Star Trek: Every Bridge Ranked Worst To Best

When Star Trek: The Next Generation went into production in 1986, designers went to work on creating a bridge set unlike any seen before. There was to be less emphasis on the "mechanics of steering the ship" and more on vital explorative mission functions, according to an early series' bible.

Gone was the submarine-esque approach to the bridge design. Instead, the new Galaxy Class bridge would look more organic, with a large wooden arch serving as a divide between the aft sections and the viewscreen. Plonked down right in the middle were three command chairs--a major increase of the usual one. This new bridge would have six entrance and exits--all leading to important places that hitherto had not really been given much focus on-screen.

And yes, there was a carpet.

Originally, this was one of two bridges that the Enterprise D had, as a redressed movie set would double for her 'battle bridge.' Ultimately, this idea was quietly dropped in favour of keeping the action oriented in one setting.

Over seven series, the bridge did undergo a few cosmetic changes--mainly in lighting and textures. The biggest evolution was for its big screen debut, where the command area was raised and the side panelling replaced with consoles. Both changes were left over from the potential future Enterprise bridge in the show's finale, but were interestingly dropped for her triumphant and nostalgic return in the Star Trek: Picard final episodes.

Even today, The D's bridge still looks--and feels--unique, compared to all that bear the name Enterprise.