Image: The Everett Collection
Captain Picard is coming back. Patrick Stewart has returned to his iconic role for an upcoming Star Trek series. Of course, you can catch lightyears of Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's no wonder he is revisiting the role. The esteemed actor seems to have enjoyed his time crafting the sci-fi classic. At least, that the vibe we get from these behind-the-scenes pictures from production. Oh, how we wish we could have been there!
Gene slicing
Star Trek creator and mastermind Gene Roddenberry cuts a cake to celebrate the 100th episode of The Next Generation, the season four finale, "Redemption, Part I." Hey, the original Star Trek only got to 79!
A gathering of minds
Stephen Hawking played himself in "Descent," which also featured "Albert Einstein" (Jim Norton) and "Isaac Newton" (John Neville).
The luckiest kid on the bridge
A lucky young fan got to visit the bridge (and get into costume) during the filming of "Frame of Mind."
Sign here, please
Might as well collection some autographs while you're there, right? We dig Stewart's Members Only jacket.
Beaming smiles
Scotty himself, James Doohan was the guest of honor for the episode "Relics." Here he is posing with director/producer Ron Moore.
Oh captain, my captain!
Together at last! Kirk and Picard! The 1994 blockbuster Star Trek: Generations was a cinematic passing of the torch from TOS to TNG.
At the helm
British director David Carson, who also helmed the premiere episode of Deep Space Nine, discusses a Generations scene with Stewart.
Where there's a Wil, there's a Whoopi
The Wesley and Guinan actors relax on set.
Gone on a Voyager
The Star Trek universe is one big family. LaVar Burton, minus his Geordi visor, directs Kate Mulgrew in an episode of Voyager. He directed eight episodes of that series, as well as nine Enterprise episodes.
Hair and makeup
Of all the Next Generation stars, Jonathan Frakes would go to do the most directing. Here he his giving Neelix (Ethan Phillips) some pointers.
Field of dreams
Frakes made his directorial debut on the big screen with Star Trek: First Contact. He looked more than comfortable with his first film.
Now who's in charge?
Sometimes, "Number One" got to boss around the captain, as Frakes directs Stewart on set of Insurrection in 1998.
Friends and Nemesis
2002's Nemesis was the fourth and final Next Generation film. Remember how Tom Hardy was the bad guy in that? Hey, they should make more of these movies!