the memorable supporting character of Lieutenant Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes). When Ro infiltrates the rebel group known as the Maquis, she begins to sympathize with his cause and eventually leaves Starfleet to join them. Michelle Forbes perfectly captures Ro’s struggles and her clear regret for disappointing Captain Picard.
The Maquis had been officially presented on Star Trek: Deep Space Ninein the second season of “The Maquis”, and the group would play a major role in the premiere of Journey to the stars: Voyager.
Picard wouldn’t be able to confront Ro about the betrayal he felt until Ro returned. Journey to the stars: Picard season 3. Now a commander working with Starfleet Intelligence, Ro approaches Picard in an attempt to warn him that the Changelings have infiltrated Starfleet Command. Ro apparently died in a ferry explosion in Picard Season 3, Episode 5, “Imposters,” and Picard was greatly affected by the loss of his friend. Ro was one of the most interesting supporting characters in Star Trek: The Next Generationand, considering he saw Picard as a mentor, it’s fitting that Patrick Stewart directed the character’s story. CNG send.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+.