11 Times Star Trek The Next Generation DID Have Conflict

The idea of bringing families on a space voyage didn’t make sense to a lot of fans and writers because the show totally went off the rails concerning its original “generation ship” concept right after the pilot. Families on a ship doing routine patrol not far outside known space is stupid, but a city ship bound for a twenty year mission into the “great unexplored mass of the galaxy” makes perfect sense.

Picard was the ultimate confirmed bachelor. He didn’t understand families and resented their presence on his ship. Just watch him squirm while having to touch a spittle covered toddler in When the Bough Breaks. This put him at odds with Dr. Crusher and her kid, who he referred to as “the boy” and even told to “shut up” in Datalore.

Riker was immediately assigned as a mediator between him and the civilian crew so Picard could avoid "making an ass out of himself" in front of them altogether.