Matt Smith Sep 06, 2013

it was amazing bookshelves: non-fiction, television

's review

Actual rating: 4½ stars



Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 was released in the fall of 2012 as part of the show's 25th anniversary. Trek insiders Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdman cover how the series came into being, how it nearly didn't, the fate-like choosing of its cast, and the exhaustive process that goes into developing a weekly TV show — particularly one that already carried a huge fan following before it was even announced.



The book gives a special nod to the show's writers; after all, the character stories are what we all love(d) about TNG. Michael Piller's arrival at the start of the third season helped the show earn its sea legs and propel it to a level of success unmatched by any other Trek series. Piller took over the writing staff and implemented an open-door policy for scripts — meaning anyone could submit a story idea to the show — which was unheard of in TV, even today. It worked. Not only did the process generate fan favorites and some of the best storylines of the series, it gave rise to a new generation of writers and future TV producers such as Brannon Braga, René Echevarria, and Ronald D. Moore, among others.



365 is a large, hardcover book with over 700 pages of photos, did-you-know's, and behind-the-scenes snapshots of each episode printed on professional-grade photographic paper. For any TNG fan, this book is a gold mine. Best Father's Day gift ever!