I believe Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale is the best conclusion the show could possibly have

Star Trek: The Next Generation achieved the impossible when it debuted in 1987. While no series was expected to outrun The Original Series' three-season run in popularity, The Next Generation became more popular and had significantly higher ratings than TOS.

While the series initially struggled to find its footing, probably because of the pressure of expectation owing to its predecessor's success, the atter seasons are among the best television now.

The show ended on a high with Season 7, and I believe the series finale, All Good Things, is not only the best possible conclusion of the show but also one of the best episodes in the franchise.

The series finale follows Captain Picard on his time-traveling adventure, during which he realizes the importance of his crew and finally accepts them as his chosen family.

More on Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale in our story.

---

Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale shows Captain Picard's evolution

Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale was the best possible conclusion to Patrick Stewart's run as Enterprise captain Jean-Luc Picard, and the final scene confirmed it.

After his time-traveling adventure, which gave Picard some context about his leadership style, he finally decides to mingle with his crew. While the two cannot be compared, Captain Kirk was far more personable with his crew and demanded loyalty from his colleagues.

Picard's leadership style was not only very different from Kirk's, he also maintained distance to exert authority. While their different leadership styles reflect their different upbringings, it always hindered Picard from opening up and connecting with his crew until the Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale.

After Picard sees his lonely self during the time travel, something shifts in him, and he joins his crew for a poker game in the Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale. While Riker's poker game was a regular part of the show, one member who was constantly absent from it was Captain Picard.

The captain's constant absence symbolized the divide between him and his crew, which he eventually overcame in the series finale. Picard joining Riker's poker game in the Season 7 finale was his final act of acceptance and the first step to becoming a more personal captain.

It was not only the best conclusion for Picard but also for his crew. While Picard remained the best captain, his crew always felt he couldn't become their friend, and the series finale changed that.

Emotions were running high for the crew when Deanne Troi welcomed her captain to their game by saying:

"You were always welcome.''

This line summed up the series finale beautifully because while Picard was trying to maintain his authority by creating a barrier between himself and his crew, they were always waiting for him to take a step towards them.

---

Star Trek: The Next Generation series finale beautifully captured the essence of the franchise

Star Trek is not only about extraterrestrial species or adventures through space and time but also about the chosen family.

The Next Generation series finale rightly captured the essence of a captain finally accepting his crew as his family.

That moment marks Picard finally stepping beyond the professional boundaries and accepting this chosen family. As co-writer Brannon Braga said in The Fifty-Year Mission on the series finale:

"We knew we wanted it to be special and the culmination of everything that makes Star Trek special.''

Creating seven seasons of the show was truly a dream come true for the cast and they delivered the best possible goodbye in the series finale.

---

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

Also Read: How to watch Star Trek TV Shows in order?