Updating the original series, The Next Generation begins 78 years after the original series, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard in command of the ongoing exploration mission of the new Enterprise-D.

As predicted in classic episode "Errand of Mercy", the Klingons and Federation are now at peace, leaving the mechanized Borg collective to grab the title of new terror out of space. The series also introduced new alien empires like the Ferengi and Cardassians, both of which would become important to Deep Space Nine storylines, as well as that lovable omnipotent trickster, Q (John de Lancie).