TNG's Bridge

[RobertScorpio]

I never was a fan of TNG's bridge. I didn't really care for the three seats in the command area. When they redressed it for YESTERDAY'S ENTERPRISE, I thought that was a much better bridge.

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...but for what ever reason, I didn't like it.

Rob
Scorpio

 

[DeeEss57]

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...

And it didn't work, either.


DES

 

[ncc74302]

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...

And it didn't work, either.


DES

I have to respectfully disagree. I think it worked quite well. TNG was more of an ensemble show with the supporting characters having more to do, and more character development.

 

[trevanian]

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...

And it didn't work, either.


DES

I have to respectfully disagree. I think it worked quite well. TNG was more of an ensemble show with the supporting characters having more to do, and more character development.

Yeah, but in terms of design for that ensemble, it made the bridge look like a Denny's undergoing refurbishment. Plus, Shatner has a good point when he says drama is about one person's dilemma; too much involvement of the others dilutes it, just a bit can enhance it. MASH might be the only exception to that (FIREFLY would have been too if it had lived.)

 

[Lt.Cmdr.LaForge]

I have to respectfully disagree. I think it worked quite well. TNG was more of an ensemble show with the supporting characters having more to do, and more character development.

I have to agree with ncc74302. The captain was no longer in the spotlight like in TOS and this is reflected in the layout of the bridge.

 

[BillJ]

My second favorite behind the original bridge from Star Trek. It worked because it truly looked futuristic (an evolution) from 'The Original Series' point-of-view. Clean lines, fewer interfaces that could be re-programmed to do any function required.

For some reason it seemed tech took a real step back when they designed the Defiant, Voyager and Enterprise-E bridges. Which became cluttered and dark. Unfortunately it seems this aesthetic (the cluttered part) has also won out in the design of the bridge for J.J. Abrams new 'Star Trek' project.

 

[Praetor]

I have actually always liked the design, but preferred its 'Generations' configuration more. I don't have a problem with the stations seeming reduced - the whole idea was of course that the tech had evolved. I tend to agree that the Defiant and Enterprise-E bridges seemed a little backsteppish, but then again neither ship was as big. Voyager's bridge though I don't think was bad at all.

 

[nx1701g]

^ I agree entirely. The reasons for the more workstations was explained in the BTS book Star Trek: The TNG Movies Sketchbook. Apparently they were told to make the bridge's more active by Berman and Braga so that people would get a feel for how large the ships were.

 

[Lt Cmdr Data]

I personnaly think that the bridge is awsome cause There's not to many seats, and lesser of unneccisary gizmo, unlike in TOS. Everything is set out perfectly! But that's just me...

 

[BillJ]

^ I agree entirely. The reasons for the more workstations was explained in the BTS book Star Trek: The TNG Movies Sketchbook. Apparently they were told to make the bridge's more active by Berman and Braga so that people would get a feel for how large the ships were.

How do more workstations on the bridge make the ship seem larger? The Original Series and Next Gen bridges were roughly the same size. The Enterprise had 9 work stations and the Enterprise-D had 10. I control thirty distinct functions from one PC in Cincinnati that affect work sites all over the United States. Size of the control center means nothing. This was more about someone putting their 'stamp' on something that any logical purpose the extra panels serve. And when I see something like that in the fictional 24th century it kills the illusion.

Sometimes people tend to over-think things. Were there any control panels missing on the bridge in TNG? If not then they had the right amount.

I guess the ship must be more advanced and larger if people are tripping over each other in the command center.

 

[Anwar]

I liked the alternate Bridge design from Yesterday's Enterprise myself. It made the ship look more like a Command Center. Course the lighting would have to be brighter for it to work as more than a one-episode thing.

 

[Piper]

Count me in for liking TNG's bridge too, although the fact the security officer is hindered from getting to the Captain instantly is a bit of a design flaw - would the Borg have grabbed Picard so easily had Worf been right by him to protect him?

The only bridges I don't like much are VOY's and ENT's, they're much more functional and have less character than the other shows'.

 

[RaymondJames]

I liked the Bridge. Worf had the weirdest position though.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

Count me in for liking TNG's bridge too, although the fact the security officer is hindered from getting to the Captain instantly is a bit of a design flaw - would the Borg have grabbed Picard so easily had Worf been right by him to protect him?

Well, Worf's position gave him the high ground - from his position, he could get any attacker before they reached Picard. Wasn't Worf distracted by OTHER drones in the moment that Picard was snatched?

 

[CaptainStoner]

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...but for what ever reason, I didn't like it.

Rob
Scorpio

Well. I don't agree that the 3-abreast command section of the bridge had to do with tempering Patrick Stewart as the principle actor...certainly Spock was as popular as Kirk without a central throne... Riker had a post - either the Captain's right hand, or the Big Chair itself.
But I will go with you on the Tactical stations. Nothing to grab onto, just a smooth panel. You'd think they'd put just one "oh shit" handle at each tactical station.
And I will say that when TNG first aired, I vastly preferred the older-school look of the Battle Bridge on those rare times it appeared. But I came to dig the horseshoe.

 

[cybersoldier]

I never was a fan of TNG's bridge. I didn't really care for the three seats in the command area. When they redressed it for YESTERDAY'S ENTERPRISE, I thought that was a much better bridge.

I know they had to do this since, unlike Spock, Riker didn't really have a post, and it was actually an attempt to make sure the captain didn't become the star of THIS Star Trek...but for what ever reason, I didn't like it.

Rob
Scorpio

I liked that version too if TNG was more like TOS, but I felt the version used on Generations should have been the design they should have used for the series

 

[nx1701g]

^ I agree entirely. The reasons for the more workstations was explained in the BTS book Star Trek: The TNG Movies Sketchbook. Apparently they were told to make the bridge's more active by Berman and Braga so that people would get a feel for how large the ships were.

How do more workstations on the bridge make the ship seem larger? The Original Series and Next Gen bridges were roughly the same size. The Enterprise had 9 work stations and the Enterprise-D had 10. I control thirty distinct functions from one PC in Cincinnati that affect work sites all over the United States. Size of the control center means nothing. This was more about someone putting their 'stamp' on something that any logical purpose the extra panels serve. And when I see something like that in the fictional 24th century it kills the illusion.

Sometimes people tend to over-think things. Were there any control panels missing on the bridge in TNG? If not then they had the right amount.

I guess the ship must be more advanced and larger if people are tripping over each other in the command center.

It seemed bigger in the view because more people were working there and the bridge was more active.

 

[Bacl]

I personnaly think that the bridge is awsome cause There's not to many seats, and lesser of unneccisary gizmo, unlike in TOS. Everything is set out perfectly! But that's just me...

It is not just you. I couldn't agree more!

 

[Finn]

I always liked the E-D bridge. The others were grey, sometimes with other shades of color like blue on Excelisors.

 

[bryce]

I liked the E-D bridge, and I get what Roddenberry was aiming at in the design...trying to convey that this was a ultra-futuristic starship, and the technology was so super advanced that it's control center could be simple and comfortable.

Although, I like version of the E-D bridge in Generations best, with the addaded stations.

I didn't like the E-E bridge, it seemed like a real step back. So do a lot about that ship, although I like the overall exterior design, it's much to utilitarian on the inside for me.