Why was the intro music changed?

[brian577]

I've been watching TNG on Netflix and I noticed that the intro music changed immediately following "Final Mission". It's not a new intro, the music is just slightly altered.

Here are both versions
The original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_2lrI3ey34&feature=related

After "Final Mission"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL-QeDpg-3o&

It seems odd to change the music midway through the season. Any ideas why?

 

[Amaris]

I'm not certain. I listened to them both, but I can't find the difference. I'm likely missing it. At which point does it change?

 

[Art Vandelay]

My guess is that the credits were shorter because Wil Wheaton's name was missing immediately after Final Mission, and they had to lose a few seconds of music.

 

[Amaris]

^ Oh, that's right. "Final Mission" was Wil Wheaton's last as a series regular.

 

[brian577]

I'm not certain. I listened to them both, but I can't find the difference. I'm likely missing it. At which point does it change?

The warp flash at the end and the credits change makes sense.

 

[Doug Otte]

I never noticed that change, but back in 1987-88 I noticed a mixing change during the first season. I can't remember what episode it was, but the main theme was remixed. The tympani were mixed way down, and some other slight changes were made, too. Now, you're going to ask me to find out exactly when it changed. I'll try to listen w/ headphones until I hear the episode when it changed.

I didn't realize notice it going through the DVD set, but I probably skipped over the main theme most of the time.

Doug

 

[SonicRanger]

Well, there was also the season five "Star Trek: The Next Generation" now-with-sparkles intro, and there was a slight sound effect with that too, IIRC.

http://tng.trekcore.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=196&page=2

 

[Green Shirt]

I thought the first season opening credits where the warp sound effect coincided with the start of the "TMP" theme sounded better than later seasons where the warp sound finished before the theme kicked in.

 

[Canadave]

My guess is that the credits were shorter because Wil Wheaton's name was missing immediately after Final Mission, and they had to lose a few seconds of music.

I don't think they actually did this... I've always noticed there's just sort of a blank space where his name used to appear.