Star Trek Original Series vs Star Trek Next Generation

Star Trek the original series was a great television program. They were the pioneer of not only the Star Trek franchise itself, but also of the science fiction genre as a whole. TOS provided audiences with new concepts including space exploration and futuristic technologies. They gave audiences shocking experiences from dazzling special effects (or at least dazzling at the time) such as photon torpedoes and warp drive to tackling controversial issues head on like airing interracial relations on live TV (Kirk kissing Uhura).

Along with the show came the iconic vessel that propelled the series forward, the USS Enterprise. For many fans, the Enterprise was a symbol of possibilities, to boldly go where no man has gone before. For me, the name alone brings forth goose bumps and a sense of wonder and excitement.

With weekly new adventures and a great ensemble cast, the original series is a classic and hard to match. I personally loved it because Star Trek TOS explored human potential to the highest degree.

Star Trek the next generation was a beast in its own right. Riding in on the curtails of the original series, TNG took the franchise to a whole new level, bringing on more in-depth characters and complex ideas.

Personally, I wouldn't get anything done aboard the USS Enterprise D because I would log all my hours on the Holodeck! This would be my logic,

"So you're telling me that I can create a place that seemed totally real, and it can be wherever and whenever I wanted?"

I don't know about you, but I would be addicted instantly.

Awesome holodecks aside, I believe the next generation TV series is a great show and it would be hard pressed to convince me that any other science fiction series is better, even the almighty original series.

Although both series carry the Star Trek name and have similar themes such as space, the uss enterprise, and starfleet; the two television programs are entirely different.

The original series is centered around Kirk and his crew. The next generation is also centered around the Enterprise and her captain, but the theme is much larger, largely geared toward the scientific explanations of the universe.

Since I am a fan of both series, I'm going to try to compare the two, head-on, and see which show was actually better.

Now, I think it is unfair to compare the actual shows in terms of picture (aka special effects, imagery, cinematography, etc, etc.) simply because the next generation came out after the original series. Even if you try to compare the movies, TNG came out a decade after the originals (unless of course we take the brand new Star Trek movie into account, but that's an entirely different subject altogether).

So, I am strictly going to compare characters (much like my star wars vs star trek comparison), position by position, and create my own enterprise dream team crew.

Okay, I think this one comes down to personal favorites. Honestly, both Picard and Kirk are compelling characters. They are great, epic, and represent everything we all root for in a protagonist.

James T. Kirk is all heart and raw emotion. He makes decisions off the cuff, usually against Starfleet command, making Kirk predictably unpredictable.

His conscience and long time friend Spock constantly views Kirk's actions as illogical, mainly because Kirk will take the heroes way out, every time.

Jean-Luc Picard, on the other hand, is more methodical. Picard represents Starfleet to the fullest, but he also loves his ship...the enterprise.

Picard will not hesitate to go against starfleet regulations if he feels that it will endanger his ship and his crew.

So, who is better? Tough...The easy answer would be Kirk because he was not only Captain in the original series, but he pretty much represents the Star Trek franchise as a whole.

As for me...I would pick Picard in my enterprise dream team. I think Picard makes more sound decisions and, yes, he is a personal favorite.

Okay, right off the bat, Spock is more interesting. In fact, there's no dispute, hands down Spock is better than Riker and Worf in every way. However, both Riker and Worf have a lot of heart and would sacrifice their lives for the ship and their captain.

In the end Spock is amazing and I would pick him over the Riker and Worf combination. Many may argue this, but Spock is irreplaceable and he is a must on any dream team enterprise list.

Truthfully, Spock's position in the original series was a little unique. He was not only Kirk's right hand man, but also the ship's security, tactical, and science officer.

Spock took up 3 or 4 positions on the Enterprise, while the next generation crew split the same duties up amongst the crew.

So, technically, Spock could go up against Riker, Data, and Worf. However, because his primary role on the Enterprise was first officer and security officer, he must go up against Riker and Worf.

Like Spock, Data is multifunctional as well. He was the ship's pilot, science officer, and part the away team. Chekhov was the navigational officer and filled in for Spock from time to time.

Although we all love Chekhov and his thick Russian accent, Data is better. There's not much argument there.

On a side note, I know that it is hard pressed not to have Data vs. Spock in a showdown against each other, but I have my reasons:

1.) On my dream team enterprise sheet, I would want both Spock and Data on my crew. So, pinning them up against each other would eliminate one of them on my list.

2.) Although they were similar, Data and Spock didn't hold the same positions. Data was first and foremost a pilot. And Spock was the Kirk's executive officer and the ship's security officer.

Ah, the battle between the Enterprise engineers. Both are interesting characters and add a little depth to any scene.

Between Scotty's clever one liners and Geordi's precise calculations, it is certainly an odd character comparison.

In the end, I think Scotty wins, unquestionably. I mean, he did figure out how to beam someone aboard a moving ship at maximum warp.

Scotty ~ "I'm giving her all she's got cap'em!"

This one is just silly. I think Bones destroys Crusher in any doctor comparison scenario. Bones is funnier, great during crunch time, and he has so many different ways to pronounce a patient's death!

I will make one note here. I'm not taking anything away from Crusher. I think she is an interesting character who is essential to the next generation crew. She's great for figuring out weird uncharted phenomenons and scientific uncertainties. And she's not hard on the eyes either. But my choice is Bones!

Okay this one is for the Star Trek perverts out there, including myself! I think this particular vote comes down to...which one is hotter!

Of course, I could break down each of their skills such as Uhura is a great communications officer. Counselor Troi is great for solving problems and revealing what the enemy was thinking.

All right, now that I have that out of the way, which one is hotter! Personally, I think Counselor Troi buries Uhura is a second. However, this comes down to personal taste, and Troi did wear some...close fitting outfits. If you're a legs guy, then Uhura is definitely your pick!

I'm going with Counselor Troi!

My dream team uss enterprise Crew:

Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Commander Spock

Lt. Commander Data

Lt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott

Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy

Counselor Deanna Troi

This makes TNG and TOS tied 3-3. So, who is better? Well, since the females can go either way depending on your overall taste, I think it must go to Star Trek the original series. This hurts me to say because I am a bigger next generation fan, by far, but the evidence is there. TOS has better characters, and I can't wait for J.J. Abrams' next Star Trek installment!