The documentary series chronicling rare and fascinating details of Star Trek, now airing on IMDB TV, takes a look at The Next Generation.

There’s a lot of juicy, behind-the-scenes drama shared in this instalment, from Gates McFadden on how producer Maurice Hurley was behind her firing at the end of Season 1, to Wil Wheaton on how he was mistreated by Rick Berman. Even Gene Roddenberry lawyer gets a hard time (there’s a scorcher of an insult from writer David Gerrold), all making for a fascinating episode.

Most Star Trek fans already know the anecdotes about Patrick Stewart’s toupee, why Denise Crosby left and the costume difficulties with Season 1 lycra jumpsuits, but these gems are presented freshly and it’s also great to see the likes of Jeri Taylor, Andre Bormanis, David Carson and Wendy Neuss as they are now. As always, one wonders whether it was availability, cost or other reasons why certain cast members appear and others are nowhere to be seen (only Spiner, McFadden, Wheaton and DeLancie appear in new interviews), but as a tasty insight into the turbulent times of making the show, it’s great fun.

Verdict: With more drama behind the scenes than in front of the camera, bringing the first live-action Star Trek spinoff to television was a challenge on multiple levels. 8/10

Nick Joy