Summary
Sir Patrick Stewart’s recent memoir,Making It So, is naturally filled with fresh and exciting tidbits about his life, including one bombshell that the actor spilled aboutStar Trek: The Next Generation.
Before his popular tenure as Professor Xavier in theX-Menfranchise, Stewart was inStar Trek: The Next Generation. Created by sci-fi legend Gene Roddenberry,Star Trek: TNGcontinued the journeys of the Starfleet ship, the Enterprise, and its crew. And while his character, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, is still one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, Stewart wasn’t on board with all of Roddenberry’s decisions.
In his memoirMaking It So, Stewart officially confirmed oneStar Trekrumor about Roddenberry that had been circulating for years. “A lot of people enjoy ‘The Naked Now,’ but to me, it smacked of desperation, as if we had been on the air for years and the writers had already emptied the cupboard of good ideas,” Stewart wrote, perScreen Rant. “But Gene, as it is well known, was a fan of cheesecake – he had Marina wear a minidress and go-go boots in the pilot, as if the 1960s had never ended, and he contemplated giving Deanna Troi three or even four breasts.”
For better or for worse,Star Trek: The Original Serieswas a product of its time. As innovative and optimistic as the series was, it could be accused of casual sexism. It was the ’60s, after all, and many shows of its time did the same. However, true to Stewart’s observation,The Next Generationstill adhered to some ofStar Trek’s more problematic habits. Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) was an empathic counselor in the series and has one of the most heartfelt storylines withStar Trekdirector Jonathan Frakes' character, William Riker. This would have been difficult to achieve if Roddenberry had his way early in the series.
There is a time and a place for slapstick humor, but augmenting Deanna seems like poor taste. Perhaps this was more acceptable at the tail end of the ’80s, but it certainly would not stand the test of time for modern audiences. Making a character as emotionally intelligent as Deanna into a punchline is not a good look.The Next Generationalso happened to be caught up in other sexist details, such as the firing of Gates McFadden. The actor portrayedStar Trek’s best parent, Dr. Beverly Crusher, for one season before she was let go. She alleged this was because one producer disliked her, though she returned in later seasons and otherStar Trekseries. Thankfully, fate intervened in these circumstances, and the legacy ofThe Next Generationremains intact.
