The final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation is revered by us groupies as one of the finest pieces of science fiction ever created. I have re-watched this episode for decades and still find lovely useful nuggets of insight.
As a case in point, let me give you some background…
Science fiction is the exploration of the interaction between humanity and the technologies we create. What were the impacts of steam locomotion on human society? The consequence of the assembly line was tap dance. No one saw that coming! How did we respond to Steve Jobs’ iBooks with WiFi built in? Facebook and YouTube certainly do not do justice to that vision.
Roddenberry envisioned a future in which we have no hunger, no fear, no – as Maslow would define them – basic needs. We only have the need to improve ourselves. TNG is the culmination of his vision, and All Good Things… is the bow on top of that brilliant cake.
This final episode is not what it necessarily appears: the exploration of space and time, the unveiling of the human soul, but a sharp insight into ignorance and the powers which we unleash with technology.
Picard destroys all life in the past, present, and future.
Q repeatedly warns him, and tells him exactly what and how he is committing this horrific deed, but Picard continues simply due to the fact that human curiosity drives him forward.
The technology we love brings our downfall. Not knowing the consequences results in our termination.
This is the most anti-sci-fi episode of Trek I know.
Yet!
The result is that we must, MUST, develop our foresight. As a species, we must plant the seed of our foresight and wait upon it to bloom before we take action. We must revere patience and deductive logic before we push the button.
And this brings us back to the beginning: Roddenberry created Trek as a play of morals, to allow the audience to experience morality in its purest form. Herein we experience science fiction in all its glory: a more powerful awareness.
All Good Things… encapsulates the very best of sci-fi: we must improve ourselves with moral foresight as we improve our technological competence.
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My complete gratitude and awe to Brannon Braga and Ronald D Moore.
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