All good things must come to an end. This 700-year-old phrase brings to life a simple truth – everything changes. It’s a message we explore several times throughout Star Trek. And with Star Trek: The Next Generation’s finale airing for the first time thirty years ago, let’s Trek Back to Star Trek: TNG’s ‘All Good Things’ and explore this climatic finale in true Star Trek style!
It’s Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey Stuff!
Some of the best Star Trek episodes involve time travel, and ‘All Good Things’ doesn’t disappoint! It starts with a disoriented Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) interrupting a kiss between Counsellor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) and Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) – change in the air already! Picard confirms his suspicion that he’s travelling backwards and forward through time. What follows is a paradoxical joyride led by the omnipotent Q (John de Lancie) that brings us full circle in a spectacular closure to The Next Generation’s story.
The Love Triangle
From the first scene, it’s clear that evolving relationships play a big part in this episode. Troi and Worf casually walk from the holodeck to Troi’s quarters, sharing smiles and warm conversation. It’s clear their friendship is developing into something more. Worf is uncomfortable continuing due to Troi’s history with Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes). Troi gives Worf a cheeky smile and ties her new love interest’s words in knots – which is great to watch! As surprising as this character development was, I loved seeing their chemistry in full flow.
Of course, love triangles rarely work out, do they? Jumping to the anti-time future, we discover Troi sadly died some years prior. Worf and Riker, caring deeply for Troi, have let resentment fester. We see them share heated words and accusations on the Enterprise Bridge and later learn that Worf and Troi’s relationship never took off. Riker claims he never stopped them, which Doctor Beverley Crusher (Gates McFadden) challenges. Could it be that Riker sabotaged Worf’s chances of happiness with Troi in this anti-time future?
Of course, these things have a way of coming full circle. As the episode concludes back in the present, we see the bridge crew enjoying a hand of poker. They’re discussing this anti-time future that Picard told them about (only their Captain retained any memory of this). Riker looks knowingly at Worf, suggesting Picard told them so they could change things now for the better; Worf smiles and agrees. Have they learned from mistakes never made?
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Another relationship explored through ‘All Good Things’ is between Picard and Beverley. Anyone who has watched most of the seven seasons will agree the sexual tension between them is palpable. They keep it as contained as possible due to Picard’s friendship with Beverley’s husband, Jack, who died years earlier. So, it came as no surprise to see Picard and Beverley share a kiss towards the start of the finale! Finally, the connection between them was evolving into something more.
Alas, cut to the anti-time future, and you see love’s labours may have been lost. Beverley is now in command of her own ship. But, despite hearing her referred to as Captain Picard, it becomes clear they separated some time ago. Of course, Beverley allows her relationship with Picard to influence her judgment. She takes him to the Devron system and stays too long while they try to find the anomaly. She loses the resulting battle with the Klingons and evacuates her ship – she shouldn’t have listened to Picard…
Disappointingly, Picard and Beverley’s relationship doesn’t end as effectively as the Worf and Riker fallout. However, we explore it again in season three of Star Trek: Picard (warning—spoilers ahead!). We discover that Picard and Beverley got together after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis.
Beverley becomes pregnant and, realizing Picard always has a target on his back, cuts ties with everyone on the Enterprise-E. She doesn’t tell him about his son, which creates additional tension when the truth comes out early into season three. But wounds heal through the remaining episodes and Picard ends the series with a happy family.
An Ally In Disguise
I couldn’t Trek Back to Star Trek: TNG’s ‘All Good Things’ and not discuss the omnipotent Q! The playful troublemaker is my favorite antagonist in the franchise, always plotting twisted and sinister ways to help – and having fun doing it. In every appearance, he plays the bad guy act while secretly pointing Picard and his crew in the right direction. Even throwing the Enterprise-D into Borg space in ‘Q Who’ was a blessing in disguise. With no knowledge of the Borg, humanity would have been defenseless when they eventually invaded. If he were a main character, he’d be the anti-hero of the series.
Q and Picard’s relationship is… complicated. Across the seven episodes Q is a part of, it becomes more apparent how paradoxically all-knowing and childlike he is. He creates chaos for a laugh – but always with a hidden and meaningful purpose or lesson behind his actions. We see his playful nature reach the surface again during ‘All Good Things’, teasing a frustrated Picard with a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ question game. But in this encounter, he’s different – there’s a seriousness about him that Picard reads, revealing how dangerous the situation is. Humanity’s in big trouble this time, and Q’s here to ensure Picard saves the day.
Or is he? If Q hadn’t started moving Picard back and forth through time, would Picard have found his way to the Devron system in the future to create the anti-time anomaly? It’s his knowledge of the anomaly’s existence in the past and present that leads him there in the future. Hence, one could argue that Q is the original cause. He has a point to prove with the continuum and needs his best (mortal) friend to help him do it. What better way than with a paradox?
The Measure of Humanity
The recurring theme throughout Q’s visits in The Next Generation, one critical to the story of ‘All Good Things’ is change. Does humanity have the capacity and willingness to evolve and grow? Q challenges Picard with this in ‘Encounter at Farpoint’ and does so again in ‘All Good Things’. This is a fitting way to bring the series full circle, celebrating the growth and change we’ve seen throughout the series. At the end of ‘All Good Things,’ Picard joins his crew for a hand of poker, for the first time. He smiles fondly at the family around him and reflects. “I should have done this a long time ago…”.
Where Picard’s crew influences his character development, Q’s contribution cannot be denied. Q challenges the status quo, forcing Picard to think outside the box to reach the right answer. He encourages Picard to make it so in the moments he falters or second guesses. But the influence travels both ways. Picard encourages Q to observe the universe from a human perspective and to question his morality and superiority complex. Well, I never said Q acted on Picard’s encouragements!
Conclusion
I could have written fifteen thousand words during this Trek Back to Star Trek: TNG’s ‘All Good Things’. There’s so much to this phenomenal finale to unpick. In this article’s context, though, this episode is pure, one hundred per cent Star Trek at its finest.
It boldly explores humanity’s ability to change and grow while delivering an intense time travel story. Character arcs round off nicely, with opportunities for growth in future stories. Most importantly, we are provided an enjoyable finale through which we can accept that all good things must come to an end.
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