Star Trek: The Next Generation’s USS Enterprise-D had a second command center called the battle bridge where the bridge crew gathered when they were forced to implement a saucer separation. The Enterprise-D was a Galaxy-class starship, and all starships of this class were equipped with a more robust auxiliary control center than previous classes. Unlike the Constitution class ship introduced inStar Trek: The Original Series,the Enterprise-D was by far the most advanced ofany version of the USS Enterpriseup to that point,and it had its fair share of technological advancements of the 24th century.
With only a handful of appearances inStar Trek: The Next Generation, a short-lived life inStar Trek: First Contact, and a brief appearance inStar Trek: Prodigy,the battle bridge is somewhat of a mysteryin theStar Trektimeline. Questions as to the lack of its use in later seasons ofStar Trek: The Next Generation, even when a battle bridge would have come in handy, have stumped many viewers and left them wondering when, if ever, the battle bridge will make a comeback. Even so, the battle bridge remains one ofStar Trek’s coolest features.
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The Next Generation’s Enterprise was the first Star Trek ship to feature a battle bridge
The battle bridge in Galaxy-class starships was designed to give the crew control of the stardrive section of the ship in the event of a saucer separation.The extra command center allowed crew members to control each side of the ship separatelywithout the need to abandon ship. This auxiliary bridge was depicted as a necessity during such an event, but it failed to appear in everysaucer separation inStar Trek: The Next Generation. Command, conn, ops, and tactical stations were included in the battle bridge’s design, but it appeared to lack stations for science and engineering officers.
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The battle bridge was introduced inStar Trek: The Next Generation’s pilot episode “Encounter at Farpoint.” With an introduction so early in the series,Star Trek: The Next Generationset up the battle bridge as common practice among 24th-century Federation ships. Other than just three episodes that featured the battle bridge on the Enterprise,TNGnever focused on the battle bridge as an essential asset to the ship. Nevertheless, some of thebestStar Trek: The Next Generationepisodesof all time featured exciting scenes that took place on the battle bridge.
Did Other Star Trek Ships Have A Battle Bridge?
The USS Enterprise-D isn’t the only Federation ship equipped with a battle bridge
Star Trek: Prodigydepicts the battle bridge on board the Lamarr-class science vessel USS Voyager-A. While being attacked by themultiverse eating villains the Loom, Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) had her command crew fall back to the Voyager-A’s battle bridge while she used one of the ship’s shuttles to draw the Loom’s attention. This retreat shows the battle bridge’s tactical uses other than aiding the crew during a saucer separation, whichStar Trekhas thus far depicted as a last-resort strategy.The battle bridge can also serve as a rendezvous pointstill equipped with consoles necessary for battle.
The lack of continuity inStar Trek: The Next Generation’s battle bridge doesn’t take away from its significance.
Star Trekmay not highlight the battle bridge very often, but it still played an important role in many ofStar Trek: The Next Generation’s most essential episodes.The battle bridge has continued to be a hotbed for exciting scenes and tense plot development, even when a saucer separation isn’t required. The lack of continuity inStar Trek: The Next Generation’s battle bridge doesn’t take away from its significance. Instead, the battle bridge’s untapped potential leaves room for more exciting battle bridge scenes inupcomingStar TrekTV shows and moviesand allows previous appearances to feel even more thrilling.
