One particular line in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Best of Both Worlds” did not age well but is a symbol of how times have changed.
Summary
- A line where Admiral Hanson hints at his attraction to Lt. Commander Shelby is cringe-worthy and causes groans from audiences today.
- Lt. Commander Shelby’s confrontational command style clashes with Commander Riker in “The Best of Both Worlds” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
- Actress Elizabeth Dennehy finds the line amusing and recognizes how times have changed since the episode aired.
As Lt. Commander Shelby actress, Elizabeth Dennehy, points out, one line from Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “The Best of Both Worlds” two-parter aged particularly badly. Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) assimilation by the Borg may be the most memorable element of “The Best of Both Worlds,” but Dennehy’s Lt. Commander Shelby also made quite an impression. After a Borg attack, Shelby and Admiral J.P. Hanson (George Murdock) visit the USS Enterprise-D to assess the situation, and Shelby’s style of command immediately conflicts with that of Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes).
As Admiral Hanson and Captain Picard discuss Lt. Commander Shelby in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1,”, Picard remarks that Hanson “seem[s] rather taken with her.” Hanson replies, “Just an old man’s fantasies,” before continuing to discuss Shelby’s expertise and qualifications. It’s a creepy line in any era, but it’s completely glossed over by the episode. In an interview with Warp Factor Trek, Elizabeth Dennehy references this specific line and the response it garners with today’s audiences. Read her quote below:
It’s so funny, that line. Man, you couldn’t get away with that now; you just couldn’t do that now. Every time I watch it — ’cause sometimes I’m invited to screenings — everybody in the audience groans when that line is said. I wish I could remember if that was questionable back then. I don’t think it was. So, it just goes to show you how far we’ve come. Thank God!
Elizabeth Dennehy reprised the role of Elizabeth Shelby, now an Admiral, in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Shelby appeared briefly in command of the USS Enterprise-F before she was killed by newly assimilated Borg drones.
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Admiral Hanson Actor George Murdock Played God in Star Trek V
Murdock also appeared in the original Battlestar Galactica television series as Dr. Salik.
Despite being an Admiral, J.P. Hanson was quite a step down in ‘rank’ from the first Star Trek character George Murdock had played. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Murdock plays God – or, at least, a powerful alien entity who presents himself as God. Star Trek V follows Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his Starship Enterprise crew as they find themselves on a mission to find God, thanks to Spock’s (Leonard Nimoy) half-brother, Sybok (Lawrence Luckinbill). After highjacking the Enterprise and breaking through the Great Barrier, Sybok finds the mythical planet of Sha Ka Ree and the entity he at first believes to be God.
However, when God demands the use of the Enterprise, Kirk responds with the oft-quoted question: “What does God need with a starship?” Kirk continues to question “God,” eventually getting Sybok to realize that the entity before him is not the God of Sha Ka Ree he was searching for. Sybok then sacrifices himself to save Spock, who seemingly destroys the God-like entity by firing at it from a Klingon Bird-of-Prey. George Murdock looks completely different in these two roles, but they are both memorable additions to the Star Trek universe. Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Best of Both Worlds” remains one of Star Trek‘s greatest stories, cementing both George Murdock and Elizabeth Dennehy as important members of the Star Trek family.
