THE ESSENCE OF A NEXT GENERATION

 

Its funny how some people can be emotionally moved.

 

Sometimes the hearing of a certain song or melody can set off an unexpected outburst which normally lies hidden deep within ones own heart.

 

Seeing the plight of animal lovers, giving their all to protect the various species of life throughout the world, stirring feelings of pride within oneself as you inwardly encourage their efforts whilst for so long repressing the anger and resentment of the hunters who take such precious lives away.

 

Hearing tales of heroism. When the odds are stacked against a particular individual, who still sacrifices themselves for the protection of others, this can also induce one to shed a tear of sorrow.

 

Star Trek: The Next Generation, placed alongside these events of life, is nothing more than just another television programme, having no real bearing on the world at large in any way.

 

However for some people, it means a great deal more. For example, it has inspired most of you who read this now to become members of a Star Trek fan network, by joining Austrek. Do you realise this is a step further than the average person would usually pursue. It is comparable to buying all the albums of a particular music artist. Giving donations to the many charitable organisations which are in need of funds, or simply going to the footy every weekend to follow the progression of a favourite team or club.

 

Austrek has seen a large increase in membership since Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired on television. Every week, new fans are finding out about Star Trek fandom. Although there are still countless others out there even now who still search desperately, trying to find the existence of such a club, not knowing if one exists or not. These people are searching for an outlet for their interest. A 'simple' television programme has brought them to the point were they need to see more, to mix with those others like themselves, and to feel the sensation of finally becoming involved. To upgrade the level from being a mere watcher to fan.

 

For you see, dear readers, Star Trek, Next Generation in particular, is like a drug and has become an addiction that is proving very hard to break. The fan, who can only gets their fix by what channel 9 shows every Tuesday, stays up late at night while waiting for their favourite show to appear. Needing yet another dose of it to see them through the week. Ironically fans who have access to the most recent episodes of Next Gen through overseas contacts, still seem to suffer withdrawal symptoms while waiting for the latest instalments to arrive.

 

Why?

 

Because, Star Trek: The Next Generation is not just another television show. Other TV shows do not linger in the consciousness or the memories as this one does. Stirring up feelings of joy, fear, and the constant anticipation within the stories of what will happen next?

 

When we watch television, our concentration level generally last for the length of the programme. Once it has concluded, our lives revert to their normal routine. The show soon becomes forgotten as the reality of our lives wipes away all traces of what was just viewed, fulfilling its roll of entertainment, and since it has thus served its purpose, there is no longer any need to remember it (there are exceptions to this of course). To test this theory, just try to remember what you watched last week, and what happened on those shows. The chances are, you will not recall as much as you thought you could.

 

Next Generation is not like this. It has the ability to impact on your mind far more than other shows can, lingering on in the memory far longer than the average episode of Neighbours or Beverly Hills 90210 ever can. Because you want it to leave a lasting impression.You don't want to forget it. It doesn't deserve to be treated like any other programme, simply being flushed out of your thoughts like it was never there. That is what it is to be a fan.

 

I believe that Star Trek: The Next Generation is the best Science Fiction TV show in existence. It does more than just purely entertain. It captures you, draws you in, making you become a part of it and stirring you in a way like no other show can. This is due to the quality of its story telling, especially as you follow the progression of the characters through their lives. The feeling that some stories can seem too fantastic are washed away by the general supremacy of the whole. It makes you wish you could be there, on the Enterprise. Going, where no one has gone before.

 

I do not know if anyone has ever attempted to do a deep psychological study of the Star Trek phenomenon, to see how and why people have become so involved with it. (pointing out however, that Star Trek is not the only TV show or movie which has a following of such loyal, die hard supporters. But for the purposes of this particular article, we are centring on Star Trek only.) If such a study did exist, taken from the fan's point of view.Then it would surely make a very interesting read. Considering it would centre on us, rather than the show itself.

