“The Next Star Trek: The Next Generation”: Jonathan Frakes’ Dream Plan For Star Trek: Legacy
Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes details his blueprint for Star Trek: Legacy, which should be the next generation of Star Trek: TNG.
Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes lays out his blueprint for Star Trek: Legacy, the proposed spinoff of Star Trek: Picard season 3. The next generation of Star Trek: The Next Generation was perfectly set up by Picard season 3’s finale, which was written and directed by Terry Matalas. Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) is now in command of the USS Enterprise-G, which also includes Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers). Meanwhile, the TNG icons got their happy ending together, but that doesn’t mean Captain Will Riker, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), and the former crew of the USS Enterprise-D wouldn’t pop into Star Trek: Legacy.
In the new issue of Star Trek Explorer magazine (except provided by StarTrek.com), Jonathan Frakes details his concept for Star Trek: Legacy, which would focus on the children of Captain Riker, Counselor Troi, Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), and Admirals Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) on the USS Enterprise-G. Read his quote below:
I suspect if [Star Trek: Legacy] does go forward, it would be Jeri Ryan, Michelle Hurd, and Ed Speelers, who’s now in Starfleet, and Mica Burton and Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, who played Geordi’s daughters. I would also imagine Lulu Wilson, who played the Rikers’ daughter in season one and was so fabulous, could be a part of it. She could come back and maybe be in Starfleet… It feels to me like there’s a real opportunity for three of the legacy characters’ children to carry on and sort of be the next Star Trek: The Next Generation. It just feels like it’s laid out there. It’s the blueprint for the next phase.
Jonathan Frakes Envisions Riker’s Role In Star Trek: Legacy
Jonathan Frakes has previously floated his pet idea of Will Riker finally receiving a promotion to Admiral and becoming the Starfleet flag officer overseeing the voyages of Captain Seven of Nine and the USS Enterprise-G in Star Trek: Legacy. Frakes explains:
Riker would have to be a captain and have his ship, or he would be promoted to admiral and be a liaison. I’m only half-kidding when I say it would be great for me if the show carries on and I’m like Charlie from Charlie’s Angels. They’d have to come to my office one day a week for a meeting with Riker. That’d be perfect. Then I could direct a bunch of the episodes and be around the show.
Frakes’ concept would certainly be an ideal scenario, allowing him to occasionally appear in Star Trek: Legacy while also freeing him up to direct episodes and contribute behind the scenes. Terry Matalas, who has become close friends with Frakes during Star Trek: Picard season 3’s production, would certainly welcome his help and input. While the long wait continues for news of Star Trek: Legacy, enthusiasm from fans and the creative team of Star Trek: Picard season 3 has not abated at all, and the desire to see the 25th century continue in Star Trek: Legacy remains strong.
