Unboxing Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-Ray

05-Apr-16 9:00 AM by
Filed under Star Trek; 3 comments.

In 2010, I bought the complete box set of Star Trek: The Next Generation on DVD. It was an indulgence I'd long lusted after, and once I finally had it… it sat in its box, unopened and unwatched.

A year later, I bought my first Blu-Ray player and began lusting after a new prize: The Next Generation in high definition. I blogged at that time about the significant work the studio had done to remaster this classic television series, and theatrical screenings of highlights of each updated season were proof that my dusty old DVDs fell short. I sold the old box set to a friend last fall but left its space open on my shelf for a high-def replacement.

The only thing keeping me from buying the complete series (again) was that each of the seven seasons was available individually only; there was no box set collecting the entire run at a more affordable price. Such a set was announced just yesterday: Star Trek: The Next Generation — The Complete Series: Epik Pack launches on June 7 for $208.99.

But I didn't know that a month ago, which is when I felt the itch to splurge. Some online searches unearthed an alternative to waiting for a domestic release: Amazon.co.uk sells a complete box set of region-free Blu-Ray discs for only £66, or roughly $100 USD including shipping. Such a deal! I was sold.

The result of my purchases recently arrived and, just in time for today being First Contact Day, is the subject of my latest unboxing video:

I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation with my father; this box set, ordered while he was still alive, arrived two weeks later, the day after his funeral. Rather than being a melancholy reminder of our time together, it's serving as the surprising foundation for a new relationship: my mother has now expressed an interest in discovering Star Trek, which she never paid much attention to before. I thought I'd lost my Star Trek buddy and am astonished and thrilled to find I have a new partner with whom to share these voyages. Her introductory episode was "The Inner Light", after which we're going back to the first season and progressing chronologically through these episodes that focus on human-interest stories:

This box set was a perfect purchase at a time it was most needed. I look forward to boldly going through my first Star Trek, seeing it as never before, sharing it for the first time with my mom.

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3 Responses to “Unboxing Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-Ray”

  1. Steven Weyhrich adds:
    05-Apr-16 11:59 AM

    You didn't discuss the transporter accident that left you reduced in size, but left your uniform the same size!

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  2. Peter Watson adds:
    05-Apr-16 10:59 PM

    You definitely need to look at adding a 'like' button so that I can show my approval for comments like Steven's! :-)

    I've never been very good at remembering episode names, but from those that I remember that seems like a great list to share with your mother. (And starting with "Inner Light" was a clever move to pique (Pique-ard?) her interest!)

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  3. Ken Gagne adds:
    06-Apr-16 7:20 AM

    My medical uniform is actually a pair of pajamas given to me by another Showbits reader. Can't blame him for getting the size wrong. :)

    There's a story behind why my mom and I started with "The Inner Light"! More to come.

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