 

I remember the 1987 Austrek Christmas Party when Anita Livings announced that she had just received a copy of Star Trek: The Next Generation pilot episode - Encounter at Farpoint - direct from the US. Seventeen plus people stuffed themselves into her living room that evening to watch it. The interest surrounding it was overly intense. With only 79 episodes of the Classic series to play with, people were dying for somethingnew, something that reflected the changes of technology and maturity of the 1980's. This came in the form of Star Trek: the Next Generation.

 

Although no one knew it at the time, a disease was unleashed that night into the lives of the Star Trek fan everywhere. Six years later, it has become an obsession for some, and a way of life for many. The Star Trek fan had a prayer answered and a saviour sent to them. Then the addiction took over.

 

Now fans of the 1990's are looking forward to some even newer stuff, in the form of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Which will no doubt breed new addicts of its own and the process shall begin again.

 

To the people who think that this Star Trek interest is just merely a passing faze, think again. Star Trek, in both its revitalised formats, is here to stay and increase. It's enough to make me believe that in a few years time, there shall be virtually no one who has not been touched by the Star Trek magic at one time or another in their lives.

 

Just think, someone, somewhere, is watching Next Generation even as you read this, maybe even your neighbours, your friends, even the family cat. It is something people need more than any of us could probably begin to realise, and that is the scary part.

 

I personally have seen only about 30-45% of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I've seen some early stuff, I've seen some late stuff and some bits and pieces in the middle. In fact, I did not see Encounter at Farpointuntil sometime well into 1988 (I had the opportunity to see it that fateful evening after the 1987 Austrek Christmas Party, but I chose not to attend. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I did?). One element which turned me off the show initially,was the way everyone raved about how good it was, and believe me they raved a lot. (it's ironic how people now say that the earlier episodes were far inferior to the more recent seasons. Yet at the time it was the best thing around. Amazing how attitudes change with time isn't it?) Becoming potentially hooked on it scared me, as everyone else around me seemed to be heading in that direction. I knew that if I began to watch it religiously, it would only be a matter of time before I became somewhat of a lost cause. And I did not want to become like that. I have seen episodes that have just made me sit back in complete bewilderment and saying "Shit this show is good." ('Brothers' and "I. Borg" are two memorable examples). There was one occasion were I sat alone in my lounge room and watched nine stories in a row. Its things like this that can send the unwary over the edge. Yet I feel that I have generally emerged unscathed, So far.

 

I like Next Generation a lot, but if I have to sacrifice some of the opportunities that crop up now and again to see some of it, then I will. The show has to big a power of influence over the average fan mind. And mine is no exception. Although I like to see one every now and again, just to remind me of what I am missing out on.

 

On the hand though, it is good to see that it has such a great following. The day will eventually come when Next Gen is goes out of production. Then we will have to watch re-runs of it for the many years to come, a-la the Classic series. Maybe then I will pinch a whole bunch of cassettes from the infinite number of sources available, lock myself in a room for a couple of centuries and loose myself in the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Only to emerge at the end screaming out for more.

 

This article has been inspired by two people who work in the Australian Engineering division at Toyota with me, Lyn Toms and Ross Pearce. Both are loyal Next Gen watchers, but do not feel dedicated enough to warrant joining Austrek. The episodes they see are only whatever is on television for that week. They recently missed the latest story "Legacy". I just happen to mention that I could probably find someone with a copy of it for them. Lyn gave me a three hour cassette to transfer it on to, and after a phone call to a friend, I told her that the tape would contain not only "Legacy", but the Deep Space Nine pilot Emissary' and 'Descent', the last episode of season six (which at the time of writing was the absolutely latest one available). I cannot even begin to describe to you, her reaction to this unexpected surprise, suffice to say, it just showed me how much a TV programme can effect people. For the average 'fan', getting to see DS9 or even sixth season material is virtually a dream to them. All I could do was sit back in amazement.

 

Gee it's funny how people can be emotionally moved.

 

D. Maxwell

 

 

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